OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Forest Grove City Council Meeting - January 26, 2026

City Council — Monday, January 26, 2026
BodyForest Grove, Oregon
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, January 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:45:26

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Good evening.

0:07

I'd like to call this Forest Grove City Council meeting to order on January 26, 2006.

0:14

Will our fantastic city recorder please call roll?

0:19

Councilor Gesterson?

0:20

Here.

0:20

Council President Von Zoila?

0:22

Here.

0:22

Counselor Shimon?

0:23

Here.

0:24

Councillor Falconer?

0:25

Here.

0:25

Counselor Martinez?

0:26

Here.

0:27

Counselor Marshall?

0:28

Here.

0:28

Mayor Wenzel.

0:29

Here.

0:30

We acknowledge the land on which Forest Grove is located.

0:33

Rest on the traditional village sites of the Atphalati, a tribe of the Kalapuas who originally inhabited the Tualetan Plains, including Forest Grove.

0:43

They are now part of the tri sorry.

0:46

They are now part of the Confederate tribes of Grand Ron.

0:49

Will the audience and council please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:55

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States owner.

1:00

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:12

Thank you.

1:13

We're gonna move on to item B on the agenda.

1:16

Item B is public comment.

1:18

Time provided for anyone wishing to speak to the city council on an item not on the agenda or on the agenda but not scheduled for a public hearing.

1:26

Comments are limited to two minutes unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer.

1:32

The public comment period shall not exceed 30 minutes unless a majority of counselors present vote to extend the time.

1:38

Zoom attendees may use the raise hand option to be called on.

1:41

So I'm gonna go through my list.

1:44

Excuse me.

1:46

Okay.

1:48

First on the list is David Dionney.

1:55

Can you please come to the table in front to provide public comment?

2:09

Good evening, sir.

2:10

Hello.

2:12

So I'm here to talk about ice.

2:16

And what I have to say is that this is no longer about immigration.

2:22

There is a masked paramilitary force in the United States.

2:27

Their stated purpose is immigration enforcement, but they have moved well beyond.

2:34

ICE is at best a rogue agency.

2:37

And we are proceeding as though legal and constitutional remedies are sufficient, despite the fact that the group we are talking about is functionally a group of terrorists.

2:50

They have repeatedly and openly defied the law, under orders from leaders who are openly and proudly defying court orders, Congress, and the Constitution itself.

3:02

At what point do we acknowledge that the duty of this council to ensure the public good conflicts with the duty of deference to federal authority?

3:12

When ICE arrives in force, what steps will you take to protect the citizens of the city?

3:20

When ICE begins to abduct and murder my neighbors.

3:46

As the invasion that it effectively is.

4:27

An army from treating enemy combatants.

4:31

The Forest Grove police are a force meant to protect us.

4:35

They are a force meant to protect me and you and everyone in this room.

4:40

If they are unequal to that task, in the face of extra legal aggression, there must be a call for help from the state.

4:47

If such help will not be forthcoming, there must be a plan.

4:52

The death of even one human being at the hands of ICE in this city is too many.

5:00

Acknowledge the scope of the danger.

5:01

Plan for the unthinkable and protect us with every resource at your disposal.

5:07

Thank you, sir.

5:13

Carol Allen.

5:22

My name's Carol Allery.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████16%
Transportation Safety███████████████15%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Immigration Enforcement██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Forest Grove City Council Meeting - January 26, 2026

The Forest Grove City Council met on January 26, 2026, at 8:00 AM. The meeting included public comments on immigration enforcement, presentations from Metro and Washington County, a discussion on the TV Highway Access Management Strategy, and approval of an ordinance streamlining liquor licensing. The council also added a Black History Month proclamation to the February agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Dionney expressed strong opposition to ICE, describing it as a "rogue agency" and a "paramilitary force" that has moved beyond immigration enforcement. He urged the council to plan for protecting citizens if ICE arrives in force, calling the potential for harm "an invasion."
  • Carol Allery discussed national debt and gold standard concerns, urging the council to consider biblical teachings on economic collapse. She distributed information via email.
  • Thell Feek spoke on two topics: a candlelight vigil at Forest Grove Library mourning recent killings and immigration crackdowns, and a panel of five attorneys general in Portland. He played a video clip about the vigil, which included a reference to community outrage against ICE.
  • Michael Johnson (Indivisible Forest Grove) expressed frustration with federal actions, stating the administration is destroying faith in the legal system. He thanked the council for taking legal steps to defend laws and values, and urged remembrance of victims (e.g., Renee Goode, Alex Brady).
  • Beth Jenley thanked the mayor and councilors for acknowledging community anxiety. She asked for clarification on the police chief's obligation to respect a DHS internal memo that she believes sets aside Fourth Amendment protections. She called on the council to affirm constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

Presentations

Metro Update (Councilor Juan Carlos Gonzalez)

  • Gonzalez provided an overview of Metro's role and recent work, including a $500,000 emergency fund for regional food banks and $500,000 for counties impacted by immigration enforcement.
  • He highlighted the Housing Production Accelerator Fund, a $5M program from construction excise tax to support city planning and code improvements for housing.
  • On the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) measure, he noted the council is overhauling oversight into a single regional committee with city representation, and decided not to go to the ballot for broader reforms.
  • Regarding parks, he mentioned a potential parks levy renewal and challenges staffing west-side parks (e.g., Shahalem Ridge) due to ranger logistics.
  • Councilor Schimmel asked about the accelerator fund accommodating smaller cities; Gonzalez affirmed the program is designed for cities at different scales.

County Update (Commissioner Jerry Willey)

  • Willey reported passage of public safety and library levies in November 2025.
  • He noted a declaration of emergency for Highway 6 (sliding road) to access federal funds for long-term safety improvements.
  • Budget season begins with a $5-6M deficit (smaller than prior years), driven by unfunded mandates and inflation. The county is pursuing transparent budget processes.
  • Legislative priorities include $1.25M for courthouse planning, jail expansion study (county has smallest jail in Oregon per capita), and capital improvements at the current jail.
  • COPAC (economic development) faces financial challenges after dissolution of Columbia Economic Team; dues may increase from $250 (unchanged since 1990s).
  • Willey testified to the Board of Forestry against the Habitat Conservation Plan, arguing for a balanced approach to protect species while maintaining timber harvest. He emphasized sustainable forest growth and the "greatest permanent value" principle.
  • Responding to Councilor Martinez, he stated the county has not suspended its contract with Flock (camera system) and believes cities have paused use; he offered to follow up.

TV Highway Access Management Strategy (Dan Rudin)

  • Rudin presented the project, funded by ODOT and DLCD, focused on safety improvements on TV Highway from Quince Street to east of U Street (0.5 mile corridor with 29 driveways).
  • The project will gather data on driveway use, develop policy recommendations, and propose development code and Transportation System Plan amendments.
  • Community engagement includes fact sheets in English/Spanish, a project webpage, business owner meetings, focus groups, and a community open house in May 2026. Adoption is expected by mid-2027.
  • Councilor Falconer emphasized the need to hear from vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, transit-dependent) and asked that surveys track vehicle ownership. Council President Valenzuela asked about outreach to Centro Cultural and Adelante; Rudin confirmed they are on the technical advisory committee.
  • Councilor Schimmel asked to coordinate with the TV Highway transit project and other safety projects; Rudin confirmed coordination with BRT and Safe Routes to School.
  • Mayor Wenzel expressed excitement and offered to assist with community engagement.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinance 2026-01 (Liquor License Process): City Recorder Mariah Woods presented updates from an October 2025 work session. Changes streamline the process: authorize city manager (or designee) to make favorable recommendations to OLCC (unfavorable still go to council), remove background checks for renewals (police chief reviews annual renewal list), and remove business license requirements for special event licenses. Councilor Martinez noted it helps economic development. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading (7-0).
  • Black History Month Proclamation: Councilor Falconer moved to add Black History Month to February proclamations. Motion passed unanimously (7-0).

Councilor Communications

  • Council President Valenzuela reported library staff changes: new reference supervisor Jack Buck, and youth services librarian Carolina accepted a position in Tigard (71 applications received to replace her). She also mentioned a Thursday meeting on funding presentations.
  • Councilor Falconer reported on TriMet service cuts: Forest Grove not directly impacted, but other communities face tough cuts. She urged support for Safe Routes to School funding. She attended an attorneys general panel noting over 50 lawsuits against the Trump administration. She briefed on a Bureau of Reclamation letter concerning Barney Reservoir dam at Hagg Lake, potentially restricting water allocations, and suggested a future work session on water reserves (consensus reached).
  • Councilor Gustison reported on PAC 20-year anniversary planning and retreat on March 28.
  • Councilor Marshall missed Torks and Rec due to illness.
  • Councilor Martinez reported Sister City committee updates: adult visits only on anniversary years (every five years); student exchange October 28-November 1 this year. The committee is exploring becoming a nonprofit.
  • Councilor Schimmel reported Urban Renewal Area building grants: upwards of 350,000 in applications. TV Highway transit project resumed with management transition to TriMet; construction targeted for 2028, but funding risks include 82nd Avenue priority and state budget. He asked about municipal funding installment milestones and whether funds would be returned if the project fails.
  • City Manager Jesse reported: upcoming work session on URA building grants; ODOT update on TV Highway pedestrian crossing; county update on Highway 47/Maple/Fern Hill and Council Creek Trail; police chief recruitment completed interviews; Woodfold property closed (URA now owner); market analysis for boutique hotel and grocery store starting; scoping for economic development strategic plan and communications/branding plan; meeting with Centro and Senior Center about improvements possibly funded by CDBG.
  • Mayor Wenzel reported on Metropolitan Mayors Consortium meeting discussing Senate Bill 1586 (Oregon Jobs Act). She noted the council needs a way to track state legislation and asked staff to look into advocacy options. She requested all event invitations be sent as calendar invites (e.g., town halls, State of the City). She outlined State of the City (March 12) and assigned topics to councilors: Schimmel (economic development), Falconer (transportation), Martinez (public safety), Gustison (PAC/arts), Valenzuela (library).

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous approval (7-0) of first reading of Ordinance 2026-01 amending liquor licensing process.
  • Unanimous approval (7-0) to add Black History Month proclamation to February meeting.
  • Council consensus to hold a future work session on water reserves (Barney Reservoir/Hagg Lake).
  • Council directed staff to explore options for tracking state legislation and advocacy.
  • Council accepted calendar invite request for events.
  • Next steps: TV Highway Access Management Strategy community engagement begins with property owner meetings on Jan 29; community open house anticipated in May 2026; adoption by mid-2027.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call this Forest Grove City Council meeting to order on January 26, 2006. Will our fantastic city recorder please call roll? Councilor Gesterson? Here. Council President Von Zoila? Here. Counselor Shimon? Here. Councillor Falconer? Here. Counselor Martinez? Here. Counselor Marshall? Here. Mayor Wenzel. Here. We acknowledge the land on which Forest Grove is located. Rest on the traditional village sites of the Atphalati, a tribe of the Kalapuas who originally inhabited the Tualetan Plains, including Forest Grove. They are now part of the tri sorry. They are now part of the Confederate tribes of Grand Ron. Will the audience and council please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States owner. And to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you. We're gonna move on to item B on the agenda. Item B is public comment. Time provided for anyone wishing to speak to the city council on an item not on the agenda or on the agenda but not scheduled for a public hearing. Comments are limited to two minutes unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer. The public comment period shall not exceed 30 minutes unless a majority of counselors present vote to extend the time. Zoom attendees may use the raise hand option to be called on. So I'm gonna go through my list. Excuse me. Okay. First on the list is David Dionney. Can you please come to the table in front to provide public comment? Good evening, sir. Hello. So I'm here to talk about ice. And what I have to say is that this is no longer about immigration. There is a masked paramilitary force in the United States. Their stated purpose is immigration enforcement, but they have moved well beyond. ICE is at best a rogue agency. And we are proceeding as though legal and constitutional remedies are sufficient, despite the fact that the group we are talking about is functionally a group of terrorists. They have repeatedly and openly defied the law, under orders from leaders who are openly and proudly defying court orders, Congress, and the Constitution itself. At what point do we acknowledge that the duty of this council to ensure the public good conflicts with the duty of deference to federal authority? When ICE arrives in force, what steps will you take to protect the citizens of the city? When ICE begins to abduct and murder my neighbors. As the invasion that it effectively is. An army from treating enemy combatants.

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