Good evening, I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Forest Grove City Council on Monday, June 22nd at 704 p.m.

Will our city recorder please call roll.

Councillor Gustavson.

Council President Valenzuela.

Here.

Councillor Shimmel.

Here.

Councillor Falkner?

Here.

Councillor Martinez?

Here.

Councillor Marshall.

Here.

Mayor Wenzel.

Here.

We acknowledge the land on which Forest Grove is located rest on the traditional village sites of the At Phalati, a tribe of the Calapuas who originally inhabited the Twalton Plains, including Forest Grove.

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

Will the audience and the Council please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

So I'm going to begin with Proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month.

Whereas Parks and Recreation is an integral part of communities throughout this country, including Forest Grove, Oregon, and whereas our parks and recreation programs are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in our communities, ensuring the health of all citizens, and contributing and sorry, I lost my place.

And whereas parks and recreation increases a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction.

And whereas Parks and Recreation is a leading provider of healthy meals, nutrition services, and education.

And whereas our parks and natural recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors.

Now, therefore, the city council of the city of Forest Grove does hereby proclaim the month of July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month in Forest Grove, Oregon, and encourages all residents of Forest Grove to celebrate the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services, and fostering the growth of our communities.

Thank you.

In testimonio de Loqual Asus Crito La Presente Ya Echo Kel Sello de la Ciudad de Forest Grove Oregon.

Thank you, Council President.

We're gonna continue on theme with Parks and Recreation.

Our community is so strong because of the volunteers and the community members that make us up.

And so it's really fitting that volunteers who serve on our Parks and Recreation Commission, who are, as I said before, volunteers recognize other volunteers for stepping up for our community.

So with that, um, I proudly introduce our Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Joe Offer.

Well, and I have uh the privilege of talking about a couple stars for our Parks and Record Parks and Recreation Commission.

So I'll run through two awards this year after I run through a wards.

Um, if any participants from those groups like to come up uh and also take part in a great picture, that'd be awesome as well.

Um I'll start with uh the Gales Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

So the Forest Grove Parks and Recreation Commission extends its sincere appreciation to the Gilles Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their outstanding volunteer service over the past year.

This group generously partnered with the department on two major stewardship projects in Thatcher Park.

In the summer of 2025, volunteers helped spread wood chips throughout the trail system at Thatcher Park Woods, improving accessibility and creating a safer, safer, more enjoyable experience for park visitors.

Since then, in the spring of 2026, an impressive team of 47 volunteers returned to Thatcher Park and planted 500 bare root dogwood trees donated by Clean Water Services to help restore and enhance the forest areas of the park.

Their commitment, energy, and willingness to serve has made a meaningful and lasting impact to our community spaces.

We are grateful for their continued partnership and dedication to the stewardship of our parks.

And if any would like to come up, uh we have a wonderful plaque and would love to get a picture of the city.

Yeah, that's great.

So the Forest Grove Parks and Recreation Commission proudly recognizes 50 students from two third and fourth grade grade classes from the Forest Grove Community School, along with their teachers and six parent volunteers for their hands-on contributions to Thatcher Park this spring.

And if anyone wants to come up for a picture.

Thank you once again to our parks and rec commission for honoring these great volunteers and thank you to our volunteers uh for helping keep our parks upkeep.

Um it's so fun to see to celebrate people in our community.

So I feel like we can just end the meeting now and on that note, but maybe not.

Okay, so we'll move on to public comment.

Mr.

Feek does not want me to end before his moment in the spotlight.

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 councillors present.

Vote to extend the time.

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

Okay.

So our first person signed up for public comment is Dale Feek.