Forest Grove City Council Meeting - August 24, 2026: Multiple Resolutions and Reports
Forest Grove City Council Meeting - August 24, 2026
Meeting date: August 24, 2026, 7:23 p.m. The Forest Grove City Council met for a regular session after a summer hiatus. Council President Valenzuela led the roll call, resulting in a full council present (all six members). The meeting began with a land acknowledgment, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a proclamation designating September 11, 2026, as the National Day of Service and Remembrance in Forest Grove (read in English and Spanish by Council President Valenzuela).
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (6-0) without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dale Feek spoke about two emails he sent to council: one on mutual expectations and another on Senator Merkley's Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act. He also mentioned a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting where an incident involving Senator McLean at the Forest Grove sewage treatment plant (verbal assault, glasses thrown, arrest) was discussed. He urged council to support Merkley's bill.
- Carol Allery read a scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 and offered blessings to the council.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 2026-35 – Purchase of Property for Kyle Park Expansion: Parks and Recreation Director Lane reported that the city won a bid for two parcels (lots 400 and 401) adjacent to Kyle Park, totaling 19.73 acres, at a cost of $217,800 from park systems development charges. The parcels provide direct connection to the future park and the Forest Grove Loop Trail. Approved by roll call vote 6-0.
- Resolution 2026-36 – Intergovernmental Agreement with Metro for Acquisition Funding: Director Lane stated Metro will reimburse $200,000 of the purchase price, leaving a net city cost of $17,800. Approved 6-0.
- Resolution 2026-37 – Intergovernmental Agreement with Clean Water Services (CWS): Assistant Manager Kim Izal presented an updated IGA, notable for allowing the city to bill CWS for sewer/stormwater revenue collection (increasing city revenue) and changing sanitary sewer SDC allocation from 80% CWS/20% city to 96% CWS/4% city effective July 1, 2027. The change also allows 50-50 cost sharing for replacement of pipes 12 inches and greater, estimated to save the city $10–16 million. Approved 6-0.
- Resolution 2026-38 – Legislative Priorities for League of Oregon Cities (LOC): City Manager Jesse VanderZanden presented five consensus priorities from a July 13 work session: public meetings law clarity, infrastructure funding, land availability/land use streamlining, 2027 transportation package, and full funding/streamlining for housing production. Approved 6-0.
- Resolution 2026-39 – Labor Agreement with AFSCME: HR Director Brenda Camelli and City Attorney Emily Guimont presented a tentative three-year collective bargaining agreement (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029), already ratified unanimously by AFSCME. Highlights: Year 1 – 2% market adjustment + 4% COLA; Year 2 – 3.75% COLA; Year 3 – 3.25% COLA. Additional changes include accelerated vacation accrual, enhanced longevity incentives, new public works positions, and a CDL reimbursement/repayment clause. Health insurance remains at 95% city contribution; a task force will explore alternatives. Approved by roll call 6-0.
- Resolution 2026-40 – City Manager Performance Review Adoption: Discussion held in executive session on June 22; council adopted the review unanimously (6-0).
- Resolution 2026-41 – City Manager Compensation: HR Director Camelli provided market comparables showing the city manager’s base compensation is 0.74% above market median and total compensation 1.79% above median. After discussion, Councilor Schimmel moved to amend the resolution to a 3.25% COLA increase (matching unrepresented employees), applied to both salary and vehicle allowance. The amendment passed 6-0, and the amended resolution was approved 6-0.
Council Communications & Reports
- Council President Valenzuela: Reported on library commission tour of the police station (encouraged support for police bond in November), a visit to Cornelius Library and the former Cornelius Elementary School site for a future community center, and the upcoming Public Arts Commission 20th anniversary celebration on September 26 (4–6 p.m. at the library). Also noted several members of the policy advisory board are not seeking re-election.
- Councilor Falconer: Mentioned the Chamber’s Cornrose Fest on September 19. Expressed heartfelt condolences regarding a tragedy outside city limits over the weekend, thanking first responders.
- Councilor Marshall: Praised Cody and staff for the summer recreation program; noted that Parks and Recreation Board agreed with option B for an upcoming work session; announced next council meeting will be held at the police station to give a tour; and that Linda Harrington will replace PRX as a liaison.
- Councilor Martinez: Sister City Committee reported a student delegation from New Zeon (10 students, ages 12–13, plus teachers) will visit Forest Grove October 20 – November 1. Also noted that the rural fire board reported that the bond has allowed staffing two engines 87% of the time in June (up from 37%), improving emergency response.
- Councilor Schimmel: ADC was on sabbatical; TV Highway Transit Committee will meet in Forest Grove on September 29; CCE met at the police station; he took a tour of the Emerald Trail with Director Lane and introduced Metro Councilor Miles Palacio.
- City Manager Jesse VanderZanden: Reported on a tour with Congresswoman Bonamici of Eastside transportation projects; advertising for Economic Development Strategic Plan (proposals due Sept 1); Civics Academy sign-ups closing today (Aug 24); annual Community Open House tentatively scheduled for October 27; contract with David Evans and Associates to audit comprehensive plan; Public Works Admin Building remodel opened August 7, ahead of schedule and under budget; downtown on-street parking added 20 spaces; fire levy impact (87% two-unit staffing in June); East Side Park nearing completion.
- Mayor Wenzel: Highlighted the field trip with Congresswoman Bonamici, noting $850,000 in federal funds and an additional $1 million pending; mid-block crossing on Rose Grove delayed to year-end due to electrical parts; Habitat for Humanity ribbon cutting for two homes; attended Toyama prefecture’s 30th anniversary of sister statehood; requested data on city spending on homelessness for SHS/Metro; will present at Westside Economic Alliance on Sept 17; reminded of September events (Cornroast, Chalk Art, Public Arts 20th anniversary). Expressed sorrow for the weekend tragedy in Gales Creek and offered support for affected families and first responders.
Key Outcomes
- All eight resolutions (2026-35 through 2026-41 and the consent agenda) were approved unanimously (6-0).
- City manager compensation set at a 3.25% cost-of-living increase, retroactive to July 1, 2026, applied to base salary and vehicle allowance.
- The city acquired 19.73 acres for Kyle Park expansion at a net cost of $17,800 after Metro reimbursement.
- The AFSCME collective bargaining agreement was ratified, effective July 1, 2026.
- The city will submit five legislative priorities to the League of Oregon Cities.
- A new IGA with Clean Water Services was adopted, changing SDC allocation and enabling billing cost recovery.
- The next council meeting will be held at the police station to provide a facility tour.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, welcome back after our summer hiatus. I would like to call to order this meeting of the Forest Grove City Council on Monday, August 24th at 7.23 p.m., will our city recorder please call roll. Council President Valenzuela. Here. Councillor Schumann. Here. Councillor Falconer. Councillor Martinez. Here. Councillor Marshall. Here. Mayor Wenzel. Here. Okay. We acknowledge the land on which Forest Grove is located, rest on the traditional village sites of the Atphalati, a tribe of the Calapua who originally inhabited the Twalton Plains, including Forest Grove. They are now part of the Confederate tribes of Grand Ron. For more information on the At Falati, visit the Pacific University Libraries. Will the Council and the audience please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I just can't see out there now. I'm not really used to it. Okay, so bear with me and I apologize. Okay, so I would like to start with National Day of Service and Remembrance. Whereas on September 11th, 2001, nearly 3,000 men, women, and children who were going about their normal routines were taken from us, depriving families and loved ones of a lifetime of precious moments. And whereas in response to this tragedy, Americans across the country came together in a remarkable spirit of unity and carried out countless acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion. And whereas community organizations and family members of 9-11 victims began observing the anniversary of September 11th as a charitable service day to honor the memory of those who were lost and those who united in response to the tragedy, including first responders and volunteers. And whereas on September 11th, 2026, and on the days leading up to the and following this day, citizens of Forest Grove have an opportunity to participate in activities that honor 9-11 victims and heroes by joining together in service projects to meet community needs. Recordar a quienes perdieron la vida y render homenage a la familias that Forest Grove proclama por la presente el D 11 de September de Service Conmemora. In Forest Grove Oregon exhorta todos sus residents on Rala Memoria de Kienes Perdieron Lavida mediante su participation in actividades de service communitario and ceremonias commemorativas in este daño. In testimonio de Local A suscrito la presente y a dispuesto que el sello de la ciudad de Forest Grove Oregon in este dia 24 of 2026, nuestra alcaldesa Malinda Wenso. Thank you, Council of President Valenzuela. We are now going to move on to item B on the agenda, which is public comment. Time provided for anyone wishing to speak to the council on any item 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 extended by the council. Zoom attendees may use the raised hand option to be called on. And we have two people signed up for public comment. We'll start with Mr. Dale Feek. Good evening, Mare Winsel and Council President of Valezuela and Councillors. I had when I do public comment to the county commissioners, this falls back, so I just have to check or don't fall back, hurt myself. Sorry about three minutes. You may. Thank you. I sent you two emails. I'm going to talk about those two emails. One has to do with others have a right to expect from us and what we have a right to expect from others. The other has to do with Merkley and Wildfires. I went to the Chamber of Commerce meeting today in which the present the two talkers were McLean, representing McLean and Senator Solman. I asked a question, and they both spoke about the incident that happened to Senator McLean out at the sewage and treatment plant in Forest Grove.
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