Forest Grove City Council and CEP Committee Meetings - October 12, 2026

This document summarizes two related meetings held on October 12, 2026: a Community Enhancement Program (CEP) Committee meeting and a regular City Council meeting followed by a work session on an ICE incident at the police department. The CEP Committee approved three grant awards. The City Council conducted routine business, received public testimony on traffic safety and the ICE incident, heard presentations on the Family Peace Center, federal affairs, and TV Highway safety, and then held a work session on the police department's encounter with an ICE agent.

Consent Calendar

• City Council: Approved the monthly building activity report (C1) on a 7-0 vote.
• Item C2 (October 2026 Tourism Sponsorship Award) was removed by Councillor Govson (who abstained due to a board membership) and then approved 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan and Ron Field (1025 Gough Road): Submitted a petition with 81 signatures requesting speed-reducing measures on Gough Road after a hit-and-run driver killed a dog in a crosswalk. Asked for a four-way stop at Heatherway and Gough.
• Ron Robin Orson (Gough Road): Supported the request and also asked for a four-way stop at Gough and Falls. Suggested police monitor speeding from his driveway.
• Dale Feek (resident since 1966): Discussed three topics: (1) urging monitoring of the Crane Data Center's diesel generators; (2) warning about the SAFE database inaccuracy for mail-in ballots, recommending early mailing or drop-box use; (3) supporting the Forest Grove Police Department after the ICE incident, noting they acknowledged a mistake.
• Lauren Miller (1520 Elm Street): Expressed concern about the former police chief's statements on immigration enforcement and the recent ICE agent incident. Questioned who authorized the agent into a restricted area and demanded accountability. Stated that a sanctuary city commitment must be reflected in enforceable policies, not just resolutions.
• Beth Genley (Indivisible Forest Grove): Called the ICE incident a violation of small-town values. Urged police training to address the public's fear of ICE and emphasized that police should never offer camaraderie to ICE agents. Thanked city officials who acknowledged the fear.
• Kylie Delgado: Showed a photo of the ICE agent and demonstrated that his vest clearly identified “ICE.” Accused officers of lying about not recognizing the agent. Urged release of footage and an internal audit, claiming the agent never used the restroom.
• Sandra Pareta (speaking for Antonia Lopez): Presented an actionable policy for sanctuary status, similar to those adopted by Hillsboro and Beaverton. Stated that the ICE incident erodes trust, especially in the Latina community, and recommended reprimanding the officer who allowed it.
• Antonia Lopez: Began as a domestic violence advocate. Said the ICE incident will cost lives. Asked that officers wearing purple patches should mean something. Called for an investigation of Sergeant Martino for either lying or allowing a masked gunman into a secure area.
• Red Wortham: Noted the backpack program has served triple the families. Criticized the city for instilling more fear. Demanded Chief Marzilli acknowledge the mistake and call for accountability for the sergeant and the officer who ridiculed a legal observer.
• Hope Kramer: Requested an independent investigator not from law enforcement and asked that lobby video be made public to clarify the incident.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation: Mayor read a proclamation declaring October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Forest Grove. Rachel Schutz from the Family Justice Center accepted.
• Family Peace Center Presentation: Executive Director Rachel Schutz and Board President Judy Welley reported on the new Family Peace Center, which opened nine months ago. Services provided to 3,479 survivors in Washington County (6,754 total services). Physical access increased 34% compared to the former Family Justice Center. Forest Grove residents served rose 138% to 162 (from 68 the previous year). The center offers a single door for survivors with co-located services, removing barriers like transportation and child care. Councillor Falkner asked about sustainable funding models; other cities fund through general fund or public safety levies.
• Federal Affairs Update: Michael Skipper (senior vice president) presented the city's 2026 federal agenda. Earmark requests submitted for TV Highway Safety ($1M secured in House bill; $3M possible from Senate), Forest Grove Loop Trail, and Campus Corridor Gateway. Also submitted an $11.2M grant request for TV Highway safety. Water Quest Reservoir grant pending after a Trump administration hold. Election outlook: Democrats favored to take the House; Senate also in play. Congress recessed until after election; must pass FY27 appropriations by Dec 11. Councillor Falkner asked about the certainty of the $1M given minority status; Skipper confirmed that was the maximum achievable.
• TV Highway Access Management Strategy: Senior Planner Dan Rudin provided an update on a project to improve safety on a 2/3-mile segment from Quint St to 1st St. 33 driveways were evaluated. Short-term solutions include signage, rebuilding driveways; long-term options involve driveway closures, medians, and pedestrian improvements (e.g., rapid flashing beacons). Community outreach included two focus groups, a public open house, and 600+ letters. Next steps: draft amendments to the Transportation System Plan and development code, with adoption targeted by June 2027. Councillor Falconer asked about incentives for property owners; staff noted the city can use development code requirements and ODOT's ability to reevaluate access permits. Councillor Martinez asked about the delayed mid-block crossing at Rose Grove (utility issues with ODOT); Rudin agreed to raise it at the next project meeting.
• Council Communication: Brief reports from councillors on committee meetings (PAB, library commission), upcoming events (Eastside Park grand opening Oct 16, Sister City student delegation Oct 28–Nov 1 needing host families, CCE open house Oct 27, TV Highway project committee meeting).
• City Manager's Report: Responding to public testimony on Gough Road, a crash and traffic warrant analysis will be conducted for the intersection at Gough and Heatherway. Also, water rights transfer from a newly purchased property on Gales Creek, and interviews for an economic development strategic plan consultant.
• Work Session on ICE Incident: Chief Dave Marzilli and City Manager presented a timeline of the Oct 7 incident at the police station. An ICE agent parked outside; an officer allowed him into a restricted area to use the restroom after the agent identified himself. A community member filmed the interaction. No law was broken, but policy was violated. Immediate actions: policy clarified (no federal agents in non-public areas without official business), press release issued, training refreshed. Next steps: independent third-party review (council consensus for a non-law enforcement agency), release of video (council asked staff and city attorney to investigate feasibility), and development of a new video restating sanctuary city commitments. Councillors discussed trust, accountability, training gaps, and need for transparent communication.

Key Outcomes

• CEP Committee: Approved grant funding for Forest Grove Backpack Program, Forest Grove School District Family Resource Center, and Gigi's House on a 10-0 vote.
• Consent Agenda Approval: C1 approved 7-0; C2 approved 6-0 (Councillor Govson abstained).
• Gough Road Speeding: City Manager confirmed crash and warrant analysis will be conducted.
• ICE Incident Review: Council directed staff to engage a third-party investigator not affiliated with law enforcement; also asked city attorney to explore options for releasing video footage. Staff will provide updates via a future work session.
• Policy & Training: Police Department will refresh all training on sanctuary city policies and facility access procedures. A new video reiterating the city's sanctuary commitments will be produced.