Hillsboro City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - July 7, 2026

The City Council held a work session on sanitary sewer and stormwater utility fees, followed by a regular meeting with public testimony, consent agenda, legislative actions, and a vote to censure Councilor Christian Salgado. The meeting was marked by emotional testimony regarding the death of 19-year-old cyclist Connor Navarro and ongoing public frustration over data centers and airport expansion.

Work Session: Sanitary Sewer & Stormwater Utility Fees

• Utilities Division Manager Alison Bergsting presented proposed rate increases to fund infrastructure over a 20-year horizon. The proposed increase would result in a total utility bill increase of $4.18 in year one (2.8%) and $6.57 in year two (4.3%), inclusive of Clean Water Services rate changes. Council debated the 20-year plan vs. shorter horizons (10 or 15 years), with staff recommending the 20-year extension due to manageable risk, though deferred maintenance could lead to higher costs later.
• Councilor Harris expressed concern about affordability and suggested capping increases at 3.5% to align with average wage growth. City Manager Robbie Hammett noted the utility assistance program has been expanded, serving 1,190 households in FY 2025–26 with $190,679 in relief.

Public Comments

• Multiple speakers (Eli, Matt Ellenberger, Susie Logue, Nita Pecos, Mari Park) testified on the June 23 death of Connor Navarro at Main and Century Boulevard, demanding immediate safety improvements: lowering speed limits, installing rapid-flashing beacons, protected bike lanes, and abandoning the Century Boulevard expansion. Speakers described a history of near-misses and crashes at the intersection.
• Several speakers opposed the Sky Harbor private jet hangar project, citing lack of environmental review and community notification. Garrett Fleenor (Washington County Democratic Party Vice Chair) urged the council to support the appeal and deny the project.
• Multiple speakers criticized the city’s handling of data center development, transparency, and public engagement. Antonia Lopez and others accused the council of institutional betrayal and ignoring community input. Dirk Knudsen warned of financial risks from the North Hillsboro Urban Renewal Area if promised tax revenues fail to materialize.
• Mickey Barnes requested the council waive a $2,500 fee for public records related to the Sky Harbor appeal, arguing the information is necessary for the appeal process.

Consent Calendar

• Item 4 – Consent Agenda: Motion to approve (Sinclair, second Case). Discussion centered on the Sky Harbor appeal hearing type (de novo vs. on record) and a request to waive public records fees for Barnes and another appellant. City Attorney Chad Jacobs explained that de novo allows new evidence and is more inclusive. Councilor Harris noted that if the appeal is heard on the record, the requested emails would be irrelevant, potentially saving fees. After hearing from Barnes that she was comfortable with de novo, the council directed staff to work with the group to narrow the records request and reduce costs. The motion to approve the consent agenda passed with five votes in favor (Alcare, Case, Anvery, Sinclair, Harris); Councilor Salgado’s vote was not recorded.

Discussion Items

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment 003-26 (Synopsis East): Ordinance 6519 adopted (4-2) to change land-use designation from industrial to station community planning area. Roll call: Alcare nay, Case aye, Anvery aye, Sinclair aye, Harris aye, Salgado nay.
• Zone Change 003-26 (Synopsis East): Order 33 adopted (4-2) to rezone 4.54 acres from station community business park to station community residential medium density. Same vote split.
• Data Storage and Energy Storage Code Amendment: Order 35 adopted (6-0) to initiate code updates defining data centers and energy storage. Councilor Sinclair and Salgado requested the definitions explicitly reference megawatt density and cooling processes, and that previously submitted council research be incorporated into staff’s work.
• Censure of Councilor Salgado: Resolution 2927 adopted (4-0, with Councilor Salgado not voting on his own censure). Councilor Salgado read a statement arguing the June 16 meeting was adjourned, not recessed, and that the factual basis for the censure was flawed. City Attorney Jacobs stated the mayor corrected the term immediately and the council’s inability to restart the meeting due to actions during recess was the basis for the censure. The resolution passed on a roll call vote.

Council Comments

• Councilor Alcare requested clarification on agenda-setting authority, noting the public comment time was moved from end to beginning without council input. City Manager Hammett explained the change was made to allow those attending for specific items to speak early, but acknowledged confusion and restored the original format. Alcare recommended no further changes without council consultation.
• Councilor Sinclair expressed condolences to the Navarro family and committed to improving pedestrian and cyclist safety on the Transportation Committee.
• Councilor Case recommended prioritizing planning and funding for a second ladder truck at South Hillsboro Fire Station 9 to reduce response times, noting the current truck is also used for vehicle extrication. She asked staff to explore faster timeline options.
• Councilor Harris proposed a six-month renewable moratorium on Strategic Investment Program (SIP) tax abatements for data centers, closing a potential loophole. He asked council to consider by email.

Key Outcomes

• Council directed staff to work with Sky Harbor appellants to narrow public records requests and reduce associated fees.
• Ordinances and orders adopted as detailed above.
• Council adopted a public censure of Councilor Christian Salgado for conduct during the June 16 meeting.
• Council will consider via email a moratorium on SIP tax abatements for data centers and prioritizing a second fire ladder truck.
• The next work session on transportation utility fees is scheduled for July 21, 2026.