OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Hillsboro City Council Meeting and Work Session - July 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 21, 2026
BodyHillsboro, Oregon
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:45:21

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Good evening and welcome to the July 21st work session.

0:10

Just so you all know, uh, Councillor Ambry and uh Councillor Silgato are unable to attend, and they are excused.

0:17

Uh there are and there have been several disruptions during uh city work sessions, and so want to begin by setting the expectation for everyone uh that we do not tolerate disruptions that preclude the council from being able to conduct its business.

0:32

Disruptions do have an impact on everyone in room and online.

0:36

Those who cause disruptions will be asked to watch the work session from the auditorium or to leave the meeting and the building altogether.

0:44

This is deemed this statement now is the first warning for all attendees in the meeting.

0:50

Any person who disrupts the meeting will be provided with an individualized warning.

0:55

Any further disruptions will then result in that individual being asked again to watch the work session from the auditorium or being removed from the building altogether.

1:04

I'll now turn the time over to staff to begin the work session.

1:08

Thank you.

1:08

I have a question.

1:09

Um, I'm wondering if you could review all of those rules when we're in the auditorium.

1:15

Beginning so that people are not finding out on the spot that they're breaking a rule.

1:21

For example, I was unaware that you couldn't have food in the auditorium.

1:25

So if you could explain those roles, that would be really helpful.

1:30

And then I think that people wouldn't be put on the spot when they have no idea that they're breaking the rule.

1:41

Uh thank you, Counselor Alcair.

1:42

Uh, at the last meeting, I did uh read those rules, and I'm happy to read them again.

1:46

And I was intending to read them again for the meeting.

1:48

Thank you very much.

1:50

I'll turn it over to the staff.

1:52

Uh Simone.

1:54

Thank you, Mayor.

1:56

Good evening, council.

1:57

Um, I'm actually going to hand it right on off to Tina Bailey and Teresa Gallon to talk about our transportation detail.

2:05

Did I just cut you off?

2:07

Um good evening, Council.

2:08

Um, for the record, Tina Bailey, the assistant director for the public works department.

2:12

And with me tonight is Teresa Galvin, our business operation manager for public works.

2:17

Um I'm going to try to breeze through this quickly, which unfortunately for you, I also speak quickly.

2:23

So if I am speaking too rapidly, that's an interruption, but I would really appreciate so I can try to slow it down.

2:30

Otherwise, if I could get you to hold questions to the very end of the presentation, we might be covering your questions as we go through in the interest of trying to save some time.

2:40

So I can get the slide to advance.

2:43

Um you've seen this slide before.

2:45

This is just a kind of a little bit of a reminder that we do not assess all the utilities that people are billed for on a monthly basis.

2:54

Um, the ones that we have direct control over management and billing.

3:01

Um we indirect the bill for waste management, but we are not responsible for any of the management or billing for some of the other utilities, broadband cable, etc.

3:13

You will also have seen, I think this slide before in a prior presentation, which is just some reminder that like all the other utilities, we conduct master plans, we do asset management, we put together a five-year utility plan, and we come to you on a every other year basis to look at raising fees if necessary to accommodate the needs to build uh to build the programs that we have.

3:38

What is unique about transportation over other utilities is that originally transportation was funded entirely by gas tax and vehicle registration fees.

3:47

So that's um an unique thing that we still receive revenue for that other utilities do not have, but also that we do not have direct control over.

3:56

And really, about the 1990s, um, we saw the buying power of that money deteriorate.

4:02

Originally, that money was meant for building not only maintenance but also building capital projects.

4:07

And that deteriorated so much that early about the 1990s, the county did the transportation impact fee, which is now the transportation development tax, which is assessed with buildings to help build capital projects.

4:19

Um, and yet another fee that we don't have direct control over, but we directly benefit from.

4:24

Early in the 2000s, we created the transportation utility fee because the gas tax and the registration fees were no longer even covering our maintenance costs.

4:34

And uh pavement management program, which is the biggest ticket item in our maintenance budget, was becoming the balancing figure, and we were quickly going behind in the program.

4:45

Um so TOF was created really to stabilize the pavement management program.

4:49

The story you're gonna hear tonight is that things have gotten a little bit more higher.

4:57

So, just to kind of cover what we maintain in transportation infrastructure.

5:01

Again, we TUF was really to deal with the roadway surface structure maintenance, but there's a lot of things that we're responsible for in the pavement or in the transportation world.

5:17

What doesn't come on here that takes up a substantial portion of revenue and time is dealing with traffic homing and also dealing with curb management and parking.

5:28

Those have become significant draws on the staff time today.

5:38

When we last adopted fee increases two years ago, we were very conservative in our approach to revenue generation because we knew that the state was considering increasing fees because they too, like many agencies, are in the same position we are.

5:55

Obviously, the state passed 3991, which generated would have at full implementation would have given us about $3 million worth of revenue annually, which would have had a significant impact on our ability to fund the program at the time.

6:09

In the interim, since we had the conversation about rates, the county is also looking at has been looking at doing a vehicle registration fee increase.

6:21

And I believe they're increasing that to doubling that, looking at doubling that rate.

6:30

Most of it, there is still a small fraction of it that exists for high mileage vehicles and gas and electric vehicles, then some of those fees still remain behind.

6:42

However, it's very minimal impact to the revenue that we're obtaining today.

6:47

The county vehicle registration fee is not dead at this point in time, but if it is to go forward, it will likely be at a far reduced rate.

6:58

County is required to share that revenue with us, and it would have generated a rate that they're originally proposing 2.1 million dollars per year.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development████████████████16%
Procedural██████████████14%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Public Engagement████████8%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Hillsboro City Council Meeting and Work Session - July 21, 2026

The meeting included a work session on the transportation utility fee (TUF) and a regular city council meeting covering proclamations, public comment, multiple resolutions, and a work session on data center code amendments. The council adopted resolutions on road vacation, park rules, leaded fuel transition, and a 180-day pause on data center strategic investment program agreements.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda (minutes and a three-year enterprise agreement) with one item (4.3, Home Consortium Agreement) pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Justin Simpson (brain injury survivor, legally blind): Expressed frustration over sidewalk obstructions, lack of virtual meeting access, and inadequate city response to ADA complaints.
  • Dan Eisenbeis (Port of Portland): Supported resolution 2930 to transition from leaded aviation gas, noting the port's engagement in the FAA's Eagle Initiative and commitment to transparency.
  • Blaine Ackley: Supported the leaded fuel resolution, urging the council to treat it as a first step and call for annual progress reports from the port.
  • Elizabeth Mazara Myers (West Side Economic Alliance): Urged the council to reject a moratorium on data centers, instead advocating for a collaborative framework balancing environmental standards, community benefits, and economic development.
  • Karna Sheath: Testified in favor of the leaded fuel resolution, citing health risks of lead.
  • Andres Perez Leite: Criticized the council for prioritizing data center development over public interests, calling for a moratorium.
  • Terry Kaiser (Hillsboro Medical Center nurse): Opposed the closure of the geriatric psychiatric and observation units, stating it would eliminate nearly half the state's geriatric psych beds and urging council action.
  • James Schultz (Hillsboro Medical Center nurse): Opposed the closures, citing lack of transparency and asking the council to demand a pause.
  • Brianna Ellenberger: Requested traffic calming measures (e.g., concrete medians) on East Main Street near Century Boulevard, citing high crash rates and a fatal pedestrian crash.
  • Leif Eccles: Raised environmental concerns about the Century Boulevard extension, including impacts on waterways, threats to steelhead, and stormwater management facility location.
  • Mr. Brown: Criticized the council on data centers, police conduct, and immigration enforcement, referencing systemic issues.
  • Jenna: Opposed resolution 2929 (park rules), arguing it targets homeless individuals and improperly tasks park staff with enforcement.
  • Teresa Say: Supported the leaded fuel resolution, citing studies linking lead exposure to children's health and noting the availability of alternatives.
  • Andrew Barker: Corrected the staff report on East Main Street crashes, noting a fatal crash in 2023 was omitted and asking the council to withhold cooperation on the Century Boulevard extension until safety improvements are made.
  • Tori Lewis: Offered prayers for the council and recited biblical verses about praying for those in authority.
  • Dirk Knutson: Requested actual numbers on tax abatements and enterprise zone impacts, emphasizing the need for data-driven policy on data centers.
  • Kyla Delgado: Criticized a new Washington County policy on retail theft, arguing it leads to arrests for minor theft and disproportionately affects minorities, citing Hillsboro Police Department's racial bias.
  • Jacob Roloff: Called for a moratorium on data center construction, criticizing the pace of review and the mayor's role on the West Side Economic Alliance.
  • David Barnes (Oregon Aviation Watch): Supported the leaded fuel resolution, noting HIO ranks 8th in lead emissions nationally and urging the port to offer unleaded fuel now.
  • Mickey Barnes: Referenced the Santa Clara County study at Reid-Hillview Airport, showing lead levels during peak hours exceeded Flint water crisis levels, and urged similar action at HIO.
  • Danielle Siver: Shared a personal story of a violent crime and urged the council to support economic development to fund public safety and social services.
  • Jim Lubisher: Noted FAA-approved unleaded fuel (G100UL) is available and urged the port to bring it to HIO, debunking common excuses.
  • Jody: Criticized the increased police presence at meetings and the tone of public comment rules, urging more action from the council.
  • Sarah D.: Expressed concern that the new public comment rules chill participation, and encouraged continued civic engagement.
  • Pam Code: Called for a work session on East Main Street safety, emphasizing environmental cues (e.g., bollards, paint) to reduce speeds.
  • Lindsay A.: Proposed tactical urbanism (temporary paint) to calm traffic on East Main Street, noting it could be implemented quickly.
  • Tracy Schultz: Raised concerns about AI replacing jobs and the need for a community plan to protect employment.

Discussion Items

  • Transportation Utility Fee (TUF) Work Session: Staff presented a comprehensive overview of the transportation fund's financial challenges. Key points: The fund faces a shortfall of $2 million per year, with reserves going negative by 2030. The pavement management program (PMP) requires $8.5 million annually but is currently funded at $4.5 million. Staff recommended a middle scenario increase of $11.64/month for residential customers (from $10.60) to partly address the gap. Councilors asked about commercial fees, personnel costs, and the impact of state and county revenue options. No formal action was taken; it was informational.
  • Proclamations: Council recognized Farmers Market Week (August 2-8) and Parks and Recreation Month (July) with speeches from commission members.
  • Appointment to Transportation Committee: Councillor Olivia Alcair was appointed to fill the remainder of the term.
  • Resolution 2929 (Parks Rules): After discussion, the resolution was initially voted down 3-2 (with the mayor voting against?), but the mayor then voted in favor, resulting in adoption 4-2. (Note: The vote was: Case aye, Harris aye, Sinclair aye, Alcair nay, then mayor aye, so 4-2 passes.)
  • Resolution 2930 (Leaded Fuel Transition): Adopted unanimously. Council discussed soil and air testing at city facilities, multilingual communication, and quarterly progress reports from staff.
  • Resolution 2931 (Data Center SIP Pause): Adopted unanimously. This creates a 180-day pause on strategic investment program agreements with standalone data centers.
  • Item 4.3 (Home Consortium Agreement): Pulled from consent agenda. Councillor Sinclair requested a condition that any affordable housing project involving city-owned land must receive a final council vote before binding contracts. Staff clarified that such projects already come to council first. The motion passed.
  • Data Center Code Amendments Work Session: Staff presented draft phase-one code amendments including new use categories (data storage, energy storage/generation), prohibitions in certain zones, acreage caps (203 acres in IP, 305 acres in IS, essentially full), and accessory use allowances. Council discussed the need for a third work session, percentage caps on accessory uses, and exploring a

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the July 21st work session. Just so you all know, uh, Councillor Ambry and uh Councillor Silgato are unable to attend, and they are excused. Uh there are and there have been several disruptions during uh city work sessions, and so want to begin by setting the expectation for everyone uh that we do not tolerate disruptions that preclude the council from being able to conduct its business. Disruptions do have an impact on everyone in room and online. Those who cause disruptions will be asked to watch the work session from the auditorium or to leave the meeting and the building altogether. This is deemed this statement now is the first warning for all attendees in the meeting. Any person who disrupts the meeting will be provided with an individualized warning. Any further disruptions will then result in that individual being asked again to watch the work session from the auditorium or being removed from the building altogether. I'll now turn the time over to staff to begin the work session. Thank you. I have a question. Um, I'm wondering if you could review all of those rules when we're in the auditorium. Beginning so that people are not finding out on the spot that they're breaking a rule. For example, I was unaware that you couldn't have food in the auditorium. So if you could explain those roles, that would be really helpful. And then I think that people wouldn't be put on the spot when they have no idea that they're breaking the rule. Uh thank you, Counselor Alcair. Uh, at the last meeting, I did uh read those rules, and I'm happy to read them again. And I was intending to read them again for the meeting. Thank you very much. I'll turn it over to the staff. Uh Simone. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, council. Um, I'm actually going to hand it right on off to Tina Bailey and Teresa Gallon to talk about our transportation detail. Did I just cut you off? Um good evening, Council. Um, for the record, Tina Bailey, the assistant director for the public works department. And with me tonight is Teresa Galvin, our business operation manager for public works. Um I'm going to try to breeze through this quickly, which unfortunately for you, I also speak quickly. So if I am speaking too rapidly, that's an interruption, but I would really appreciate so I can try to slow it down. Otherwise, if I could get you to hold questions to the very end of the presentation, we might be covering your questions as we go through in the interest of trying to save some time. So I can get the slide to advance. Um you've seen this slide before. This is just a kind of a little bit of a reminder that we do not assess all the utilities that people are billed for on a monthly basis. Um, the ones that we have direct control over management and billing. Um we indirect the bill for waste management, but we are not responsible for any of the management or billing for some of the other utilities, broadband cable, etc. You will also have seen, I think this slide before in a prior presentation, which is just some reminder that like all the other utilities, we conduct master plans, we do asset management, we put together a five-year utility plan, and we come to you on a every other year basis to look at raising fees if necessary to accommodate the needs to build uh to build the programs that we have. What is unique about transportation over other utilities is that originally transportation was funded entirely by gas tax and vehicle registration fees. So that's um an unique thing that we still receive revenue for that other utilities do not have, but also that we do not have direct control over. And really, about the 1990s, um, we saw the buying power of that money deteriorate. Originally, that money was meant for building not only maintenance but also building capital projects. And that deteriorated so much that early about the 1990s, the county did the transportation impact fee, which is now the transportation development tax, which is assessed with buildings to help build capital projects. Um, and yet another fee that we don't have direct control over, but we directly benefit from. Early in the 2000s, we created the transportation utility fee because the gas tax and the registration fees were no longer even covering our maintenance costs. And uh pavement management program, which is the biggest ticket item in our maintenance budget, was becoming the balancing figure, and we were quickly going behind in the program. Um so TOF was created really to stabilize the pavement management program. The story you're gonna hear tonight is that things have gotten a little bit more higher. So, just to kind of cover what we maintain in transportation infrastructure. Again, we TUF was really to deal with the roadway surface structure maintenance, but there's a lot of things that we're responsible for in the pavement or in the transportation world.

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