Lake Oswego City Council Meeting – December 16, 2025

The Lake Oswego City Council met on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 8:00 AM UTC (afternoon local time) to consider a consent agenda, a public hearing on fee revisions, an intergovernmental agreement with Portland for wastewater treatment, and a study session on the South Shore Fire Station project. The meeting also included public comments on several topics and council member reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The council unanimously (6‑0) approved the meeting minutes from October 21, 2025, and November 4, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Christensen and Michael Harrison (Portland Festival Symphony): Encouraged the city to use a large concert performance shell stored by the city, proposed a piano donation for council meetings, and expressed support for continued partnership. They noted that the symphony’s founder, Laosh Ballot, is aging and has a sense of urgency about his legacy.
• Chris Turkey (Lake Oswego Fire Station Rebuild PAC): Provided an update on the citizen‑led campaign to fund the South Shore Fire Station. The PAC was certified Dec. 5, 2025, has 25 members, $650 on hand, and pledges for $3,000. They plan a website launch in January, 10 speaking engagements, and goal of 10 arguments in favor in the voter guide. They will seek council endorsements.
• Jeff Goodman and Travis Duncan (Mary’s Woods): Introduced Travis Duncan as the new CEO. Duncan pledged to increase Mary’s Woods’ engagement with the broader Lake Oswego community, noting it is the 24th largest standalone senior living community in the U.S. and the second largest employer in the city. Councilor Bennett thanked them for past partnership on vaccination clinics and the bookmobile.
• Jeff Weens: Urged the council to ban gas‑powered landscaping equipment, arguing it would force city employees, school districts, and large landscaping companies to switch to electric, improving public health. He cited growing adoption of battery equipment in Portland.
• Diane Cassidy: Commented on zoning at Kruse Way Plaza, alleging that owners are intentionally vacating suites to justify a zone change to residential R0. She expressed concern that the city is not adhering to the comprehensive plan and that rising water/sewer fees hurt fixed‑income residents (31% of Lake Oswego is over 60, with 5% of those over 65 living in poverty). She also testified during the public hearing on fees, urging the council to consider affordability.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 25‑10 – Revising Fees and Charges (Public Hearing): Finance Director Sean Cross presented the updated master fees schedule, unchanged from the Nov. 18 study session. After public testimony, the council adopted the resolution 6‑0. Councilor Winland suggested exploring options in spring to reduce pressure on the street fund without decreasing resources.
• Resolution 25‑49 – Intergovernmental Agreement with Portland for Wastewater Treatment: Director Stefan Brottis explained the 2025 IGA, which replaces the 1984 IGA and governs cost‑sharing for design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a new wastewater treatment plant. Key points: cost shares based on flow (Lake Oswego ~70%, Portland ~30%), a de minimis floor, and biosolids trucking to Columbia Boulevard. The city will lead the project. Council approved the resolution 6‑0. Councilor Afkin asked for a follow‑up memo on capacity comparisons and demolition/remediation costs. Councilor Winland inquired about bond flexibility if project costs come in under the authorized amount.
• Study Session – South Shore Fire Station Project Cost Range: Assistant Fire Chief Chris Artman, architect Michael Scott, owner’s rep David Lynz, and contractor Spencer Bradley presented the conceptual design and cost estimate of $21.2 million (hard costs $13.2M, soft costs, contingencies, escalation). The site has bedrock, retaining walls, and a 20‑foot grade change. The total bond cost would be ~$21.2M, equating to $114 per year for a $600,000 assessed‑value home (60‑66% voter support per polling). The team identified three cost‑saving options: removing the community room (save $960,000), reducing bunkrooms from 8 to 6 (save $175,000), or reducing apparatus bays from 4 to 3 (save $500,000). Staff recommended removing the community room, as it was not a high priority in polling. Councilor Corrigan noted that community rooms can create extra work for firefighters. Councilor Maboup questioned the need for four bays, but the chief justified it for future reserve apparatus and maintaining ISO rating. Councilor Afkin asked about alternative building designs (e.g., Butler buildings) and the 6% escalation rate. The council directed staff to remove the community room, retain four bays, keep eight bunkrooms, and proceed with final conceptual design and bond cost for the January 20, 2026 meeting. The temporary station cost of $430,000 was praised. The team will return with polling results on Feb. 3 and a final decision on Feb. 17.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 6‑0.
• Resolution 25‑10: Adopted 6‑0, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
• Resolution 25‑49: Adopted 6‑0, authorizing the IGA with Portland for wastewater treatment.
• South Shore Fire Station: Council directed staff to remove the community room, retain four apparatus bays and eight bunkrooms, and continue to final design. The temporary station will be purchased and installed. Next milestones: Jan. 20 – final conceptual design and bond cost; Feb. 3 – updated polling results; Feb. 17 – decision on whether to refer the bond to voters.
• Council Reports: Councilor Corrigan updated on the Arts Council’s “Respond to Racism” project (kicking off in January). Councilor Winland reported on the Chamber holiday event and the Youth Leadership Council’s AI project. Councilor Bennett noted the new bookmobile arrival and library advisory board goals. Mayor Buck provided updates on the Foothills Task Force, TriMet service reductions, and Metro’s supportive housing services governance reform. He also expressed gratitude to departing City Attorney Ellen Osnak for her service.