OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Lake Oswego City Council Meeting - March 31, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, March 31, 2026
BodyLake Oswego, Oregon
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 31, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:37:24

Transcript — Verbatim
0:32

Good afternoon.

0:34

This Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 meeting of the Lake Oswego City Council is now called to order.

0:39

Ms.

0:39

Hawkins, will you please call the role?

0:41

Mayor Beck?

0:42

Here.

0:42

Counselor Afghan is excused.

0:44

Counselors Mabook.

0:45

You.

0:46

Gwenlin.

0:47

Here.

0:47

Verdict.

0:48

Here.

0:48

Corrigan.

0:49

Here.

0:49

And RAF.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Thank you.

0:51

Thank you.

0:51

Now, everyone, will you please stand and join us in the pledge?

0:57

I pledge allegiance to the plague of the United States of America.

1:02

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:04

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:27

Oh, it's on.

1:28

Okay.

1:29

We're going to start with presentations tonight.

1:33

And Councilor Raf, please come and come to the horseshoe.

1:40

As everyone knows, we're giving thanks to a departing member of the council.

1:46

It is not a goodbye, because of course he'll remain our uh and always will be, hopefully, our neighbor, our colleague, and our friend.

1:55

Although we hope not a frequent flyer to the inbox.

2:00

Although, if Blue Heron does not get paved, that may be a different story.

2:06

We all know on the council, uh, we all know being able to convince one another of things is a key to being an effective member of the city council, right?

2:15

There's a certain degree of persuasive energy that drives all of us.

2:20

And while we've all bent one way or another to the likings of our colleagues on a wide degree of substantive policy topics, there remains one distinct area where the remaining six of us on the council completely and utterly failed to persuade Council RAF.

2:40

And that is in regards to his attire.

2:45

We tried.

2:55

But privately, internally, we all know his real record is as the most photoshopped member of the city council in history.

3:04

Callers, although you all wearing a collar tonight.

3:06

City pins, even his entire body.

3:10

Councilor Raff came to the city council because he wasn't going to be someone to complain from the sidelines.

3:17

In fact, he didn't complain at all, or at least much.

3:20

Instead, he took action.

3:22

He speaks his mind even when it isn't comfortable, especially for the rest of us, and is true to his values and beliefs.

3:29

Counselor RAF has some of the highest integrity I've experienced in public life.

3:34

Some folks will change their values to fit what they perceive would be the box.

3:38

Politics places them in.

3:40

What I like most about Aaron is that he has no box.

3:42

He's driven by his ethical and moral compass and a worldview that he adheres to closely.

3:48

And instead of blowing with the wind, he stayed firmly on that path and articulated his positions on not what would be the most popular or expected of him, but what he felt was most closely aligned internally with his beliefs and values.

4:00

It's a noble way to govern and one that comes from a place of deep honesty and moral fortitude.

4:06

Aaron showed that when people can set aside the labels and the politics and just be people, that we can better hear and understand one another and move our community forward from a place of mutual respect and goodwill.

4:19

Councilor Raff and I, we were elected to the council at this at the same time in 2020, and starting in 2021.

4:25

And despite being told that we should actually hate one another, you can believe it, actually hate one another and not trust one another, we become great colleagues.

4:45

Aaron maintained an open mind, as did I, and we came to find that we actually have much more in common than otherwise, rooted in a care for the city, a care for other people, and a bright future for the kids of LO, especially.

5:00

What I appreciated most is his unfiltered honesty from the dais.

5:02

And in that spirit, I'll share two acronyms.

5:05

You will love these that we picked up uh recently at the National League of Cities Conference, which I normally would not share, but this is in tribute to you.

5:14

My colleagues know where I'm going with this.

5:16

The first is STP, a great acronym, the same 10 people, and Cave citizens against virtually everything.

5:25

Aaron spoke out against the not in my backyard mentality that often stifles progress and change and keeps communities from growing for the health of everyone.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Community Engagement████████████████████████24%
Parks and Recreation███████████████████19%
Disability Rights██████████████14%
Fiscal Sustainability██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Economic Development████4%
Active Transportation██2%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Lake Oswego City Council Meeting - March 31, 2026

The Lake Oswego City Council met on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included farewell tributes to departing Councilor Aaron Raf and outgoing employee Kim Ono, an Arbor Month proclamation, public comments, consent agenda approval, an ADA progress report, formation of an economic development subcommittee, community grant awards, and approval of a funding plan for the Willamette River Greenway Trail Project. All votes were 6-0 unless noted. Councilor Afghan was excused.

Presentations & Proclamations

  • Farewell to Councilor Aaron Raf: Mayor Beck and other council members praised Councilor Raf for his integrity, unfiltered honesty, and dedication to the community. Councilor Raf expressed gratitude and urged the council to consider the silent majority, not just the vocal minority.
  • Farewell to Kim Ono: The mayor thanked Kim Ono, a city employee, for her extensive work in community engagement, youth outreach, and building trust in local government.
  • Arbor Month Proclamation: The council proclaimed April 2026 as Arbor Month in Lake Oswego, continuing the city's 37-year recognition as a Tree City USA. Events and workshops were announced.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution Declaring a Vacancy on City Council: Approved.
  • Facility Use Agreement Renewal for Book TIC at City Hall: Approved.
  • Adoption of 2026 Council Goals and Initiatives: Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Elliot Dale (resident, business attorney, board member of Down Syndrome Network Oregon): Thanked the city for its partnership in hosting the Buddy Walk at Millennium Plaza Park for 25 years. He announced the 25th anniversary event featuring keynote speaker Chris Nikich, a prominent athlete with Down syndrome. He expressed appreciation for the city's support.
  • Stephanie Halleck (president, Friends of Lusher Farm): Expressed disappointment that $500,000 of Metro Share dollars originally intended for Lusher Farm driveway and parking lot upgrades were being redirected to the Willamette Greenway Trail project. She requested that the remaining $500,000 be reserved for Lusher Farm in the future.

Discussion Items

  • ADA Progress Report (2025-88): Presented by Kelly Byrd. Highlights included: over 1,000 hours of inclusion support for youth recreation, 2,500 residents served through library outreach, 9,000 square feet of new ADA-compliant sidewalk, 62 curb ramps installed, 292 ADA parking enforcement actions by police, and the opening of accessible facilities at Lorac and Reseek Park. Director Rooney noted the city allocates $750,000 annually for ADA ramps, with total spending near $1.5 million including paving projects. Council discussed the need for 2,288 curb ramps and ongoing education about sidewalk obstructions.
  • Resolution 26-09 – Economic Development Council Subcommittee: Presented by Jessica Numanalu. The resolution formed an ad hoc subcommittee of three council members (Mayor Beck, Councilors Verdict and Afghan) to refine the draft economic development strategy and bring recommendations to the full council. Council adopted the resolution.
  • Community Grants Awards and Program Updates: Presented by Madison Tiesing and Teo Ramirez. The subcommittee recommended $20,456 in awards: $5,000 to Kiwanis Club of Lake Oswego Foundation for basic needs support, $2,340 to Friends of Lake Oswego Public Library for a disaster readiness speaker event, $1,558 to Lake Oswego Transitional Shelter Ministry for apartment repairs, $1,558 to Reborn Bikes for bike education, and $10,000 to Down Syndrome Network of Oregon for the Buddy Walk. Staff also discussed program structure changes: moving from a rolling application to a single annual cycle, consolidating two review points, and exploring a closed sponsorship pathway for initiatives that have reached the three-year grant limit. Council directed staff to simplify the process, allow grant spending year-round, and return with a refined proposal. The resolution authorizing the current awards was adopted.
  • Funding Plan for Willamette River Greenway Trail Project: Presented by Kira Hagert and Jeff Munro. The project will build 870 feet of new pathway connecting George Rogers Park to Foothills Park, creating over two miles of continuous riverfront trail. Total cost estimated at $1.76 million, with $1.4 million in hard costs (including 20% contingency). Funding sources: $240,000 from parks general fund, $300,000 from park SDCs, $80,000 from Mount Hood Territory grant, and $1.14 million from Metro local share funds. The city requested reallocation of $500,000 from the Lusher Farm project to meet Metro's June 2026 deadline for signing an intergovernmental agreement, leaving $500,000 for Lusher Farm. Construction is expected to begin June 2026 and be substantially complete by Halloween. Council adopted the funding plan. Councilor Verdict noted the city's long history of planning this connection since 1994.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved 6-0.
  • Resolution 26-09 (Economic Development Subcommittee): Adopted 6-0.
  • Resolution 26-19 (Community Grants Awards): Adopted 6-0. Council provided direction to staff to simplify the grant program, consolidate to a single annual cycle, and allow year-round spending.
  • Willamette River Greenway Trail Funding Plan: Approved 6-0. Next steps: finalize IGA with Metro, solicit bids, award construction contract in May, and break ground in June 2026.
  • Council Information: Councilor Peterson reported on the National League of Cities conference with youth council members, praised staff, and noted upcoming corridor safety improvements on McVay-Stafford.
  • Executive Session: The council entered executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(h) and (f) to consult with legal counsel on litigation and exempt records. No decisions were made.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. This Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 meeting of the Lake Oswego City Council is now called to order. Ms. Hawkins, will you please call the role? Mayor Beck? Here. Counselor Afghan is excused. Counselors Mabook. You. Gwenlin. Here. Verdict. Here. Corrigan. Here. And RAF. Here. Thank you. Thank you. Now, everyone, will you please stand and join us in the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the plague 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. Oh, it's on. Okay. We're going to start with presentations tonight. And Councilor Raf, please come and come to the horseshoe. As everyone knows, we're giving thanks to a departing member of the council. It is not a goodbye, because of course he'll remain our uh and always will be, hopefully, our neighbor, our colleague, and our friend. Although we hope not a frequent flyer to the inbox. Although, if Blue Heron does not get paved, that may be a different story. We all know on the council, uh, we all know being able to convince one another of things is a key to being an effective member of the city council, right? There's a certain degree of persuasive energy that drives all of us. And while we've all bent one way or another to the likings of our colleagues on a wide degree of substantive policy topics, there remains one distinct area where the remaining six of us on the council completely and utterly failed to persuade Council RAF. And that is in regards to his attire. We tried. But privately, internally, we all know his real record is as the most photoshopped member of the city council in history. Callers, although you all wearing a collar tonight. City pins, even his entire body. Councilor Raff came to the city council because he wasn't going to be someone to complain from the sidelines. In fact, he didn't complain at all, or at least much. Instead, he took action. He speaks his mind even when it isn't comfortable, especially for the rest of us, and is true to his values and beliefs. Counselor RAF has some of the highest integrity I've experienced in public life. Some folks will change their values to fit what they perceive would be the box. Politics places them in. What I like most about Aaron is that he has no box. He's driven by his ethical and moral compass and a worldview that he adheres to closely. And instead of blowing with the wind, he stayed firmly on that path and articulated his positions on not what would be the most popular or expected of him, but what he felt was most closely aligned internally with his beliefs and values. It's a noble way to govern and one that comes from a place of deep honesty and moral fortitude.

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