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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Lake Oswego City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 7, 2026

BodyLake Oswego, Oregon

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, April 7, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:11:18

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:32

Hi, good evening, everyone.

0:34

Uh, today is uh April 7th, 2026, and this meeting of the Lake Oswego City Council is now called to order.

0:40

Ms.

0:40

Hawkins, will you please call the roll?

0:42

Mayor Buck.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Councilor Maboo.

0:45

Here.

0:46

Councillor Wenlin.

0:48

Here, sitting.

0:49

Councillor Verdick.

0:50

Here.

0:50

Councillor Corrigan.

0:52

Here.

0:52

And Councillor Apkin.

0:53

Here.

0:54

Thank you.

0:54

Thank you very much.

0:55

Hi, everyone.

0:55

You please stand, remove your hats, and join us in the pledge.

0:58

Welcome.

1:01

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

1:05

And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God into the visible.

1:18

Okay.

1:20

We have one uh proclamation to um uh one proclamation tonight, and that is Arab American Heritage Month.

1:28

Uh, we recognize Arab American Heritage Month and celebrate the many contributions of Arab Americans to our community and our country.

1:35

We also proudly acknowledge Councillor Afgan, the first Arab American to serve on our city council.

1:40

His leadership reflects the strength and importance of diverse representation.

1:43

You'll find our uh this proclamation as well as all other proclamations on the city website.

1:50

And then we have a presentation coming from China, but I just have I'm gonna have our public comment uh go first because Chris and Kerry is just uh the two of you who have signed up, so please come forward and if anyone else would like to provide public comment, please fill out a white form on the back table and bring it to Ms.

2:04

Hawkins.

2:05

But it's great to see you too.

2:11

Good evening.

2:12

Good evening, Mr.

2:13

Mayor, Counselors, City Manager, and staff.

2:16

I'm Chris Durkey, 2356 Glenhaven Road in Lake Oswego.

2:21

I'm accompanied by our co-director, Kerry Love, uh, to give you a quick update on our campaign for uh bond uh ballot measure three six three five to fund the new South Shore Fire Station.

2:35

Uh we have nine arguments in favor that have been filed in the voter pamphlet.

2:40

Those are the only arguments, either pro or con in the voter pamphlet.

2:44

Uh City Council, thank you.

2:46

Chamber of Commerce, school board, our committee, uh FF local, uh, one individual's heartfelt outpouring of appreciation for the first responders that came to her husband's aid.

3:00

Uh 13 civic or organizations, 20 neighborhood associations and HOAs, and 118 individuals.

3:09

We ran out of room on the letter.

3:11

We would have had many, many, many more, but 118 was all we could fit in with the word count limit.

3:17

The county told us that was a record.

3:19

They'd never seen an argument for or against anything that had that many names on it.

3:25

So we have uh presentations.

3:26

We've given about 20 presentations.

3:28

We have six uh more coming up that are booked so far, plus a couple of farmers markets and other events.

3:37

Yes, thank you for having us this evening.

3:39

Um Carrie Love, I live at 17061 Crestview Drive in Lake Oswego, and I am a co-chair of the Lake Oswego Fire Station Rebuild PAC.

3:50

Um, I've been working a lot on the outreach to the community.

3:53

I think our biggest um challenge is just notifying and getting the information out and educating uh our residents on the importance of the rebuild of the fire station.

4:02

Uh, we are investing in mailers that will be going into homes right after the ballot in the end of April, as well as right be uh May 12th will be our second.

4:11

And again, that first will just be an educational telling the need.

4:15

We're really focusing on reliability of response as well as community safety, not only for us as residents, but also for our firefighters and paramedics.

4:26

Um, and then uh the second mailer, of course, will be return your ballot.

4:31

So we are in the thick of it, and we're still getting out there in front of people as Chris has mentioned.

4:36

We are continuing with our art contest, which was all online.

4:40

So, Mayor Buck, thank you for offering to um to be uh judge for that contest.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Transportation Safety█████████████████████████████████33%

Public Safety████████████████████████████████32%

Personnel Matters██████████10%

Procedural█████████9%

Public Engagement███████7%

Mental Health Awareness████4%

Fiscal Sustainability██2%

Community Engagement█1%

Active Transportation█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Lake Oswego City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Buck, with roll call showing all six councilors present. The agenda included a proclamation, public comments, a presentation from TriMet, approval of the consent agenda and 2026 work plans, the 2025 Police Department annual report, and a process for filling a council vacancy.

Proclamation

Mayor Buck proclaimed April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month, celebrating contributions of Arab Americans and acknowledging Councillor Afgan as the first Arab American on the council. Councillor Afgan later clarified he is Iranian American, not Arab American, but expressed pride in being included.

Public Comments & Testimony

Chris Durkey and Kerry Love, co-chairs of the Lake Oswego Fire Station Rebuild PAC, provided an update on campaign for bond Measure 3-6-3-5 to fund a new South Shore Fire Station. They reported that nine arguments in favor were filed in the voter pamphlet (none opposed), with support from 13 civic organizations, 20 neighborhood associations, and 118 individuals—a record number of signatures. The campaign is conducting presentations, mailers, an art contest, yard signs, and canvassing to educate residents on reliability of response and community safety.

Consent Calendar

Resolution 267-17: Intergovernmental Agreement with Clackamas County and approval of meeting minutes from February and March 2026 meetings. Motion by Councilor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Afkin. Adopted unanimously (6-0).

Discussion Items

TriMet Budget and Service Cuts Presentation

John Sarah (Local Government Affairs Manager) and Grant O'Connell (Manager of Service Planning) presented. Key context: nearly 9,000 mass layoffs in Oregon in 2025, unemployment at 5.2%, office vacancy over 27%, ridership at 65.8 million boardings per year (35% transit-dependent). TriMet faces a minimum $300 million budget deficit by July 2028 and must cut $159 million in service (approximately 10% of service). Proposed cuts for Lake Oswego include eliminating line 153 (McVay/Stafford) which averages only 2 rides per hour with a cost of $76 per rider, and realigning lines 37 and 96 (enhanced 96 with five trips per peak period replacing 37). Line 153 elimination affects 11 addresses in Lake Oswego/West Lynn; TriMet is individually working with those residents. Councilors raised concerns about fairness of payroll tax contributions vs. service levels, equity for service workers, and the need for long-term sustainable funding beyond a commuter-based tax. Mayor Buck and Councilor Winning urged innovation and broader funding base.

2026 Council Work Plans

Megan Phelan (Assistant City Manager) presented 22 initiatives under eight goals (14 carried over from previous year). Work plans define scope, key elements, community engagement level, and milestones. Mayor Buck highlighted the initiative to strengthen resources for children in affordable housing, proposing collaboration with the county, housing providers, and school district. Council approved all work plans unanimously (6-0).

2025 Police Department Annual Report

Chief George Burke and Captain Simon presented. Highlights: 1.3% increase in 911 calls, 7% increase in total incidents (driven by 37% increase in self-initiated activity), 11% decrease in Part I crimes, 8% increase in arrests. Traffic citations up 3.7% but speed enforcement constrained by having only one motor officer. Use of force reported in less than 0.25% of all incidents; no statistical disparities in traffic stops. Behavioral health specialist responses up 88% due to addition of a case manager, with 82% increase in responses without LOPD staff. Overdose data: zero fatal overdoses, 92% increase in non-fatal overdoses (small numbers), 133% increase in non-fatal cases where naloxone was not administered (often due to late recognition). Council discussed e-bike enforcement, traffic safety in neighborhoods, and the need to maintain behavioral health resources. Chief Burke noted that staffing vacancies have required pulling specialty officers to patrol, but hiring is progressing.

Council Vacancy Process

Madison Thesing (Deputy City Manager) proposed a process to fill the vacancy from Councillor RAF’s resignation: evaluate applicants on three criteria (understanding role responsibilities, prioritization of commitments, productive collaboration). Timeline: applications open April 10 for two weeks, council review and shortlist, interviews at a special meeting May 5, appointment May 18, swearing-in June 2. Council accepted the process; discussion on transparency of shortlisting (Councilor Winning suggested top candidates). Word-of-mouth and press release will be used for outreach.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda approved 6-0.
2026 Work Plans approved 6-0.
Council Vacancy Process approved as outlined; applications open Friday, April 10, with interviews scheduled for May 5 special meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Hi, good evening, everyone. Uh, today is uh April 7th, 2026, and this meeting of the Lake Oswego City Council is now called to order. Ms. Hawkins, will you please call the roll? Mayor Buck. Here. Councilor Maboo. Here. Councillor Wenlin. Here, sitting. Councillor Verdick. Here. Councillor Corrigan. Here. And Councillor Apkin. Here. Thank you. Thank you very much. Hi, everyone. You please stand, remove your hats, and join us in the pledge. Welcome. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God into the visible. Okay. We have one uh proclamation to um uh one proclamation tonight, and that is Arab American Heritage Month. Uh, we recognize Arab American Heritage Month and celebrate the many contributions of Arab Americans to our community and our country. We also proudly acknowledge Councillor Afgan, the first Arab American to serve on our city council. His leadership reflects the strength and importance of diverse representation. You'll find our uh this proclamation as well as all other proclamations on the city website. And then we have a presentation coming from China, but I just have I'm gonna have our public comment uh go first because Chris and Kerry is just uh the two of you who have signed up, so please come forward and if anyone else would like to provide public comment, please fill out a white form on the back table and bring it to Ms. Hawkins. But it's great to see you too. Good evening. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Counselors, City Manager, and staff. I'm Chris Durkey, 2356 Glenhaven Road in Lake Oswego. I'm accompanied by our co-director, Kerry Love, uh, to give you a quick update on our campaign for uh bond uh ballot measure three six three five to fund the new South Shore Fire Station. Uh we have nine arguments in favor that have been filed in the voter pamphlet. Those are the only arguments, either pro or con in the voter pamphlet. Uh City Council, thank you. Chamber of Commerce, school board, our committee, uh FF local, uh, one individual's heartfelt outpouring of appreciation for the first responders that came to her husband's aid. Uh 13 civic or organizations, 20 neighborhood associations and HOAs, and 118 individuals. We ran out of room on the letter. We would have had many, many, many more, but 118 was all we could fit in with the word count limit. The county told us that was a record. They'd never seen an argument for or against anything that had that many names on it. So we have uh presentations. We've given about 20 presentations. We have six uh more coming up that are booked so far, plus a couple of farmers markets and other events. Yes, thank you for having us this evening.

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