Lake Oswego City Council Meeting – August 4, 2026

The Lake Oswego City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The council unanimously approved consent agenda items, adopted the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Readiness and Response Plan (Resolution 26-39), and held a study session on pedestrian facility prioritization for the 2027-2033 Capital Improvement Plan. Staff updates addressed Republic Services waste management staffing issues and poor air quality limiting National Night Out activities.

Consent Calendar

• Approved six items by a 7-0 vote: a contract for interim city attorney services, an amendment to the pavement management program, Resolution 26-46 (council liaison assignment updates), meeting minutes, and Resolution 26-49 (extending the economic development ad hoc subcommittee term).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comment.

Discussion Items

Resolution 26-39: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Readiness and Response Plan

• Assistant City Manager Megan Phelan introduced staff (Courtney Wilson, Caleb Simpson, Madison Thiesing) who presented the plan. EAB was first detected in Oregon in 2022 and is spreading; it will eventually reach Lake Oswego and cannot be eradicated. A 2025 parks inventory cataloged 2,711 trees, with 1,528 potentially hazardous; 80% of ash trees are in eight parks. Three management strategies were outlined: removal of hazardous trees near targets (e.g., homes, utilities), chemical treatments (injections of emamectin benzoate) to slow spread, and leaving interior trees as habitat snags. A communications framework led by the city manager’s office will provide consistent public education.
• Year one funding of $500,000 will remove 151 trees from 15 park properties and begin staggered injections along key boulevards (e.g., Parkview, Bunick) and at Foothills Park, Bryant Woods, West Waluga, and the ACC. Replacement trees will follow the 10-20-30 diversity rule. Staff requested council direction for biennium 27-29 funding of $300,000–$800,000.
• Council questions and comments:
  • Councillor Afkhan requested (1) planting trees with deep (not spreading) roots near pavement, (2) providing QR codes or handouts for public information, and (3) replacing the term "high value target" to avoid a militaristic connotation.
  • Councillor Burdick asked about a public map showing ash tree locations; staff agreed to explore a GIS layer on the website.
  • Councillor Corrigan asked about the injection chemical; staff identified emamectin benzoate, injected into the tree’s root collar post-pollination to minimize environmental impact.
  • Councillor Willard emphasized proactive messaging for private property owners, recommending a list of approved contractors and guidance on replacement species. He noted this is an opportunity to cultivate a diverse urban forest for the future. He also inquired about potential other threats (e.g., Mediterranean oak borer).
  • Councillor Zwilling asked whether neighborhood associations would be included in outreach; staff confirmed.
  • Councillor Afkhan requested a streamlined removal permit for ash trees; staff noted that upcoming tree code updates (October) will provide free permits for EAB-susceptible species.
  • Councillor Mance asked about monitoring survival of replacement trees; staff responded that right-of-way trees will have a watering schedule (first 3-5 years) and natural areas will use overplanting. A monitoring system will be included in reporting.
  • Councillor Boop (via Zoom) suggested involving watershed councils and school ecology groups in community education and outreach.
  • Councillor Mance clarified the contractor selection process: the city has three pre-existing tree care contracts; staff obtained competitive quotes for specific scopes and selected the most cost-effective.
• Vote: Motion carried 7-0.

Study Session: Pedestrian Facility Prioritization

• Public Works Director Erica Rooney and Assistant City Engineer Will Farley presented recommendations for pedestrian projects to include in the 2027-2033 CIP. Background: the Transportation System Plan identified 132 pedestrian/bike projects; the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) prioritized 43 near schools. Several projects (e.g., Bryant Road from Lakeview to Upper, Goodall Road, Fernwood Drive) are already funded for construction through 2031.
• Staff recommended five new projects for 2032-2033:
  1. Cory Road (near Lake Grove Elementary) – 300 ft sidewalk, $300k.
  2. Sunningdale Road (to Forest Hills Elementary) – 575 ft sidewalk + 275 ft asphalt path (school will build the sidewalk; city completes $10th Street connection), estimated $1M (but likely less).
  3. Quarry Road (Waluga) – 750 ft meandering sidewalk, $700k.
  4. Bryant Road (Gene Road to Lakeview Boulevard) – 1,000 ft sidewalk, $1.5M (part of a longer corridor).
  5. Westlake Drive (Amberwood Circle) – 700 ft sidewalk, $1M.
• Alternatives: Gene Road (full segment from Upper to Boone’s Ferry, $2.5M+) and Overlook Drive (250 ft sidewalk, $250k, but significant tree impacts).
• Council discussion:
  • Several councilors (Corgan, Mance, Means, Afkhan, Willard) expressed support for prioritizing high-traffic, high-pedestrian corridors, especially Gene Road (Bryant corridor), which carries 4,600-7,000 vehicles per day. They suggested that Gene Road may deserve higher priority than lower-traffic projects (e.g., around Forest Hills).
  • Councillor Corrigan raised concerns about the dangerous gap on Bryant between Upper and Boone’s Ferry; staff noted that the area near the railroad is a separate, challenging project under study (RFP coming soon) and should not delay easier segments.
  • Councillor Afkhan asked whether combining projects could achieve economies of scale; staff explained that smaller, separate projects allow small contractors to compete and avoid resource-balancing challenges, but they will consider it.
  • Councillor Willard proposed being "bold" and funding a larger segment of the Bryant corridor at once, potentially using two years of funding ($4M). Director Rooney cautioned that the railroad crossing section is a complex, expensive standalone project that could derail a combined effort.
  • Councillor Means added a caveat to remember other high-traffic corridors like McVeigh.
  • Councillor Boop (Zoom) noted the dangerous corner of Lakeview and Bryant and confirmed the new apartment development will cover that frontage.
• Conclusion: Staff will reorder priorities based on council input and bring a refined list back during the budget process in spring 2027.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 26-39 adopted (7-0): Emerald Ash Borer Readiness and Response Plan approved. Year one removal of 151 trees in 15 parks funded with $500,000. Staff directed to develop public mapping and streamlined permits; report back on replacement tree monitoring.
• Pedestrian prioritization direction: Council expressed support for prioritizing the Bryant Road/Gene Road segment and asked staff to reprioritize recommended projects, potentially shifting funding from lower-traffic projects to higher-traffic corridors. Staff will incorporate feedback into the fall CIP development and bring recommendations for budget consideration.
• Other actions: Councillor Means reported on the first DEI committee meeting; Councillor Boop reiterated the city’s commitment to opposing discrimination. City Manager announced Republic Services staffing improvements and urged residents to use the dedicated local number (503-636-1) for service issues. Outdoor city work was suspended due to poor air quality (AQI >150), but National Night Out events could continue without staff attendance.