Tigard City Council Meeting - August 12, 2025: Legislative Recap, Community Survey, and Safe Streets Plan

This meeting covered a wide range of topics including proclamations, public comments, a legislative session recap from state representatives, the results of the 2025 National Community Survey, and a briefing on the Safe Streets for All Action Plan. The council unanimously approved the consent agenda and received updates on key city initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: library roof replacement project contract, right-of-way landscape maintenance services contract, on-call specialty legal services contract amendment, TCDA development assistance agreement amendment, and the TCDA Tigard Triangle Urban Renewal Plan Amendment.
• Councilor Who commented on item D, acknowledging delays and thanking city staff for professionalism. He noted that despite not supporting the original $300,000 award two years ago, he supported the extension out of respect for the council majority's decision.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Martinez (Tigard resident, member of Tigard Transportation Advisory Committee and Climate Action Tigard) spoke as a car-free bike dad. He praised the Fanno Creek Trail extensions but urged greater investment in biking and transit infrastructure to address climate change. He quoted Portland Councilor Mitch Green and argued that prioritizing car alternatives is essential because transportation is the highest-emitting sector.
• Eliza Martinez (daughter of Sean) spoke about wanting more kids outside riding bikes instead of playing video games, and linked biking to longer, healthier lives and reduced climate change.

Discussion Items

• Legislative Session Recap: Senator Neron Misslin, Representative Ricky Smith, and Representative Ben Bowman presented highlights:

  • Transportation package failed, but a special session on August 29 will consider a patch bill including $503020 distribution and STIF funding. Gas tax would increase by 6 cents to 46 cents, registration and title fees would rise, and the payroll tax for transit would increase to 0.2%.
  • Housing: passed the "shot clock" bill for land use reviews, and HB 3054 capping rent increases at 6% for manufactured home communities.
  • Healthcare: corporate practice of medicine bill (limiting private equity), robust Medicaid funding package (provider tax preserved), and mandated menopause coverage.
  • Behavioral health: HB 2005 redefined civil commitment, workforce grants, fentanyl prevention.
  • Safety/justice: $3 million secured for Tigard's new police and public works facility; $1.2 million for Washington County courthouse planning; gun safety bill granting local control over firearm policies in city buildings; wildfire funding; child data privacy.
  • Economic development: restored recreational immunity, $10 million for industrial site readiness fund.
  • Energy: Fair Energy Act, Power Act (preventing residential subsidy of data centers), performance-based regulation with greenhouse gas metrics.
  • 97.3% of bills received bipartisan support.

• National Community Survey Results (presented by Management Analyst Alex Richardson):

  • Second biennial survey; 3,000 households randomly selected, 374 responded (13% response rate).
  • Key findings: Safety from violent crime increased 12 points; drinking water remains a top performer. Areas of decrease (7+ points) included overall economic development, mobility, and inclusivity/engagement.
  • Highest ratings: neighborhood safety, fire services, library, drinking water. Lowest ratings: federal government quality, attending local public meetings, contacting elected officials.
  • Custom questions on police/public works facility showed 60% somewhat or strongly support a ballot measure; many respondents were unaware of facility conditions.
  • City Manager Stockwell noted that the survey reaches residents not typically engaged with city government.

• Safe Streets for All Action Plan (presented by Principal Engineer Courtney Furman, Principal Transportation Planner Tiffany Gherky, and Consultant Talia Jacobson):

  • Presented 30 strategies across departments (capital projects, maintenance, planning, enforcement, etc.).
  • Identified 24 priority safety corridors: 9 with existing projects, 15 new locations needing concept development. Methodology combined crash data (2018-2022), systemic safety factors, speed data, and community input.
  • Summary sheets for each corridor include crash diagrams, environmental factors, and countermeasures. The plan will enable grant applications once adopted.
  • Upcoming engagement: online comments, task force meeting September, tabling at events. Plan adoption expected October 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Council directed staff to continue outreach and analysis on the Safe Streets plan and survey results.
• Council expressed support for the $3 million state funding and will monitor the special transportation session on August 29.
• Joint town hall with legislators scheduled for August 23 at Tigard Public Library.
• Safe Streets Action Plan adoption anticipated in October 2025, unlocking federal grant eligibility.