City Council and Local Contract Review Board Meeting - August 26, 2025

On August 26, 2025, the Tigard City Council and Local Contract Review Board convened for a regular meeting. The agenda included public comments, approval of the consent calendar, presentations from the Washington County Sheriff and city staff on homelessness, an update on the police and public works facilities project, an economic development strategic plan proposal, and a discussion on city officer evaluation schedules and tools.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Unanimously: The consent agenda included non-destructive water main condition assessment and leak detection contract, library HVAC upgrade, and the Tigard Street–Fanno Creek Bridge Replacement Design Services Contract Amendment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jenny Lopez (owner of The Love Eat Smash Burgers food cart): Urged council to save her food cart pod and its community, describing how new regulations threaten to shut down the businesses as early as September 1. She emphasized the pod’s role in revitalizing the shopping center and its importance to local families, and requested a workable path without handouts.
• Lenny (accompanied Jenny Lopez but did not speak further): Noted as a speaker but no separate remarks.
• Lindsay Voorhees: Expressed concern about the growing visible camping at public works, urged council to prioritize homelessness with a balanced plan that provides compassion and maintains community safety and livability.

Discussion Items

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office Annual Report: Sheriff Massie and Chief Deputy McRae presented an update on jail operations (fully staffed after shortages, but three housing units closed for infrastructure repairs), new programs (Covert Team for gang violence, drone unit, Search and Rescue), and the upcoming public safety levy (increase of $0.19 per $1,000 assessed value). Council expressed appreciation and asked questions about the drone program, search and rescue missions, deflections post-Measure 110, and community outreach.
• Houselessness Update: Homelessness City-County Liaison Megan Cohen reported an increase in camping at the public works lawn (from 3–5 to 30–40 people), with most individuals on shelter waiting lists. She outlined options: reducing allowable camping hours from 7 p.m.–9 a.m. to 7 p.m.–7 a.m., prohibiting camping on city property, exploring pod shelters with Washington County, or finding alternative managed sites. Council members strongly supported changing hours to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. to align with neighboring cities and Justice Compassion’s hours, maintaining the public works site as a temporary measure while seeking a less visible location, and rejecting pod shelters at this time. They also expressed frustration with the lack of regional cooperation and called for facilitated dialogue among Tigard, Sherwood, and Tualatin through Commissioner Jason Snyder. Council directed staff to bring back an ordinance amendment for the hour change and to continue regional coordination.
• Building a Better Tiger Project: Deputy City Manager Emily Trich, along with project team members, presented the police and public works facilities redevelopment. Key updates: the design is in schematic phase; a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC), PNC-Perlow joint venture, has been selected for pre-construction; the budget range is $130–$150 million; and communication efforts are underway (surveys, events, a community panel). Councilmembers noted the project's importance for public safety and employee wellness, expressed excitement, and requested ongoing updates.
• Economic Development Strategic Plan: Economic Development Manager Danelle Hother and Community Director Sambo Kirkman proposed creating the city’s first three-year economic development strategic plan, with desk research, business surveys, focus groups, and targeted outreach by January 2026. Council favored a hybrid engagement: two council liaisons plus regular checkpoints with the full council to review progress (e.g., after asset mapping and before finalization). Staff will provide a memo on liaison expectations.
• City Officer Evaluation Schedule and Tools: City Manager Stockwell presented options for scheduling annual reviews (anniversary date vs. a uniform date) and the evaluation forms. Council decided to retain anniversary dates (March for the municipal judge, June for the city manager, October for the city attorney). The process will include a short six‑month check‑in and a full annual review using self‑evaluation, 360‑degree feedback, and a council‑compiled summary. A 360 tool will be developed for the judge, and the final signed document will be by a designated council member (defaulting to mayor but with flexibility).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Houselessness: Directed to amend the time‑place‑manner ordinance to change camping hours to 7 p.m.–7 a.m., continue using public works as a temporary site, decline pod shelters, and pursue regional talks with Commissioner Snyder.
• Economic Development Plan: Adopted a hybrid engagement with two council liaisons and periodic full‑council checkpoints; staff to produce a memo outlining liaison roles.
• City Officer Evaluations: Maintained anniversary dates for annual reviews; will use a streamlined mid‑year check‑in and a full annual evaluation with 360 surveys; develop a 360 form for the municipal judge; final summary signed by a designated council member.
• The building project and sheriff presentation were informational, with no formal votes.