Tigard City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025

On September 9, 2025, the Tigard City Council convened for a regular meeting. Key events included the announcement of Mayor Lube's resignation, multiple proclamations, public comments on climate action and privacy concerns, a continuation of a FEMA-related public hearing, and presentations on county library and public safety local option levies. The council voted to support the public safety levy, but deferred action on the library levy until a later meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution No. 25-30, supporting a housing planning assistance grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patty Lofgren, a Tigard resident and OPB supporter, urged the council to act on climate change, citing U.S. spending of $150 billion per year on climate-related events over the last decade and a projection of $3.32 trillion per year globally by 2050.
• Sean Martinez, lead of Climate Action Tigard and Tigard Transportation Advisory Committee volunteer, advocated for reducing car trips and improving bicycle infrastructure to combat transportation's leading role in greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted running a weekly bike bus to Metzger Elementary.
• Elizabeth Sprague, a 25-year Tigard resident and Climate Action Tigard member, urged the council to continue and strengthen climate action efforts, referencing the removal of climate information by the current administration and record heat.
• Amy (last name not given) and a neighbor expressed concern about a neighbor's 360-degree security camera installed on a ham radio antenna over 40 feet high, stating it invades privacy by seeing into bedrooms and backyards. They filed a police report with no response. Council noted the concern and directed the city manager to follow up.
• Isaac Camacho, a Tigard resident and co-owner of Kushcart (a cannabis delivery service), advocated for the city to opt into a state program allowing cannabis home delivery, citing equity for seniors and disabled residents who cannot visit dispensaries. He noted his service has 80 orders and uses a hybrid car.

Discussion Items

• FEMA Ordinance Continuation: Senior planner Agnes Lindor requested continuing the public hearing on the FEMA model ordinance to December 9, 2025, due to ongoing FEMA litigation and coordination. Council approved the continuance.
• Washington County Library Local Option Levy (Measure 34-345): Lisa Tattersall, WCCLS manager, presented a neutral overview. The levy is a fixed rate of $0.37 per $1,000 assessed value, running July 2026 to June 2031. For a home with assessed value of $348,600, the cost would be $129/year ($10.75/month), an increase of $54/year over the current levy. Funds support programs, materials, open hours, and digital resources. Failure would reduce e-books, deliveries, and technology access. Councillor Who requested delaying the resolution until the county finalizes funding models (vote expected Oct 7). Council agreed to revisit at the October 7 meeting.
• Washington County Public Safety Local Option Levy (Measure 34-346): Sheriff Caprice Massey presented the levy at $0.66 per $1,000 assessed value (a $0.19 increase from current), costing $230/year ($19.17/month) for a home valued at $348,600—an increase of $72/year. Funds cover 16% of operations, including prosecution, jail staffing, mental health response teams, and drug trafficking enforcement. Council expressed concerns about cumulative tax burdens (especially with a future Tigard bond) but acknowledged the need. Councillor Robbins noted the 29% increase over five years (5.8%/year) and the challenge to citizens' budgets. Council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-31 supporting the levy.

Key Outcomes

• Library Levy Resolution: Deferred to the October 7, 2025 meeting pending county funding model finalization.
• Public Safety Levy Resolution: Adopted unanimously (Resolution 25-31) supporting Measure 34-346.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• FEMA Ordinance Hearing: Continued to December 9, 2025.
• Council adjourned into executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(b) in the Red Rock room, with the understanding that the session would be confidential and no final action would be taken.