Tigard City Council Meeting: Mayor Vacancy, Axon Contract, and Budget Approvals – September 23, 2025
Tigard City Council Meeting – September 23, 2025
The Tigard City Council met on September 23, 2025, to address a range of topics including proclamations, public comments, a police technology contract, zoning code amendments, budget supplements, and the process for filling the mayor vacancy following the resignation of Mayor Lube. The council also reviewed updates on the downtown wayfinding plan and the Town Center Development Agency's redevelopment assistance program. Key votes included approval of the Axon contract with conditions, an ordinance modifying exclusion timeframes, and the first-quarter supplemental budget.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 25-?? (voting delegate to Oregon League of Cities Conference): Approved unanimously by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Roger Pottoff (Tigard resident): Expressed long-standing concerns about code enforcement at 11650 Ann Street, citing over 40 chickens, ducks, quail, and goats, and urged the council to revisit regulations.
- Elizabeth Sprague (Tigard resident): Defended her family, stating they are in code compliance and have been harassed by Mr. Pottoff, including filing police reports.
- Mike Sprague (Tigard resident): Echoed his wife's statements, noting code compliance visits and harassment complaints, and emphasized that their property is used for edible/medicinal plants and small livestock.
- Mary Hatley (Tigard resident): Supported Mr. Pottoff, arguing that the current lack of code creates a health hazard and called for stricter regulations.
Discussion Items
- Proclamations: Recognized Week Without Driving (Sept 29–Oct 5), Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), and Vietnamese American Mid-Autumn Festival (Oct 4, 2025).
- City Manager's Report: Reported over 1,500 attendees at the Police and Public Works Family Fun Day, nearly double last year's attendance.
- Axon Public Safety Contract (Local Contract Review Board): Lieutenant Erickson presented a proposed contract for body-worn cameras, tasers, in-car video, and cloud-based evidence storage. Discussion focused on the FUSIS module (real-time surveillance integration) and data privacy concerns. Councillor Wu and Councillor Gaducey raised questions about oversight and community engagement. Councillor Gaducey moved to approve with a condition requiring council approval before FUSIS activation. The motion passed with a majority (ayes vs. one nay).
- Ordinance 25-06 – Exclusions (TMC 7.58): City Attorney Rahala explained the change to remove fixed time limits (30-180 days) for bans from public property, allowing more flexibility. An amendment to cap exclusions at one year was proposed but failed (nays carried). The original ordinance then passed unanimously on a roll call vote (7-0).
- FY26 Q1 Supplemental Budget: Finance Director Eric King presented carry-forwards, new requests (including $82,000 increase for Axon contract, debt service for cinema site, and corrections for vacation cash-out errors). The budget increased by $4.5 million, funded by carryovers, grants, and contingency. The resolution was approved unanimously.
- Town Center Development Agency (TCDA) Items:
- Supplemental budget for TCDA (Universal Plaza carry-forward and debt service) approved unanimously.
- Redevelopment assistance process review: Proposed changes to criteria, including explicit eligibility for temporary shelters and more objective scoring. Staff sought consensus; council expressed support, noting the inclusion of shelters.
- Downtown Wayfinding Plan: Project Manager Wendell Cater and consultant Jill Rosell presented the final plan, including 80 signs in the city center TIF district. The preferred design (1A) was not approved by ODOT due to rule changes; the advisory team selected a modified design. Implementation funding is in the CIP, with completion targeted by FY26-27.
- Mayor Vacancy Discussion: City Attorney Rahala outlined that a special election is not possible under the charter due to filing deadlines. Council discussed internal vs. external appointment. Councillors expressed preference for internal appointment, citing stability and continuity. Two councillors (Councillor Shaw and Councillor Wu) expressed interest in the mayor position. The council agreed to hold a public process on October 7, 2025, with questions from the community and council, followed by a vote. The selected candidate will be sworn in subsequently.
Key Outcomes
- Axon Contract: Approved with the condition that council approval is required before activating the FUSIS module. (Voice vote: majority ayes, one nay)
- Ordinance 25-06 (Exclusions): Adopted as written (no upper limit). (Roll call: 7-0)
- FY26 Q1 Supplemental Budget: Resolution 25-33 adopted. (Voice vote: unanimous)
- TCDA Supplemental Budget: Resolution 25-06 adopted. (Voice vote: unanimous)
- Mayor Appointment Process: Set for October 7, 2025, with public question submission, candidate interviews, and council vote. A vacancy for the subsequent council seat will be filled later.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Tiger City Council meeting this evening on September 23rd. Um I now call um Tiger City Council and the local contract review board and town center development agency meeting to order. Um City Recorder Crager, would you please complete roll call? Counselor Robbins. Counselor Schlack. Here. Counselor Shaw. Here. Mayor Pro Tam Wolf. Here. Here. Counselor Daducey. Present. Counselor who. Okay. So before we all um stand and I ask you to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I'd just like to make a couple of comments. I think we all recognize that a lot has happened in the last couple of weeks. And uh we are certainly in a period of transition. But through it all, um I believe deeply and um truly appreciate the commitment of council and our city staff to look ahead to the future and not the past. So tonight we'll be discussing the next steps for determining who Tigered will have as their next mayor. So whatever that decision, I am confident that city services initiatives and priorities will continue to move forward uninterrupted. As an example, I would like to share that results of the national community survey were recently released and found a high majority of Tigered community members strongly believe that these facets of livability, which are natural environment, our utilities, parks and recreation, and safety are of excellent or good quality, as well as seen as essential or very important. So what these ratings reflect are our parks, our police officers, our public works, our community activities that are delivered all by Tigered staff. Staff improved our online accessibility for business licenses, and we continue to maintain a strong financial position as measured by our triple A bond rating. So as a Tigered resident, I am proud of the great things that we are doing. I also know that we have a lot left to do, and I look forward to approaching that work with authentic partnerships, a spirit of collaboration, professionalism, and a recognition that when we work together, we can continue to accomplish great things. So thank you for that. And would you all please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Okay. Council and uh City Manager Sockwell, do we have any non-agenda items this evening? Okay. Um we will move on to proclamations and recognition. And our first proclamation, um, I would ask that Michelle Canoe and Jordan Dovalle Tinonian, if I hopefully I said that correct, um, come forward, and this proclamation is a week without driving. In recognition of the importance of equitable mobility, I proclaim September 29th to October 5th as week without driving in Tiger. Mobility is essential to health, opportunity, and community connection. Yet many residents cannot drive due to age, disability, or the har high cost of car ownership. Public transportation, sidewalks, bike packs, bike paths, excuse me, are not always available, making daily life more challenging for non-drivers. By spending a week without driving, we better understand the barriers and how to improve transportation options for all. This proclamation calls on Tigered residents to participate, reflect on the experience of non-drivers, and join in building an equitable transportation system that benefits everyone. So Michelle and Jordan, welcome. And you are from the West Side Transportation Alliance. And I think Jordan, you wanted to speak or both of you. So please welcome and go ahead. Yes. Thank you. Uh Mayor Pro Temp Wolf. Uh and thank you, Counselors, for uh taking on the uh the recognition of Week Without Driving, which starts uh next Monday. Uh we're really looking forward to it. Uh and just you know, kind of call to action that we encourage you to join the week without driving. It's not a disability simulation.
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