Tigard City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Tigard City Council met on October 7, 2025, for a regular meeting that included proclamations, public comments, consideration of several resolutions, and a mayoral appointment process. The meeting featured extensive public testimony regarding the mayoral appointment, adoption of resolutions supporting a library levy, an easement acquisition for a traffic signal project, and ratification of a collective bargaining agreement. After two-minute interviews and deliberation, the council voted to appoint Councillor Yi Kang Hu as mayor for the remainder of the term.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Banned Books Week (October 5–11, 2025): Library Director Halstead Bernard presented the proclamation, highlighting the freedom to read and intellectual freedom. The library staff and board joined in support.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Mayoral Comments:
  • Sean Martinez encouraged support for International Walk and Roll to School Day (October 8), noting hundreds of families at Metzger Elementary participate and highlighting the need for cleaner air and reduced idling.
  • CB Wright (resident at The Knoll) expressed urgent safety concerns about homeless individuals entering their building across from Just Compassion, citing fear, drug activity, and lack of response from the shelter. They requested a plan for building safety, especially with 40 additional beds planned.
  • Two written comments were received: one requesting greater transparency regarding mayoral appointment and city manager leave, and one about campaigning at public works and storage of items.
• Mayoral Appointment Comments:
  • Twelve written comments were received: three in support of Councillor Shaw, nine in support of Councillor Who.
  • In-person speakers (one minute each):
    • Sean Martinez (return) praised Councillor Who's participation in bike/walk events and community rides, supporting his mayoral candidacy.
    • Karen Amerson highlighted Councillor Who's community immersion, willingness to engage with differing viewpoints, and respect for staff.
    • Sylvia Lin (Taiwanese American community leader) spoke of Councillor Who's genuine presence at cultural events, humility, and leadership.
    • Van Leigh (second-generation Vietnamese American, business owner at Jeffrey Island Gallery) expressed support for Councillor Who, citing his engagement with minority business owners.
    • Alan Long (first-generation immigrant, 25-year business owner) thanked Councillor Who for making him feel welcome and represented for the first time.
    • Pia Wilson Body (20+ year resident, former executive) supported Councillor Shaw, citing her business acumen, honesty, dedication, and work on the Small Business Assistance Fund.
    • Karina Torseth (neighbor of 15 years) supported Councillor Shaw, emphasizing her advocacy, fiscal responsibility, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving.
    • Mayor Frank Buminek of Tualatin supported Councillor Shaw, citing her institutional knowledge, regional relationships, and collaborative spirit.
    • Nathan Jackson (Planning Commission) supported Councillor Who, noting his leadership example and service during contentious hearings, and urged consideration of immigration enforcement policy.
    • Mark Bowen (35-year resident, neighbor) supported Councillor Shaw for organizing neighborhood meetings to solve speeding/parking issues, highlighting persistence.
    • Margie Archer (insurance industry) supported Councillor Shaw, emphasizing her steady leadership, crisis management skills, and policy experience.
    • Lang Pham (Vietnamese Community of Oregon) read a letter from President Tao Tu supporting Councillor Who for his consistent engagement, trust-building, and commitment to dialogue.
    • A written statement from Council President Kim Young of Sherwood (read by Councillor Shaw) supported Shaw for regional collaboration.
    • Phone caller Jenny Whittall (neighbor) supported Councillor Shaw for organizing neighborhood solutions to traffic and parking problems.

City Manager Report

• Deputy City Manager Trich introduced Communications Coordinator Leandro Barrientos, who reported on the successful Hispanic Heritage Month festival. Highlights: partnership with 93.1 El Rey Radio, first fútbol tournament with six teams (awarded by Congresswoman Salinas), expanded vendor education, and emphasis on the five E's (Engagement, Equity, etc.). Councillor Shaw praised inclusion of Filipino American community and music.

Discussion Items

• Resolution Supporting Library Levy (Measure 34-345): Councillor Wolf noted prior discussion on funding methodology. Director Bernard reported that the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed methodology and service area boundaries that morning; partner vote on the proposal will occur next week. Councillor Who expressed comfort after conversations with commissioners, noting his advocacy for future county engagement with all councilors. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Resolution of Necessity for Bonita/Sequoia Traffic Signal Easement Acquisition: Principal Engineer Trent Furman and Project Coordinator Brooklyn presented. The project, in partnership with Washington County, requires 60 sq ft permanent right-of-way and 160 sq ft temporary construction easement. Construction expected July 2026, six-month duration, no major closures. Councillor Robbins clarified the small footprint and noted negotiations with the property owner (Venus something LLC) have not yet started. The resolution passed unanimously.
• SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement Ratification: HR Director Lori Gomez reported a year-long process culminating in a tentative agreement after 10 sessions (April to September 18, 2025). Key updates: introduction of generative AI language, equitable treatment of domestic partnerships, COLA of 2.8% with additional 1% above CPI in subsequent years to address a past shortfall. The contract expires June 30, 2028. Resolution passed unanimously.
• Mayoral Appointment Process:
  • Deputy City Manager Trich summarized the process: 94 questions from 53 community members were received; themes included respectful workplace, homelessness, budget, livability. Five advanced questions were provided Monday; five live questions were asked during the interview.
  • Coin toss: Councillor Shaw won and elected to go first.
  • Councillor Shaw's Interview (2-minute questions, 2-minute closing):
    1. Top goals: Listen, heal, build trust with employees/community; ensure respectful workplace; follow charter; provide safety net for seniors; maintain public safety, infrastructure, parks. Measured by surveys, response times, crime stats, business growth.
    2. Leadership experience/achievements: Decades in corporate, nonprofit, legislative, small business; passed manufacturing incentives, tax increment financing, hybrid/electric vehicle tax incentive; helped modernize charter and public safety levy.
    3. Traffic balance: Complete streets approach; data-driven decisions; regional coordination; adaptive signals; already has relationships with ODOT and neighboring cities.
    4. Economic development: Short-term and long-term plans; support entrepreneurship; incubator spaces; diversify sectors.
    5. Inclusion, equity, safety: Ensure accessible services; support diverse events; address barriers; crisis intervention training; build trust between police and communities; avoid disproportionate code enforcement.
    6. Leading with humility: Listening; ensuring employees have recourse for retaliation/concerns; transparent process.
    7. Trust between staff, leadership, council: Training; open door policy; HR channel.
    8. Funding priorities: New public works/police facility; regional homeless resources; increase police service officers; parks maintenance (emerald ash borer); housing for workforce.
    9. Reducing unsanctioned camping: Immediate: time/place/manner rules. Long-term: increase shelter beds regionally; redirect supportive service dollars to cities.
    10. Bridging political divides: Build bridges through listening, meeting with diverse constituents, ensuring civility. Closing: Emphasized commitment to community, decades of leadership, shared leadership model, and values of respect and inclusion.
  • Councillor Who's Interview (2-minute questions, 2-minute closing):
    1. Top goals: Stability, safety, trust; focus on public safety (police/public works facility), smart growth (River Terrace 2.0), economic development. Measured by response times, infrastructure benchmarks, community satisfaction.
    2. Leadership experience/achievements: Planning Commission president; key projects: Tigard Triangle, River Terrace 1.0, Washington Square; secured $700,000 planning grant; led public safety levy renewal (80% approval). Emphasizes listening, collaboration, follow-through.
    3. Traffic balance: Smart planning (mixed-use near transit); create housing opportunities so workers can live in Tigard (e.g., Tigard Home concept); prioritize safety over speed; improve sidewalks, trails, lighting.
    4. Economic development: Build relationships with local businesses; attend chamber events; reduce red tape; connect entrepreneurs with resources.
    5. Inclusion, equity, safety: Show up at cultural events; support non-enforcement of immigration laws (Oregon law); ensure people feel safe calling 911; public safety includes belonging.
    6. Leading with humility: Listen, be vulnerable, respect boundaries; ensure safe/confidential reporting for employees; foster professional, healthy work environment.
    7. Trust between staff, leadership, council: Regular one-on-one with councilors; focus on issues, not persons; assume best intentions.
    8. Funding priorities: Align with council goals; honest community discussion about trade-offs; priority on council goals.
    9. Reducing unsanctioned camping: Regional problem; continue Safe Parking Lot, shelters, wraparound services; balance compassion with accountability; enforce when necessary.
    10. Bridging political divides: Actively reach out to those with differing views; stay curious, ask questions; assume best intentions; focus on common goals. Closing: 20-year resident; love for Tigard; focus on restoring trust, maintaining stability, continuing work on police/public works facility, River Terrace 2.0, Hall Boulevard, economic development. Thanked Council members and Mayor Pro Tem Wolf for steady leadership.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25-34 (Library Levy Support): Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 25-35 (Bonita/Sequoia Easement Acquisition): Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 25-36 (SEIU CBA Ratification): Adopted unanimously.
• Mayoral Appointment: Councillor Schlack moved to appoint Councillor Yi Kang Hu as mayor for the remainder of the term (October 14, 2025 to December 31, 2026). Seconded by Councillor Robbins. Voting: Councillor Gaducy (yes), Councillor Who (yes), Councillor Robbins (yes), Councillor Schlack (yes), Councillor Shaw (abstained/conflicted), Mayor Pro Tem Wolf (yes). Motion carried. Councillor Who appointed as mayor.