Tigard City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Tigard City Council convened on March 3, 2026, at approximately 8:00 PM to address a city manager report, two quasi-judicial public hearings on comprehensive plan map amendments, an economic development strategic plan update, and a discussion on the street maintenance fee methodology. The council took unanimous votes on both land‑use ordinances and provided policy direction on the street maintenance fee.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered for any agenda item. Written comments were not received for the land‑use hearings.

City Manager Report

• Acting City Manager Trish reported that the 2026 Police Department Community Academy launched on February 26, 2026, with about 30 community members for a 10‑week program. Councilor Schlack, a participant, noted the academy reinforced the need for a new police and public works facility, which will appear on the May ballot. Mayor Who also highlighted police engagement at a Lunar New Year celebration.

Quasi-Judicial Hearing – Hall Boulevard Pedestrian Crossing Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment (CMA 2025‑0003 / SLR 2025‑0002)

• Staff Presentation: Associate Planner Jenny McGuinness explained the proposal to replace a non‑compliant pedestrian signal with a rectangular rapid‑flashing beacon (RRFB) at Hall Boulevard between Omar and Burnham Streets. The project would impact 127 square feet (0.003 acre) of vegetated corridor within a significant wetland to install three stormwater outfalls. The ESEE analysis concluded the safety benefits outweighed the minimal environmental impact. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on January 26, 2026.
• Applicant Testimony: James Stalphil (Dell consulting, representing ODOT) and Kyle Crate (ODOT project manager) reiterated the safety purpose, noting construction is expected July–December 2026 with no road closures. Stormwater credits in lieu of on‑site mitigation will be provided.
• Council Deliberation: Councilor Gadusi asked about environmental consequences; staff affirmed the degraded condition of the vegetated corridor and the net benefit from improved stormwater treatment. The council found no conflicts of interest.
• Vote: Ordinance No. 26‑05 was adopted unanimously (5‑0).

Quasi-Judicial Hearing – Steve Street Park Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment (CMA 2025‑0002)

• Staff Presentation: Planner McGuinness described a proposed ADA‑accessible pathway (8‑ft wide) connecting Steve Street to a new 1.37‑acre park, impacting 0.03 acre of vegetated corridor. The park addresses one of 12 gap areas where residents lack a park within a 10‑minute walk. The ESEE analysis concluded that allowing the path avoids negative consequences of prohibition and improves habitat through on‑site restoration. Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on February 2, 2026.
• Applicant Testimony: Jeff Peck (Public Works) and Grace Coffee (Winterbrook Planning) noted the wetland buffer occupies the entire northern portion of the park site, making the path unavoidable. On‑site mitigation will include native plantings and restoration, improving the buffer from degraded to good condition. Wetland Scientist Sarah Hartang (ESA) was available remotely.
• Council Deliberation: Councilor Gadusi inquired about mitigation; staff highlighted native plantings and stormwater treatment. Councilor Shaw asked about pathway width (confirmed 8 ft). No conflicts declared.
• Vote: Ordinance No. 26‑06 was adopted unanimously (5‑0).

Economic Development Strategic Plan Update

• Presentation: Economic Development Manager Danelle Hother and Matt Craigie (EcoNorthwest) presented the draft three‑year strategic plan, which was developed through two workshops. The plan includes four pillars: (1) Business Attraction, Support & Growth; (2) Partnerships & Navigation; (3) Operations & Communication; (4) Development & Placemaking. Each pillar contains specific actions, sub‑actions, year‑one priorities, and performance indicators. The draft plan is available for council review, with the final version expected by the end of March 2026.
• Council Feedback:
  • Pillar 1: Councilors supported year‑one resource scans and baseline data collection. Councilor Gadusi emphasized clear progress metrics. Councilor Shaw requested moving TCAC from “local partner” to “internal organization” (staff confirmed this correction).
  • Pillar 2: Councilor Shaw asked to include council’s role in governance. Councilor Schlack noted the critical importance of partnerships.
  • Pillar 3: Mayor Who stressed retaining existing businesses through better communication. Councilor Shaw highlighted the pilot interdepartmental economic development committee. Councilor Anderson asked about a single point of contact for developers (staff confirmed one exists).
  • Pillar 4: Councilor Shaw proposed leveraging data from the street maintenance fee study (Kittelson) for a commercial space inventory and suggested a “fast‑pass” for high‑revenue projects. Councilor Schlack noted the pillar’s weight in shaping the community.
• Outcome: Council provided consensus direction to incorporate their feedback into the final draft.

Street Maintenance Fee Discussion

• Presentation: Project Manager Nicole George, Consultant Nick Popanuk (Tiberius Solutions), and Susan Wright (Kittelson & Associates) reviewed the current fee ($9.11/month per residential unit, $2.98/month per parking stall for non‑residential, generating ~$5M annually). The proposed switch to a trip‑generation methodology (using ITE rates) aims for greater equity. About 485,000 daily trips from the city’s 17,000 utility accounts were estimated (40% residential, 60% non‑residential). Under a pure trip‑based model, a single‑family home fee would drop to ~$7.83/month, reducing residential revenue and shifting costs to non‑residential accounts. Land uses with high parking turnover (e.g., medical/dental offices, shopping centers) would see increases; warehousing and industrial would see decreases. Six trip‑generation buckets are proposed for administrative simplicity.
• Council Direction: Councilors expressed a shared preference to maintain the current residential rate of $9.11/month (rather than lowering it) to buffer the impact on businesses facing increases. Councilor Gadusi requested considering vehicle weight in the methodology. Councilor Shaw asked for informal briefings for deeper analysis and wanted input from the Chamber of Commerce and affected businesses. Councilor Anderson supported keeping the residential rate stable. Councilor Halek suggested a middle rate (e.g., $8.50) to soften business increases. Councilors sought an appeals process for businesses to contest their bucket assignment. Staff will return in May 2026 with refined proposals, and implementation is targeted for 2027.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance No. 26‑05 (Hall Boulevard Pedestrian Crossing CMA / SLR) – Approved unanimously (5‑0).
• Ordinance No. 26‑06 (Steve Street Park CMA) – Approved unanimously (5‑0).
• Economic Development Strategic Plan – Council feedback will be incorporated into the final draft; adoption expected at a future meeting.
• Street Maintenance Fee – Council directed staff to:
  • Keep the residential fee at $9.11/month (no reduction).
  • Refine trip‑generation buckets, consider a cap for very high‑trip uses, and explore vehicle‑weight factors.
  • Conduct informal briefings and outreach to businesses.
  • Return in May 2026 with updated methodology and draft invoices.