Tigard City Council Meeting: September 8, 2026

The Tigard City Council met on September 8, 2026, addressing a range of topics including public comments, a quasi-judicial land use hearing, photo enforcement program updates, a credit card fee policy change, and a public works service level overview. Key decisions included approval of the Summer Creek Bridge Stabilization project, adoption of a hybrid credit card fee model, and unanimous support for the consent agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Comcast Capo franchise agreement renewal by unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Dart (Pathfinder Way) requested the city clean up overgrown trees and fallen debris from city property along Derry Dale Creek, citing safety hazards and damage to his fence.
• Roger Pottoff (11710 SW Ann Street) complained about code enforcement based on a neighbor's erroneous report of a sex offender living in his backyard tent, asking for justice and consideration.
• Jim Long (phone) read the Climate Action Tigard mission statement emphasizing positive habitats for humans and wildlife.
• During the quasi-judicial hearing, Jim Long testified about potential impacts on protected turtles and beaver dams, and questioned why construction began before council approval. Staff responded that permits from ODFW were obtained, no turtles were encountered, and beaver dams were left intact, with work driven by life safety and an in-water work window (July 15–September 30).
• During the credit card fee hearing, Dennis Wasnak (13493 SW 75th Place) opposed passing fees to utility customers, calling it a rate increase and a public relations issue. Staff clarified the goal is to encourage lower-cost payment methods.

Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing: Summer Creek Bridge Stabilization

• Staff (Associate Planner Jenny McGuinness, Project Manager Matt Bowling) presented a comprehensive plan map amendment and sensitive lands review for a 0.07-acre project on SW 121st Avenue. The project includes stabilizing eroding creek banks, replacing wing walls, repairing guardrails, and fixing stormwater and sewer utilities. The ESEE analysis concluded that allowing the conflicting use would avoid negative consequences and improve creek health, safety, and utility reliability.
• The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on August 3, 2026.
• Council voted unanimously (6-0, with Councilor Robbins absent) to adopt Ordinance 26-14, removing goal five protection from 0.03 acres of locally significant wetlands for this specific project.

Photo Enforcement Program Update (Operational)

• Lieutenant Carlson presented data on three camera locations (Pacific & Hall, Durham Road, 72nd Avenue). Red light violations increased significantly in 2025 (e.g., Durham: 1,294 violations vs. 381 in 2024). Speed violations on Hall decreased. Crashes at intersections declined from 22.5/year (2016-2019) to 11.5/year (2020-2025).
• Lieutenant requested council consider creating three halftime non-sworn positions to review citations and testify in court, freeing sworn officers for patrol.
• Council discussed potential expansion and reaffirmed the program's primary goal of safety.

Photo Enforcement Financial Update

• Finance Director Eric King reported that FY26 revenue reached $1.6 million with $1.59 million in expenditures, resulting in an $11,000 surplus. However, an accumulated deficit of $715,000 remains. Revenue increased 49% over FY25, while expenditures rose only 2%.
• The program's monthly performance turned positive from January 2026 onward, with a $376,000 surplus in the second half of the fiscal year.

Public Hearing and Decision on Credit Card Fees

• Finance Director King presented three options: A) absorb all fees (status quo), B) fully pass through costs, C) hybrid (pass through credit card fees, keep e-checks free). The hybrid option is estimated to save the city $300,000 annually in merchant fees, reducing utility rate pressures.
• Council unanimously adopted Resolution 26-30, implementing the hybrid approach, after discussion that the goal is to change payment behavior and that no fee is charged for e-checks, cash, or checks.

Discussion on Public Works Service Levels

• Asset Manager Samantha Rico presented an overview of 11 public works divisions (streets, water, sewer, stormwater, surface water, parks, recreation, fleet, facilities, engineering, administration). Key themes: alignment with legal mandates, community expectations, and technical standards. Examples included streets operating at minimum service, 94% of sewer work mandated, and proactive maintenance saving 14 times the cost of major rehab.
• Council expressed appreciation and requested more detailed financial and growth forecasts for budget season.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 26-14 (Summer Creek Bridge Stabilization) adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 26-30 (Credit Card Fee Hybrid Model) adopted unanimously.
• Public hearing on street name change postponed to October 6, 2026.
• Council directed staff to bring more service-level and cost trade-off analysis for future budget discussions.
• The meeting adjourned into executive session to discuss the performance of a public official.