Tualatin City Council Meeting – August 11, 2025

The Tualatin City Council met on August 11, 2025, to introduce new city staff, hear public comments primarily concerning the preservation of mature trees along Norwood Road, receive presentations on two Washington County ballot measures (public safety and library levies), and hold a public hearing and vote on the adoption of the 2045 Transportation System Plan (TSP). The meeting also included a consent agenda and council communications.

New Employee Introductions

• Water Division welcomed Mason Williams (started March 10, 2025) and Levi Weldon (started March 20, 2025) as water technicians.
• Police Department introduced Officers Chase Charbonneau and Matthew Vorberg (both started July 21, 2025). Both will attend the basic police academy beginning August 25, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Norwood Road Trees (multiple speakers): Community members (including Danny O’Neill, Julie Hieronymous, M. Roberts – ISA certified arborist, Brent Baby, Dan Cobb, Carly Case, Tim Neary of Byrom CIO, Dave Tully, developer Ken Allen, and others) urged the council to reject the city’s standard sidewalk/utility plan and instead adopt the developer’s plan that keeps a 13‑foot tree protection zone. Many cited the failure of the previous Autumn Sunrise development where trees were lost after construction. Ken Allen offered to install decorative safety railings and accept SDC credits to preserve the trees. City Engineer Mike McCarthy stated the city is committed to preserving the trees and is working with Mr. Allen on a revised plan.
• Ducks (Kevin Mulvaney): Requested the city code be amended to allow flightless ducks as backyard pets under rules similar to chickens, noting they are companion animals, not food sources.
• Library Levy (Rob Drake): As chair of People for Libraries, urged council to pass a resolution supporting Measure 34345, a replacement levy for Washington County Cooperative Library Services.
• General comment on poultry: One speaker opposed allowing chickens/ducks, citing rodent problems and noise.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–5 were approved unanimously by voice vote: (1) work session and regular meeting minutes of July 14, 2025; (2) resolution 5898-25 awarding contract for Nyberg Creek Trail construction to Nutter Corporation; (3) resolution 5899-25 second amendment for Basalt Creek Parkland management; (4) resolution 5900-25 first amendment for riverfront parkland management; (5) resolution 5901-25 first amendment for riverfront parkland management.
• Item 6 (resolution 5903-25 amending city fee schedule) was pulled from consent by Councilor Gonzalez and considered separately later.

Discussion Items

Washington County Public Safety Levy (Measure 34345)

• Sheriff Caprice Massey, District Attorney Kevin Barton, and Commissioner Christian Snyder presented the replacement levy for the November 4, 2025 election. The levy rate is 66 cents per $1,000 assessed value (approx. $230/year for a $350,000 home, $6/month increase over current). It would raise an estimated $337 million over five years, funding 16% of the county’s public safety system (jail, patrol, DA’s office, community corrections, juvenile services, mental health response teams, and victim support). If it fails, Sheriff Massey warned of massive layoffs and service cuts.
• Council members raised concerns about the county’s overall budget shortfall (having cut $7.1 million from the levy request) and the lack of upstream prevention. Councilor Hillier and Councilor Brooks stressed the need for more holistic investments in mental health, substance use prevention, and poverty alleviation. Councilor Reyes asked why voters should support the levy when it might not directly benefit Tualatin.
• DA Barton noted the jail has released over 2,000 inmates early due to overcrowding in 2025, and his office handles about 12,000 cases annually with only 47 attorneys (half the staffing per case compared to Multnomah County).
• No formal council action was taken on the levy; it was an informational presentation.

Washington County Library Levy (Measure 34345)

• Lisa Tattersall (WCCLS) and Commissioner Pam Tries presented a replacement library levy at 37 cents per $1,000 assessed value (replacing the expiring 22‑cent levy). The typical homeowner would pay $129/year ($10.75/month) – an increase of $54/year. The levy funds 45% of WCCLS revenue; without it, services would be reduced (hours, book purchases, events, interlibrary delivery).
• Council members questioned the change from circulation‑based funding to geographic service population, and the move to centralize collection purchasing (saving $4 million annually). Councilor Brooks emphasized libraries are part of the safety net (cooling centers, community resources). Councilor Gonzalez noted the assessed value example ($348,600) was far below Tualatin’s average ($500,000–$600,000), making the cost seem lower. Commissioner Tries acknowledged the levy increase but said every library will receive more revenue, not less.
• Council took no formal action; the presentation was informational.

Public Hearing – Ordinance 1451-25 (2045 Transportation System Plan)

• Staff (Erin, Mike McCarthy, and consultant Brianna Calhoun) presented the TSP, a 20‑year roadmap with 113 projects, focused on multimodal improvements, climate goals, and pedestrian/bicycle safety. The plan updates the 2012 TSP and includes new street cross-sections with wider sidewalks, planter strips, and bike lanes, and narrower vehicle lanes to slow traffic. Public engagement involved focus groups, an online survey, and a 13‑member Community Advisory Committee.
• Public testimony: Two speakers (Nancy and another resident) spoke in favor, but raised concerns about the potential grade separation at Boone’s Ferry/Tualatin-Sherwood Road/railroad (project CS‑1), which they felt could create a barrier. The TSP includes a financially unconstrained grade separation project to be studied further. A speaker also urged investment in traffic signal technology rather than roundabouts, citing pedestrian safety.
• Councilor Brooks asked whether the maps distinguish residential vs. industrial areas; staff noted the online GIS allows overlaying zoning.
• Council then voted on the ordinance.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (items 1‑5): Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 5903-25 (Fee Schedule): Passed on a roll‑call vote 5‑1‑1 (Councilor Gonzalez voted no, Councilor Reyes abstained).
• Ordinance 1451-25 (2045 TSP): Adopted unanimously after first and second readings. The plan’s financially constrained project list includes active transportation, transit, and complete street projects; the grade separation at Boone’s Ferry/Tualatin-Sherwood/railroad was moved to the unconstrained list but may be built if needed.
• No formal action was taken on the public safety or library levy presentations; council will consider a resolution of support for the library levy at a future meeting.
• City staff committed to continuing to work with developer Ken Allen and an arborist to preserve the Norwood Road tree grove.