Tualatin City Council Work Session – August 10, 2026

The City Council held a work session on August 10, 2026, beginning at approximately 5:00 PM and concluding before the regular meeting at 7:00 PM. The session featured two major presentations: the annual report from the Community Involvement Organizations (CIOs) and an update on the 65th Avenue and Borland Road intersection project. Council also received city manager reports and conducted a roundtable discussion of recent activities and meetings.

CIO Annual Report and Proposals

• Presenters: Patricia (IBAC CIO President), Doug (East CIO President), and Beth Hancock (incoming Downtown CIO President via Zoom) presented the annual report on behalf of the city's seven CIOs.
• Accomplishments: CIOs held neighborhood fairs, annual meetings, an ice cream social, and a model sailboat regatta on September 19, 2025. They engaged with developers on major projects (IBAC and Basalt Creek) and scheduled annual meetings for 2025–2026.
• Boundary Map Update: Presenters proposed a new seventh residential CIO – the Tualatin Downtown CIO – to include downtown multifamily units and units on Lower Boons Ferry, Southwest Suite, Lake Grove, and Nyburg Lane. The process involved city staff creating alternatives, CIO leadership feedback, neighborhood outreach, and a vote by existing CIOs. Option four was selected to balance household counts. Council members expressed support, with Councilor Hillier favoring option four. Councilor Brooks asked whether the new CIO would be purely residential; presenters confirmed the commercial CIO would remain separate.
• Cell Coverage Concerns: Patricia shared a personal story about a lack of cell service in IBAC Park, citing a survey of 40 neighbors who rated coverage 1–2 out of 10 across all major carriers. She requested the city encourage a cell tower on city-owned property near the water tower, calling cell service a utility. Council discussed topography, carrier responsibility, and equity across CIOs. The city attorney noted no liability for coverage gaps. Council agreed to follow up with carriers and explore options.
• Park Rangers: Patricia requested the council reconsider reinstating funding for park rangers, noting the funding was cut approximately one to two years ago. Councilor Brooks and others were unaware of the cut and expressed support for including the item in the next budget cycle.
• Recycling Bins: The presenters requested adding recycling bins to parks, noting that current garbage cans are filled with recyclables. Council referred the matter to the Parks Department and the Community Advisory Committee (CAP).
• Other Requests: The CIOs asked the council to initiate the ordinance process for the new Downtown CIO. The city manager confirmed that the current budget already includes funding for a hypothetical seventh residential CIO, so no additional appropriation was needed.

65th Avenue and Borland Road Intersection Project

• Presenters: Mike McCarthy (City Engineer) and Abby McBeetridge (Engineering Associate) provided the update.
• Timeline: The project was originally seeking $3 million in federal funding but received only $250,000; the city declined to federalize the project. Design is proceeding, with construction planned for spring 2027.
• Improvements: To improve safety and congestion, the northbound through movement will be shifted into the existing left-turn lane, a separate northbound right-turn lane will be added, and the northbound left-turn and westbound through movements will be eliminated. The property owner agreed to the changes. The project will also add buffered bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and a planter strip on 65th Avenue.
• Jurisdictional Transfer: Clackamas County offered to transfer the east half of 65th Avenue (above the red line) to the city, along with $750,000 toward the project. Washington County will continue to maintain the road under an existing inter-county agreement. The city would add less than one mile to its road maintenance inventory (out of ~80 miles). The project cost is approximately $2 million. The IGA for the transfer was on the consent agenda.
• Council Discussion: Councilor Brooks asked about maintenance costs; McCarthy confirmed less than a mile. Councilor Pratt questioned what would happen if Washington County stopped maintaining; McCarthy noted that possibility would leave the city maintaining half the road. Councilor Haria clarified the length (from I‑205 to Nyberg Lane). Councilor Gonzalez asked about design standards and sidewalk responsibility; McCarthy stated that abutting property owners would maintain sidewalks as per city code. The project is eligible for MSTIP funding.

City Manager Reports and Roundtable

• City Manager Sherilyn Lomb reported: library director finalists (two), Heidi Stanley departed, Lindsay Marshall interim communications, Willowbrook Arts Camp wrapping up, summer camps with 73 kids, two concerts remaining (Cal Scott & Richard Moore on Wednesday, Dance Hall Days on August 21), Pumpkin Regatta planning, pollinator garden at IBAC Park, library foot traffic up 5% year-over-year, reading ends in August, slurry seal work in parking lots on August 21, City Hall Selfie Day on August 11, city’s 113th birthday on August 18, and the food cart plan text amendment heading to planning commission (scheduled for council September 28). She also noted significant traffic issues from ODOT road closures.
• Council Roundtable: Councillors reported on various meetings and events: National Night Out, Women’s Caucus, Washington County Urban Services Framework, Winita Pole Center grand reopening, CAC meeting on Lake of the Commons, Clackamas County coordinating committee (priorities: transportation, economic development, land use), e-bike education campaign, R1 Act meeting, Oregon Mayors Association conference (green bag program, urban deer concerns), and a call from Wilsonville’s mayor about the Route 6 extension on Boons Ferry Road.

Key Outcomes

• CIO Boundary Map: Council expressed support for moving forward with the new Downtown CIO map (option four) and directed staff to initiate the ordinance process for council adoption.
• Park Rangers: Council agreed to consider reinstating park ranger funding during the next budget cycle.
• Cell Tower: Council will follow up with carriers and possibly use government affairs contacts to address the coverage gap in IBAC; no immediate action taken but acknowledged the safety concern.
• Recycling Bins: Referred to Parks Department and CAP for cost and implementation analysis.
• 65th Avenue Jurisdictional Transfer: The consent agenda included the IGA with Clackamas County; council discussion indicated support for accepting the transfer with the $750,000 contribution.
• Consent Agenda: Five items were approved after Councilor Hillier’s concern about a liquor license change was resolved when clarified as a change of ownership.
• Next Steps: Construction on 65th/Borland to begin spring 2027; final design continues. The work session adjourned at approximately 6:45 PM to reconvene for the regular meeting at 7:00 PM.