10/18/2017 - Minutes City of Tigard
Committee for Community Engagement Minutes
MEETING DATE/TIME: Wednesday, Oct 18,2017; 7 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Public Works Lunchroom,Public Works Building
8777 SW Burnham St.,Tigard, OR 97223
Member Attendance Status
Jeremy Audritsh Yes
Basil Christopher Yes
Kristen Fitzpatrick No
Alexandra (Lexi) Hallum Yes
David Hanna Yes
Anne Kinnaman No
Thomas Lauritzen Yes
Joseph Lyons No
Amelia McCreery No
Yamini Naidu Yes
Cathy Olson Yes
Connie Ramaekers Yes
Christine Rehse No
Dolly Specht Yes
Miranda Wood Yes
Guest attendees:
Noah Siegel,Presenter and Guest
Dan Schauer,Washington County Government
Councilor Marc Woodard, Council Representative
Staff
Rudy Owens, Communications Strategist and Committee Liaison
1. Welcome and introductions.
The committee welcomed Thomas Lauritzen,Yamini Naidu, and Christine Rehse (absent for meeting)
as formally-approved committee members.
2. Review of draft minutes from Aug. 16, 2017.
The group discussed the best way for meeting minutes to reflect concerns of immigrants and
non-native English speaking residents, described at the Aug. 16, 2017 meeting. Committee
members expressed concerns for immigrants living in Tigard. Several committee members
Committee for Community Engagement MINUTES — 10/18/2017
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group noted that many immigrants have legitimate concerns about their status with federal
immigration officials following recent actions in the metro Portland area. The draft minutes
were finalized to reflect the group's consensus how to describe the summary from Betsy Ruef,
who organized the city's Latino outreach activities. Rudy Owens reminded the group about the
city's statement of unity, published on the city's webpage, describing how the city followed state
law, and that the city did not inquire about immigration status when working with community
members. The group then unanimously approved the minutes.
3. Quick update confirming our newly appointed members Thomas Lauritzen, Christine
Rehse,Yamini Naidu (the City Council approved the appointments unanimously on Sept. 5,
2017).
Rudy Owens gave an update of the vote by the Tigard City Council on Sept. 5, 2017. The council
unanimously approved the appointment of Lauritzen,Naidu, and Rehse as the newest committee
members.
4. Continued discussion and feedback from committee members on ballot drop boxes.
Naidu had requested the group continue its discussion from Aug. 16, 2017 about possible
additional ballot boxes in Tigard, possibly near the library. Naidu suggested more drop boxes could
lead to greater voter participation.
Cathy Olson said she supported Washington County Election's recommendation for promoting
ballot by mail and the one current location at City Hall. She noted it did not seem like a big issue in
Tigard.
Lexi Hallum discussed surveys and trying to learn why residents are not voting. She said
neighborhoods in California communities had voting locations.
The group discussed the pros and cons of working on the issue and the merits, costs, and logistical
issues with extra drop boxes, such as traffic impacts on roads for people who use the city's drop
box and what that might mean at a Tigard library location.
The group made a motion to study ballot drop boxes by a new created subcommittee with Naidu,
Hallum, and Miranda Wood. The motion was unanimously approved.
5. Comments and input from around the table.
The group shared a variety of comments. The community neighborhood network Facebook pages
seemed popular in Southview. Committee members said they liked the committee's direction and
the annual Downtown Street Fair. A member expressed concerns about fast drivers on Walnut and
the need for a lighted crosswalk. One member said they liked the changes in downtown. The grand
opening of Bull Mt. Park was praised, along with the work of volunteers who made it possible. The
funding issue of parks was raised. A committee member who also sits on the Parks and Recreation
Committee for Community Engagement MINUTES — 10/18/2017
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Advisory Board said that group just did a tour of the parks and learned about their funding status.
Another member praised three new videos called The City in 60 Seconds. The videos were described
as a good way for residents to learn information about city finances and services.
6. Presentation and conversation with Noah Siegel, focusing on Tigard's ongoing community
conversation about possible challenges with funding city services and future funding for city
facilities.
Noah Siegel, a consultant working with the City of Tigard,led the group in a focus group discussion for
an hour. Because of the city's fiscal situation, he said the city faced several decision paths:
do what you do worse in 10 years; cut what you do as a city, and do fewer things; raise taxes/raise
revenue—one holds steady and one improves what the city can do. Siegel said a levy vote would be
needed for two of three possible choices to address the situation: provide current services (with a levy),
provide better services (with a levy),have no levy and lose services. There was a general discussion of
the city's survey findings and finances. Levy and Bond Advisory Force Task member Olson gave a
short summary of that group's more detailed work on city finances and choices ahead. Siegel noted,
people like the city. He said things would have to change, or residents may begin to lose city services.
Olson said her group talked about services it valued. The task force also discussed what could be cut or
lost.
The group ran through several exercises describing their thoughts on Tigard, city government,needed
services, essential services, thoughts on property taxes, and messages that could communicate the city's
fiscal challenges with city voters.
7. Adjourn.
The committee agreed to meet next on Wednesday, Dec. 13, the second Wednesday of the month,
to accommodate members' holiday schedules. The committee adjourned the meeting at
approximately 8:40 p.m.
Committee for Community Engagement MINUTES — 10/18/2017
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