RE_ Harassment of a small business owner 2 8-31-2021.msg Debbie Manning
From: Dylan Bemis
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2021 5:23 PM
To: drleslie.carter
Cc: Lloyd Purdy; Ken Ross; Tom McGuire
Subject: RE: Harassment of a small business owner
Hi Dr. Carter,
I've been told that the tenants have taken steps to bring the property into compliance. However, there are some
remaining concerns associated with employees on-site and the storage of the commercial vehicle that's in excess of 3/
tons at the residence, both of which are violations of the conditions of the home occupation permit.The complainants
have reported violations of the conditions of the home occupation permit on several occasions, all of which were
confirmed by the tenant.
In cases like this when there are repeated code violations, we typically keep the case open for 60 days. After which time, if
there are no other complaints, we close the case.
However, in the future, even after closing the case, anyone can submit another complaint regarding the property. Our
response will be based on the evidence that supports the complaint, Le. photos of outside employees working from the
home, an oversized commercial vehicle being stored overnight at the residence, or other violations of the home
occupation permit.
Let us know if you have any additional questions.
Dylan Dekay-Bemis I Economic Development Specialist
City of Tigard I Community Development
Pronouns:he/him/his
Direct: 503.718.2560 1 Cell: 503.307.9689
13125 SW Hall Boulevard,Tigard, OR 97223 1 www.tigard-or.gov/ecdev
From: drleslie.carter<drleslie.carter@frontier.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 31, 20214:28 PM
To: Dylan Bemis<DylanB@tigard-or.gov>
Cc: Lloyd Purdy<Iloydp@tigard-or.gov>; Ken Ross<kenro@tigard-or.gov>;Tom McGuire<TomM@tigard-or.gov>
Subject: Re: Harassment of a small business owner
Hello Tigard Business Development Team,
Thank you for responding to my concerns. My understanding is that Elizabeth and Jesus Gonzalez have been in
regular direct email contact with Ken.
Does that mean that Ken now finds Juniper's Landscaping in compliance with Tigard's home based business
codes?
If the answer to the above question is "yes", then if the neighbor complains again, does that mean that Ken will
tell them that Juniper's Landscaping is now in compliance and the city will not take further action based on their
complaints?
i
Will someone at the city finalize things with Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez directly?
Thank you.
Dr. Leslie Carter
Psychologist
9600 SW Oak Street, suite 325
Tigard, OR 97223
Office: (503) 206-5578
Voice Mail: (503) 718-8391
Email: DrLeslie.CarterkFrontier.com
Website: www.DrLeslieCarter.com
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On Tuesday,August 31,2021, 11:36:35 AM PDT,Dylan Bemis<dylanbktigard-or.gov>wrote:
Hello Dr. Carter,
Thanks again for reaching out to voice your concerns. Ken is tasked with enforcing complaints related to the Tigard city
code. This includes complaints related to the city's code for home occupied businesses like Mr. Gonzalez's. These code
rules are intended to ensure home occupied businesses don't detrimentally impact neighboring home owners.
Ken, and the rest of City of Tigard staff, always do their best to ensure we treat all businesses fairly. After meeting with
Ken, he explained that he has been working patiently with Mr. Gonzalez to help him meet all the requirements of a home
business, including helping him get the proper licensing and ensuring his over-sized work vehicle/trailer is not parked at
their residence, as this violates the code for home businesses.
I'm really sorry to hear the Gonzalez family feels harassed, no one should feel that way in their own home. If they feel that
these complaints go beyond code compliance, I would recommend looking into the following resources:
• Beaverton Center for Mediation and Dialogue- provides free mediation, facilitation and conflict resolution
assistance for community members. They can be reached by phone 503-526-2523, or email at
mediation(aD_beavertonoregon.gov. Their website at https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/562/Center-for-Mediation-
and-Dialogue, has more information about the services and assistance they offer.
• Lewis &Clark Small Business Legal Clinic—Provides legal services for small businesses. They can be
reached at 503-768-6940 and their website has more information about their services -
https://Iaw.Iclark.edu/centers/small business legal clinic/
Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions or concerns.
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Best,
Dylan Dekay-Bemis I Economic Development Specialist
City of Tigard I Community Development
Pronouns: he/him/his
Direct: 503.718.2560 1 Cell: 503.307.9689
13125 SW Hall Boulevard, Tigard, OR 972231 www.tigard-or.. ecdev
From: Dylan Bemis
Sent: Wednesday,August 25,20212:51 PM
To: drleslie.carter<drleslie.carter(cr_,frontier.com>
Subject: RE: Harassment of a small business owner
Hello Dr. Carter,
Thank you for reaching out and voicing your concerns. I have scheduled a meeting with my colleagues to discuss this
issue and will get back to you as soon as I have more to share. Thank you for your patience in the meantime.
Thanks,
Dylan Dekay-Bemis I Economic Development Specialist
City of Tigard I Community Development
Pronouns: he/him/his
Direct: 503.718.2560 1 Cell: 503.307.9689
13125 SW Hall Boulevard, Tigard, OR 972231 www.tigard-or.qov/ecdev
From: drleslie.carter<drleslie.carterAfrontier.com>
Sent: Tuesday,August 24,2021 10:13 PM
To:Dylan Bemis<DylanB(c-r�,tigard-or. oo >
Subject:re: Harassment of a small business owner
Hello Mr. Dekay-Bemis,
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I am a business owner in Tigard. I am concerned about the City of Tigard's support of small business owners.
A neighbor is currently harassing (filed 8 complaints) against a small latin owned business (Juniper's
Landscaping) in the Brookside Street neighborhood. The owner, Jesus Gonzalez, has done all the paperwork
that he has been requested to complete. Ken, at the business non-compliance desk, continues to call Mr.
Gonzalez with more complaints from this neighbor even though he has done everything. Ken has been cutting
and pasting the direct threatening emails he receives from this neighbor and sending them to Mr. Gonzalez. The
neighbor has even taken pictures of the owner's children at his home and submitted them with her
complaints. Now, the Gonzalez children are fearful to open the blinds in their home because they feel
watched. The Gonzalez family has lived in the neighborhood for many years without any complaints from
other neighbors. The harassing neighbors are new as of the last few years and are renting the property directly
across the street from Juniper's Landscaping home business location.
If the City of Tigard is going to promote small business growth we need to help all small businesses feel
welcome.
How do we stop this harassment? My understanding is that Juniper's Landscape has met all of the City's
requests. Why does the City of Tigard continue to accept this woman's complaints and forward them to Mr.
Gonzalez? We should have an equitable process for resolving matters like this before people start to feel
harassed or their children feel threatened.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Dr. Leslie Carter
Concerned Business Owner
Carter Counseling & Consulting, PC
9600 SW Oak Street Suite 325
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 718-8391
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My family residence:
12555 SW Brookside
Tigard, OR 97223
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