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Cityscape 2004-10/11 ■ill MENii un EWEN October/November 2004 www.ci.tigard.or.us Volume XXII No. 7 Mayor's corner Make-A-Difference Day Fall is here and our children are Saturday, October 16, 9 a.m. to noon back in school,so please be careful on All hands are welcome — and needed our l streets. It was my pleasurelast month to s. involved in the a- Volunteers make a difference in Tigard throughout the year. Take a look at the following list of sites and find the right one for you and your group on this tion events for our new schools at special day. For maps and details look at the city web site www.ci.tigard.or.us. C.F.Tigard and Metzger Elementary. We should all be proud of our new Sites this year include: facilities and proud of the commit- Fowler Middle School-Plant trees and shrubs behind the school near ment we have made to our children Summer Creek. Remove blackberries and ivy. and their futures. Downtown Tigard-Remove litter and debris along the railroad tracks and Much of this month's Cityscape is downtown streets before winter rains start.Sponsored by the Tigard Central dedicated to the Bull Mountain Business District Association. Meet on Main Street at the railroad tracks. Annexation,Measure 34-98, on the Good Neighbor Center-Halloween is coming! How about making some ballot for the November 2 election. decorations and jack-o-lanterns for the center? As is typical when the City has a Tigard Library-Help get those books off the carts and back on the shelves. measure on the ballot,we want to Check shelves to be sure books are in the right places and easily accessible. present as much information about Bonita Park-Plant trees and shrubs along Fanno Creek. The park is on the issue to allow the voter to make Milton Court off Bonita Road. an informed choice. The annexation Summerlake Park-Plant native shrubs and trees,maintain soft trails,and decision,whichever way it goes, remove invasive plant species. Meet in the parking lot on Winterlake Drive near would have a multitude of impacts on the off-leash dog park. the City and Bull Mountain as we look to the future. Parks, comprehensive Some sites can only accommodate a limited number of volunteers so be sure to planning,finances,land use,comprtranspehensive register for the site you want. To register yourself or your group or get more planning, -all the big decisions we would information,please contact Susan Koepping,Volunteer Coordinator, tation 503-639-4171 ext. 2402 or susankC�?ci.tigard.or.us. make in the foreseeable future would vary greatly depending on the Tigard Breakfast Rotary needs volunteers on October 23 to help clean a outcome of this single issue. Please pioneer cemetary. Contact Pam Brown at 503-598-7482 for more information. take time to consider all the ramifica- tions of each different potential future City Hall Day - Please join us! for our community. Discuss it with Meet state senate and representative candidates on October 14, 2004 at your friends and neighbors. And most 7 p.m.at the Town Hall at City Hall. Candidates and local elected officials will importantly,make sure you are discuss issues of importance to the city such as financial strategy,water rights, registered and vote. land use,franchise and right of way authority. The audience will also have an G� �/ V opportunity to ask questions. The session will be taped to air on TVTV.Check . / the City's web site, www.ci.tigard.or.us,for a playback schedule. For more Craig Dirksen, Mayor information please contact Liz Newton at 503-718-2412 or liz@ci.tigard.or.us. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL: MAYOR CRAIG DIRKSEN, BRIAN MOORE, SYDNEY SHERWOOD, NICK WILSON, TOM WOODRUFF City of • , s MAYOR Craig Dirksen crai d@ci.fi ard.or.us g g COUNCIL PRESIDENT l ; Nick Wilson nickw@ci.tigard.or.us COUNCILORS Brian J.Moore brianm@ci.tigard.or.us Sydney Sherwood 1:.J ucti+txtl#Liliyrnn: tin Ltivoly mtil sydney@ci.tigard.or.us October's "Focus on Tigard" airs Thursday, October 7, at 7 p.m. Tom Woodruff on TVTV Cable Channel 28. The program will replay throughout tomw@ci.tigard.or.us the month. For a complete schedule of broadcast times, CITY MANAGER visit the city's web site at www.ci.tigard.or.us and click on the link under Focus on Tigard. Bill Monahan bill@ci.tigard.or.us October CITYSCAPE EDITOR Candidates Forum Liz Newton liz@ci.tigard.or.us Hear your Mayor and Council candidates speak on issues and respond to questions. All City Hall employees can be reached byphoneat503-639-4171 Tune In! If you have Focus ideas contact Liz Newton at 503-639-4171,ext. 2412 or liz@ci.tigard.or us. CITY MEETING SCHEDULE: City Council CAP update Tigard City Council 2nd,3rd and 4th Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. Community Assessment Program meetings a l r Town Hall (CAP)walks were conducted in Areas 3, Live on the second and fourth PlanningCommission 10, 24 and 41 in September. To view Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Mondays,7 p.m. the report to citizens for one of those Town Hall areas,log onto the city's web site at Replays every Park and Recreation www.ci.tigard.or.us/cap. • Sunday at 12 p.m. Advisory Board No web access? Call Liz Newton at • Monday at 7 a.m. 2nd Monday,7 p.m. 503-639-4171. If you see the walkers in • Thursday at 2:30 a.m. Tigard Water Building your area,feel free to ask questions or and 11 p.m. Intergovernmental Water Board share your observations. • Friday at 7:30 p.m. 2nd Wednesday,5:30 p.m. The schedule for CAP walks in • Saturday at 4 p.m. Tigard Water Building October are as follows: All programs are on Channel 28. Library Board October 13 -Area 12a For questions about programming, October 7 and November 18,7 p.m. October 20 -Area 12b contact TVTV Programming Coordina- Library Conference Room October 27 -Area 45 tor, Kris Merkel at 503-629-8534, Downtown Task Force ext. 124 or kris@yourtvtv.org. October 7,6:30 p.m.-Auditorium November 4,6:30 p.m.-Town Hall f December 4 workshop, 9 a.m.to Noon-Community Room Page 2 www.ci.tigard.or.us CITYSCAPE rBull Mountain annexation . answers N Many people have asked questions of the City relating to the proposed annexation of the Bull Mountain area. The following is an attempt to provide factual answers to some of the questions the City has received. Due to election law,the City cannot answer questions that ask for opinion. The answers should not be interpreted as taking a position on the annexation. In these answers,the City cannot and does not intend to advocate for or against annexation. What would the impact of the areas for each territory subject to phase-in. $1,000 of assessed valuation for Washing- annexation be on the City's The City would be also required to inform ton County Cooperative Library Service. budget? the assessor of the ratio to be applied This money is collected by Washington For most operating services,the according to the phase-in provisions. County and is used to provide support to all revenues generated from this area would The Oregon Administration Rule also public libraries within the County. Wash- pay for those services required by the areas addresses how both rate and dollar levy ington County libraries generally receive proposed for annexation. For capital would be calculated for the annexed areas. between 45%and 95%of their funding from improvements(road construction,road The City of Tigard's permanent tax rate is Washington County Cooperative Library major maintenance,and parks acquisition $2.5131. For the first year of annexation Service(depending on a variety of factors.) and construction)the area does not (fiscal year 2005-06)the rate for the Bull Tigard receives 46x/0 of its funding for the generate sufficient revenues to pay for the Mountain area would be 50%of the Library from Washington County Coopera- total need. This,however,is similar to the permanent rate or$1.25655;for the second tive Library Service. The balance of the situation for other areas within the City.The year(fiscal year 2006-07)the rate would be funding comes from City sources. City manages this situation by building 75%of the permanent rate or$1.884825 and In addition to the Washington County projects as funds become available and for all subsequent years the rate would be Cooperative Library Service levy,Tigard looking for additional sources of funds. For 100/0 of the City's permanent rate or residents pay property taxes to the City. Bull example,the additional operating revenues $2.5131. Mountain residents do not. These City generated from the area would help to The City currently has a general property taxes and other City fees paid by address capital improvement needs. obligation bond dollar levy for the new Tigard residents make up the balance of What are the financial impacts to Library. The dollar levy works on the same funding for the Tigard Library operations. Bull Mountain residents if the basis as the permanent levy,but requires Bull Mountain residents pay nothing area is annexed? multiple calculations to calculate a rate for towards the construction cost of the new Bull Mountain residents would see an the City. The calculated rate would be Library. That cost is borne entirely by increase in their taxes. The estimated multiplied by the phase-in percentage for Tigard tax payers through taxes authorized increase is $308 for a home with an each year of phase-in. to pay debt service on bonds. assessed value of$250,000. The City's web What services or rights would be What would the effect be on site(www.ci.tigard.or.us)includes atax provided for Bull Mountain current Tigard residents during rate table for people to see the estimated tax residents? the 3-year phase-in of taxes for increase based on their assessed value. The The ballot title states: Bull Mountain residents? tax rate information provided is based on In comparison to the services that If the annexation is approved,there the ultimate tax payment,not the first 2 years Washington County provides residents of would be fiscal impact on Tigard residents. of phase-in. It is estimated that the first year, the Bull Mountain annexation area,the City The City's property tax rate is capped by many residents will see a slight decrease in of Tigard provides its residents with more state law and would not change.As to their taxes due to the elimination of police officers per 1000 population,shorter impacts on services,additional revenues payment to the Enhanced Sheriff Patrol and police emergency response times,more from the Bull Mountain area are projected Urban Road Maintenance. park facilities,traffic calming programs,and to equal or exceed any additional costs, How would the phase-in of taxes more frequent road maintenance services. including early implementation of police work? If annexed,Bull Mountain residents hiring. Oregon Administrative Rule(OAR)150- would receive broader civic participation If the annexation is approved,the 222.111 governs how taxes would be and voting rights in the City of Tigard. property tax phase-in would,however, phased in for an annexed area and sets the How much do Bull Mountain limit options to deal with outstanding capital process for notification by the City to the residents pay in taxes for the needs of the area,particularly park develop- assessor. The City would be required to Tigard Library? ment.This could delay the City's ability to notify the assessor's office about the phase- Bull Mountain residents,like Tigard address this need until the phase-in of taxes in of taxes for the annexed area and the is complete. residents,pay approximately$0.36 per assessor would establish separate code continued on page 4 Reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office www.ci.tigard.or.us Bull Mountain Annexation Information page 3 Bull Mountain annexation . answers continued from page 3 What immediate actions would authorized the acquisition of 4.3 acres of Is it true that Tigard is facing a the City take to provide parks on Bull Mountain forest land as an addition to budget deficit in 2007? Bull Mountain? 7.5 acres of abutting forest land acquired by The City anticipates that it can continue The City plans to continue its support Washington County using its local share of to provide services without significant cuts for the County to initiate an interim Park Greenspaces funds and conveyed to the without a local option tax until at least 2007. SDC for unincorporated Bull Mountain. If City(Cache Creek Nature Park). The In 1997,Measure 50 effectively limited the annexation is approved,the City plans purchase price of the City-acquired piece annual property tax revenue increases. to work with the County on an intergovem- was $345,025. These increases are limited to 3%on existing mental agreement for the collection of those In early 2000,the City and Trust for properties and a proportionate share on the funds. Public Land requested a$250,000(lottery value of new construction. Since 1997, If the annexation is approved,the City funded)Local Government Grant to add 7.7 because of the new construction,property plans to initiate a public input process to acres to the Cache Creek property. The City tax revenues have increased 40%—an review and complete a new Bull Mountain project was not selected for funding. The average of 5.1%per year. Park and Open Space Plan which would Trust for Public Land sought to have the Tigard's General Fund operating revise the Parks and Open Space Master property placed on Metro's list of target budgets in recent years have averaged Plan for the City. This would begin properties,however,Metro did not add this about a 6.2%increase each year,mostly due immediately upon annexation and would property to the list and the property has to increased costs of wages,fuel,health take four to six months. since been sold and cleared in preparation insurance,and property insurance. For if the annexation is approved,the City for development. example,health insurance premiums for plans to take additional steps to obtain park The City accepted a land donation of City employees have increased 181%since land or secure land for park use. Possible 0.6 acres of forest land located along the 1997—an average of 26%per year(which is park lands include excess property owned edge of Cache Creek Park(outside Tigard why the City is requiring employees to share by the Tigard Water District adjacent to the City limits)as a park addition. a higher proportion of premium costs and Menlor water reservoir,the Trust for Public The City has recently requested increasing insurance deductibles). Oil Land property adjacent to Cache Creek,and $942,165 in grant funds from Metro to prices(which affect not only gasoline,but other suitable properties. design and construct a multi-use trail within also the cost of asphalt for paving)have If annexation is approved,the City the Barrows to Beef Bend corridor segment. increased 132%since 1997—an increase of plans to initiate discussions with the Funding of the trail includes a 10%City 19%per year). The cost of a sedan used as School District to consider an intergovem- match from the General Fund. Half the trail a police vehicle has increased 49%since mental agreement to provide park and is in the City and half is in unincorporated 1997—an increase of 7%per year. Property recreational facilities at the new Alberta Bull Mountain. and liability insurance has increased 110% Rider school as well as Deer Creek. How much does the City of since 1997—an increase of 16%per year. What has the City done for parks Tigard collect in park user fees? Measure 50 set every city's permanent on unincorporated Bull Mountain Tigard charges user fees for tax rate at the level it was in 1997. Tigard's in the last 20 years? reservations of picnic shelters and ball tax rate is $2.51 per thousand. Beaverton's dile the City's policy has been to not fields. The budget for FY 04-05 tax rate is $4.62. Lake Oswego's is $4.88. projects collections of $46 750 for ark purchase or develop property with City Pro 1 , p In addition,Measure 50 allows local funds outside the City limits,in recent years reservations. The fees collected cover jurisdictions to ask voters to approve the City has endeavored to accomplish costs to coordinate the park reservations supplemental funding in the form of local projects on the Park System Master Plan list and maintenance of the shelters only, option levies,which cannot extend beyond within the Bull Mountain area. not the cost of maintaining ball fields. five years. Ten local jurisdictions within Washington County,including Washington The Metro Greenspaces bond measure County,the Washington County Enhanced passed for neighborhood and community Sheriff s Patrol District,King City,Hillsboro, scale greenspace acquisitions and trail Forest Grove,Banks,Cornelius,North projects. The City of Tigard's total share Additional questions and answers was$758,000. Of that,Tigard used$86,000 are available on our web site Plains,Portland,and TVF&R have local www.ci.tigard.or.us, option levies to supplement their Measure St acquirereeton the souetoa sou-acre property along Fern Hot Topics-Bull Mountain Annexation 50 tax rates. Tigard does not have a local Stth slope of Bull Mountain, outside Tigard City limits. In 1998,Council option levy. Reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office page 4 Bull Mountain Annexation Information www.ci.tigard.or.us To the Citizens of Tigard and CITY OF TI RD unincorporated Bull Mountain: Members of the Tigard City Council have wrestled with the issue of annexing Bull Mountain for years, albeit, some members for more years than others. The following discusses some of the issues relating to the annexation proposal that will be voted on in November. The history of the annexation effort dates back to 1983 when Washington County and the city of Tigard agreed that Tigard would annex unincorporated Bull Mountain within the next 20 years. Washington County recog- nized then,and maintains today,that it is not in the business of providing the urban services that Bull Mountain requires. As a city,Tigard is capable of providing these urban services. Bull Mountain residents would see an increase in their taxes if annexation occurs. (Tigard residents would see no change in their level of taxation.)The estimated increase in taxes for a home in unincorporated Bull Mountain with an assessed value of $250,000 is $317 a year. The City's web site(www.ci.tigard.or.us)includes a tax rate table for people to see the estimated tax increase based on their homes' assessed values. The tax rate information provided is based on the ultimate tax payment, not the first two years of the phase-in period. In fact, it is estimated that in the first year,many residents will see a slight decrease in their taxes due to the elimination of payment to the Washington County Enhanced Sheriff Patrol and Urban Road Maintenance. The three-year phase-in period of city taxes is consistent with applicable statutes. For the first year of annexation(fiscal year 2005-2006)the rate for the Bull Mountain area would be 50%of the permanent rate; for the second year(fiscal year 2006-2007)the rate would be 75%of the permanent rate and for all subsequent years the rate would be 100%of the City's permanent rate. Many have asked about the impact of annexation to the City's budget. For most operating services,the revenues generated from annexation would pay for those services required by the areas proposed for annexation. For capital improvements(road construction,major road maintenance,and parks acquisition and construction)the area does not generate sufficient revenues to pay for the total need. These additional capital improvement needs would be managed in the same manner as the City currently manages capital improvement projects. Bull Mountain residents already sit on some City boards and committees. Through annexation,Bull Mountain residents would be afforded the opportunity to sit on all City boards and committees. More importantly,they would be able to vote in city elections and run for and serve in elective offices in the City. There is a great deal of technical information available on the annexation of unincorporated Bull Mountain. Review this material and carefully consider the broad impacts of annexation. Tigard City Council 13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 (503) 639-4171 TDD (503) 684-2772 Reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office page 5 Bull Mountain Annexation Information www,ci.tigard.or.us QUICK FACTS ABOUT ANNEXATION Who would vote on annexation? Impact on services Registered voters in the city of Tigard and in unincorporated Bull Mountain will have the SERVICE Tigard Bull Mtn. Residents Residents opportunity to vote. In order for annexation to be approved, a majority of Tigard residents and a Long-Range Planning 0 majority of unincorporated Bull Mountain residents Police 0 must vote to approve annexation. Street Maintenance 0 Parks and Open Spaces ■ What is Tigard's tax rate? Road Quality Maintenance Storm Sewer Measure 50 set every city's permanent tax rate at the level it was in 1997. Tigard's tax rate is $2.51 per Street Light Maintenance A, thousand. How does this compare to nearby cities? Sanitary Sewer Tigard $2.51 Water Beaverton $4.62 Schools A Lake Oswego $4.88 Recreation A , Measure 50 allows local jurisdictions to ask voters to Building& Development Services A A approve supplemental funding in the form of local Mass Transit option levies, which cannot extend beyond five years. Ten local jurisdictions within Washington Fire Protection & Emergency Svcs A A County have local option levies to supplement their Measure 50 tax rates. Tigard does not have a local 0 Service and provider change option levy. Service same, provider changes A No change Estimated difference in taxes paid by Bull Mountain residents if annexation is approved (compared to 2003-2004 tax year) Real Market Assessed Year-one Year-two Year-three Value Value phase-in phase-in phase-in 50% 75% 100% $362,500 $250,000 (-$18) $149 $317 $725,000 $500,000 (-$36) $299 $634 $1,087,500 $750,000 (-$54) $488 $951 Reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office page 6 Buil Mountain Annexation Information www.ci.tigard.or.us CITY OF TIGARD Measure No. 34-98 Referred to the People by the City Council taxes in the area proposed for annexation for the first year after annexation(fiscal year 2005-06) would be set at 50%of the City's tax rate; City BALLOT TITLE property taxes for the second year(fiscal year 2006-07)would be set at 75%of the City's tax rate, and City property taxes for all later years ANNEXATION BYTIGARD OF BULL MOUN- would be at 100%of the City's rate. TAIN WITH PHASED IN TAXATION. Annexation would result in a property tax in- QUESTION: Shall unincorporated Bull crease of approximately 8.3%to 8.4%within the Mountain be annexed to Tigard with city area to be annexed, based on the amount taxes phased in for two years within the payable in the third year after annexation. Prop- annexed areas? erty owners within the area to be annexed would SUMMARY: Approval would annex the begin paying property taxes to the City of Tigard, following territory to Tigard effective July 1, but would stop paying some property taxes to 2005: North of center of Beef Bend Road to Washington County. Property with an assessed 15011 Ave.; East of center of 150th Ave.; North value of$250,000 would experience a net of south line of French Prairie and Meyer's property tax increase of$317 in the third year. Farm subdivisions to southerly extension of The area would be subject to the City's street west line of The Woods subdivisions; East of maintenance fee on annexation. Other charges west line of Kerron's Crest,Tuscany,The may also increase. The annexation would create Woods subdivisions,and the southerly an increase in revenue to the City of Tigard, but extension of west line of The Woods subdivi- the City would have higher operating costs. sions to westerly extension of south line of Increased revenue to the City includes additional Meyers Farm; South of SW Barrows Road to state shared revenues,system development BPA power lines; West of BPA power lines to charges, traffic impact fees, franchise fees and north line of High Tor subdivisions; South of property taxes. Property taxes for existing City north line of High Tor subdivisions;West of property owners will not increase,and service east boundary of High Tor subdivisions;South levels to existing city residents will not decrease, of city limits. All city taxes, including as a result of this annexation. property taxes and bond or serial levies in Annexation of the Bull Mountain area would not the annexed area would be: FY05-06:50%of impact service levels for existing city residents. City's rate, FY06-07:75%, 100%thereafter. The City would become responsible for capital improvements in the Bull Mountain area. EXPLANATORY STATEMENT In comparison to the services that Washington County provides residents of the Bull Mountain This measure, if approved in both the City and in annexation area,the City of Tigard provides its the area proposed for annexation,would annex residents with more police officers per 1000 the unincorporated Bull Mountain area into Tigard population,shorter police emergency response effective July 1, 2005, and withdraw the area times, more park facilities, traffic calming from the Tigard Water District,Washington County programs,and more frequent road maintenance Street Lighting District,Washington County services. Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District,and the Urban Road Maintenance District. The area is within the If annexed, Bull Mountain residents would receive UGB. broader civic participation and voting rights in the City of Tigard. The area includes areas west of the existing City limits, north of Beef Bend, south of Barrows.The Newly annexed residents and existing City area does not include UGB expansion areas 63 residents would be involved in updating the and 64. Comprehensive Plans for both the City and the Bull Mountain areas. Property owners in the unincorporated Bull Mountain would no longer pay for county special service districts such as road maintenance, Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol,and street light maintenance. All city taxes, including property taxes and bond or serial levies for the area to be annexed,would be phased in over three years. City property Reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State's Office www.ci.tigard.or.us Bull Mountain Annexation Information page 7 it� City of Tigard Shelf 71 LmIfe News from the Tigard Library Library - nts Calendar Tigard Public Library Oct 4,11,18,25 10-10:45 a.m. Preschool Stories-Puett Room(ages 3-6 years) is closed on Sundays Oct 5 7-8 p.m. Super Tuesday Program: Magical Strings Oct 7,21 2-3 p.m. Computer Class: Using the library catalog Monday - Thursday -Technology Room 10 a.m.to 8 p.m. Oct 7,14,21,28 10-10:30 a.m. Toddler Time-PuettRoom(ages 18 to 36 mo.) Friday and Saturday Oct 7,14,21,28 6:45-8:45 p.m. Early Words Classes for Childcare Providers 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Oct 13 7-8 p.m. A Musical Journey through the Ages with Sunday Laila Murphy,flutist(all ages) Closed Oct 15 2:30-4 p.m. Computer Class: Basic Email Part I -Technology Room Art dedication Oct 18 2:30-4:30 p.m. Job Searching Part II: Effective Interviewing The art commissioned for the new Oct 20 7-8 p.m. E1derHostel Travel Presentation library through a generous donation Oct 26 7-7:30 p.m. Pajama Time-Puett Room(all ages) from the Library Foundation and a Oct 29 2:30-4 p.m. Computer Class: Basic Email Part II bequest from Neva Root will be dedi- -Technology Room Gated on Saturday, October 9,at Nov 1,8,15,22,29 10-10:45 a.m. Preschool Stories-Puett Room(ages 3-6 years) Nov 3 7-8 p.m. Tigard in Transition-Tigard Area Preserv.Assn 2 p.m. Mary Josephson created the art Nov 4,18 10-10:30 a.m. Toddler Time-Puett Room(ages 18 to 36 mo.) in the Children's Room and Rae Nov 4,18 2:30-3:30 p.m. Computer Class: Using the library catalog Mahaffey created the fused glass panels -Technology Room that will hang in the entryway. Nov 4,18 6:45-8:45 p.m. Early Words Classes for Childcare Providers Nov l l Veteran's Day-Library Closed Community Room Nov 12 2:30-4 p.m. Computer Class: Basic Email Part I For a limited time the city is -Technology Room offering a special promotion to those Nov 15 2:30-4:30 p.m. Job Searching Part III:Job Strategies who wish to rent the Community Room. Nov 17 7-8 p.m. Ed Drury in Concert: Didjeridu(all ages) For promotion details,check our web Nov 19 2:30-4 p.m. Computer Class: Basic Email Part II site at www.ci.tigard.or.us. -Technology Room Nov 25 Thanksgiving Day-Library Closed If you are looking for a location to hold a business meeting,a cultural or Nov 30 7-7:30 p.m. Pajama Time-Puett Room(all ages) theatrical event, or even a reception or All library programs are free. Events are held in the Community Room unless otherwise party the city has a variety of rooms. noted. Some library programs require registration,please call 503-684-6537. For more information about library programs, visit our web site at For more information or availability, www.ci.tigardorus/library contact Jill Byars,Room Reservation Coordinator, at 503-718-2474 or Strategic plan for the new library fillb@ci.tigard.or.us. In October the library will start to prepare a new five-year strategic plan. The timing is perfect as the previous plan expired just as we moved into our new Coffee bar hours building and had begun thinking about planning for our future. We are inviting all Monday - Thursday interested Tigard residents to participate in this important planning process. If you 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. would like to be involved,please contact Cheryl Silverblatt at 503-684-6537, Friday and Saturday ext. 2511 or cberyls@ci.tigard.or.us. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Page 8 www.ci.tigard.or.us CITYSCAPE Cityscape Newsletter Water rates increase Streetlight out? Tigard's water wholesalers are As children begin heading back to school and daylight starts to increasing their water rates. The City of dwindle,the City of Tigard would like to remind everyone of the Tigard must pass these increases on to rise in pedestrian traffic. Streetlights provide an important service its customers. As of October 1, 2004, to the community by supplying light for both motorists and pedestrians. customers within the Tigard Water However,PGE is unable to manually check each and every streetlight for Service Area will pay an additional 6% proper operation and instead,depends on the assistance of customers to on all water related charges. This rate help identify streetlights in need of repair. increase will cost the average water If you notice a streetlight outage, please contact PGE at 1-800-544- customer an additional $2.00 per 1795 (press "Y); or www.portlandgeneral.com(to submit a Streetlight billing period. Water custom- Outage Form online). When reporting a streetlight outage,it is important IL ers received an informational to provide the following information: address;nearest cross street;pole number brochure with their latest (on pole);and map number(on pole). water bill. If you have not yet Thanks to the assistance of citizens,PGE will be able to find and repair received a brochure or would streetlights in a timely manner,and in turn,make our community safer and brighter. like additional information, please contact Richard Sattler,Water Fanno Creek Park Quality and Supply Supervisor,at Expansion of Fanno Creek Park is underway with the newly constructed shelter 503-639-4171 ext. 2609. near the new library. The vision for this area of the park is to leave it in a natural condition. Planned features include hard and soft trails,a viewing deck,large grass Fire hydrants need to open space area for public gatherings,benches and interpretive signage of flora and fauna. Tables and a drinking fountain will also be placed at the shelter. In the be visible future,the Fanno Creek Trail will be constructed near the shelter. For many households,the fire For more information, contact Dan Plaza,Parks Manager,at 503-639-4171 hydrant in their front yard is an eye- ext. 2590 or at danieWi.tigard.or.us. sore. Some residents have planted beautiful foliage and shrubbery to help Four projects submitted to Metro for funding camouflage the hydrant.Unfortunately, Tigard submitted four projects to Metro for Transportation Priorities 2006-09 such landscaping also hides a hydrant funding. Funding is competitive. Seethe city's web site at www.ci.tigard.or.us or from firefighters. It is important for the contact Julia Hajduk at 503-718-2442 for information on Tigard's projects. As part fire department to have an unob- of the process,Metro has established opportunities for public comment. The structed view which allows firefighters closest location for Tigard citizens will be Thursday,October 28 at 5 p.m. at the to quickly locate and readily operate a Beaverton Resource Center, 12500 SW Allen Blvd. For a complete list of public fire hydrant. As a reminder, the City of comment opportunities, see the Metro web site at www.metro-region.org or call Tigard's standards require property Metro at 503-797-1839. owners to maintain a 3-foot clear space around the circumference of a fire September Employee of the Month hydrant. Keeping hydrants visible and Congratulations go to Danny Gill,the City of Tigard Employee of the Month for clear of obstructions helps make Tigard September 2004! Danny is a School Resource Police Officer(SRO). He was a safer place to live. nominated for his dedication to citizens,Tigard High School and the police depart- For more information,contact Sam ment. Danny has demonstrated leadership in his role as SRO with the security Morrison,Water Construc- personnel working at the school and set the bar high regarding his zero tolerance tion Supervisor at approach to drug and tobacco enforcement. Danny's integrity is above reproach 503-639-4171 ext. 2600. and his most outstanding feature is the level of team work that he brings to any assignment he is in. During the school year at Tigard High School,SRO Gill made 94 arrests for a variety of reasons ranging from drug possession,vandalism,gang activity and theft. He also investigated 33 child abuse referrals. Congratulations Danny! October/November 2004 www.ci.tigard.or.us Page 9 City of Tigard PRESORTED STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE 13125 SW Hall Blvd. PAID iEV7l4' Tigard, OR 97223 PORTLAND,OR PERMIT 2528 POSTAL CUSTOMER On - ballot November School District Local Option renewal Fire District Levy renewal The Tigard-Tualatin School District will ask voters to If you voted in November 2000,you may get a sense of renew its Local Option levy at the November 2 mail-in ballot ddja vu when you read the details of Measure 34-94 election. Measure#34-87 would continue the school district's from Tualatin Valley Fire&Rescue(TVF&R). The requested existing Local Option tax rate for another five years beginning $.25 per $1,000 tax rate is exactly what voters previously in 2005-06. approved,which leads to the obvious question:Why vote on It is not a new or additional tax.The current Local Option this again? levy was approved by voters in 2000. It expires at the end of The short answer is that the 2000 vote authorized a four- this school year. Local Option dollars would continue to be year levy that expires in June 2005.Measure 34-94 would used to pay for teachers and support classroom instruction. extend the same tax rate and retain existing personnel for an Without the continuation of this levy,the district antici- additional five years.If the measure is approved,typical pates losing $4.75 Million in 2005-06. This funding loss would homeowners will pay $46 towards the levy in 2005, essen- mean further reductions to staff and educational programs. tially the same as they paid in 2004. The measure would also Property owners can find their Local Option cost by retain the 33 firefighters and 6 staff personnel hired with the looking at the"LOU line under the schools portion of their 2000 levy and continue funding for firefighter safety and property tax statement. response aids. The exact amount varies from property to property. For For additional information on Measure 34-94,visit a home assessed at $175,000 and taxed at the maximum Local www.tvf&r.com or contact TVF&R at 503-649-8577. Option tax rate of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value,the cost would continue to be $175 per year—or about $14.58 per month. The Local Option levy is expected to generate $4.75 million the first year and a total of about $26.1 million over the five-year life of the levy. For further information, visit the city's web site at www.ci.tigard.or.us.