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08/17/2016 - Minutes FINAL City of Tigard Neighborhood Involvement Committee- Minutes ommittee- Minutes MEETING DATE/TIME: Wednesday,Aug. 17, 2016; 7:00 p.m. MEETING LOCATION: Tigard Public Works 10 Mil. Conference Room 8777 SW Burnham St., Tigard OR 97223 1. Call to order. 2. Roll call: Present: Basil Christopher (Area 3),Jeremy Audritsh (Area 10), Cathy Olson (Area 10),Amelia McCreery (new member,Area 7), Sue Carver (Area 8) Attending New Applicants: Dave Hanna (Area 9),Dolly Specht (Area 4) Departed Member: Quinton Harold is no longer a member of the NIC. He changed his residence and is no longer living inside the City of Tigard. Staff: Rudy Owens, Communication Strategist and Liaison for the City of Tigard; Sharon Gavin, Communications Manager for the City of Tigard 3. Welcome and introductions The committee's two new applicants,Dave Hanna and Dolly Specht,introduced themselves to the group. Hanna, a father of three, said he wanted to get more involved with his home community. Specht, a long-time resident in the Metzger area/Area 4, said she wanted to get more in involved and build better neighbor to neighbor connections. 4. Review of draft minutes (May 18, 2016 meeting) The committee unanimously agreed to adopt the meeting minutes with no revisions. 5. Introducing two new applicants for the NIC: Dolly Specht,Dave Hanna Both Specht and Hanna expanded on their introductions and desire to be more engaged. Hanna also asked the group what the committee may need. Gavin asked a question how the different neighborhoods could be more actively involved. Audritsh suggested that some personal information should be removed the Citizen Interest Applications when they are shared by email to be reviewed by the NIC members. A motion was made to accept the two new applicants, Hanna and Specht, as NIC members. The committee unanimously agreed and welcomed their new colleagues. 6. Information sharing re upcoming ballot measures for Tigard on the Nov. 8 ballot (news from Rudy Owens/city) Rudy Owens provided background information on three upcoming ballot measures that will appear on the fall ballot: Ballot Measure 34-255, to allow the city to support extending light rail service to Tigard;Ballot Measure No. 34-256, fuel tax increase for street system improvements,repair, and FINAL maintenance;Ballot Measure No. 34-257, to impose city tax on marijuana retailer's sale of marijuana items. Audritsh expressed concerns about the use of tax revenue from cannabis dispensaries by cities. He also asked about the impact of the measure on medical dispensaries for cannabis. Owens shared that the measure, as prescribed by state statute,would allow the taxes collected from the sale of marijuana products to go into the city's General Fund. The group also had a lively discussion of the amount of the proposed increase to the local gas tax— a proposed addition of 5 cents per gallon. The group asked about the impact and who would pay the tax. Owens noted that if voters did not pass the measure, the already approved increases in the Street Maintenance Fee schedule would go into effect in 2017, collecting about$500,000 annually. The proposed gas tax could raise an estimated $1 million, and would be paid at the pump by all consumers who purchase fuel in Tigard, not just residents and businesses. The group discussed how the city should pay for transportation infrastructure. Christopher mentioned the city needed to pay for capital improvement projects. Audritsh said a gas tax,versus a Street Maintenance Fee increase,would cast a wider net of those who pay to support local transportation. Christopher said about half of the people who buy gas in Tigard in Tigard don't live in Tigard. Christopher also noted that taxes dedicated to fund transportation are decreasing because of gas efficiency—less gas is sold,which includes state gas tax charges. As a result, the needed and regular road maintenance is not happening because of less state support,in Tigard and other communities. He also noted that the cost of replacing a road was far more expensive than repairing. Specht said disability access issues at some sidewalks were not very effective in helping those with disability issues. She wanted to know how neighborhoods can be more involved in conversations on road paving. Olson discussed that sometimes asking neighbors about some transportation issues may backfire, such as the removal of speed bumps. Her neighborhood opposed the traffic calming devices. Christopher proposed that the NIC have presenters from the city attend a NIC meeting and gather feedback how best to engage residents on such topics. On a separate issue, Specht asked about a new set of stairs connecting from the old armory to her neighborhood. It was causing excessive water floors during heavy rains. Olson said she thought the city did a good job keeping people informed. Christopher said residents often hear about projects after a planning process was completed. Olson and Christopher concurred it is hard to find specific information. 7. Short announcement re fixture ideas for additional opportunities for NIC involvement in community engagement Rudy shared an update about future changes that will provide the NIC greater opportunities for having a voice in city activities that impact neighborhoods. He indicated an update would likely be shared at the next meeting. FINAL 8. Recreation activities for the community, summer (updates from Rudy Owens too) Owens shared information on the summer recreation program. Audritsh asked about the idea of a park district. Christopher asked if Owens/the city could invite Parks and Recreation Coordinator Anthony Marky to the next meeting. Owens said he would follow up and report back. 9. Use of blogs versus social media (Tigard and neighborhood focus) Christopher provided a brief overview of the creation of the Neighborhood web page and blogs. The group discussed how neighbors can get involved,including older residents. How do they get involved, especially older residents?Audritsh said he liked the City of Tigard's Facebook page for getting city information. He's less of a follower of Cityscape. Christopher proposed that the Library offer basic skills classes at the Library. Owens will follow up if such courses could be offered. McCreery said she liked Nextdoor as a social media tool to stay informed about her neighborhood and Tigard. The group proposed that another survey be done asking residents how they learn about the city. The city has collected such information in its biennial survey, the last completed in November 2015. Results of that survey can be found here: http://www.tigard- or.gov/community/survey/C ommunitySurveyFinalReport_2015.pdf 9. Adjourn