06/14/2017 - Minutes City of Tigard
41 Committee for Community Engagement
Minutes
MEETING DATE/TIME: Wednesday,June 14, 2017; 7 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Red Rock Conference Room, City Hall
13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard OR 97223
Member Attendance Status
Jeremy Audritsh Yes
Basil Christopher Yes
Cathy Olson Yes
David Hanna Yes
Dolly Specht No
Amelia McCreery Yes
Kristen Fitzpatrick No
Miranda Wood Yes
Connie Ramaekers Yes
Joseph Lyons Yes
Lexi Hallum Yes
Anne Kinnaman Yes
Guest attendees:Yamini Naidu,Tigard resident; Christine Rehse,Tigard resident.
Staff: Rudy Owens, Communications Strategist; Steve Martin, Parks and Facilities Manager
1. Welcome and introductions.
The committee welcomed guests Naidu and Rehse.
2. Review of draft minutes from April 19,2017.
Christopher asked about references to infrastructure in the Tigard Triangle in the minutes and
Hanna said there wasn't complete infrastructure in the area. The minutes noted the Tigard
Triangle Urban Renewal District "would include housing so people could live where they could
access amenities." The committee unanimously approved the minutes.
3. Update on City Council vote and adoption the new bylaws in May.
Owens explained that the council was enthusiastic about the changes for the newly renamed
Committee for Community Engagement. The committee discussed recruitment for three
additional members and how the city was trying to recruit people in the Tigard Urban Service area
and non-English speakers. Owens told Naidu and Rehse, both applicants for the committee,that
recruitment would close on July 7.
4. Discussion of committee goals,member responsibilities,committee input, and future
agenda topics.
Committee for Community Engagement MINUTES — 6/14/2017
Cityof Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard,OR 97223 1 503-718-2758 1 www.tigard-or.gov 1Pqge1qf3
Christopher said he wanted the committee to be effective,with input that provided real value for
projects moving forward. He said the committee would be a valuable avenue for the city get
residents' feedback. Christopher suggested that the committee could make suggestions and share
those with council.
Hanna noted the committee would have an advisory role, but would not have authority to dictate
outcomes.
Hallum said the committee would serve as a consistent focus group.
The group had a general discussion of the utility statement, and many did not pay attention to it
and the communications that accompanied it. There were questions about the current parks and
rec fee on the statement that would be discussed as the next agenda item by Martin from the city.
Kinnaman asked about funding for Fanno Creek restoration, and Owens explained ODOT and
Metro would provide major funding to support the creek remeander efforts that are just
beginning.
Hanna said he hoped that the committee and its members would have opinions. He was unsure if
the committee would have a stopgap role on projects. He also noted the bylaws allowed for a
subcommittee to work on topics and make suggestions.
Olson said it was important to provide feedback quickly after presentations. The group liked the
idea of written recommendations and keeping them short.
The group shared other ideas how to tackle its new role. McCreery suggested that a big meeting
with other volunteers would be helpful. Some thought that would be difficult,but committee
members like the idea of networking with other citizen boards and doing presentations to other
committees. The Committee also said it was important to remind residents about the importance
of voting. They proposed additional mail drop boxes for the city to encourage voting participation.
5. Update on status of a new Levy and Bond Advisory Task Force,starting in June.
Owens provided a short overview of the task force, comprised of 18 residents,who would advise
the City Council City Council regarding future funding for city services and future funding for city
facilities. The group will begin work in July.
6. Update from Steve Martin, Parks and Facilities Manager, on the City of Tigard's Parks and
Recreation Fee: how it was adopted,why it implemented,what it does.
Martin shared a copy of a presentation presented in May 2017 to the City Council on the Park and
Recreation Fee.
Martin noted the city owned nearly 550 acres of parkland,but lacked staffing and resources to care
for all of that parkland as it previously had. Martin said Tigard was doing well in acreage,but not
staffing. West Linn was doing better with parks maintenance. He said Tigard has had to stop
developing new parks. Martin further explained that we have developers building new parks, such
as those going in the new River Terrace Neighborhood,which is driving costs for parks.
Committee for Community Engagement MINUTES — 6/14/2017
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Martin said the issue had been discussed for two years by the Budget Committee as a result of
General Fund problems. He noted two other cities that use park fees (Medford,West Linn).
Initially, the Budget Committee discussion was for$1 million a year from the fee. That is equal to
40 percent of parks budget. To fully fund parks, a fee would need to be $8-$9.
As of fiscal year 2017-2018, the current fee would go up to $4 per household from $3.75. The fee
is paid by everyone with a water bill.
Park and Recreation Fee resources replaced General Fund resources that were going to parks. It
allowed funding to go back into General Fund to help pay to reopen the Library on Thursdays and
hire four new police officers. In the end,the city's overall budget in parks really didn't go up. We
relieved the General Fund.
Martin said staff expected they may get more questions from residents about the city's level of
service at city parks.
Martin explained that when West Linn implemented its higher park fee, there was little push back.
It funds West Linn's parks and rec activities. Martin said West Linn residents liked the services
they were paying for, and Tigard could learn from West Linn experience.
Christopher suggested that the city should share messages about how parks were structured and
their value as community assets.
Hanna commented that new communications about a complex fee and budget situation, as
described by Martin, may not in the end help build more support for funding the parks. The group
generally agreed parks funding posed challenges for the city.
Audritsh said as a resident, he did not mind paying for a city service as long as he knew what he
was paying for.
The committee voiced their appreciation for Martin's presentation.
7. Comments and input from around the table.
Audritsh asked about what could and could not be posted on the Tigard neighborhood Facebook
pages. Owens said he would follow up with the group.
The group agreed to stick with its meeting schedule,on the third Wednesday,every other month.The
next meeting was set for Wednesday,Aug. 16,2017.
S. Adjourn.
Committee for Community Engagement MINUTES — 6/14/2017
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