03-15-2018 Council Newsletter Coxxdl Newsktkr
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March 15, 2018
1. Consent Agenda Summary 9. Council Calendar
Carol Krager attached a summary of proposed consent Tuesday,Mar. 20 Workshop Meeting
agenda items for the March 27 Council meeting. Please 6:30 p.m. —Town Hall
contact staff if you have questions or would like an;T
items pulled for discussion. Tuesday, Mar. 27 Business Meeting
6:30 p.m. —Town Hall
2. Railroad Crossing Analysis Tuesday,April 3 Business Meeting
Kenny Asher and Kim McMillan,Asst. Cit;-Engineer 6:30 p.m.—Town Hall
attached a memo that provides you with an update on
the North Dakota railroad crossing elimination analysis Tuesday,April 10 Business Meeting
and the Ash Avenue crossing. 6:30 p.m. —Town Hall
3. Chiefs Monthly Report Tuesday,April 17 Workshop Meeting
Chief McAlpine placed a copy of her monthly report 6:30 p.m.—Town Hall
in your green mailbag. Please give her a call if you have
questions.
4. Family Justice Center Invitation
The Family Justice Center of Washington Co. officially
opens its doors on March 26, and you're invited to the
grand opening on April 12 from 4-7 p.m. in Beaverton
(735 SW 158`x'Avenue,Beaverton)
The Family Justice Center is a"one-stop shop" serving
domestic violence victims and their families,
connecting them to valuable resources under one roof.
www.fcwc.org/
5. Construction Project Update
Mike McCarthy attached an update on construction
projects around Tigard.
6. Joint Statement from School District& Police
The attached statement has been sent to all school
district parents and is posted on the city's website.
7. Press Release
Staff issued the following press release this week.
-Tigard officer suspected of driving while under the
influence
8. News Articles
o Earthquake devastation will be far worse
13125 Sig Hail Blvd I gxtd,OR 9"223 1 Web iswv.ti id-ot_9Q= Phorie: 503.639.4171 1 F. T.:503.684.'729� TDD 503,634.2'-2
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Newsl er:
■ City of Tigard
City Council Meeting — Consent Agenda
TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MEETING DATE: March 27, 2018
MEETING LOCATION: City of Tigard - 13125 Ste'Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223
• Receive and File:
o Council Calendar
o Tentative Agenda for Future Council Meetings
o Municipal Court Annual Report (This is attached for your review.)
• Meeting Minutes
TIGARD CITY COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA—March 27, 2017
City of Tigard 13125 SDP Hall Blvd.,Tigard,OR 97223 �� www.tigard-or.gov mJ Page 1 oft
_ City of Tigard
. , Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Michael J. O'Brien, Presiding Judge
Brenda Annis, Court Operations Supervisor
Re: 19,h Annual Report from Tigard Municipal Court
Date: March 7,2018
We are pleased to present our 19tII annual review of Tigard Municipal Court operations
to Council.
1. Higblights of 2017:
• The court's traffic diversion program recorded 1,156 participants during 2017, or
about 23% of the court's total caseload. The compliance rate remained very high,
with 86.8%of participants completing all requirements. Those who succeed receive
the benefit of further education in traffic safety and dismissal of their citations.
• The court's total caseload of 4,927 represented a decline of approximately 13%
compared to 2016. The number of speeding violations declined by 39% since 2016,
while the number of license-related violations increased.
• The court continues to promote efficient disposition of cases and high service levels
by prioritizing the use of electronic resources,including email communication and
electronic payments.
• The court recruited a court clerk,restoring authorized staffing levels, and two pro-
tem judges. The judge and court staff took part in professional education programs
sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Municipal
Judges'Association and the Oregon Association for Court Administration.The judge
and Central Services Director represented the court and distributed materials in
Spanish during the Latino Information Festival at the Tigard Public Library.The
judge continued to submit a monthly column to the Cityscape newsletter.
2. Traffic Diversion Program:With the exception of cellphone violations,the court's
diversion program continued through its second full year as authorized by Council in mid-2015.
Eligibility is based on a simple standard: no convictions or diversion programs within the
previous five years. Offenders who opt for diversion are referred to various traffic-safety classes
in the metro region; their citations are dismissed upon proof of completion and payment of
required fees to the court. The court fee is equivalent to the minimum fine that would otherwise
be imposed.
Legislative action during 2017 affected one aspect of the diversion program: cellphone
violations. With the passage of HB 2597, state law on the unlawful use of mobile electronic
devices was substantially revised, effective October 1st. Penalties were increased and a third
conviction in ten years was enhanced to a traffic crime. Violators are ineligible for any diversion
program that would result in dismissal. How-ever, fines for a first offense may be waived upon
completion of a distracted-driving class certified by ODOT.The Tigard Police Department has
elected not to seek state certification and its distracted-driving program has been discontinued.
The court now refers eligible defendants to the certified classes conducted by U-Turn 180.
Diversion otherwise remains a popular option for eligible defendants. About one quarter
of the court's caseload enrolls in a diversion program, and the compliance rate is 86.8%.The
classes conducted by Choices I and AARP are the most frequent programs utilized by the court,
receiving about 79% of all referrals. Upon proof of compliance with vehicle equipment laws,the
court generally dismisses those citations upon payment of a$40 administrative fee.
In response to other legislative changes,the court adjusted its diversion program for
cases involving minors in possession of alcohol or marijuana.
3. 2017 Caseload(Table 1): The court adjudicated 4,927 traffic, parking, criminal and civil
cases,about 13% less than in 2016. The total reflects a continuing decline in caseload in recent
years.
Table 1 -Annual Court Caseloads
CY 2013-17
2017 4,927
2016 5,672
2015 5,990
2014 6,675
2013 7,180
The court's caseload has averaged 6,089 violations annually during the last five years.
2
The vast majority of the caseload involved traffic violations under the Oregon Vehicle
Code and Tigard city ordinances. The most common types of violations were:
Table 2—Violation types
2016-17
Violation 2097 2016
Speeding 1,530 2,510
Cellphones 225 301
Traffic control* 622 678
Driver's licenses** 638 455
Total 3,015 3,944
°,o of caseload 61% 70%
*Traffic signals and stop signs
**Driving While Suspended and
No Operator's License
The number of speeding violations declined dramatically (by 39%) compared to 2016,
while citations for license violations increased. Defendants who demonstrate compliance with
licensing and insurance requirements receive lesser sanctions.
The court's monthly caseloads averaged 411 during 2017,with a high of 538 in March
and a low of 251 in January.
4. Disposition of cases in 2097:As in previous years,more than two-thirds of citations
result in convictions entered by the judge or court staff. A large majorit=y of dismissals result
from successful completion of a diversion program.
Table 3 —Dispositions
2017
Tipes Percent
Guilty by judge 20
Guilty by clerk 29
Guilt;-by default 17
Ac uit/dismiss* 28
Other 5
'4nclndes diversions
S. Nese legislation: As mentioned previously, Oregon's new law on mobile electronic
devices (HB 2597) enhanced penalties for violations and criminalized third and subsequent
convictions. In other action, the legislature increased presumptive fines by$5, effective January
1, 2018. The court adjusted its fine schedules accordingly.
6. CY 20 97 fiscal highlights:
• Total fines and fees imposed: $864,364, or 10% less than in 2016—a decline
roughly proportional to lower caseloads.
3
• Court staff completed final testing for the implementation of its new collections
module,which is designed to make the collections process more efficient and
effective.
• The total number of e-payments remained fairly stable in 2017,while revenues
from that source declined by about 16%.
Table 4—Electronic Payments
2016-17
E-Payments 2017 2016
Total$ amounts 198,314 235,735
# of payments 1,899 2,214
Average $payment 104.43 106.47
7. Staff ff development and activities- With Council approval,the court appointed Emily
Oberdorfer and Erin Kirkwood to serve as pro-tem judges on an as-needed basis.After about
six months of understaffing, an experienced applicant,Holly Fenton,was retained as a Court
Clerk II in October. She joins Rebecca Winchell, also a Court Clerk II,in our front office,
returning the court to authorized staffing levels. Brenda Annis,who has served the City as a
Court Clerk II for 18 years,was promoted to replace the outgoing Court Operations Supervisor.
The judge completed his second year as an elected member of the OMJA Board of
Directors and served on the committee that organized the OMJA Annual Fall Conference in
September. He also attended ODOT's Annual Judicial Education Conference in March and
continued his occasional service as a judge in the Tigard Peer Court.The judge and Central
Services Director represented the court at the Latino Information Festival at the Tigard Public
Library,where they answered questions about the court and distributed brochures and other
court materials in Spanish.
The judge's monthly column on Oregon law and traffic safety in Tigard continued
through its tenth year in the Cityscape newsletter. Recent topics included: Oregon's neva
cellphone law,pedestrian safety,the functions of municipal courts, the role of judges and court
staff,license suspensions, and distracted driving.
Court staff attended the Annual Fall Conference of the Oregon Association for Court
Administration. Staff also assisted in the development of downtown parking policies by providing
information to the Police and Community Development departments.
Finally,we again wish to acknowledge the hard work and professionalism of court staff
during 2017.Dile are pleased that the court continues to offer a high level of service to residents
of Tigard, police officers, and others who utilize court processes.
We are available to respond to any questions you have concerning court operations.
4
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Newsletter: s,(
. City of Tigard
- Memorandum
To: The Honorable Mayor Cook and City Councilors
From: Kenny Asher, Community Development Director
Kim McMillan,Assistant City Engineer
Re: Materials for March 20, 2018
North Dakota Railroad Crossing
Feasibility Analysis
Date: March 15, 2018
The North Dakota Crossing Analysis
■ The city hired OBEC and DKS to analyze four alternative routes (North Dakota to
Tigard or Tiedeman Street) to determine if the closure of the North Dakota railroad
crossing is feasible.
■ The feasibility analysis ,,A-as based on five evaluation criteria: Right-of-way& Easements,
Environmental &Land Use Permitting, Constructability, Impact to the Public, and
Operation & Maintenance.
■ The analysis has shown that two of the four closure alternatives are feasible.
■ Cost estimates are in the range of$14M-$17M, and are based on construction & design,
and right-of-way acquisitions.
Ash Avenue Extension and Railroad Crossing
■ The City has not had discussions with ODOT Rail Division about rail crossings since
2014, at which time the discussions were high-level and focused on the need to find a
crossing to close.
■ In late 2016, Triplet staff suggested that a new Ash Avenue crossing could potentially
happen along with the Southwest Corridor light rail project, and that TriMet could be
helpful to the City in negotiating vcith the railroad companies and ODOT. Tril\fet also
asked that the City figure out which crossing it would recommend for closure as part of
that future negotiation.
■ TriMet has not shown,in any preliminary design or cost estimate, an Ash Avenue
crossing as part of the SWC project.
■ The SWC Locally Preferred Alternative decision will be before council this summer.
That would be the appropriate time for council to determine if a linkage between these
two projects (light rail and Ash Ave crossing) should be made.
Item#
Newsletter:
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April 12, 2018
4:00PM - 7:00PM
735 BW 158th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006
FJCWC.org 503.430.8300
The Family Justice Center Model breaks the silence and isolation of domestic abuse.
This collaboration of multiple service providers will assist those who seek help in
leaving an abusive environment.
Join us and learn more about what you can do to help!
Safety •-seal rlgj Hope
Construction Project Update —)March 14, 2018 Item#5
Newsletter:
Hwy 99W (I-5 to Pfaffle) Night Sewer Pipe Work
A contractor is working at night in Hwy 99W starting next week to repair and reinforce an existing sewer pipe
under Hwy 99W. Drivers should expect lane closures and delays from 8pm to 6am.
Interstate 5 (Hwy 99W to I-205, Paving and Auxiliary Lane
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has begun construction on a project to add a southbound
auxiliary lane on Interstate 5 from Lower Boones Ferry Rd to I-205,improve on- and off-ramps, and repave
Interstate 5 (both directions) from Hwy 99XX'to I-205. Expect some nighttime lane closures through fall 2019.
Wall Street (south of Hunziker�
Fork has begun to reconstruct Fall Street south of Hunziker Rd. Access is available to local properties
(including Potso Dog Park) but drivers should expect delays.
Commercial Street (95th to Lincoln) Sidewal
A contractor is building a new sidewalk on Commercial Street between 951h and Lincoln. Commercial Street is
closed during the day to through vehicular traffic during construction. The street is open to pedestrians and
local residents.
113th Avenue south of Durham Road
A contractor is building a new subdivision along 113th Avenue south of Durham Road. Construction has
begun with tree removal, to be followed by pipe work, road reconstruction, and new homes. Daytime delays
likely.
Main Street at Commercial Street Crosswalk
A TriMet bus recently knocked over a sign with flashing lights at the crosswalk across Main Street at
Commercial Street. The street crew has replaced the post and sign, and wtill be reinstalling the flashing lights
when replacement parts are received.
Durham Square Development
A developer is constructing site improvements for two commercial buildings on the property south of Durham
Road between the railroad and Fanno Creek. The sidewalk on the south side of Durham Road is closed while
the contractor reconfigures it to add the driveway.
Fanno Creek Trail (Woodard Park to Bonita and Hall Blvd to Tualatin)
Design work is in progress on a project to build the remaining segments of the Fanno Creek Trail from
Woodard Park to Bonita Road and build a new connection from the end of 85th Avenue (Hall Boulevard) to
the Tualatin Bridge. Contact Mike McCarthy at 503-718-2462 or mikem(2tigard-or.gov with questions.
River Terrace
River Terrace subdivisions are under construction particularly on the east side of Roy Rogers Rd south of
Scholls Ferry Rd. If you have any questions,please contact Mike White at 503-718-2464.
Oak Street near 901h Avenue
A contractor is installing storm and sanitary sewer pipes under Oak Street near 90th Avenue for a new
apartment complex along Oak Street. Daytime delays likely.
132nd Avenue south of Walnut Street
A contractor is working on 132nd Avenue for new homes on the west side of 132nd Avenue south of Walnut
Street. Daytime delays likely.
Main Street Parking Signage
The street crew is updating the parking signage along Main Street and in the other 2-Hour parking zones to
clarify that the 2-hour parking zone is in effect.
Februaryi
1 -5 Paving & Auxiliary Lane Project
Highway 99W to 1-205
r ■
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will begin construction in February 2018
on a project to improve operations and safety on 1-5 from Highway 99W to 1-205.
TRAFFIC AND NOISE IMPACTS FROM FEBRUARY 2018 TO FALL 2019
All traffic impacts will take place at night and on weekends to minimize disruption to the traveling public.
During construction, people can expect traffic delays, noise and some ramp closures.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS
• During daytime hours, travel lanes on 1-5 will remain open.The lanes on 1-5 will be shifted to make
room for staging areas. People will see construction along the highway, day and night.
• Nighttime lane closures on 1-5 will begin as early as 8 p.m.
• There will be intermittent night and weekend ramp lane closures.
• Expect two consecutive full weekend closures of the Lower Boones Ferry Road southbound on-ramp
in summer 2018. Closures will occur from Friday at 10 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m.
• Expect one full weekend closure of the Lower Boones Ferry Road northbound off-ramp in either
summer 2018 or summer 2019 (but not during the same weekend as the on-ramp closures). Closure
will occur from Friday at 10 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m.
• We will provide advance notice of weekend closures when they are known. Check the website for
up-to-date information and to sign-up for email notices.
• The speed limit will be posted at 55 mph throughout the construction area.
NOISE IMPACTS
• Residences and businesses adjacent to the project area may hear construction noise, during the day
and night. ODOT has obtained required noise variances in order to complete the work.
• ODOT and the contractor will work to minimize the noise as much as possible, but there will be
unavoidable noise, including back-up alarms.
• Call the 24-hour noise hotline for noise concerns: 971-673-5239.
PEDESTRIAN IMPACTS
• There will be a sidewalk closure at the Lower Boones Ferry Road southbound on-ramp during
construction starting February 2018. A pedestrian detour will be in place.
Oregon
Department
of Transportation
February 2010
PROJECT ELEMENTS PROJECT AREA
This improvement project will: --
• Add a southbound auxiliary lane on 1-5 from a
north of Lower Boones Ferry Road to 1-205 to
relieve congestion and reduce crashes. The / $�
auxiliary lane work includes on- and off-ramp '
lane modifications at Lower Boones Ferry Road SW Haines s;
and Nyberg Street, and modifications at the
1-205 on-ramp. '-•• - from
Highway •9W to
• Add a second lane at the northbound exit b(•th
ramp for Lower Boones Ferry Road to relieve direclior
congestion.
Kruse Way
• Perform routine paving on 1-5 from Highway F.nrtr,Pd
99W to 1-205. .,
Garman Dr
• Modify signs, lighting, striping and build
e'
retaining walls. Fp Loi er Boons Ferry Fd
Learn more at tinyuri.com/150DOTProjectOro
'r
Add
lane on 1-5 second
. , . •
southbound
STAY CURRENT WITH THE PROJECT north of Lower northbound
Boones Ferry Road LowerBoones
• Visit us online to sign up for project emails10 Nyberg Street '• exii
about upcoming construction work: • + Ferry�� sw M rUar sr
t6nyurl.com/l50D0TProject
includes
• Once construction begins, up-to-date traffic modifications
6
information will be available on the project and of '
website and on www.tripcheck.com, or call SW'`c.gertSt
511 for current traffic conditions and impacts
• Contact ODOT Community Affairs:
Lili Boicourt, 503-731-8247,
Lili.D.Boicourt@odot.state.or.us
• Call the 24-hour noise hotline for noise
concerns: 971-673-5239
Ab-
Norl h
For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title
VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services,
or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or
Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.
6Hablas espanol?Podemos proporcionar la informaci6n -
de ester publicoci6n en espanol. Para recibir informaci6n
por favor/lame al 503-731-4128.
Oregon
Department
of Transportation
Item# I_
Newsletter:
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7A
March 9, 2018
To: All Tigard-Tualatin School District Families
From: Tigard-Tualatin School District
City of Tigard Police Department
City of Tualatin Police Department
City of King City Police Department
Since last month's tragic school shooting in Florida,there's been a heightened focus on school
safety both nationally and here in our own communities.
Our schools and law enforcement officials have received numerous questions about the
safeguards and procedures in place to protect our students.We've also received a range of
suggestions for safety improvements.
During this same time, our schools and our police departments have been conducting their own
reviews of current procedures and possible safety enhancements. A joint meeting is planned to
share those ideas and to strengthen the partnerships that exist between our organizations.
Later this month,the school district will also be convening a meeting of selected community
stakeholders to receive feedback on existing plans and guidance for future safety initiatives.
As you know,since the Florida shootings,we have followed-up on and resolved some social
media posts and rumors related to possible threats. Whenever this occurs,our schools and
police departments work together to find the source and thoroughly investigate every report or
rumor. For students who make these threats,we conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to
determine the student's potential for harm and the actions--if required--to support school
safety. We also identify and put in place any interventions needed.
We cannot close this message without sharing some of the preventative programs we have in
place that include: School Resource Officers;specialized police training for responding to
incidents on school campuses;individual school goals focused on helping"every student feel
safe,supported and connected;" additional staffing for student behavior, mental health and
drug and alcohol rehabilitation;the Safe Oregon tip line and lockdown and lockout drills using
the Standard Response Protocol training. There are also some planned school safety
improvements funded by the 2016 bond measure that include: new security cameras and
classroom door locks district-wide as well as new school entry vestibules at selected schools.
We want you to know how strongly all of us are committed to providing a safe school
environment for our students. Please feel free to continue to share any concerns or ideas you
believe will help us.
Item# 7
■
Tigard Police Department Newsletter: 3-6-W
-W
Media Release
13125 SW Hall Boulevard I Tigard,Oregon 97223 1 www.tigard-or.gov/police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March8,2018
Contact:
Jim Wolf,Public Information Officer
Tigard Police Department
Phone: 503-718-2561
Email: jim@tigard-or.go-v
Tigard Officer Suspected of Driving While Under the Influence
While off-duty,a member of the Tigard Police Department was arrested under suspicion of driving
while intoxicated.The arrest was made by the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office. Ron Wommack,
an 18-year veteran with the agency,has been placed on administrative leave.
In response to the allegation,Kathy McAlpine, the Chief of Police for the City of Tigard stated: I
would like to affirm that any matter that involves Tigard Police Department personnel and their
ability to carry out their duties within the community is of utmost importance to me as Police Chief.
An internal investigation is underway,in addition to the processes under the Oregon courts.You
can be assured that a fair and truthful resolution will occur. I thank you for your continued trust."
Page 1 of 1
Earthquake devastation will be far worse item#g
Steve Law Newsletter:
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Locals say cities are working to protect the region, but a massive quake will still cause havoc.
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OREGON DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES- Location of the Cascadia Subduction Zone
fault line and the Portland Hills fault line.
The"Big One"will devastate the Portland area even more than scientists expected, according to a new state
geologists' study of how a major earthquake will affect the tri-county area.
The study, released Thursday, March 15, found that a magnitude 9 earthquake centered off the Oregon Coast in the
Cascadia Subduction Zone would cause tens of thousands of casualties in the Portland area, displace tens of
thousands of residents from their homes, and cost tens of billions of dollars in building damage.
In Portland alone, the study calculates 119 to 896 immediate deaths from a major Cascadia earthquake, depending
on when it occurs, plus hundreds to thousands more life-threatening injuries and people requiring hospitalization.
Throughout Multnomah County, 302 to 677 buildings can be expected to collapse. "Although damage estimates
vary widely throughout the study area, no community will be unharmed,"the authors concluded.
Though considerably less likely, an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 epicentered in Portland's West Hills would be even
more catastrophic locally—causing more than twice the casualties and damages—according to the Oregon
Department of Geology and Mineral Industries study.
That would prove more devastating than a Cascadia earthquake for those living within 15 miles of the fault, scientists
concluded.
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COURTESY OREGON DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES- New Hazus software enables
analysts to estimate disaster impacts in each neighborhood, which can help officials plan for emergency services,
such as hospital beds.
In such a quake, as many as 120,000 Multnomah County residents could be displaced from their homes, or nearly
one in six people.
Recovering from a Cascadia earthquake won't be just a matter of putting out fires and stemming floods. There will
be region-wide challenges to restore power, bridges and freeways, provide emergency medical care and assure
food and water can be delivered.
It will take months just to inspect homes and other damaged buildings to see if they're safe. Meanwhile, many will
have to find other shelter, and some work places will have to be closed or relocated.
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COURTESY OREGON DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES -A new study charts the
projected shaking and damage potential of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake of magnitude 9.0 on the tri-
county area, down to relatively small geographic areas
Local reaction
Mike Lueck, emergency management coordinator for the city of Tigard, was direct in his reaction to the latest report,
pointing out that no one will ever really be ready for"The Big One."
"However, we are better than we were yesterday and we'll be better tomorrow," he said. "We have not seen the
catastrophic impacts in (the Northwest) like we expect. We do have plans and checklists that are tested and
updated annually with best proven practices."
Lueck said near-term improvements and preparations for a large quake include updating communications and
working more closely with amateur or ham radio operators.
In addition, Tigard is improving citizen outreach, including offering free training on what to do in case of a disaster
along with coordinating closely with all surrounding jurisdictions. That means periodically testing information
technology platforms that would be needed to report damages, he said.
Meanwhile, Lueck said the city is aware of the new information released this week and is trying to update its
earthquake plans as well as seismic maps, putting together an updated community outreach plan as well as
improving its social media outreach.
At the same time, Tualatin is continuing its preparations as well with city officials highlighting the need for
cooperation in any disaster.
"We know how important partnerships are in times of crisis, so in Tualatin we are focused on partnering with our
fellow jurisdictions, neighborhoods and first responders to ensure we are coordinated in the event of a natural
disaster," said Tualatin Mayor Lou Ogden. "Training, equipment, and technology are all vital components of our
overall strategy."
PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP FILE PHOTO-A collapsed walking path in
Olympia, Wash., shows damage from the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. A
new report from state geologists says a large quake could cause heavy
damage to the region.
Tualatin City Manager Sherilyn Lombos said the city continues to
conduct regular emergency drills and each employee has a 72-hour
disaster kit. A member of the Washington County Emergency
Management Cooperative Executive Committee, Tualatin uses major
weather events to practice emergency preparedness and also works
closely with ham radio operators, she said.
In addition, the Community Emergency Response Team, also known as
CERT, has 100 community members trained for disaster preparedness.
Lombos said residents in several neighborhoods have used the on-line
Map Your Neighborhood tool to identify such important resources such
as available generators along with noting where food supplies are located.
At the same time, Tualatin is constructing a new water reservoir designed to provide resiliency in case of a quake as
well as assessing the emergency needs of the manufacturing businesses in the city using hazardous materials.
The city is also aware of the latest geological study.
"Tualatin has seen the study and will be using the information to help us better understand and prepare for the
potential earthquake impacts," Lombos said.
New software, new findings
The new study, while showing more severe impacts than previous estimates, didn't bring any surprises or point to
any new prevention efforts that haven't been considered before, said Dan Douthit, spokesman for the Portland
Bureau of Emergency Management.
"We've already been expecting significant damages," Douthit said, "and every year that goes by, we get more and
more prepared."
Emergency planners still will focus on the region's greatest vulnerabilities, including more than 1,600 unreinforced
masonry buildings in the city of Portland. "We know that unreinforced masonry buildings are likely to collapse,
especially during a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake," Douthit said. "Those pose an immediate life safety risk
for people in them and people walking by during an earthquake."
But the new study, using more sophisticated Hazus software developed for the Federal Emergency Management
Agency(FEMA), enabled scientists to drill down to damages at the neighborhood level as never before. The
software is being constantly refined, incorporating real-world experiences from floods and earthquakes taking place
around the world.
That enabled scientists to calculate the number of deaths, life-threatening injuries and hospitalizations that will occur
in different neighborhood clusters in Portland and cities around the tri-county area.
Scientists now calculate there have been at least 40 large-magnitude earthquakes over the past 10,000 years along
the 600-mile-long Cascadia Subduction Zone off the coasts of Oregon, Washington and Northern California. The
most recent one occurred in 1700, and one recent study calculated there is a 15 percent to 20 percent chance that
another one will occur in the next 50 years off the central and northern Oregon Coast.
The Portland Hills fault is directly beneath downtown Portland and extends into population centers of Clackamas
County, and thus local damages could be much greater. However, there have been only two ruptures there in the
last 15,000 years, according to the study.
The aftermath
Much of the damage from an earthquake depends on its severity and when it occurs. There will be fewer people
injured if one occurs at night while people are sleeping, as wooden-frame homes are about the safest type of
building construction during earthquakes. Quakes occurring during the daytime in the rainy season, when the soils
are wet, will cause the greatest harm.
In the city of Portland, a major Cascadia quake could cause 675 deaths, life-threatening injuries and hospitalizations
if it occurred during a late night during the summer. If the same quake occurred during the day in the rainy season,
the number of serious casualties would jump to 4,549, according to the study.
Many minor casualties suffered during a quake could be addressed via simple first aid. The study points to the need
for more people to get trained in first aid and how to respond to emergencies in their neighborhoods, Douthit said.
Such training is provided for people volunteering with the city's Neighborhood Emergency Teams.
Those volunteers can take some of the load off hospitals, which are likely to get overwhelmed during a major quake.
As bad as conditions will be in the tri-county area under either scenario, it will be far worse on the Oregon Coast
should there be a major Cascadia rupture.
"A tsunami danger from a Cascadia earthquake has the potential to kill more people than the ground shaking in
Portland," Douthit said.
State geologists plan to release a second phase of their study next year, charting the potential impacts to Clark
County, Washington and Columbia County, Oregon.