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03-26-2020 Council Newsletter • ouncel Newsletter S Provided to the Tigard City Council on a weekly basis to stay abreast of current city issues. March 26, 2020 1. Executive Session Materials Tuesday,April 21 Workshop Meeting Your mailbags contain material from staff for 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall Council's meeting on April 7. Tuesday,April 28 Business Meeting 2. COVID-19 Resources 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall Washington County released the attached notice anyone who may have or know seniors in our community who would benefit from some contact. The city continues to maintain an up-to-date web page about the COVID-19 Pandemic (htWs://www.tigard- or.gov/corona/) with resources and recommendations. Staff are consistently monitoring the situation as it develops. 3. Construction Update Christina Zellmer attached an overview of road, trail and construction projects underway in the city. 4. Press Release Issued by Staff Tigard police arrest four suspects for narcotics and firearms 5. News Articles - Long-awaited Tigard Rotary Club's clock closer to being installed - Pandemic questions?Just ask Tigard - Tigard restricts park (playground& dog park) properties - County Chairs,Metro join mayors call for`stay at home' order - Portland area mayors, healthcare groups press Gov. Brown for statewide `stay at home' order - Four arrested in Tigard after crash,pursuit - 25 Oregon mayors: Gov. must issue stay at home order 6. Council Calendar Tuesday,April 7 Exec session only 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall Tuesdffy,Apri4 14 Business A4 13125 SW Hall Blvd.Tigard,OR 97223 1 Web www.tigard-or.gov Phone:503.639.4171 FAX: 503.684.7297 TDD 503.684.2772 Alo- nz&do, 9ii�- al�, Oregon Senior Peer . Outre h Do you know a Senior who is housebound and lonely, anvdous or depressed due to our current health crisis? Senior Connect 'ion Calls by the Oregon Senior Peer Outreach Available now ! Free ! Call Now : 1-833-736-4676 Senior Connection Calls are a special support service offered by Washington County and the Oregon Senior Peer Outreach. Our Certified Peer Support Specialists are trained to work with Older Adults. We provide a friendly call to listen and provide support to Older Adults weekly or more often on request. #� S.i;s !Estos servicios estan disponibles en Espanol! olutions .ti A service of Community Counseling Solutions Construction Project Update — March 25, 2020 This update is a listing of major construction projects with traffic impacts. If you do not see a project on the list here are a few resources you can use to find more information: • Tigard Active Permits—interactive map with a list of planning, building, and engineering permits. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=d86ee383511 e430da1 c050637040107c • Public Works Update—summary of work done by our Public Works crews. https://www.tigard- or.gov/community/12wnews.php • Capital Improvement Plan—Tigard's 6-year plan for large-scale improvements. httl2s://www.tigard- or.gov/city hall/cip.php • ODOT Project Tracking—State Transportation Improvement Program projects. htti2s://V,lls.odot.state.or.us/transgis/optZ • Washington County Roads—Washington County projects impacting roads. https://www.wc-roads.com/ Greenfield Drive at Gaarde St Greenfield Drive is closed from Maplecrest Court to Gaarde Street, and 132nd Avenue from Rockingham Drive to Greenfield Drive. It is estimated that roughly 500' of roadway sustained significant damage during a recent water main break. The erosive forces of water from the water main break caused erosion of a substantial amount of gravel and soil from underneath the pavement,leaving large voids and the potential for sink holes. Detour Route: The signed detour route for this road closure will be Gaarde Street, to 129'Avenue, to Morningstar Drive, to Greenfield Drive. The city is currently working with consultants to determine the structural integrity of the roadway, and the extent of subterranean damage. Once the damage is understood, the city will put together a plan to reopen the road. However, needed repairs could take six months or more.Visit https://www.tigard-or.gov/community/pw news.php for news. 99W Intersections Photo Red Light cameras have completed inspections by ODOT and installation is complete. Cameras are all currently on and providing citations.Visit https://www.tigard-or.gov/police/photo traffic enforcement.php for more information. Tigard Street Heritage Trail Tigard Street Heritage Trail is reopened. No more trail closures are expected, but there may be minor construction work ongoing during final close out. 72nd Ave and Spruce St Topping Subdivision is under construction at 72"Ave and Spruce St. Expect intermittent lane closures with flagging on both 72nd Ave and Spruce St as utilities are installed. River Terrace Area Construction • Traffic on Roy Rogers Rd has been shifted to the east side of the roadway onto the newly widened portion, and work begun on installing a waterline and widening the west side of the road. • River Terrace subdivisions are under construction particularly on the east side of Roy Rogers Rd south of Scholls Ferry Rd. See htti2s://www.tigard-or.gov/river terrace.php for more information. • A new sewer line is being installed along Clementine Street, out to Roy Rogers Rd and will impact Clementine Street, a section of Pumpkin Valley Terrace, and Sabrina Ave. Expect some delays and short closures while work is in the roadway. • A contractor is building a new subdivision on the west side of 150`t'Ave south of Hawksridge. There are other significant road, sewer and water projects underway or planned in the area. Visit GetUsThere.org for information and updates. Tigard Police Department s �e Media Release 13125 SW Hall Boulevard I Tigard,Oregon 97223 www.tigard-or.gov/police FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2020 Contact: Patrol Supervisor Tigard Police Department Phone: 503-639-6168 Tigard Police Arrest 4 Suspects for Narcotics and Firearms On March 18, 2020 around 11:06p.m.,Tigard Police were dispatched to an incident at 12220 SW Scholls Ferry Road involving a roll-over crash and disturbance. Several callers informed dispatch that 5-8 people were standing around an overturned black Ford Explorer with Oregon plates, screaming, and throwing glass at each other. As officers were arriving, a few subjects fled the scene. A Tigard officer located a juvenile male near SW 123rd and Scholls Ferry Rd while en route to the scene, apprehending him after a foot pursuit. The juvenile was in possession of a handgun. Along with Tigard Police,including K-9 teams,Washington County Sheriff,Beaverton, Sherwood, and King City officers set up containment in the area and located five individuals associated with the vehicle and disturbance. Officers confiscated firearms, narcotics and cash in the possession of these suspects. After being cleared medically from the roll-over crash, four suspects were charged with the following offenses: • A Washington County 15-year old male was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. • Samuel Ezekiel Deland-Fleming, a 21 year-old Portland man,was charged with an outstanding arrest warrant, unlawful possession of a firearm, distribution and possession of controlled substances. • Visanou Thephomma, a 18-year old Banks man,was charged with an outstanding arrest warrant, unlawful possession of a firearm, distribution and possession of controlled substances. • Noah Jay Herlong, a 20-year old Hillsboro man,was charged with an outstanding arrest warrant. A big thank you to our partners who helped us apprehend the suspects as well as Beaverton Police who helped field priority calls while Tigard officers were interviewing witnesses and processing these arrests. Our partners are essential, particularly in these dynamic situations where multiple subjects possessing weapons are at large. Page 1 of 2 Tigard Police Department Media Release 13125 SW Hall Boulevard Tigard,Oregon 97223 www.tigard-or.gov/police yr,. Daft to right.-Deland-Fleming, Thephomma, and Herlong. Page 2 of 2 Long-awaited Tigard Rotary clubs clock closer to being installed Ray Pitz Wednesday,March 25,2020 The stainless steel clock, designed by Suenn Ho,will be focal point of Rotary Plaza in downtown Tigard. (Editor's note: Since this interview was I conducted earlier this month, the exact installation date of the Rotary clock has been delayed because of the COVID-19 Lltl pandemic) If all goes as planned, the entrance to the .e Tigard Street Heritage Trail will be graced with a large clock and accompanying gleaming, 10-foot-tall stainless-steel post soon. More specifically, the clock, a gift from both the Tigard Rotary and the Tigard Breakfast Rotary clubs,will be installed in the new Rotary Plaza, located just off of Main Street, east of Symposium Coffee. According to Marland Henderson, a former member of the Tigard City Council who championed the idea of Rotary Plaza, the Tigard Rotary Club pitched the idea to the council and got approval. "We had maybe 13 or 14 ideas, and the clock seemed to be the thing that we kind of(decided) on," said Henderson,who is also a contractor who built the Symposium Coffee/Tigard Chamber of Commerce building. "They pushed at one time to have 'name block'bricks, but it seemed like what happened there was it was too complicated." Enter Suenn Ho, an urban designer and principal with Resolve Architecture and Planning. Ho was already designing the Tigard Street Heritage Trail Outdoor Museum when the Rotary settled on the creation of a clock. She soon discovered there were only two businesses in the country that manufacture so-called "street clocks," with Electric Time Company Inc., of Massachusetts, selected in part because it had prior experience making clocks for Rotary clubs. However, Ho pointed out that Tigard's clock is distinctive. "It's totally custom," she observed. "Our clock is the best." Rotary Plaza, an area set off by colored concrete pieces, is now complete and stretches from the side of Symposium Coffee to under the Highway 99W overpass. The Rotary Plaza clock,which is tentatively scheduled to be installed on Sunday, March 29, not only includes a distinctive face but also a '/4-inch-thick stainless _ steel Rotary International geared wheel encircling it. Henderson said he plans on bringing out a big boom crane to set the clock and pole into its stanchion base, which is embedded inside a basalt plinth bench. An added benefit to creating a customized clock is that it allowed for the hiring of local artisans, Ho said. By the time all is said and done, Henderson said he expects the total cost of the clock to be $50,000 or more. A In addition to helping design the Rotary Plaza clock, Ho also designed the accompanying steel structures that accompany the trail, including an art entry gate and the steel blade sign reading "Rotary Plaza," which will be attached to the side of the clock pole tower. - She is also responsible for the design of the five, double-sided cast art blocks that will run along the sides of the steel shaft. Those blocks extoll Rotary International's guiding principles, as well as the Rotary "four-way test" moral code. Ho designed Astoria's Garden of Surging Waves,which memorializes both the history and heritage of Chinese immigrants in the Oregon. Tigard's 3/4-mile Tigard Street Heritage Trail,which runs from Southwest Main Street to Tiedeman Avenue, has been mostly complete for a while. Tentitively, both the trail and Outdoor Museum will be officially dedicated at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 28. "We have delayed the dedication trail ceremony so we may also celebrate the Outdoor Museum completion at the same time," said Lauren Scott, Tigard community engagement coordinator. "The Our Town grant artists will have completed their large public artworks. It also gives us an opportunity to kick off Tigard's Downtown Artwalk(scheduled May 29 to May 31)." Ho said she wanted to make sure the clock complemented the rest of the '+ trail. With distressed or rusted steel already part of the project, Ho said the shiny stainless steel of the Rotary Clock will make it a focal point of the trail. It will be illuminated at night. "I think it's a great piece for downtown, especially now that Main Street has been redesigned and brought back to life to be more of a community hub," said Brandon Petersen, president of the Tigard Breakfast Rotary Club. The clock won't be a chiming or musical clock. Scott said the city declined to have that feature installed "due to several factors, including noise concerns from downtown stakeholders and proximity to the rail line, among others." r + PMG PHOTO:JAIME VALDEZ-Architect and urban designer Suenn Ho shows how light will illuminate the cast art blocks that will run along the Rotary Plaza clock posts. Ho said historical photos installed in the Outdoor Museum were provided by the Five Oaks Museum, formerly the Washington County Museum. In addition to an American family, underrepresented community - members are highlighted, including families of Mexican, Chinese, Japanese and Native American descent. "As designer of the clock, I want to say working with the Rotary is a tremendous honor," Ho said. 'Everybody at Rotary I met with when I got into the design process was always very positive and it really captures all your spirit in empowering others ... and it makes the process very, very smooth." I� PMG PHOTO:JAIME VALDEZ-Brandon Petersen, left, Marland Henderson and Suenn Ho sit next to a window at Symposium Coffee f ,r that overlooks the Tigard Street Heritage Trail and Outdoor Musuem where a Rotary Plaza clock will soon be installed. i AWI Pandemic questions? just ask Tigard Ray Pitz Wednesday, March 25, 2020 The suburban city is taking a dynamic approach in providing information about COVID-19 and what's open or not. COURTESY PHOTO: KENT WYATT-A believer in putting a human face on government,Tigard communications director Kent Wyatt answers even the seemingly mundane questions residents pose on social media. While many city social media campaigns have devoted extensive coverage to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tigard has gone the extra mile, engaging the community on Twitter ' . (and Facebook accounts as well)with countless helpful and ., proactive tips all day long. Tigard's social media accounts and website have also answered more esoteric questions, such as whether Oregon rest areas are still open (yes) and is it OK to walk a dog in a city park +' during Gov. Kate Brown's "stay at home" directive (also yes, but play areas are off-limits). s The man behind Tigard's social media campaign is Kent Wyatt, the city's communications director, who started both the city's �r Twitter and Facebook accounts back in 2011. Wyatt said he's found that Tigardians—especially during time vimof emergencies— look to the city to discern fact from fiction. That's accomplished, he said, by talking in an authentic voice, along with being clear and concise and avoiding jargon. Since the pandemic began, Wyatt said the city has done both morning and afternoon posts on its Twitter account, keeping it simple and eye-catching with bullet points and emojis. They continue to update sites all day long. Lately, Wyatt said since there have been drop-offs for such things needed requests such as blood, the city's social media pages have gotten the word out, helping to fill spots in a local American Red Cross blood drive. "We're in public service to make a difference and like this is our time to do that," said Wyatt. "I mean, that's why a lot of us are in these roles and the city doesn't look at it as 'we the city;' we look at it as we're just part of this community, and how do we connect those dots." He noted that many of the posts are in Spanish as well. Wyatt said most of the questions answered on the city's social media pages originate from residents, but they are not the typical questions he expected related to the COVID-19 pandemic. "They want to know if they can get their laundry done like at a Laundromat. Like, is that a core city service for me to respond to? ... Probably not, but it means a lot to that person," said Wyatt. "I think it means a lot to know that their city is there, and it's something I can easily answer, so why wouldn't we?" One question that Wyatt was able to answer came from a daily briefing on rumor control, debunking the notion that Oregon rest areas were open but bathroom doors were locked. Not true, he confirmed. In the past, the city has even added some levity when getting the word out about a serious situation. Wyatt recalled one snowstorm several years ago during which the city asked residents to share their photos and stories, even reposting a blurb about a couple who got engaged in a parking lot during the event. Despite the fact that the current situation is much more serious than a snowstorm, Wyatt said the city has found time to remind Tigard residents that Monday was National Puppy Day, and on Tuesday, he reposted a KGW story on "Why People Love Tigard." "It also helps to defuse some of the negative energy that's sometimes on social media," he pointed out. That push to put a human face on city government has long been a goal for Wyatt. A decade ago, both he and his wife, Kirsten, founded Engaging Local Government Leaders. The group's goals are to humanize government, embrace technology and social media, promote diversity and — last but not least— have fun doing it. Tigard restricts parks, Tigard-Tualatin schools close properties Mark Miller Sunday, March 22, 2020 As local agencies continue to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, outdoor facilities are shut to the public. PMG PHOTO: MILES VANCE -Tigard City Councilor John Goodhouse kayaks along the Tualatin River in Cook Park during a friendly competition between local political figures in 2016. Both the Tigard Parks & Recreation Department and the Tigard- Tualatin School District announced Saturday, March 21, that they are temporarily closing their facilities—even outdoor spaces—to the public in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Oregon is bracing for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases. Tigard previously closed city buildings, including City Hall and the Tigard Public Library, to the public. The Tigard-Tualatin School Board voted March 12 to close schools, a closure that has since been extended by order of Gov. Kate Brown until at least April 28. On Saturday, both the city government and the school district increased the scope of their closures. They are now telling community members to stay out of their parks and fields and off their play equipment for the time being. "These measures will help stop the spread of this deadly virus and save lives," the school district stated. Tigard city trails and open spaces remain open to the public, but athletic courts and play equipment will be cordoned off. "You can access the rest of the park but we ask that you avoid congregating in large groups," the city stated on Twitter Sunday morning, March 22. Tigard city spokesperson Kent Wyatt encouraged community members to spread the word about the parks closure. "While this was a difficult decision, our top priority is the health and safety of the community," Wyatt said in an email. "It's crucial that we avoid congregating in parks and elsewhere during this time period." The Tualatin Hills Park& Recreation District, which neighbors Tigard to the north and covers the Beaverton area, also announced new restrictions Sunday. THPRD playgrounds are closed, although athletic courts and fields remain open, albeit with limits on what activities are allowed. COVID-19 is thought to be spread through tiny respiratory droplets, such as those emitted by coughing or sneezing. The virus can live on some surfaces, including metal and plastic, for days. While older adults and those with underlying health conditions are believed to be at greater risk of complications from the virus, younger people can become seriously ill as well. Studies also suggest that people who experience mild to no symptoms, including younger people, can still transmit the virus and contribute to its epidemic spread. The number of COVID-19 cases in Oregon and the United States has rapidly multiplied, and many health systems — including Portland-area hospitals— have expressed concern that they will be unable to safely care for all patients without dramatic increases in bed capacity, ventilators and other medical technology, and personal protective equipment like sterile masks, gowns and gloves. Brown and other state and local officials have implored Oregonians to stay home if possible and practice proper hygiene and social distancing tactics, including regularly washing hands and sanitizing surfaces, keeping six feet away from other people, and avoiding gatherings. Some states and cities have actually ordered people to remain at home unless absolutely necessary. A group of Portland-area mayors, which includes Tigard Mayor Jason Snider and Tualatin Mayor Frank Bubenik, have called on Brown to issue a similar order. Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify trails and open spaces in Tigard parks are still open to the public, but play areas are closed, as well as with information on closures in neighboring Beaverton. County chairs, Metro join mayors' call for `Stay home' order Frustration hit a breaking point Saturday when tourists swarmed many coastal cities by: KOIN 6 News Staff, Jennifer Dowling Posted: Mar 22, 2020 / 10:55 AM PDT / Updated: Mar 22, 2020 / 11:09 PM PDT PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) —A day after regional mayors demanded the state do a better job of enforcing the newly-implemented"Stay Home, Stay Healthy," Portland Metro and the chairs of the three most populous counties in Oregon issued a letter of their own Sunday to Governor Kate Brown with the same sentiment. "We are writing to ask for a legally enforceable `Stay Home, Stay Healthy' order that will help to slow the spread of COVID-19,"the letter states. "Even though the majority of Oregonians are staying home and staying apart, it is evident that many people are not observing the pleas from our leaders to hunker down. Along with Metro Council President Lynn Peterson, Councilors Shirley Craddick (District 1), Christine Lewis (District 2), Juan Carlos Gonzalez (District 4), Sam Chase (District 5) and Bob Stacey(District 6) signed the letter. "While I was in Safeway getting stuff for my mom, people would not stand six feet apart from each other. There's been reports from all over of lines, people standing shoulder to shoulder," said Peterson. "So, while most of us are doing what we've been asked to do, it appears that not enough of us are taking that seriously." "The purpose of the letter was really to remind the governor that we are not seeing results on the ground," said Peterson. Frustration hit a breaking point Saturday when tourists swarmed many coastal cities, ignoring both federal and regional social distancing recommendations. The City of Warrenton declared a state of emergency and passed a resolution to evict tourists. The City of Seaside enacted a state of emergency as well. People play on the beach in Seaside during the coronavirus pandemic, March 19, 2020. (KOIN) The Metro letter mirrors the reaction mayors from the Portland metro area had about the widespread disregard for social distancing. On Saturday, 25 mayors gathered on a conference call + = - morning to discuss the COVID-19 - outbreak. During that call, an "overwhelming majority" agreed that a statewide "Stay at Home" order was needed. They further implored Brown to take immediate action in order to "help protect Oregonians from the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic."The letter also included five specific guidelines that regional mayors agreed should be in the "Stay at Home" order. `The time to act is now' Also on Sunday, the chairs for Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties also called on Gov. Brown to issue a stay-at-home order, echoing the call 25 Oregon mayors made Saturday. "As the Chairs of the most populous region in the state, we are preparing to be hit hardest. But here's what we know: our public health officials, as well as our hospital systems, are telling us that the time to act is now,"the letter written by Jim Bernard, Kathryn Harrington and Deborah Kafoury said. Nearly half of Oregon's population lives in these three counties. WASHINGTON COUNTY OREGON Honorable Governor Kate Brown Office of the Governor 900 Court Street NE,Suite 254 Salem,OR 97301-4047 March 22,2020 To the Honorable Governor Kate Brown, It was just over three weeks ago,on February 28,that Washington County teamed of our first positive result for coronavints in our jurisdiction. Since then,%ve have moved as quickly as possible as individual jurisdictions and jointly,as the tri-county region, to protect our residents. Now we believe it is time for us to act as a state. As the Chairs of Washington,Clackamas and Multnomah Counties,we represent more than 1.8 million residents — nearly half the population of the State of Oregon.We are home to five institutions of higher education,host the state's two major sporting teams,and are the home for the largest manufacturing plants in the state.We also are home to the state's largest port of entry,the major airports,as well as one of the largest and most productive agricultural centers. But wve are also home to the largest homeless population and during the very best of times,have struggled to provide the services needed for the most vulnerable among us.During this crisis,we will need every tool available to us to serve our community's most vulnerable. That's why today,we have joined together to support the Metropolitan Mayors'Consortium(MMC)letter dated Manch 21,2020.We ask that you mai a boldly to protect the residents of this great state by issuing a clear Stay at Home.Stay Safe Executis a Order. As the Chairs of the most populous region in the state,wve are preparing to be hit hardest. But here's%Shat we know.our public health officials,as well as our hospital systems,are telling us that the time to act is nmv. We agree with the direction being requested by the MMC and look fon%ard to working with you and your staff to enxure we are taking every measure to protect the health and safety of our residents. Sincerely, .1014 Kathryn Harrington,Chair aR •r Washington County Board of Commissioners Board of County Commissioners 155 North First Avenue,Suite 300,MS 22,Hillsboro.OR 97114-3072 phone.(503)846-8681•tax:(5031 946-4545 Jim Bernard,Chair CLIC 0.W,; + Clackamas County Board of Commissioners Tn w Multnomah Deborah Kafoury,Chair County Multnomah County Board of Commissioners Portland-area mayors, healthcare groups press Gov. Kate Brown for statewide `stay home' order Updated Mar 21, 7:38 PM; Posted Mar 21, 1:58 PM Oregon Gov. Kate Brown speaks during a press conference on March 20, 2020 amid the coronavirus outbreak.Brooke Herbert/The Oregonian/OregonLive By The Oregonian/OregonLive.com and Jeff Manning I The Oregonian/Oregon Live and Therese Bottomly I The Oregonian/Oregon Live The pressure is building on Oregon's Gov. Kate Brown to issue a strict statewide "stay at home" order in hopes of preventing spread of the coronavirus. The Oregon Nurses Association joined a regional group of mayors Saturday imploring the governor to issue the order, which she has resisted thus far. Late Saturday afternoon, the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians, which represents more than 1 ,700 physicians, family medicine residents and medical students, did the same. "This is the best hope we have to keep our healthcare system from being overwhelmed," said Ruth Chang, president of the physicians' group. The Metropolitan Mayors Consortium voted 24-1 to call on Brown to issue the statewide order. Absent that, the mayors want to issue their own citywide stay-at-home orders within their boundaries, said Larry Morgan, a senior manager at the city of Gresham. Those cities include Gresham, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro and others. Brown will issue an order of her own on Monday, but it won't be a stay-at-home order. "They will be further measures to insure aggressive social distancing," said Nik Blosser, Brown's chief of staff, on Saturday. Brown has already banned large gatherings, closed most bars and restaurants, and temporarily closed schools in an effort to choke off the spread of the coronavirus. There is no vaccine for COVID-19, the disease associated with the virus. Brown is frustrated that her social-distancing efforts to date seem to have been laughed off by a significant segment of Oregonians. They flocked to the beach and the Columbia River Gorge over the weekend, causing traffic jams. Few seemed to be practicing the minimum social distancing of six-feet. That frustration boiled into public view Friday at a memorable press conference featuring Brown, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Deborah Kafoury, chair of Multnomah County. Rather than the typical united front you'd expect from three Democrats and longtime acquaintances in a time of crisis, Brown repeatedly rejected the idea of a strict stay-at-home order while Wheeler said he intended to issue such an order on Monday. Kafoury, who is married to Blosser, said that she hoped for a statewide order Monday enforcing additional social distancing for businesses and she wanted one consistent voice across the state. Brown practically begged Oregonians to isolate themselves in their homes to protect them from the virus. But at the same time, she made it clear she wouldn't sign a stay-at-home order. Reporters were left scratching their heads. And they weren't alone. Shame Bemis, mayor of Gresham, said he quickly heard from confused constituents uncertain what they could do and couldn't do under the various orders. "The phone started ringing," he said. Bemis also called an emergency meeting of the Northwest Consortium of Mayors, which he chairs, to deal with the confusion. The mayors voted overwhelmingly to call on the governor to issue a stay-at-home order. If she doesn't, the mayors intend to work with Wheeler to develop their own stay-at-home orders, Bemis said. "There is no room for equivocation," Bemis said Saturday afternoon. "The medical professionals are incredibly worried. People need to get serious about this. Portland can't do it alone." The only dissenting vote among the mayors was Tamara Stempel of Gladstone, who said she didn't like the proposed mayor's order because it exempted too many kinds of businesses. Then the nurses asked for an audience with the governor. They too intend to push the governor for the stay-at-home order. "When you don't have good social distancing -- which in our opinion includes a stay-at-home order -- it gets much harder to keep nurses and front-line workers safe," said Rachel Gumpert, of the Oregon Nurses Association. For his part, Blosser said, the stay-home orders issued by other states have been riddled with exceptions and have proven difficult to impossible to enforce. He said the order the governor issues on Monday will do much to strengthen the social-distancing language already in place. In addition to the stay-at-home order, the mayors group wants: --Oregonians directed to reasonably comply with social distancing requirements at all times --Non-essential businesses to cease all activities except minimum basic operations; businesses can continue to operate if all employees are working from home. --Essential businesses are encouraged to remain open, while complying with social distancing requirements. --Public and private gatherings prohibited, with exceptions. --Non-essential travel prohibited. The Metropolitan Mayors Consortium includes: Denny Doyle, Beaverton; Brian Hodson, Canby; Jeffrey Dalin, Cornelius; Gery Schirado, Durham; Brian Cooper, Fairview; Peter Truax, Forest Grove; Stempel; Bemis; Tom Ellis, Happy Valley; Steve Callaway, Hillsboro; Ken Gibson, King City; Kent Studebaker, Lake Oswego; Mark Hardie, Maywood Park; Mark Gamba, Milwaukie; Teri Lenahan, North Plains; Dan Holladay, Oregon City; Wheeler; Walt Williams, Rivergrove; Keith Mays, Sherwood; Jason Snider, Tigard; Casey Ryan, Troutdale; Frank Bubenik, Tualatin; Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Vancouver (ex officio); Russ Axelrod, West Linn; Tim Knapp, Wilsonville; and Scott Harden, Wood Village. Four arrested in Tigard after crash, pursuit Pamplin Media Group Sunday,March 22,2020 Law enforcement officers said three men and a teen are facing charges for possessing illicit drugs and guns. A dramatic sequence of events in Tigard led to four people being arrested last week. Tigard police said officers were dispatched after a vehicle rolled over in the 12200 block of Southwest Scholls Ferry Road, near Beaverton, at about 11:06 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. Witnesses reported that a group of people were standing around the overturned Ford Explorer, shouting and throwing things at each other. Several fled as officers arrived, according to police. Before officers reached the scene, they located and arrested a 15-year-old boy near Southwest 123rd Avenue after a brief pursuit on foot. Police said he had a handgun in his possession. Three men between the ages of 18 and 21 were also found and arrested. Samuel Ezekiel Deland-Fleming, 21, of Portland, and Visanou Thephomma, 18, of Banks, both face charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and distribution and possession of controlled substances. Each of them also had an outstanding arrest warrant. Noah Jay Herlong, 20, of Hillsboro, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. All four suspects were associated with the vehicle and the crash, police said. A fifth person was found to be linked to the crash, but they are not facing charges at this time. In addition to the guns and narcotics, police said they confiscated cash from the suspects as well. Beaverton police also assisted at the scene. 25 Oregon mayors: Gov. Brown must issue stay at home order Zane Sparling Saturday,March 21,2020 Regional mayors on Saturday tell governor that a sterner 'stay-at-home' order is needed. t COURTESY PHOTO:SHANE BEMIS-Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis signs a letter to Oregon Gov.Kate Brown calling for stronger quarantine measures statewide on Saturday,March 21. A consortium of 25 metro area mayors are urging Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to issue a stricter quarantine order, known as "stay at home," to prevent the --- spread of the novel coronavirus. In a letter delivered on Saturday, March 21, the mayors implored the governor to issue an immediate travel ban and to prohibit all gatherings a move that would ratchet up the current ban on get-togethers with 25 or more people. The Metropolitan Mayors Consortium met via conference call on Saturday, with chairman Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis leading the charge. "There can be no room for equivocation from the governor's office on what we're telling Oregonians," Bemis said in a phone interview. "The press conference last night only confused people even more." Bemis was referring to the media briefing held by Gov. Brown, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury on Friday. The leaders reiterated the need for Oregonians to remain inside their homes, but stopped short of issuing a new directive or penalties for those who continue about their day-to-day routine. It was a muddled message, with the officials first saying they were issuing a written order, then saying they weren't, then later implying it might be forthcoming on Monday. Bemis said the metropolitan mayors were fielding concerns from their constituents throughout the night, with many residents unsure "what was actually in place and what was not actually in place." The consortium includes much of the tri-county area, including Portland, Beaverton, Canby, Forest Grove, Gresham, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Wilsonville, Oregon City and others. Sources tell the Tribune the vote was 18 to 1 in support of the proclamation, with the mayor of Gladstone voting no and several others were not available to join the call on short notice. The letter to Gov. Brown includes a plea for the prohibition on non-essential travel and the immediate halt of non-essential business operations. While many have wondered what businesses would meet the qualification, Bemis said it's up to the governor to create that list. "Every small business owner is going to believe that they have an essential business,but again we're going to call on the governor to make a list that works for Oregon," he said. Bemis said, if no statewide action is made, many mayors in the metro area may issue their own orders enforceable within city limits. "It is a time for unprecedented collective action, and strong leadership at the local, state and federal levels," Bemis added in a Saturday news release. "The nature of a viral pandemic means that no individual city, particularly in a metropolitan area, can defeat this foe alone." PMG PHOTO:JONATHAN HOUSE-Mayor have some health care professionals have urged Gov.Kate Brown to issue a stricter'stay-at-home'order;other health care professionals disagree. s Other recommendations include: • Directing Oregonians to reasonably comply with social distancing requirements at all times. • Shutting all non-essential businesses, except "minimum basic operations," as well as those tasks that can be completed remotely • Encouraging essential businesses to remain open, while complying with social distancing requirements. • All public and private gatherings would be prohibited, with unspecified exceptions. • All non-essential travel prohibited. The mayor's group says these actions also will ensure the safety of the region's supply chain, medical professionals and first responders. Earlier this week, health care officials urged the governor not to issue a stronger "stay at home" order saying such orders are difficult to enforce and tough to define. Later on Friday, other health care leaders urged the exact opposite. "Collectively, the region's mayors are doing everything in our power to protect the health, safety and livelihood of more than 1.7 million Oregonians," Bemis said. Members of the Metropolitan Mayors' Consortium: Mayor Denny Doyle, Beaverton Mayor Teri Lenahan,North Plains Mayor Brian Hodson, Canby Mayor Dan Holladay, Oregon City Mayor Jeffrey Dalin, Cornelius Mayor Ted Wheeler, Portland Mayor Gery Schirado, Durham Mayor Walt Williams, Rivergrove Mayor Brian Cooper, Fairview Mayor Keith Mays, Sherwood Mayor Peter Truax, Forest Grove Mayor Jason Snider, Tigard Mayor Shane Bemis, Gresham Mayor Casey Ryan, Troutdale Mayor Tom Ellis, Happy Valley Mayor Frank Bubenik, Tualatin Mayor Steve Callaway, Hillsboro Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Vancouver(ex Mayor Ken Gibson, King City officio) Mayor Kent Studebaker, Lake Oswego Mayor Russ Axelrod, West Linn Mayor Mark Hardie, Maywood Park Mayor Tim Knapp, Wilsonville Mayor Mark Gamba, Milwaukie Mayor Scott Harden, Wood Village