Loading...
City Council Minutes - 09/21/2021 City of Tigard City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes TIGARD September 21, 2021 1.1 1. WORKSHOP MEETING A. At 6:30 p.m. Mayor Snider called the Tigard City Council meeting to order. B. City Recorder Krager called the roll. Present Absent Councilor Goodhouse ✓ Councilor Newton ✓ Council President Lueb ✓ Councilor Shaw ✓ Mayor Snider ✓ Youth Councilor Nag ✓ C. Mayor Snider asked everyone to mute their mics and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.A flag was projected on the screen. D. Call to Council and Staff for Non-Agenda Items—None. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT— A. Follow-up to Previous Public Comment—Assistant City Manager Nyland said a written comment was received at the last meeting about the state of Tigard's downtown and that it was not the epicenter of homelessness,and another person phoned in to inquire about events at Tigard. Fun Facts: Summer ends today. In 2021 the Portland region had its second hottest summer with 5 days with over 100-degrees. There were 24 days in the past 90 days where Pacific Northwest temperatures exceeded those in Mojave,Yuma and Las Vegas. She mentioned these facts because they are becoming more frequent and thanked Council for making community resiliency a priority. B. Public Comment—Written: Craig Dirksen wrote to ask about completion of the Fanno Creek Trail. C. Public Comment—Phone-In—None 3. CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR EQUITY MAPPING DLCD (DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — September 21, 2021 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 1 of 7 Assistant Planner Pollard gave the staff report on requesting Council approval of a resolution of support for a Technical Assistant Grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). She was joined by Economic Development Manager Purdy and GIS Coordinator Beck who have been working on tools and equity maps to show spatial equity and better understand barriers to a walkable community and indicators of potential disadvantage in neighborhoods. The DLCD offers grants for projects supporting equitable housing,economic mobility, and climate response. The proposed grant would enable the city to hire a consultant to assess street-level livability data and integrate it with pedestrian analyses. This will improve data-driven decision making and equity. The city is seeking$50,000 to support the work program and is providing$10,000 in match from the Community Development professional services budget. Council Newton noted she is hearing a lot more about people reluctant to use trails and asked what is being done to make sure we are capturing that safety input.Associate Planner Pollard said the consultant would help map out the city,block by block, and create a livability score composed of urban design elements, seating,lighting,graffiti or litter. Councilor Newton asked if there would be engagement with the community so we can hear from the public and Associate Planner Pollard said community outreach is a requirement. Councilor Goodhouse asked about exploring safety concerns and noted that residents and business owners report not feeling safe on the trails. He noted lighting and safety are important. Associate Planner Pollard was unsure how in-depth the trail focus will be as it will be mostly looking at streets and the desirability of being in a particular area. Councilor Goodhouse noted there was a sidewalk gap analysis done years ago which would be a good resource. Council President Lueb moved to approve Resolution No. 21-34. Councilor Shaw seconded the motion. City Recorder Krager read the number and title of the resolution and conducted a roll call vote. Youth Councilor Nag gave an advisory vote of yes. Resolution No. 21-34—A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT TO CONDUCT STREET-LEVEL ANALYSIS IN SUPPORT OF THE EQUITY MAPPING PROJECT Yes No Councilor Goodhouse ✓ Councilor Newton ✓ Council President Lueb ✓ Councilor Shaw ✓ Mayor Snider ✓ 4. RECEIVE TIGARD MUNICIPAL COURT ANNUAL REPORT Municipal Court Judge Oberdorfer presented the court's annual report,which was the 22nd annual review but the first for her and new Court Supervisor Carla Banta. She said their number one goal is to promote justice by being fair,efficient and impartial. They provide education for TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES— September 21, 2021 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov 1 Page 2 of 7 those appearing in court and the general public. A focus this year is to reduce the huge backlog which is due to COVID and difficulties getting their team established.Judge Oberdorfer said she looks forward to finding a way to get involved with the community,particularly with high school students. The city implemented the photo enforcement program and anticipated an increase in cases from photo-speed violations,but it was a surprise to see how photo enforcement speeding violations significantly outnumbered the red-light violations. In the first three months they received over 8,200 photo enforcement violations in addition to the 800 non-photo violations filed with the court. By the end of the 20-21 fiscal year, the court had received 26,526 violations For perspective, in fiscal year 19-20 the total was 5,519 violations. Tigard's Municipal Court managed to remain open throughout the pandemic.Although closed to the public for 14 months,there were folks working in the court offices keeping things moving. They were unable to hold in-person court appearances but explored other options to serve the community such using technology to hold phone and virtual hearings. But with the large volume of cases,many areas of case progression are backlogged. Court fully opened in June to the public and with new court staff hires,it is anticipated to bring the backlog up to date this fiscal year. Three new clerks and a supervisor were hired. Supervisor Carla Bantz came from the City of Milwaukie and is a wonderful addition.Two new clerks are bilingual. They changed default ticket to diversion class which is more interactive and provides clear information and is less expensive. The total cost out of pocket is the same or lower than the presumptive fine.The hope is that more people will attend and learn rather than just spend money on the fine. Judge Emily Oberdorfer was appointed to replace the Honorable Michael O'Brien when he retired. Mayor Snider thanked the Judge and the entire team for making things work during the pandemic. Councilor Shaw asked if it would it be helpful to bring in temporary workers.Judge Oberdorfer replied that they have a temporary worker helping with mail.To process certificates they would need CEJIS clearance.Youth Councilor Nag mentioned the career center at Tigard High which can connect people interested in different fields. Councilor Newton offered congratulations to Judge Oberdorfer and said the work being done in this pandemic is phenomenal. She called out Central Services Director Nadine Robinson whose ability, creativity and dedication have kept court going at the city through the years. Councilor Goodhouse thanked them for their hard work and was excited to see the judge working with the public and high school students. He added that young people would benefit from knowing the importance of preventing infractions as these on a record can affect their future. 5. RECEIVE TIGARD CITY COUNCIL GOALS UPDATE City Manager Rymer introduced this item,the first progress report for 2021-23 Council Goals. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — September 21, 2021 City of Tigard 113125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 3 of 7 Goal 1. Implement an actionable and person-centric response to homelessness Assistant City Manager Nyland is the project sponsor and said council had a lengthy conversation about this goal at their last meeting. Co-leads are Library Director Bernard and Police Chief McAlpine. They began their gap analysis this week,inviting 30 key partners to identify a resource inventory, education opportunities, and assessed the encampment behind the Library,using Washington County metrics.Library Director Bernard said key accomplishments are joining the Washington County encampment partnership and holding listening sessions with downtown Tigard business owners. The CHART (Community Houseless Assessment Response Team) planned their first gathering.They heard feedback on having one point of contact at the city for people to reach about homelessness concerns. They will have a single email alias that the community can use to reach teammates. Goal 2. COVID-19 Response Central Services Director Robinson,HR Director Bennett,and Management Analyst Hendrix serve as co-leads. HR Director Bennett said key accomplishments were development of a hybrid meeting structure and remote work policy. IT experienced supply-chain delays but now meeting rooms have hybrid equipment. City teammates are using these rooms and de-bugging the Town Hall AV system to work for hybrid meetings. There are currently no plans to install systems in the Library or Public Works Auditorium. Safety protocols were developed for all departments to submit safety plans. Parks and Recreation, Library and Safe Routes to Schools developed safety plans for increased in-person service. OSHA and N95 mask programs were deployed. The third round of RAFT (Resident Aid Fund for Tigard) has $250,000 in grants and the application period is open through October 4th. Opportunities include a drafting a mandatory vaccination policy for city teammates and they are currently in negotiations with both unions.A remote work policy is complete. Service delivery will be a key factor in determining the degree of remote work positions with the ability to adjust based on service needs. Nearly all jobs will work at least one day a week. Many will be 50/50. Some are required to be onsite.Work agreements will be reviewed and finalized on January 3,2022,based on adjustments based on COVID. Goal 3: Develop and Implement a Bold Community Resiliency Plan City Manager Rymer said$100,000 will be invested in equity and involving youth. He introduced Senior Management Analyst Ramos who is the project lead and said he is doing a great job pulling this together. Senior Management Analyst Ramos said he is thrilled to bring lived experience as a son of farm workers, and a working class background to this project. He said we recognize that through the smoke and extreme heat and drought we've experienced,we require necessary steps to change behavior and adapt to the changing climate.Meeting the goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 is only one part of the plan. To meet other strategies we are working on TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — September 21, 2021 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov 1 Page 4 of 7 education,getting community buy-in and developing regional partnerships to help reduce greenhouse gases. Key Accomplishments Finalizing a contract with SSG to work on the Climate Plan. An internal workgroup was formed to collaborate and coordinate current efforts and issue recommendations identify strategies that best fit Tigard. Along with Youth Councilor Nag and GOLD graduate Aadil they launched a group called Climate Champions, made up of middle and high school students. Young people will be most affected by the long-term impacts of climate change and decisions made, so they need a voice now. Opportunities Launching a website, a climate hub featuring incentives and resources available to residents and businesses. A Climate Corner podcast was created. Through community engagement and education they are asking people to help shape the development of this process.A racial equity toolkit will be developed to avoid harm and unintended consequences that could come from decisions the city makes. Goal 4: Adopt and implement the Parks and Recreation System Plan by developing a realistic funding plan and cost-effective service delivery model. Parks Infrastructure Manager Gruen said this goal will build upon the Parks and Recreation System Plan which will come to Council in the next few months. A lot of what they want to do is contingent on that Plan. Key Accomplishments Developing"Tigard Parks and Recreation by the Numbers"—our story will serve as the basis for moving forward with the implementation plan. Working closely with TTSD and the City of Tualatin to form a strategic partnership for parks and recreation within the TTSD boundaries,looking through an equity and access lens. Opportunities They are working with the library team on backyard Library project and will weigh in on Fanno Creek Trail amenities if funding is found. A Pilot ranger program would help provide safe parks and trails. Two rangers would patrol,linking the parks and trail teammates and the police. It is modeled after successful programs in other jurisdictions. They would provide outreach and communicate park and trail rules and etiquette. Their physical presence may prevent adverse behavior and help people to feel safer. Council questions: Mayor Snider noted there may be Council members who have specific ideas on tactics that they want considered and asked to whom those comments should be directed. City Manager Rymer said to send them to him;he will pass them along to the leads and teams for consideration. Councilor Shaw said she was proud to be on this Council and see how much work has been done. She reminded everyone that the homeless outreach will be for the entire city,not just downtown Tigard. She asked what the age the park rangers would be. Infrastructure Manager Gruen said they will not be teenagers,but professionals and DPSST certified. They are not law enforcement but not TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — September 21, 2021 City of Tigard 113125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 5 of 7 park maintenance either, sort of a hybrid. They would be uniformed and have radios and maybe limited capabilities to write tickets for off-leash dogs, etc. HR will be involved in developing the job description. Councilor Newton asked about outreach for the COVID ARPA funding. When she talks to people in the community, she said their needs are changing. With a mask mandate going back into effect she noticed business is dropping off. She said the website for the community resiliency goal is a great idea. She assumed that the degree to which we will implement the parks system plan will be tied to funding strategies. Assistant City Manager Nyland said the outreach is ongoing. No stopping and starting point. We will constantly be reaching out and will be responsive to emerging needs. In response to a question about the cost of the park implementation plan, Infrastructure Manager Gruen said it is still a work in process.We will do it in-house, and we feel we have a lot of information. It will include: 1) in-depth, detailed analysis of priority projects in the CIP,2) continuing partnerships with Tualatin and TTSD for leveraging partnerships,and 3) a look at their organizational structure and whether they should be a department. Councilor Goodhouse said he's heard about some differences in what business owners have said and what they filled out on forms. There is some confusion about whether or not they can ask for other things. Some feel that the sources the city uses make them feel bombarded with information. He suggested more one-on-one contact to figure out what they need. Assistant City Manager Nyland acknowledged some people get survey fatigue and so staff will continue to use face to face interaction as another tool. Many avenues as possible will be used,so they feel in a safe environment to share their questions. Councilor Goodhouse said there were many businesses affected by COVID that eventually had to close and are left with outstanding expenses such as rent.Are there resources for helping them? City Manager Rymer said they have not heard yet if that relief is eligible expense for ARPA funds. Mayor Snider will discuss some tactics in an upcoming one-on-one meeting with City Manager Rymer 6. NON-AGENDA ITEMS—None. At 7:57 p.m. Councilor Shaw had technical difficulties and switched to attendance by phone for the remainder of the meeting. 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT—City Manager Rymer reported on administrative items. Board and Committee member recruitment in ongoing and closes September 26.The Library Backyard project will be coming to Council for approval. Over 800 responded regarding their choice so we know there is a need for a quality outdoor space to expand Library services outside the walls. 62 job seekers attended the drive-through hiring event. He thanked the CERT volunteers who provided traffic control.The If I Were Mayor student contest has been launched and the city is actively promoting it through social media.Washington County Commissioners unanimously approved an emergency ordinance to extend the emergency rental assistance for unincorporated Washington County for 90 more days.They have experienced difficulty processing applications and 65 days is the average processing time. The City Council would need to consider the same for Tigard residents and he will schedule an agenda item on the October 5 meeting. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES— September 21, 2021 City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov 1 Page 6 of 7 Mayor Snider added context:Washington County has 2600 unprocessed applications. They had reassigned people from the COVID contact tracer staff to help,but the Delta variant increased COVID cases so the contact tracers had to return to that task. Because evictions can involve policing, the County's counsel said to make this happen county-wide, all city councils are asked to do this so the 2600 households can be processed. 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None scheduled. 9. ADJOURNMENT At 8:06 p.m. Councilor Newton moved for adjournment. Council President Lueb seconded the motion. City Recorder Krager conducted a roll call vote and the motion passed unanimously. Yes No Councilor Goodhouse ✓ Councilor Newton ✓ Council President Lueb ✓ Councilor Shaw ✓ Mayor Snider ✓ 'tom�Li s-i/A 14 &c.e.L Carol A. Krager, City Recoder Attes • Jas alir. Snider,Mayor Date: %2G' 2 TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES — September 21, 2021 City of Tigard i 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223 www.tigard-or.gov { Page 7 of 7