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City Council Minutes - 01/10/2012 AA Smis City ®,f'Tigard ®+ Tigard business Meeting ® 1Vlinutes TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE AND January 10, 2012 7:30 p.m. TIME: MEETING LOCATION: City of Tigard- Town Hall - 13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 1. BUSINESS MEETING A. Q Mayor Dirksen called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. B. Roll Call Name Present Absent Mayor Dirksen ✓ Council President Buchner ✓ Councilor Henderson ✓ Councilor Wilson ✓ Councilor Woodard ✓ C. Pledge of Allegiance 0 ........... 2. STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS -MAYOR DIRKSEN Mayor Dirksen delivered the State of the City address. A copy of the text of the address is attached,Exhibit A.The mayor presented an electronic slide package entitled,"2011 State of the City." A copy of the presentation is filed in the meeting packet. 3. APPROVE THE 2012 CITY COUNCIL GOALS Motion by Council President Buehner, seconded by Councilor Woodard,to adopt the 2012 City Council Goals. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of City Council present. TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES —JANUARY 10, 2012 City of Tigard 113125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard,OR 97223 1503-639-41711 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 1 of 2 Mayor Dirksen Yes Council President Buehner Yes Councilor Henderson Yes Councilor Wilson Yes Councilor Woodard Yes A copy of the approved goals are attached,Exhibit B. 4. ADJOURNMENT-7:53 p.m. Motion by Councilor Henderson, seconded by Councilor Wilson,to adjourn. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of City Council present. Mayor Dirksen Yes Council President Buehner Yes Councilor Henderson Yes Councilor Wilson Yes Councilor Woodard Yes 1A Catherine Wheatley,City Recorder Attest: Mayor, City of Tigard Date: '�� q±�, )4��' U 1Aadrn\cathy\ccrn\2012\final n-tinutes\l january\120110 final.docx TIGARD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES-JANUARY 10, 2012 City of Tigard 113125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard,OR 97223 1503-639-41711 www.tigard-or.gov I Page 2 of 2 Exhibit A- January 10, 2012 Council Minutes City of Tigard 2011 State of the City Hello,Tigard.Welcome to 2012.Each year it is my privilege and duty to address the people of Tigard in the Mayor's"State of the City".This is perhaps especially pertinent this year because 2011 was Tigard's 50"'birthday. Accomplishments The last few years in Tigard have been ones of almost frenetic activity. (1)We have taken on several challenging projects,like building a new library,our Downtown Improvement Plan,making multi-million dollar improvements to Pacific Highway,and spending two years doing a complete "makeover"of Burnham Street in our Downtown.By comparison,2011 has been relatively sedate. (laugh)Now as I look around at our staff and members of Council,I can see some raised eyebrows, because it certainly seems like we've been busy these last 12 months.And we have.What I mean is this last year we haven't had the kind of visible construction going on that we've had in the recent Past. In 2011 we had some celebrations—(2) In February we put the finishing touches to the Pacific Highway/Hall Blvd./Greenberg Rd.construction project,and gathered with our partners Washington County and the State of Oregon to commemorate the event.Later in the year,that project earned an"honorable mention" from the Oregon chapter of the American Public Works Association. (3)In May,we gathered on the very top of Bull Mountain to formally take possession of the Sunrise Property,the latest addition to our park system,made possible by the Park Bond Measure passed the year before. Speaking of the bond,while seeking the funds we solicited a review of our bond rating. Under any circumstances an improvement in a municipal bond rating is difficult,and in this economic climate it is very rare,with downgrades more common. (4)Tigard's rating by Moody's was increased from Single Al to Double A 2—two jumps.And for the first time,Tigard received a rating by Standard and Poor's and was given a AA rating,which is equal the equivalent of Moody's new rating. In their report,Standard and Poor's referenced the City's"strong financial policies and practices",and our"willingness to adjust expenditures to achieve balanced operations following a recession-led revenue slowdown". A city's bond rating is the equivalent of an individual's credit rating,and in this case it will result in a reduced parks bond cost,as well as reduced cost for our existing library bond. Over the life of those two bonds,the people of Tigard will save over 2 1/4 million dollars,a cause for celebration in deed. In the summer we had another celebration. (5) In July we had a day-long party to enjoy the park and pedestrian amenities provided by the completion of our Burnham Street rebuilding.We had food,games,prizes,and sidewalk chalk,drawing. I'm not sure which the business and property owners along the street were celebrating more:the completed street or just the fact that,after almost two years,construction was finally done.Last November,the American Public Works Association recognized that project as its"Project of the Year".Two construction projects in Tigard recognized in the same year. (6)And lastly,our long-time city manager Craig Prosser retired at the end of July.The City conducted a nation-wide search and ultimately selected Martha(Marty)Wine,the former assistant city administrator of Renton,Washington, from a field of over 80 applicants. In the interim,Liz Newton,our assistant city manager,more than ably filled the position and saw us through the transition. I'm sure I speak for the entire council and staff when I say what a great job she did. Thanks,Liz.Well done. This is just a few of the things we worked on during the past year. If you'd like to see a more complete list,you can find it on the City's website at www.tigard-or.gov. Community Attitudes Survey (7)In 2011 Tigard conducted its latest scientifically conducted community attitudes survey. This is one of the ways the City makes sure that we understand what residents priorities are so we can adjust how the City expends its resources,both material and financial,so they align with those priorities. The Council goes to great lengths to stay in tune with our constituents,from regular surveys like this to over 100 residents who sit on as many as ten advisory committees that give regular input to the Council on a variety of issues. (8)The survey showed that 47%of Tigard residents are satisfied with the City as a place to live,and 52%are Very satisfied.Together that's 99%of residents who are either satisfied or very satisfied with Tigard as a place to live.Ms.Wine,can we find out who those other four people are and what they're unhappy about? (9) If you look at this next slide,it gives a list of important city characteristics and the relative priority given to them by survey respondents. (10)Next,this slide shows how well those same respondents feel Tigard represents those same characteristics. If we superimpose the two graphs (11)you can see they correspond pretty closely,indicating a good relationship between citizen priorities and City efforts.This is only as it should be,and Council and staff will continue to listen to citizen needs and respond accordingly. Finance It would be easy and pleasant for me if I could continue telling you all the great things we have done and all the great tivngs we're going to do,but this address wouldn't be complete if I didn't give you both sides of the coin. (12) You may have seen recently in the news about Curry County in southern Oregon looking at a budget deficit this year and future potential bankruptcy or cessation of most county services. Additionally,there are some cities in the Portland metro area and around the state facing a similar fate.This situation is not caused by the current economic downturn,and will not be solved by a return to a more robust economy.This problem is cause by a fundamental problem with the way tax revenue is collected in Oregon.Not the tax rate,but the process. One large reason for this problem is because of the artificial property tax limitation imposed by state law that only allows assessed values to increase 3%a year regardless of the actual increase in market value.Though property tax revenues only rise at 3%,municipal costs increase,at least in Tigard,on average about 8%a year just to provide the same level of service as the year before.For Tigard and for all the cities and counties in Oregon this has created a budget precipice over which all of us will eventually fall unless something fundamentally changes.Some,including Washington County and the Cities of Hillsboro and Gresham already rely on local option levies to fill the gap between their base property tax rate and budget needs. While Tigard isn't facing a deficit at this time,the cliff is still there in front of us,we're just further away from it than some of our sister cities and counties.However,to avoid a similar fate,in the next three years one of three dings must happen: (13) 1) the state legislature must reform the state revenue system to be more responsive to economic fluctuations. 2)The City of Tigard will need to pass its own local option levy to supplement our base tax rate,or 3)The City will have to make significant cuts to city services like police,library,and public works.This would include extensive personnel layoffs including police officers,library staff,and planning and engineering staff. (14)Before making any impactful decisions,the City would conduct a public outreach program to determine the appropriate actions.Any local option levy or other tax measure would only be enacted as a result of a vote of the people. I am going to be proposing to Council that this coming year we assemble a citizen task force composed of the citizen members of the budget committee together with representatives from Tigard citizen advisory committees to look at the problem and recommend a course of action.In this way die City can address the problem proactively and find a solution before we reach a crisis;something some other jurisdictions have not done. 2012 Goals That being said,in die meantime the City is committed to moving forward with the things we can do that are within our means. (15)As always,at die end of each year the Council meets to discuss what should be accomplished the following year.First we solicit ideas from staff and from the Citizen members of our various advisory boards and commissions,and then we gather and spend a day deciding where we are and where we should go next.That discussion results in a list of goals and tasks for the coming year.That list in turn directs our staff in how they will prioritize their time and resources,and also largely determines the content of our Council agendas for the next year. (16)These are the tentative goals that Council chose at its planning session last month.The Council will be formally considering these goals immediately after my address. 1. Take the Next Step on Major Projects What we mean by this is to continue forward on the improvements we've already committed to.These include The Lake Oswego/Tigard water partnership. We'll continue with code revisions to bring the municipal code up to date with the revised Comprehensive Plan particularly the tree code,the urban forestry plan and the Southwest Corridor Plan, and Continue the purchase of additional park and open space property in accordance with the rules set forth in the Park Bond measure. 2. Financial Sustainability a. As I mentioned earlier,the City's financial stability is going to require considerable Council attention for the next couple of years. 3. Downtown a. The City will continue its commitment to improving Tigard's downtown to make it "die Heart of Tigard". 4. Annexation a. The inclusion of the River Terrace area west of Tigard into the Urban Growth Boundary and the need for community planning requires a re-evaluation of Tigard's annexation policy. 5. Recreation We've heard over and over from Tigard residents about the need for a City recreation program. In 2012 we'll explore some ideas for creating a recreation program,perhaps in partnership with the School District. In addition,Council has some goals that will take longer than just a year. Some things we'd like to accomplish witbin five years,and also some longer-term,open ended goals. In the coming year,we'll keep doing the things our city does. Providing city services in the best way we know how and at the lowest possible cost,and keep planning for the Tigard of tomorrow. Planning for a Tigard that remembers it's past but is ready for the future-a Tigard that continues to be"A Place to Call Home". God bless you all,and God bless the City of Tigard. Exhibit B - January 10, 2012 Council Minutes 2012 Tigard City Council Goals The City Council n>et December 6,2011,to setgoals for the comingyear While the city will accomplish much more thait what is luted here,the ident#iedgoals nepivsent items deserving special attention in the mouths ahead. 1. Take the Next Step on Major Projects a. Continue oversight of design,permits,rate implementation and costs for the Lake Oswego- Tigard Water Partnership. b. Implement the Comprehensive Plan through code revisions,including. i. Tree code. ii. Contribute to the SW Corridor Plan by adopting Tigard's land use policies and designations and identifying priorities for high-capacity transit(HCT)station location alternatives by mid-2012. 1. Determine the economic development opportunities,development plan, city policies and regulations needed to position the Tigard Triangle as an HCT station location. c. Deliver on the promise of the voter-approved park bond by identifying all acquisition opportunities and completing the majority of park land acquisitions and improvements by the end of 2012. 2. Financial Sustainability a. Maintain the long-term financial health of the General Fund and reserves. i. Develop a long-term financial strategy by mid-2012. b. Communicate regularly to residents about the alignment of city priorities with resources. c. Evaluate the city's sustainability efforts on an ongoing basis. 3. Downtown a. Identify a geographic-opportunity area in the downtown with the greatest potential to create a catalyst for further development. Concentrate most resources there. b. Contact owners of key,structurally sound Main Street buildings with vacancies. Begin cooperative effort to secure tenants that will contribute to the vitality of downtown. 4. Annexation a. Re-evaluate the city's annexation policy. b. Develop a philosophy and approach to consider annexations,including islands. 5. Recreation a. Evaluate options and resources to create a pilot recreation program: i. Inventory existing city and community recreational programs,facilities and resources. ii. Create recreational opportunities by partnering with the school district and other agencies or groups. iii. Identify funding options aligning with the recreational programming demand. Five Year Council Goals • Obtain Ash Avenue railroad crossing in downtown. • Explore Pacific Highway Urban Renewal District as part of a citywide economic development strategy. • Support the legislature to address the financial needs of Oregon state and local governments. • Identify funding and implement plan for city facility needs. • Renew intergovernmental water agreement. Long-Term Council Goals • Continue pursuing opportunities to reduce traffic congestion. • Continue implementing the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan. • Continue monitoring the Tigard/Lake Oswego Water Partnership. 1.\adm\city council\goals\2012\2012 council goals final draft for review in 12 2311 ccnl.doa