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City Council Minutes - 04/04/2005 - Joint with Taulatin r 1 Agenda Item No. 3, 1 For Agenda of 1 JOINT MEETING WITH TIGARD CITY COUNCIL, TUALATIN CITY COUNCIL, AND TIGARD-TUALATIN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD April 4, 2005 1. Call to Order/ Introductions Mayor Dirksen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m, Elected officials present for City of Tigard: Mayor Dirksen; Councilors Harding, Sherwood, Wilson, and Woodruff. Elected officials present for Tigard-Tualatin School Board: Chair Neunzert; Vice Chair Rutkin; Board Members Albertson and Chism. Elected officials present for City of Tualatin: Council President Truax, Councilors Harris, Gillespie, and Boryska 2. Joint Discussion on Methamphetamine issues Tigard Police Chief Dickinson and Tualatin Police Chief Barker distributed information on methamphetamine including chemicals used to make methamphetamine, before and after photos of individuals showing the physical toll on those who use methamphetamine, and the implications of exposure to methamphetamine labs. New laws are making it more difficult to manufacture methamphetamine and its manufacture is down in Washington County; however, this drug is now being imported. Police Chief Dickinson and Police Chief Barker talked to the elected officials present about the problems associated with extremely addictive methamphetamine in the schools. The approach to address issues with kids is to "teach and treat." Statistics about the percentage of youth who have tried methampheta- mine were noted. Police Chief Barker noted appreciation to the School District for the DARE and GREAT programs— "If we can save one, it's a win." There was discussion about the value of spending dollars so that addictions can be avoided. Outfall of drug addiction includes increases in property crimes and identity theft from those who turn to crime to find a means to support their addiction. Police Chief Barker reviewed the arrests and confiscation of methamphetamine in the last 18 months. Additional discussion included: Special Joint Meeting Minutes Cities of Tigard/Tualatin and Tigard-Tualatin School District Page 1 April 4, 2005 i The need for increased awareness of the methamphetamine problems. • The methamphetamine task force created by the Governor. • Another survey about methamphetamine use by area youth will be conducted in the near future. • Additional resources allocated (and has increased 200% over the last three years) to address methamphetamine addiction (prevention, treatment). Discussion followed on the changes made to keep the DARE program in place. There was a comment about the survey results for one of the middle schools where it could be interpreted that the percentage of youth who have tried methamphetamine is relatively low. However, when this percentage is translated into a number—a classroom would be filled. "It's a huge concern." There was discussion about whether a closed campus would help reduce access. It was also noted that methamphetamine is brought in by kids and has been found concealed in shoes. Chief Barker noted law enforcement's willingness to work with the schools about how to identify problems. Another issue is that often children who use drugs are around adults who are doing the same thing —the entire community needs to be aware of this problem. People at the neighborhood level should be educated about what they can do to help. There was discussion about the need to work with families. In response to a question from Mayor Dirksen, Police Chief Dickinson suggested elected officials could help address this issue through continued support of law enforcement's efforts for prevention and enforcement. Efforts to combat this problem start small as individuals, neighborhoods, and communities take a common stand against the manufacture and use of methamphetamine. 3. Update Park Bond projects— City of Tualatin Tualatin Community Services Director Hennon reported that Tualatin voters approved a $4 million park and library bond measure. He reviewed some of the projects completed and those set to get underway. He referred to projects which will be used jointly with the TTSD, including the artificial surface sports field at Tualatin High School and the cross country running trail for joint public and school use at Tualatin High School and Byrom Elementary School. There was discussion about the Parks Advisory Committee for Tigard and Tualatin holding joint meetings to talk about ideas for parks and open spaces. Special Joint Meeting Minutes Cities of Tigard/Tualatin and Tigard-Tualatin School District Page 2 April 4, 2005 1 1 4. Update on Library Capital Improvement Project-- City of Tualatin Community Services Director Hennon noted the addition to the Tualatin Library has been placed on hold because the local option levy to fund increased costs of operating the library addition and park improvements was defeated. The Tualatin City Council will address, in the future, the next course of action or timing for obtaining operating funding to allow the library addition to progress. 5. Alberta Rider Status Interim School Superintendent Pratton reviewed construction projects completed and underway as a result of a bond measure approved by voters. He referred to a number of the projects including new schools: Alberta Rider, C.F. Tigard, Metzger and Tualatin Elementary. Both Tigard and Tualatin High School had major projects included. I Interim Superintendent Pratton referred to the Alberta Rider project. He talked about Mrs. Rider and her long-time history in the community. This school is scheduled to open in October 2005 and will accommodate 400+ students. The School District is considering how it will transition the students and teachers into the new facility. Discussion followed about a water reservoir in this area. There was consideration to locate the reservoir on the school property; however, the reservoir will now be located elsewhere. The School District and City are working on public waterline placement issues. An April 4, 2005, letter from Tigard Public Works Director Koellermeier to Interim Superintendent Pratton concerning this matter was distributed and reviewed. A copy of this letter is on file in the City Recorder's office. 6. Skate Park Update Tigard Public Works Director Koellermeier reviewed the Tigard skate park (Jim Griffith Memorial Skate Park) progress. A fundraising campaign is now underway. The Tigard City Council will soon be considering whether to approve a grant application for this project. The skate park site is on property (now part of the parking lot) next to the Tigard City Hall. The anticipated completion date for the park is the summer of 2006. i Special Joint Meeting Minutes Cities of Tigard/Tualatin and Tigard-Tualatin School District Page 3 April 4, 2005 7. Tigard Turns the Tide Update — Liz Newton & Connie Ramaekers Tigard Assistant to the City Manager Newton and TTSD Prevention Specialist Ramaekers presented this item. Assistant to the City Manager Newton reviewed history of community groups formed to support local youth. Tigard Turns the Tide was formed in the early 80's with a focus on a safe, drug and alcohol free, graduation party. Recently Tigard Turns the Tide and the Mayor's Youth Forum combined into one non-profit group and will be called Tigard Turns the Tide. The mission of this group is to promote a safe and healthy community by reducing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug related problems through prevention, education, treatment advocacy, and support of state and nationwide prevention efforts. Prevention Specialist Ramaekers reported on a grant application recently submitted. If Tigard Turns the Tide is awarded, it will receive $100,000 per year for five to ten years to use to reduce substance abuse. Information prepared for the grant was distributed, reviewed and discussed. A copy of this information is on file in the City Recorder's office. 8. Tualatin Footbridge Update Tualatin Community Services Director Hennon reported on the progress for this project. This $1.6 million project was funded by a $1.1 million State grant, with the remaining costs to be borne by the Cities of Tualatin and Tigard — a small amount will also be contributed by the City of Durham. The biggest issues for this project have been obtaining the necessary permits pertaining to the wetlands. There was discussion about the benefits of this project, which will link the three cities (Tigard, Tualatin and Durham). Costs have increased and the State responded by increasing the grant dollars awarded; this will mean there will be some corresponding increases in grant matching funds to be contributed by the cities. Tigard and Tualatin staff will continue to work together on this project. There was discussion on the project design to accommodate safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as allowing enough width for maintenance vehicle access. The structure will be ADA compliant. 9. Other Topics Councilor Sherwood reported that a number of families have arrived in the area from the country of Somalia. Reports are that 50,000 people have been granted entrance into the United States by the Federal government. Special Joint Meeting Minutes Cities of Tigard/Tualatin and Tigard-Tualatin School District Page 4 April 4, 2005 i The have no resources and appear to be mostly Y pp Y women and children. Many of these new arrivals are being counseled to move to the western United States and Councilor Sherwood noted the need for the community to get prepared and come together to help these immigrants for the next couple of years. I School Board Chair Neunzert reminded everyone of the May School Board election and asked people to please vote. Mayor Dirksen referred to the Tigard Council's objective to "seek changes at Metro." He noted appreciation for Tualatin's recent issue with Metro and advised that Tigard has concerns also. The Council is looking at how changes could be made in the relationships among cities and Metro. There has been discussion about forming a coalition to discuss common issues with Metro. Councilor Gillespie noted the number of e-mails he receives about parking complaints when Tualatin High School students park in adjacent neighborhoods. There was discussion about how parking permits are issued to students. This matter will be reviewed by the Tualatin High School Principal and the School Superintendent. The Board and the Council need to be kept informed about how this issue is being addressed so they can respond to concerned constituents. 10. Adjournment: 9 p.m. Catherine Wheatley, City Reco er Attest: ��,, ZZ/ZI Mayo , City of Tigard Date: _)- q.OL I:adm�calhyXccm)2005%050404-special Joint meeting with tual and ttsd.doc Special Joint Meeting Minutes Cities of Tigard/Tualatin and Tigard-Tualatin School District Page 5 April 4, 2005