City Council Minutes - 01/04/2008 Agenda Item No.
K Meeting of
City of Tigard
Tigard Business Meeting — Minutes
TIGARD CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: January 4, 2008; 12:00 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: City of Tigard—Umpqua Bank, 3rd Floor, 6610 SW
Cardinal Lane, Tigard, Oregon
I. Mayor Dirksen called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.
Roll Call:
Name Present Absent
Mayor Dirksen ✓
Councilor President Sherwood ✓
Councilor Buehner ✓
Councilor Wilson ✓
Councilor Woodruff ✓
• Staff present: City Manager Prosser and City Recorder Wheatley
II. Goal Setting Discussion Highlights:
• Councilor Woodruff suggested that prior to the goal-setting review for 2009, that
the advisory committees be asked to consider suggestions for Council goals on an
agenda in November.
• Council reviewed the progress of last year's goals. A copy of the third quarter goal
update for 2007 is on file in the City Recorder's office.
• The Comprehensive Plan Update is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008.
Then, the Development Code will need revision to reflect the direction given in the
Comprehensive Plan. The zoning map will be scheduled for review in spring 2008;
this could be controversial.
• The Downtown Plan will likely be a City Council goal for the next 20 years. The
funding for the urban renewal activities will initially come from a loan from the City
of Tigard to the Urban Renewal District. This will mean there will be a temporary
decrease in the City's General Fund.
• There was discussion on funding land acquisition and trails.
Tigard City Council
Meeting Minutes—January 4,2008 Page 1
• There was discussion about continuing to phase-in projects to ease traffic
congestion.
• THMet officials are indicating an interest in light rail on 99W.
• City Council discussed exploring options for relieving congestion on 99W including
rezoning and reducing the number of access points for driveways (access
management plan).
• A future meeting will be scheduled for the City Council to meet with members of
the State Transportation Committee.
• City Council discussed last year's goal to improve City Council communications
with citizens. This is something the City Council will always work on.
• There was discussion on the suggestion from Library Board Chair Brian Kelly
about seeking ways to promote and honor good citizenship. From this discussion,
the idea of an event similar to the Fanno Creek Conference (held in years past) be
reinstated.
• There was discussion about more engaged communication endeavors beyond one-
way communication.
• An event,such as the Fanno Creek Conference, should be held mid-year to help gel
the ideas from the conference by the time the City Council meets to set goals for
the following year.
• The citizen survey results could be used to select topics for this year's Fanno Creek
Conference.
• Council members discussed whether to define a goal on the preferred use of"green
energy" by the city. After discussion, it was determined this would not be a goal,
but should be a policy-discussion topic.
• Council members discussed a future recreation program and noted the need for this
to be defined better with regard to the scope and determine what the community
would want. City Council agreed to select this as a City Council goal.
• Council members discussed future training for Boards and Committees. Also
discussed was the need for committees to have stated expectations of what they are
to accomplish or areas of focus. There was brief discussion about removal of a
board or committee member should there be complaints or attendance issues.
• Council discussed ideas about how to promote and honor good citizenship in the
City of Tigard.
Tigard City Council
Meeting Minutes—January 4,2008 Page 2
Meeting recessed at 1:30 p.m.
Meeting reconvened at 1:40 p.m.
• Council members reviewed a list of Goal Setting Discussion Points distributed by
Councilor Wilson. A copy of this list is on file in the City Recorder's office.
• Traffic congestion and bottlenecks were reviewed. For example, it was suggested
that a median could be removed at the intersection of Scholls Ferry Road and
Nimbus to aid traffic flow. Other ideas discussed included:
o Move bike lanes away from major roads.
o Consider reversible flow traffic lanes
• The Transportation System Plan calls for widening of Scholls Ferry Road;however
with an estimated cost of $30 million, it is doubtful this will be done. It was
suggested that Tigard, Beaverton and Washington County meet to discuss Scholls
Ferry Road.
• Councilor Wilson suggested that funds be set aside for small projects to remove
traffic flow impediments. Citizens could nominate easy fixes.
• With regard to the goal for the Downtown Plan, Councilor Wilson suggested we
investigate the City of Gresham's apartment ordinance.
• There was discussion about code violations and the policy to enforce on a
complaint-driven basis. City Manager Prosser advised staff would be preparing a
white paper on this matter.
• Councilor Wilson suggested an independent transit study to determine an estimate
of payroll tax collected in Tigard vs. TriMet expenditures in Tigard; the evaluation
of current TriMet routes; and possible light rail alignment along the 99W corridor.
City Manager Prosser said he thinks it would be effective if the City has a presence
at every possible forum where transportation issues and funding are discussed.
• There was lengthy discussion on bus service in Tigard and how to determine if we
are getting our share of service compared to what our residents are contributing.
• There was reference to the citizen survey. Councilor Woodruff commented that
there did not seem to be a great groundswell of concerns regarding transit services
and suggested this issue be included again on the next survey. This could become
more important to Tigard residents as the price of gas goes up.
• There was a statement that it is important to "arm ourselves with information" to
take advantage of windows of opportunity. For example,now is the time to pursue
light rail for 99W and to make suggestions about the route we would prefer.
Tigard City Coiuicil
Meeting Minutes—January 4,2008 Page 3
• There as agreement that the City needs to increase its involvement at JPACT and
MPAC meetings.
• Council members agreed that the City should continue to keep in contact with
TriMet officials as well as our state and federal legislators regarding the City's transit
needs.
• Councilor Buehner suggested that a south-county coalition be established consisting
of the cities of Tigard,Tualatin and Sherwood.
• Councilor Wilson said he would like to see the Fanno Creek Trail loop completed
as this is a transportation corridor.
• Councilor Buehner said she would like to see a connection from Main Street to
Woodard Park listed as a priority.
• Council discussed other issues regarding official policy for expansion of our current
water service area. This led to discussion about upcoming meetings regarding
urbanization in Washington County and the need to participate.
• Councilor Wilson suggested that the City consider seeking railroad crossing
improvements to make Tigard a quiet zone.
Council discussed phrasing and the order for the 2008 goals. A rough draft of the Council's
initial goal-setting priorities follows:
(City Manager Prosser will draft a preamble for City Council review)
1. Pursue opportunities to reduce traffic congestion in Tigard.
• Pursue immediate low-cost projects to improve traffic flow.
• Explore light rail on 99W.
• Promote an access control study of 99W.
• Support the I-5/99W connector project
• Continue state and regional advocacy for transportation improvements in Tigard.
2. Complete the update and begin the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
3. Implement the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan.
• Prioritize and begin implementing tasks identified in the development strategy
for downtown.
4. Promote and honor good citizenship in Tigard.
• Recognize good citizenship by individuals and groups.
• Build youth involvement programs.
• Support the neighborhood program.
Tigard City Council
Meeting Minutes—January 4,2008 Page 4
5. Explore the possibility of placing a parks and greenspaces bond on the ballot in
2010.
6. Make a decision on Tigard's long-range water source(s).
Continued discussion:
• Council members discussed the requirements for service on the City Council.
Information about compensation and incentives from other jurisdictions will be
prepared for City Council review.
• The street maintenance fee will be reviewed after it has been in place for five years.
III. Non Agenda Items: None
IV. Adjournment
Motion by Councilor Woodruff, seconded by Councilor Sherwood, to adjourn the
meeting at 3:50 p.m.
The motion was approved by a unanimous vote of Council present.
Mayor Dirksen Yes
Councilor Buchner Yes
Councilor Wilson Yes
Councilor Sherwood Yes
Councilor Woodruff Yes
Catherine Wheatley, City Recorder
Attest:
t
ay r, City of Tigard
Date:
I:\ADM\Cathy\CCM\2008\080104 final goal setting.doc
Tigard City Coinicil
Meeting Minutes—January 4,2008 Page 5