Loading...
01-16-2020 Council Newsletter CoundlNewskfter ' ■ Proi)ided to the Tigard City C'oundl on a nvekly Iasis to stay ahrecaJt of current t ty issues. January 16, 2020 1. Southwest Corridor Team Update Kenny and the SWC team provide Council with this week's update on the light rail project. 2. Letters of Commendation Chief McAlpine shared letters recognizing outstanding performance by TPD staff. 3. News Articles - Police catch Kaady Carwash thief in Tigard - Times Editorial: smother money measure charges into Valley of Death - Now is your chance to weigh in on the future of Portland area transportation - Tigard launches workshop series for local entrepreneurs - Tigard to send voters local option levy in May to add police - Speakers, music, racism discussion to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Tigard 4. Council Calendar Monday,Jan. 20 MLK Holiday City Offices Closed Tuesday,Jan. 21 Workshop Meeting 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall Saturday,Jan. 25 Council Outreach Event 11:30 a.m. Library Community Rm Tuesday,Jan. 28 State of the City Address 6 — 8 p.m., Broadway Rose 92850 SW Grant.Ave, Tigard Tuesday, Feb. 4 Business Meeting One 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall Tuesday, Feb. 11 Business Meeting One 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall Tues., February 18 Workshop Meeting 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall Tuesday, Feb. 25 Business Meeting One 6:30 p.m. -Town Hall 13125 SNK'Hall Blvd.Tigard,OR 97223 1 Web -www.tigard-or.p.1 Phone:503.639.4171 FAX:503.684."''297 TDD 503.684.2772 Item# ' Newsletter: Southwest Corridor Team Report Dec/Jan Updates_for Co6-n—cil For January - June202O NEPA REVIEW The FEIS commits the project to specific mitigations(actions)where it causes significant in Week of 12/g/2019 COT Update/Request Submitted written comments 9/26 on draft FEIS drawing set and met 10/29/19 with TriMet to discuss COT concerns(we need full inclusion of MOU project elements within the boundary covered by the FEIS analyses). TriMet Response Verbal indication of adjustments to Hall Blvd within FEIS boundaries;other project elements will not be included. Have not seen new drawin s yet. Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request None this week. (L. Faha on vacation) TriMet Response N/A Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request Requested feedback about whether FEIS boundary adjustments have been made, and to confirm that the area requiring stormwater treatment is properly calculated based on this. Trimet and consultants presented draft property impacts from stormwater facilities that will be in FEIS. City/CWS provided Trimet an update on the Red Rock Creek Stormwater study that may produce an alternate approach where some of the stormwater management can be done along the creek. TriMet Response Will get back to Lori on FEIS boundaries and next stormwater coordination meeting date. Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request None this week TriMet Response N/A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN REPORT The CDR describes the pro'ect in words and images(not engineered drawings)and must be accepted by COT council. Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request Comments submitted on Partner Draft CDR Chapters 0-4 and 7 TriMet Response COT comments are generally being incorporated into the document by TriMet, with continuing omissions around 701h Avenue (no guideway design, no Atlanta intersection)and 68`h (no mid-block crossing on Hwy 99)and Elmhurst(no side platforms)station areas. Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request City is commenting on CDR Chapter 7—the chapter that shows the Tigard alignment specifically TriMet Response Persistent omission of important urban design and MOU elements related to station area development and transit infrastructure;CDR publication date delayed,extra review meetings scheduled. Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request TriMet is meeting with partner staff on Station Access Projects Prioritization for inclusion in the CDR. Tigard's highest priority is the Hwy 217 integrated MUP Bridge between Hunziker and 72nd with Hall Blvd sidewalks south of Commercial Street second. TriMet Response TriMet's to prioritize these projects as requested 1 Future Project Updates: Transit Overlay Code; Affordable Housing MOU; PW Rail Standards; COT/TriMet IGA Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request Tigard final look at Draft CDR prior to publication TriMet Response Reviewing Tigard's comments 70TH AVE RIGHT-OF-WAY The city needs the project to acquire enough right-of-way for the future street. Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request Reiterated comments to include guideway design elements and right-of-way through to Atlanta St. TriMet Response CDR still not showing guideway treatments or inclusion of the Atlanta intersection. Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request CDR comments submitted on 12/14 TriMet Response CDR still not showing right of way north of Baylor,Atlanta intersection,full four-way intersection at 701h and Elmhurst, or guidewaytreatments. Week of o1/o6/2020 COT Update/Request CDR continues to show 70th right-of-way between Baylor and Atlanta as an unresolved element TriMet Response Will discuss at CDR review session January 9th Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request CDR continues to show loth right-of-way between Baylor and Atlanta as an unresolved element TriMet Response Says this is the current status, subject to coordination and timing of City-led improvements to Atlanta HALL BLVD DESIGN The project(per the MOU)must improve Hall b/t RR tracks and Hunziker to the satisfaction of the city council. Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request Reiterated comments to show Hall improvements from Hunzikerto RR in CDR. TriMet Response Nothing yet. Possibly with chapter of CDR draft? Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request CDR comments submitted on 12/14 TriMet Response CDR still not showing project boundary(or improvements)south of Commercial to the RR tracks; Hall Blvd future design thinking not shared or shown in the CDR Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request No update/request TriMet Response Waiting on post-holiday resumption of the TAC and UDIG workshops January to December 2020 Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request Staff requested expansion of project limits toward RR tracks. TriMet Response TriMet expanded boundary slightly south on Hall, but not completely to RR tracks; unclear from CDR image where boundary ends. MOS STATION DOWNTOWN TriMet and Tigard(per the MOU)must jointly agree to the location of the downtown station in MOS scenario, pre-FEIS Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request I Upper Boones Ferry Interim Terminus was presented to CAC last week 2 Future Project Updates:Transit Overlay Code; Affordable Housing MOU; PW Rail Standards; COT/TriMet IGA TriMet Response N/A Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request Upper Boones Ferry Interim Terminus passed unanimously by the SC on 12/16. Tigard City Council was not consulted (per MOU). Issue has not been raised to TriMet. TriMet Response N/A Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request N/A(issue has been decided. Staff to brief council on 1/21) TriMet Response N/A Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request N/A(issue has been decided. Staff to brief council on 1/21) TriMet Response N/A 217 BIKE/PED BETTERMENT TriMet and Tigard(per the MOU)will be co-applicants for a grant to fund multiuse path(to be designed by TriMet w/SWC) Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request Federal funding request will be based on rough order of magnitude cost of s8M for an integrated MUP TriMet Response Project was responsive in providing above cost estimate. Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request CDR comments request that the MUP extend from Hunziker to 72nd and include mid-point connections to the future Red Rock Creek trail. TriMet Response Verbal acknowledgement that the CDR will incorporate Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request No update/request TriMet Response Pending resumption of TAC and UDIG workshops monthly from January to December 2020 Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request Requested a TriMet liaison to partner on funding stategy. TriMet Response Pending HALL STATION PARKING AGMT. TriMet and Tigard(per the MOU)will negotiate a shared use agreement for parking facilities at the downtown station Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request Pending 12/16/Zg steering committee alignment decision,we will engage TriMet in discussion of shared parking. MOU calls for understanding parking demand and capacity with consideration of non-transit parking, securing outside funding to support non-transit capacity, and development of shared-use agreement priorto engineering. TriMet Response Current TriMet plans suggest surface parking at Hall station for park and ride only. Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request CDR comments reject surface parking (Mayor's comments at 12/16 SC also challenged interim surface parking use). TriMet Response Committed to surface parking. Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request Waiting to learn more at the January 91"CDR review meeting 3 Future Project Updates:Transit Overlay Code; Affordable Housing MOU; PW Rail Standards; COT/TriMet IGA TriMet Response TBD Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request CDR shows loo-space surface PnR.Tigard staff has asked to begin forming shared use parking agreement. TriMet Response TriMet amenable to shared-use parking agreement. No change on surface PnR. EMPLOYMENT TOD TriMet will (per the MOU)help effectuate an Employment TOD district to mitigate job loss in the Hunziker industrial core Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request List of businesses that will be displaced due to SWC. TriMet Response Meeting with TriMet about business impacts scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, 202o. List provided. Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request CDR comments and Mayors comments at 12/16 Steering Committee pushing for opening day TOD TriMet Response Rhetorically in support; has done some economic analysis, but CDR still not showing TOD potential or TOD projects Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request Meet with Bob Hastings to talk about TOD strategy 1/7/2020 TriMet Response Scheduled for January 23rd. Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request COT TOD team formed to develop a Tigard TOD strategy. TriMet Response TOD meetings scheduled O&M FACILITY DESIGN TriMet will(per the MOU)design the O&M facility to complement adjacent development and connections Week of 12/9/2019 COT Update/Request OMF configuration proposed to parallel RR avoiding impacts to the Red Rock Creek floodplain and most properties fronting on Hunziker. Focus on remaining property between OMF and Hall, with direction to consider station-integ rated design to maximize redevelopment potential. TriMet Response/Request Subject to future station area planning. Week of 12/16/2019 COT Update/Request City comments on CDR Chapter emphasize need to show the 0&M in a manner that allows meaningful public review. TriMet Response Agreed to consider developing boards for winter outreach to boards and commissions. Week of 1/6/2020 COT Update/Request No update/request TriMet Response Pending resumption of TAC and UDIG workshops monthly from January to December 2020 Week of 1/13/2020 COT Update/Request No update/request TriMet Response Pending resumption of TAC and UDIG workshops monthly from January to December 2020 4 Future Project Updates:Transit Overlay Code; Affordable Housing MOU; PW Rail Standards; COT/TriMet IGA a Item #2 CCNewsletter 1/16/20 Citgo of Tigard January 15, 2020 To: Det. Sgt. Prater, Detective Stone, Detective Hahn, and Detective Swain Re: CCU Unit Letter of Commendation This unit commendation letter is for exemplary performance during the 2019 calendar year. The Commercial Crimes Unit (CCU) successfully investigated and solved a several State, multi-victim, gift card scam used to defraud millions of dollars in purchases from numerous retail stores in our area. The CCU worked with local, regional, and national agencies, uncovering multiple scams that duped countless victims allowing suspects to purchase literal suitcases full of Apple devices. Warrants were served at multiple locations and resulted in the indictment of the seven involved suspects on 67 felony charges. You displayed our core values of Attitude,Leadership, Integrity, Service,and Teamwork in this extended investigation. Your teamwork was emblematic of the best traditions of thorough, professional, and patient detective work. Your actions reflect great credit upon yourself, the City of Tigard, and the Tigard Police Department. Thank you for your great work! l j M Kathy McAlpine Chief of Police c: Employee files Chiefs file City Manager Commendation board 13125 SW Hall Blvd. • Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.639.4171 TTY Relay: 503.684.2772 0 www.tigard-or.gov a City of Tigard ,January 15, 2020 To: Officer Dillon Blinn Re: Commendation Medal For commendable efforts in locating,stopping,investigating and arresting 80+DUII suspects in 2019. Your efforts while working an average of 17 days per month, removed 80 impaired drivers from the streets of Tigard. You also attended over 72 hours of DMV hearings on 31 of those cases. This was all accomplished while you worked graveyard shift. You consistently were above your shift average for calls serviced, self-initiated activity, and reports written. You have become one of the most knowledgeable members of the department regarding DLIII processing and have even bene sought out by members of other departments for your knowledge and expertise. Your efforts, dedication to duty, and relentless pursuit of impaired drivers not only makes the streets of Tigard safe, they reflect great credit upon yourself, the City of Tigard, and the Tigard Police Department. Your efforts exemplify our core values of Attitude, Leadership, Integrity, Service, and Teamwork. Thank you for your great work! A Kathy McAlpine" Chief of Police c: Employee file Chief's file City Manager Commendation board 13125 SW Hall Blvd. • Tigard, Oregon 97223 503.639.4171 TTY Relay: 503.684.2772 • www.tigard-or.gov q City of Tigard January 15, 2020 To: Detective Gabe Stone Re: Letter of Commendation For meritorious service in the position as Detective while assigned to the department's Commercial Crime Unit (CCU). You were personally commended multiple times by prosecutors, fellow law enforcement officers,and loss prevention agents for excellence and attention to detail in your multiple high-level felony casework. The value you added to the regional and national reputation of the Tigard Police Department CCU from January 2016 to the end of 2019 has reflected great credit upon yourself, the City of Tigard, and the City of Tigard Police Department. Your efforts exemplify our core values of Attitude,Leadership, Integrity, Service, and Teamwork. Thank you for representing the Tigard Police Department in a professional and positive light. Alpin Kathy e Chief of Police c: Employee file Chiefs file City Manager Commendation board 13125 SW Hall Blvd. • Tigard, Oregon 97223 503.639.4171 TTY Relay: 503.684.2772 0 www.tigard-or.gov a City ®f Tigard January 15, 2020 To: Officer Luis Rivera Re: Life-Saving Medal On November 14, 2019, you performed successful lifesaving efforts on a patient that was in cardiac arrest. You immediately recognized the situation and began chest compressions at the request of on scene fire personnel, which continued for an uninterrupted period until you were relieved by fire personnel as they deployed an AED. It was determined later that the patient's heart had completely stopped during the event, but due to your actions, she was later transported in stable condition. You remained calm during the serous life-threatening situation and applied CPR training purposely and directly which contributed to lifesaving efforts. Your knowledge and training reflect great credit upon yourself,the City of Tigard,and the Tigard Police Department. Your efforts exemplify our core values of Attitude,Leadership, Integrity, Service, and Teamwork. Thank you for your great work! Kathy McAlpine Chief of Police c: Employee file Chief's file City Manager Commendation board - - 13125 SW Hall Blvd. • Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.639.4171 TTY Relay: 503.684.2772 0 www.tigard-or.gov City of Tigard January 15, 2020 To: Officer Brett Adamski Re: Life-Saving Medal On November 1, 2019, you responded to a reported overdose where a 24-yearold male was unresponsive and appeared not to be breathing. You correctly assessed the situation and administered a dose of Naloxone. Gaining no response, you administered another dose, which was effective in reviving the subject. The subject was later transported to the hospital. Your quick actions led directly to saving a life. Your knowledge and training reflect great credit upon yourself,the City of Tigard,and the Tigard Police Department. Your efforts exemplify our core values of Attitude,Leadership, Integrity, Service, and Teamwork. Thank you for your great work! U( K thy McAlpu3�e Chief of Police c: Employee file Chief's file City Manager Commendation board 13125 SW Hall Blvd. • Tigard, Oregon 97223 • 503.639.4171 TTY Relay: 503.684.2772 0 www.tigard-or.gov Police catch Kaady Carwash thief in Tigard Item# Newsletter: pI07 Holly Bartholomew Friday, January 10, 2020 The man local authorities had dubbed the 'Opening bell bandit' was arrested Jan. 4 COURTESY PHOTO: WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE - David Perry is the suspect in roberies at several businesses including Kaady Carwash in West Linn. AW Christian David Perry, 49, of Happy Valley was arrested in Tigard Saturday, Jan. 4 around 5:30 p.m. after he had attempted to rob Sunsup Tanning Salon armed with a screwdriver. Detectives with Clackamas County Sheriffs Office believe Perry is the suspect local authorities had dubbed the "Opening Bell Bandit," after he robbed several businesses including Kaady Carwash in West Linn as they were opening. According to a press release from Clackamas County Sheriffs Office, Perry entered the tanning salon on Highway 99 in Tigard around 5:30 p.m., brandishing a screwdriver and demanding money from an employee, but fled the business after he was confronted by a customer. Tigard police, Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies, King City Police Department and a Hillsboro Police K9, found Perry a short distance from the tanning salon and took him into custody. Perry had robbed West Linn's Kaady Carwash the morning of Dec. 18, prompting a short search by police, which was unsuccessful. Two days later, he robbed a Subway in Gladstone. He is also suspected in recent robberies at a Carl's Jr. in Happy Valley, a Subway and Pizza Hut in Portland and Slingshotz Expresso in Clackamas. Our Opinion: Another money measure charges into Valley of Death Pamplin Editorial Board Thursday, January 16, 2020 Like the doomed cavalry of Lord Tennyson's poem, tax increases keep going before skeptical Tigard voters. Here we go again. Just two weeks ago, we recounted, in our special "Decade in Review" issue, the sad saga of Tigard's failed community/recreation center bond measure in 2015. That year, Tigard and the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette commissioned a survey that showed that residents thought it would be great to have a rec center in town, but well under a majority actually wanted to have their property taxes raised to pay for it. The Tigard City Council gambled that residents' desire for a rec center would outweigh their reticence. It didn't. The bond measure failed by a roughly two-to-one margin. To this day, the idea of building a rec center in Tigard with public monies remains the third rail of city politics. Then, in 2018, the Tigard City Council again went to voters with hat in hand, asking city residents to approve a local option levy. Into this levy, the city stuffed the proverbial kitchen sink, dedicating money for police, parks and the Tigard Public Library. All of those are popular things in Tigard, as they are in most cities. But with three areas of the budget included in the levy—as well as a citizen advisory group pushing for a levy measure that didn't just maintain current service levels, but would give the city enough new money to expand and improve services—the total amount of$1.18 per$1,000 of assessed value was just too steep, even in a strong economic climate. For a typical home valued at$280,000, that would have amounted to a $330.40 property tax hike per year for five years. Unsurprisingly, voters shot the levy down, and Tigard was forced to instate $11 million in budget cuts. The city had struck out swinging for a home run when a single would have tied the game. All of this history is instructive as we look at the levy that the Tigard City Council referred this week to the May 19, 2020, ballot. The levy is smaller, at least, than the 2018 monstrosity—significantly smaller. City officials have learned that lesson. It's a comparatively svelte 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or"only" $81 per year. But as for the lesson of 2015, it doesn't seem to have been taken to heart. That spring, city councilors saw survey results that cast significant doubt as to whether their measure could pass —and yet they referred it to the ballot anyway, with only one councilor voting "no." The campaign was grueling, complaints were filed, feelings were hurt, some relationships were permanently damaged, and at the end of it all, the outcome that had always been most likely came to pass: Voters rejected the measure by an overwhelming margin. Last year, Tigard City Hall contracted with DHM Research, a respected local pollster, to survey voter support for a levy at several different amounts. Results that came back for a 46-cent levy were wretched, with just 37% of respondents to the initial question offering support and few changing their mind even after being presented with arguments in favor of the levy. Results for two lower levy amounts, including the 29-cent option, were little better. And yet the Tigard City Council voted Tuesday to go ahead with the 29-cent levy on the May ballot anyway. At times over the years, it has seemed the guiding philosophy in Tigard is "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again." That's an admirable thing to teach kindergarteners, but we'd like Tigard's leaders to keep another kindergarten lesson in mind: "ears open, mouth closed." Listen to voters and ask them what they actually are willing to pay for, instead of pushing options they don't want. It's true that Tigard voters rejected a bond measure to build the current library in 1998 before they approved a similar bond four years later. City officials scaled down their ask, allowed a few years of"cooling off' and made a more persuasive pitch that led to the construction of the library. It's also true that Tigard had to try twice to win voter backing for a parks bond, with a more expensive measure failing in 2009 before a lower-cost measure —which also had a 29-cent rate, coincidentally or otherwise— squeaked through the following year. But those successful votes were 18 and 10 years ago, respectively. Tigard's track record since then in getting voters to support money measures has not been good. And it's troubling that even after sending a doomed measure to the ballot in 2015 despite polls showing it wouldn't pass, and even after gambling on an overstuffed measure in 2018 that was never likely to be approved, the Tigard City Council looks at a bevy of bad poll numbers and, in 2020, says, "Well, let's try this again." You might notice that we haven't discussed anything so far in this editorial of what the 2020 levy option would do. Quite simply, it isn't relevant unless the measure can win voter support. With "low and soft" support for the levy as tested by DHM Research, that looks unlikely. Yes, we'd like to see a bolstered police force in Tigard, a rapidly growing midsize city where law enforcement has been stretched too thin for too long. And we understand why city staff and members of the council are eager to see that shortage addressed. Polls can be wrong, and educational campaigns can be persuasive. And after all, if city leaders somehow manage to marshal voters' support for this do-over levy, it wouldn't be the first time—even if it would be the first time in quite a while. But right now, this rush to the May ballot has all the hallmarks of the failed rec center pitch in 2015 and the failed "all that and a bag of chips" local option levy in 2018. There is a risk of diminishing returns. It's not quite the fable of"The Boy Who Cried Wolf," but each time the Tigard City Council pushes a measure to the ballot and it gets trashed at Election Night, the city loses a little more face. If that isn't a concern for Tigard's leaders, perhaps it should be. The Portland Mercury Now Is Your Chance to Weigh In On the Future of Portland Area Transportation by Blair Stenvick ' Jan 13, 2020 at 12 Al pm 35 Since early last year, regional governmental body Metro has r� F been planning to place a multi-billion-dollar transportation funding package on November's ballot, similar to the affordable housing bond passed by Metro area voters in 2018. Tonight,the Metro Council will hold a marathon three-and-a-half-hour meeting, dedicated entirely to public comment on the proposed projects V + that measure will likely fund. A transportation funding task force comprised of Metro area mayors, councilmembers, transportation industry representatives and other relevant participants has been working on proposed projects for the last year. The task force released a list of focus areas earlier this month, built around a "corridor" framework. Corridors are roads that aren't interstate freeways, but are major thoroughfares that connect people to different parts of the area—think Burnside,McLoughlin, 82nd, and Tualatin Valley Highway. The task force picked projects for corridors in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties based on three main criteria: safety, public transit, and curbing climate change. Here are all the corridors the task force wants Metro voters to invest in, and how much money they estimate projects there will need: EXPECTED IDENTIFIED PROPOSED REGIONAL LEVERAGED CORRIDOR CORRIDOR MEASURE FUNDING FUNDS NEED Southwest Corridor $975M $1.46 $2.413 McLoughlin $280M $20M' S350M Clackamas to Columbia/181st $50M/$100M S280M Sunrise/Hwy 212 $180M $570M Tualatin Valley Highway $520M $50M $630M 185th Ave $200M $20M` $250M 82nd Ave $35M/$80M/$395M $160M $840M Burnside $150M/$??M/$120 M S540M S890M Central City $50M/$170M $50M $390M 122nd Ave $90M $160M 162nd Ave $90M $10M $170M Albina Vision $55M $75M Powell $140M $230M 'TO BE CONFIRMED REWONALPROJECTS CLAO(AMASCOUNTY WASHINQTONCOUNTY MULTNOMANCOLNTY (The Southwest Corridor is by far the largest investment, because TriMet is planning a new MAX line that will connect SW Barbur with the Tigard area). You can find out more about individual projects suggested for those corridors here. The projects range from simple safety improvements like putting lights at crosswalks, to game-changing transit enhancements like adding bus priority lanes, to freeway-friendly gambits like adding turn lanes near on- ramps in an attempt to ease congestion. The projects chosen will need to balance a diverse set of concerns to get on the ballot: A voter who lives in close-in Southeast Portland and takes the bus to work downtown, for example, will likely have different priorities than someone who lives in Oregon City and drives to Beaverton for work. Metro hasn't identified a funding mechanism for the project yet, though it is considering a payroll tax, as reported by Willamette Week. Monday's meeting will be held from 5:30 to 9 pm at the Metro Regional Center, located at 60o NE Grand. If you can't attend the meeting in person, you can also submit written testimony by emailing getmoving@oregonmetro.gov. 'Q, Blair Stenvick is a news reporter at the Mercury. She covers transportation, criminal justice, health policy, drugs, and a lot of other stuff. Tigard Launches Workshop Series for Local Entrepreneurs Is vour tow vrars resOlutuiri ro start a file busing business of your nwn'hi 2020. Figard is hcll,rhev nrcd laiinching a tiCruu of work-shops rig help residcnrs rcalix their dreams. Figarii will also be 'Ihecity is partnering with S( ORE Portland, usivirilinl Los � A nonprofit business incntoring organization, to 1 rnpirsaruts ol}cr a series of three small business work hops de'l lgard. i at the I Igaid I ibrar� in March 2020. lhest• new program Workshop%will h)Lus oa topic-, all small business char Unis:u owners nrcd to masirr in order ro be su,.,—mhtl strcngihcn An:atieClub PDXrnvn#TsD red writing a business plan, imam ing, legal issues, I igard's small BartteIt and Sarah Geelan ricordkcq)ing and business markettag.Togcrhef business eomrnitnits by t.onneciing larinx these workshops will provide enucprcncvr% and entrepreneurs to the services and support the} small business nerd tea lawn,h and grow succmitil htmricsses. owners isith a the I Lv- I nipresarlos uc {ifard program will tuund.tnon of {annch with a series of lire worksh,tps in knov.ledgr in lanuary.April. July and OLtobcr 2020. help start of sustain their '1 he first workshop.on January _9th from busuicss, t,00 to R:Oflprri ;it the GKard A, . "Vit rr Llbrarv. will r- Milyd in fcarUre a Top Street Tacus ament hell+ people panel of local hxlathanOcampo pursue [lieu orgartiLations drram of running a Iiusrne>s,�says Plan thar piovidc Ilekav-Bemis.City of -igird Lotltlmil businc.s DC-%Tlopntcnt ('oordnlati,r. "There arca {ur %opporr of great crtgamzarutns :it the region that Offer scniOrs and busies support,but most of them arent cash rrsoutt.Ls. lethey Men Gallery u)ger to trom Tigard By bringing these pscat urvrcr providers here, we to lowering a banner For more infotmauun nn thc-e programs to entry and making it caster for people to get visit rtftstw_tlyud-or.qqr/iciest Tigard to send voters local option levy in May to add police Ray Pitz Wednesday, January 15, 2020 The measure would add eight patrol officers and one school resource officer. PMG PHOTO: JONATHAN HOUSE - Tigard business owner David Raines chats with Tigard Police Cmdr. Jame McDonald g Y during the No Hate Zone Community Dinner last February. Despite an expected tepid reaction from voters, the city of Tigard will place a local option levy on the May ballot to add eight new patrol officers and a new school resource officer to the beat, as well as training for de- escalating potentially violent situations officers might encounter. On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Tigard City Council agreed to have voters decide the fate of the levy on May 19. The ballot measure also includes city support services for the officers. If approved, the levy would tax property owners 29 cents per $1,000 of a property's assessed valuation, or roughly $81 per year added to the property tax bill for a typical $280,000 home. The city has polled the community twice to gauge support for the levy, with surveys testing anywhere from 46 cents and 29 cents costs depending on what was included in the package. Both times the surveys showed support that was "low and soft," councilors were advised. Earlier discussions had included adding two officers as specifically dedicated as part of a homeless outreach team and creating safer routes for students heading to school. Tigard Police Chief Kathy McAlpine told the council that the city's most immediate needs are to increase the number of officers to get past a minimum staffing level and have the ability to handle more than one emergency situation at a time throughout the city, something that could be accomplished by the eight new officers. The proposed levy would ensure that the number of police patrolling the city is raised from its current three to four at any given time to four to five. Tuesday's discussion included whether the city should add two extra officers to focus specifically on issues related to dealing with the city's homeless population. Councilors Liz Newton and Heidi Lueb have expressed support for the additional officers, with Lueb saying they would be "tremendously important" to the city. However, at the same time, Mayor Jason Snider said he wanted to ensure that the school resource officer was part of the package, fearing that without that officer, the levy might not pass. "I don't think not including the SRO is a wise option," he said. In addition, Snider said he wanted to keep the levy under 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. A $1.18 per$1,000 levy that also included funding for parks and the Tigard Public Library failed two years ago in the May 2018 election. Speakers, music, racism discussion to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Tigard Ray Pitz Wednesday, January 15, 2020 The Monday event will be held at the Tigard Public Library from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. �.+ PMG PHOTO RAY PITZ-A collection of Soul Boxes are on display at the Tigard Public Library, created from an idea by Portland artist Leslie Lee to show the magnitude of the gunfire epidemic She will be speaking during MLK events set Monday at the Tigard Public Library Healing the Divide" is the theme of this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration presented at the Tigard Public Library on Monday, Jan. 20. The event, which runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., is being �. hosted by the Baha'is of Tigard. r The program is a slight departure from the past "Together at the Table" observances. "In the past, we've had a drop-in program in which neighbors can chat with each other freely or using prompts we've provided,"said Adrianne Driver, the librarian coordinating the event. "This year, we'll be hosting a few speakers, along with some breakout sessions with facilitators to talk about unity against racism." The gathering will include a celebration that includes motivating talks, music and conversation. Denise Taylor, of the Baha'i community of Tigard and Tualatin, said the first portion of the program will focus on guest speakers and music, following by a facilitated talk during the second portion to discuss the topic of racism. Chris Ragland, a building official with the city of Tualatin, will serve as emcee for the event. "He's passionate about human rights," said Taylor. "He started memorizing Martin Luther King, Jr. speeches as a young person." Musical entertainment throughout the event will be provided by singer and musician Cheryll Simmerman. Other featured speakers include: In King City Mayor Ken Gibson. Gibson served on the King City Council beginning in 2008 and began his first mayoral term in 2016. His past and current civic service includes being on the executive committee of the Metro Mayors Consortium and on the board for the League of Oregon Cities. n Portland artist Leslie Lee. After the 2017 mass shooting along the Las Vegas Strip, Lee—a professional artist living in Portland —wanted to create a compelling visual representation to reflect the magnitude of the gunfire epidemic. In response, she launched The Soul Box Project as a nonpartisan, grassroots project. Each Soul Box, which are folded origami boxes, contains dates and statistics representing a victim of gunfire in the United States. (A total of 765 of the boxes are currently on display inside the Tigard Public Library.) n Ebonee Bell. A Harvard-trained educator who works for the Multnomah County Library, Bell leads the Books2U literacy promotion program designed for students in the third through fifth grades. Bell, who has said she believes books can change lives, also provides library services to minors who have gone through the juvenile detention system. For more information, contact Driver at adriannedna tigard-or.gov