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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2026-01-20 F� E� O JtL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING n MINUTES O January 20,2026 OREGO� 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Buck called the regular City Council meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. on Tuesday,January 20, 2026.The meeting was held both virtually via video conferencing and in-person in the Council Chamber at City Hall 380 A Avenue. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Buck; Councilors Afghan, Corrigan, Mboup,Verdick,Wendland Councilor Rapf was excused Staff Present: Assistant City Manager/HR Director Megan Phelan, Legal Counsel Erica Tatoian, Administrative Assistant Kim Ono,Associate Planner Michael McNamee, Community Development Director Jessica Numanoglu, Sr. Code Enforcement Specialist Bill Youngblood Others Present: Councilor Christine Lewis, Metro; Patrick Walsh, Chair, Library Advisory Board 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 4. PRESENTATION 4.1 Metro Regional Update with Metro Councilor Lewis provided an update on Metro's regional priorities,which focused on housing, economic development, and transportation. Metro is on track to exceed its 2018 Affordable Housing Bond goals, delivering 5,381 homes across the region, including 1,185 units in Clackamas County. In Lake Oswego,the Mercy project is complete, and the El Nido project is under construction. Reforms to the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) program were detailed, including a new oversight body with city representatives and implementing key performance indicators (KPIs)to track results.The SHS has created nearly 2,500 shelter beds across the region with additional shelter beds coming to Clackamas County. With regard to economic development, Lewis discussed a new site selector toolkit designed to attract industrial growth by documenting data on electrical grids, soil quality, and transportation. Recognizing that tourism is a driver of economic development, progress on the Willamette Falls locks transfer was noted as well as zoo updates, including the arrival of endangered Eastern Bongos and bond funded campus improvements, particularly to the giraffe habitat and welcome plaza. Lewis discussed a transportation funding cliff, noting TriMet is proposing significant service cuts, despite already inadequate levels of service in Clackamas County. Lewis advocated for local shuttle services or community level shuttles better suited to suburban topography than standard large buses. Lewis also cited concerns about funding for the 1-205 and Abernathy Bridge Project and future transportation needs. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6 January 20, 2026 Councilor Afghan expressed concern that TriMet's service cuts disproportionately impact senior citizens and income-limited residents, offered the Council's support to Metro, and described the City's efforts to promote transit options. Lewis encouraged the Council to submit comments to the TriMet Board and noted that transit funding was being considered by the State Legislature. Mayor Buck argued that the current payroll-based funding model for transit is not viable for suburban communities that pay significantly into the system but see minimal service in return, citing a need for TriMet to adapt to recent workforce changes in the region, and noting Lake Oswego actively advocated for services that better accommodated lower density communities. Councilor Wendland agreed, stating TriMet must make changes that meet local needs rather than continuing to cut services. Councilor Wendland asked if the housing supportive tax would be renewed. Lewis reported the general consensus was that Metro wanted the tax renewed but recognized voters were opposed to a renewal until success of the tax was evident; Metro would request a wind-down plan from the Counties if there was no obvious path forward in the next few years. Mayor Buck iterated the importance of the tax and Metro's housing programs as adjacent Federal programs lacked sufficient funding to the region and advocated for resources to help low-income children adjust when moving into affordable housing located in high performing school districts. Councilor Mboup expressed concerns about mobility in the Metro areas of the region, advocating for more trains, and highlighted the necessity of integrating in-patient mental health supports within affordable housing projects to ensure stability and safety for residents. Lewis agreed, commenting that while supportive housing resources were necessary for some, many people found success and stability with housing. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT • Matt Johnson, resident, spoke on behalf of the Lake Oswego Swim Club regarding capacity constraints and logistical challenges at the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center (LORAC), noting that 60 children are waiting to join the swim club because LORAC rules are too stringent to accommodate necessary training and meets.Johnson highlighted the safety benefits of children learning to swim, noting the Lake Oswego Water Polo Club had similar needs, adding that all residents could be accommodated at the LORAC.Johnson also requested increased traffic enforcement on Rosewood due to speeding motorists bypassing the train delay. 6. CONSENT AGENDA 6.1 Resolution 26-02,Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with Clackamas County to Provide Services for Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization, and to Receive the Producer Responsibility Organization Funding Reimbursement 6.2 Public Contract Award for the Construction of Work Order 363, Carman Drive Sidewalk Project Councilor Corrigan moved to adopt the Consent Agenda. Councilor Mboup seconded the motion.A voice vote was held, and the motion passed,with Mayor Buck and Councilors Afghan,Corrigan, Mboup,Verdick, and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0). City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6 January 20, 2026 7. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA No items were removed from the Consent Agenda. 8. PUBLIC HEARING 8.1 Ordinance 2964,Code Amendments to Update the Use-Specific Standards for Home Occupations and Create Regulations for Urban Agriculture (LU 25-0002) Legal Counsel Tatoian read the parameters for legislative public hearings and confirmed that no Councilor had any financial conflicts of interest. Associate Planner McNamee presented proposed Community Development Code (CDC) amendments, reviewing prior Study Session discussions to develop the amendments; the goal to replace vague standards regarding residential character with clear, objective classifications for home-based businesses; and the amendments the Planning Commission believed were too restrictive and recommended removing. Proposed changes to the rules regarding home occupations included removing an existing zoning requirement and applying additional regulations to the typcs of home occupation types with greater impacts to surrounding neighborhoods.The proposed classifications were: Type A- No customers on-site;Type B—Customers and clients on-site; and Type C-Short-term rentals.The details of each proposed change were reviewed, including how the changes would reduce Code enforcement issues and provide clarity. For Type B businesses, McNamee presented options for outdoor activity.The Planning Commission recommended Option 1,which allows limited sessions,two per day, six per week, and up to six customers outside at once. Urban Agriculture was introduced as a Conditional Use for properties larger than one acre in certain zones, specifically to accommodate existing businesses like local wineries. Staff recommended Council approve the proposed amendments with the changes recommended by the Planning Commission and Staff. Mayor Buck opened the public hearing, confirmed there was no public testimony and closed the public hearing. Councilor Corrigan asked how often Code enforcement had to respond to issues regarding home occupations and if such issues were common.Senior Code Enforcement Specialist Youngblood explained that most previous complaints involved unregulated outdoor activities like swimming pool rentals or backyard dog parks.The vague Code language regarding impacts to the residential character of the neighborhood made Code enforcement difficult. Staff noted the City received one complaint regarding a welding business on a residential property, clarifying that the Planning Commission removed the proposed limits on hazardous materials because fire codes still apply to residential zones; however, no fire safety inspections were done on residential properties. Councilor Corrigan requested details on issues with urban agriculture operations and farm stands, as well as their activity patterns. Staff responded an existing winery was the only example of a use that would qualify as Urban Agriculture and explained how the proposed amendment would allow the business to continue as it currently operated, adding the use was a conditional use so new Urban Agriculture businesses would be subject to a public hearing. Councilor Afghan confirmed the types of complaints the City received about outdoor activities regarded noise, parking, and the frequency of large groups with children. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6 January 20, 2026 Council and Staff discussion centered on the difficulties of relying on the Nuisance Code to regulate noise from activities like beginning trombone lessons and Jazzercise classes.While the City Attorney's Office provided guidance on determining whether a noise is unnecessary,the existing Code remained too subjective to be effective. Associate Planner McNamee confirmed other jurisdictions do not set limits on the number of visitors at one time to a home occupation. Code Enforcement had requested the restriction because it is easy to enforce. Councilor Wendland requested information on noise complaints about indoor activities. Associate Planner McNamee confirmed typical complaints were about small classes like weight training, music, and amplified voices, particularly during good weather when windows are open. Councilor Afghan asked how the proposed amendments would address noise levels, parking issues, and the frequency of home-based business operations. Staff reviewed the proposed limitations on outdoor activities and noted the Planning Commission recommended removing the proposed parking restrictions because limits on the number of customers on-site at one time were already included. Councilor Mboup advocated for strict limits and restrictions, citing the need to preserve the character of residential areas as neighborhoods and keep commercial uses in separate commercial zones. Councilor Corrigan expressed concern about being overly burdensome on residents in residential zones, referring to the proposed amendments as back door intrusions on homes, encouraging Councilors to consider how the amendments would impact people living in the cottages at 2nd and E, and advocating for a ban on outdoor activities.Additionally, Councilor Corrigan did not see a need to allow an unlimited number of commercial vehicles to park off of a property because commercial zoning already allowed that. Lastly, Councilor Corrigan confirmed with Staff that marijuana facilities, psilocybin service centers, and psilocybin production were prohibited as home occupations in Lake Oswego. Councilor Wendland recalled a prior Council discussion about outdoor business activities taking away from the residential purpose, resulting in hesitancy to allow outdoor businesses because Commercial facilities provide parking and commercial activities. Banning outdoor activities would prevent the teaching of swim lessons in a private pool.The number of indoor business clients should be limited because no limit could result in a large number of people on a property, as well as parking issues. Staff confirmed the proposed amendments would not infringe upon residents' right to the peacefully enjoy the neighborhood or alter the residential character of the neighborhood while allowing a reasonable amount of business activity. Lake Oswego's neighborhoods are quiet and should not have commercial activities. The City Council recessed from 4:40 to 4:52 p.m. Mayor Buck moved to continue deliberation on Ordinance 2964 to February 3,2026. Councilor Wendland seconded the motion.A voice vote was held, and the motion passed,with Mayor Buck and Councilors Afghan,Corrigan, Mboup,Verdick,and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0). 9. STUDY SESSIONS City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6 January 20, 2026 9.1 Library Advisory Board Update on Community Needs for the Library Library Director Melissa Kelly and Library Advisory Board Chair Patrick Walsh reported on the deteriorating state of the 1983 library facility, noting that although the population has grown,the library is currently 23%smaller than originally approved by voters. Additionally, resident-led efforts and facility studies that have been ongoing since 1988 demonstrate a need for additional space, increased use, and demand for new services. Findings were presented from 2025 research and surveys showing a high demand for multi-purpose rooms for large events, indoor children's play areas, maker spaces, and teen- dedicated areas,which the current library lacks.A community kitchen and outdoor event space were also supported. Such spaces are standard and popular at other high-quality libraries. Photographs of each type of space were shown with a description of how each space could be used and would benefit the community. Concerns about the current library facility included seismic deficiencies,water intrusion, drainage issues,failing buildings systems, a deteriorating deck, accessibility barriers, and site constraints. Details of the building deficiencies were provided with an explanation of how each issue negatively impacted library use, safety, budget, and accessibility.There was an emphasis on the need to build a new library on a larger site in a more amenable location.The Library Advisory Board (LAB) recommended framing a library project as part of a cohesive plan to replace aging infrastructure with high-value community assets, exploring partnerships for cost efficiencies, and working with the community to ensure the scope aligns with fiscal realities.The LAB also proposed continued coordination between LAB, City Council, advisory groups, and community stakeholders and partners to refine a communications plan and community engagement approach, as well as build on the existing data. Council discussed and reached a consensus on the need for one modern library that serves as a community hub and learning center rather than multiple small branches. Several Councilors expressed concerns about costs, citing the need to keep costs reasonable and maintain fiscal responsibility. Potential opposition to a new library were also discussed. Mayor Buck and Councilor Corrigan discussed funding strategies, noting that the Lake Grove Urban Renewal Area could potentially fund the project efficiently without a massive general bond. Councilor Afghan advocated for creating a space for nursing mothers in the existing library, as a new library would take some time and nursing mothers had an immediate need. Councilors expressed support for the proposed communication plan, agreeing there was a need to keep the public informed about the community's needs and the library's services. 10. INFORMATION FROM COUNCIL There was none. 11. REPORTS OF OFFICERS There were none. 12. EXECUTIVE SESSION Legal Counsel Tatoian read the statutory basis for the Executive Session. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6 January 20, 2026 Mayor Buck adjourned the broadcast portion of the meeting at 6:17 p.m. and the Executive Session was convened under ORS 192.660(2)(d)to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations and (f)to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection. The City Council recessed from 6:17 to 6:22 p.m. The Executive Session was held from 6:22 to 6:47 p.m. 13. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Buck adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laural Hawkins, City Recorder Approved by the City Council on March 3, 2026. Joseph . Buck, Mayor City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6 January 20, 2026