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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2026-03-03 F� E� O JtL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING n MINUTES O March 3, 2026 OREGO� 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Buck called the regular City Council meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The meeting was held in-person in the Council Chamber at City Hall 380 A Avenue. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Buck; Councilors Afghan, Corrigan, Mboup,Verdick, Wendland Excused: Councilor Rapf Staff Present: City Manager Pro Tem Megan Phelan, Special Counsel Erica Tatoian, City Recorder Laural Hawkins, Deputy City Manager Madison Thesing, Library Volunteer&Special Events Coordinator Nancy Niland Others Present: Lynn Peterson 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 4. PRESENTATIONS 4.1 Proclamation—Disability Awareness Month Mayor Buck proclaimed March as Disability Awareness Month, noting the theme "The Power of Support," and emphasized the importance of caregivers, employers, and the community in ensuring individuals with disabilities live full, meaningful lives while reaffirming the City's commitment to accessibility and inclusion. 4.2 Proclamation—Persian New Year Mayor Buck recognized March 20 as Nowruz,the Persian New Year, celebrating renewal and hope. Councilor Afghan spoke about current hardships in Iran and the Middle East, stating that while celebration feels difficult during times of conflict and injustice, the proclamation signifies that Lake Oswego is a welcoming community that sees and values its Iranian,Jewish, and Arab residents. 4.3 2026 Lake Oswego Reads: Tilt by Emma Pattee Nancy Niland, Library Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator, shared that the 20th Annual Lake Oswego Reads selection was Tilt, by local author Emma Pattee, announcing the book's theme of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 March 3, 2026 sustainability and disaster preparedness following a Cascadia earthquake. Eight hundred free copies were distributed through a grant from the Friends of the Library. She also detailed 40 upcoming events in April, including a safety-themed resource fair, a LEGO Build and Shake event, and an author talk at Lakeridge High School. Mayor Buck encouraged residents to join the Friends of the Library to support the Library's community programming. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT • Michelle Moore, resident, was concerned about the City's failure to enforce building and stormwater codes regarding a neighboring property, stating that multiple violations, including improperly sloped driveways and missing infrastructure have caused erosion and sinkholes on her downhill property. She criticized the City Engineer for treating codes as aspirational and argued that the City's inaction erodes public trust and unfairly burdens neighbors with enforcement costs. • Stefan Ripsan, resident, advocated for a gas-powered leaf blower(GLB) ban, citing a second-grade field trip where students were overwhelmed by noise and exhaust. He noted that 57 students signed a petition in support of a ban and argued that GLBs are inconsistent with City goals regarding climate change and community health. He urged the Council to enact at least a seasonal ban, noting that Portland and other cities have successfully implemented similar policies. • Chris Durkee,Chair, Lake Oswego Fire Station Rebuild Campaign, and Jenny Cherrytree, updated on the bond campaign, reporting over 123 endorsements from individuals and organizations and noting upcoming speaking engagements and a K-12 art contest where winners will have their work displayed at the new fire station. • Jeff Wiens, resident, requested a ban on GLBs due to the health risks of two-stroke engine emissions, characterizing the issue as a critical public health concern, noting that the carcinogens produced are pumped through the body with every breath and compared the situation to the banning of secondhand smoke. • Stephanie Hallock, President, Friends of Luscher Farm, urged the Council to add land use changes at Luscher Farm as a 2026 priority goal, stated that recreational activities at the farm remain illegal under current zoning, and warned that these activities must cease if Clackamas County does not approve the City's pending application. • Mark Puhlman, Lake Oswego Sustainability Network(LOSN),was disappointed that the Council removed the multi-year goal to phase out gas-powered landscape equipment, pledging that LOSN would collaborate with the Council and the Sustainability Advisory Board to develop a transition plan if the goal were reinstated. 6. CONSENT AGENDA 6.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 March 3, 2026 • January 6, 2026, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes • January 20, 2026, Draft Regular Meeting Minutes 6.2 Resolution 26-12,Approving Summer 2026 Facility Use Agreement at Oak Creek Elementary School and Lakeridge Tennis Courts Councilor Afghan moved to adopt the Consent Agenda. Councilor Corrigan 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). Councilor Wendland suggested that the City and School District should explore reciprocal facility use agreements to reduce fees for taxpayers who already fund these facilities through bonds. 7. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA No items were removed from the Consent Agenda. 8. COUNCIL BUSINESS 8.1 Adoption of 2026 City Council Preferred Future,Goals, and Initiatives City Manager Pro Tem Phelan presented the proposed goals based on the recent Council retreat, highlighting language changes regarding Urban Renewal funding for the library, general fund sustainability, and advocating for affordable public transit. Work plan initiatives would be presented to Council on April 7. Staff focused on initiatives that required Council resources and Council could add to the initiatives that Staff had proposed. She also explained that while Luscher Farm was not listed as a specific Council goal, it remained a high operational priority currently being pursued before Clackamas County. Mayor Buck addressed the removal of the GLB goal, noting that the intent was to continue policy exploration at the Staff level, but acknowledged that its absence from the list was confusing and alarming to the community. He proposed an amendment to add: "Explore and continue outreach and policy research in regard to phasing out gas powered lawn equipment and to bring recommendations to City Council in early 2027". Mayor Buck moved to amend the goals and add "Explore and continue outreach and policy research in regard to phasing out gas powered lawn equipment and to bring recommendations to City Council in early 2027."to the Combat Climate Change and Strengthen the Community's Resilience to Climate Impacts goal for 2026. Councilor Wendland seconded the motion. Councilor Corrigan supported staying the course, noting technology is improving and the City can learn from Portland's experience. Councilor Verdick was concerned about using the word "early" in the amendment and emphasized the need for a thoughtful enforcement strategy. Councilor Wendland stated that Council had to make hard decisions to ensure it do not overpromise and under-deliver, noting that many other worthy initiatives were also cut. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 March 3, 2026 Councilors Mboup and Afghan supported the amendment, citing the community's strong desire for the ban and the City's commitment to public health and diversity. Mayor Buck commended the work of Staff and Council on goals pertaining to critical long-term infrastructure, redevelopment projects in the Urban Renewal areas, the emerald ash borer, as well as a high quality of life, safety, and a welcoming inclusive community. A voice vote was held,and the motion passed,with Mayor Buck and Councilors Afghan, Corrigan, Mboup,Verdick, and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0). Mayor Buck moved to tentatively adopt the 2026 Council Goals and Initiatives as amended and ask Staff to bring back a final version at a future meeting. Councilor Verdick 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). 8.2 Legislative Update Deputy City Manager Thesing updated on the 35-day short session, reporting that a $4 million funding request for the South Shore Fire Station, sponsored by Representative Nguyen,was not included in the final omnibus bill. Additionally, the gas tax repeal vote was planned for May, which coincides with the South Shore Fire Station bond. For the upcoming 2027 long session, she planned to prioritize funding for the Fire Station and the emerald ash borer. Mayor Buck mentioned a potential 50-50 split of lodging tax revenue between tourism and cities and noted that the State recently increased its lodging taxes to support wildlife habitat, which was creative. Deputy City Manager Thesing confirmed for Councilors that food and representation of local government on had been addressed however, serial meetings were still outstanding. 8.3 City Manager Pro Tem Candidate Mayor Buck explained the process for hiring a new City Manager and appointing an Interim City Manager Pro Tem. He introduced Lynn Peterson as the candidate for City Manager Pro Tem, citing her fresh perspective and deep experience in elected and administrative roles. Lynn Peterson shared about her 30-year residency in Lake Oswego and her previous experience as Metro Council President, Clackamas County Board Chair, and Secretary of the Washington Department of Transportation, stating her motto is "GSD" (Get Stuff Done) and expressed her intent to apply for the permanent City Manager position in the fall. Mayor Buck confirmed there was a consensus among the Councilors that the City should negotiate a contract with Peterson. He reiterated her experience, noting her effectiveness, compassion,focus on goals, and creative thinking. Councilor Afghan commented on Peterson's professional multi-agency network. Councilor Verdick thanked City Manager Pro Tern Phelan for doing an extraordinary job. 9. INFORMATION FROM COUNCIL City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 March 3, 2026 Mayor Buck announced that Councilor Rapf's resignation would be effective April 1, with a formal recognition on March 31. He also outlined a process to fill the vacancy with interviews occurring in May and the appointee serving through January 1, 2027. The remainder of the term would be filled in the November 2026 election. Councilor Afghan reported that the second half of the municipal grant process had begun. Councilor Corrigan highlighted a successful Lunar New Year event hosted by the Library and the Lakeridge AAPI club. 10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS There were none. 11. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Buck adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laural Hawkins, City Recorder Approved by the City Council on April 7, 2026. Joseph M. uck, Mayor City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 March 3, 2026