HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item - 2026-06-02 - Number 07.4 - Meeting Minutes 7.4
o�� os� COUNCIL REPORT
V —w 0
O
-EGO
�
Subject: Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: June 2, 2026 Staff Member: Laural Hawkins, City Recorder
Report Date: May 27, 2026 Department: City Manager's Office
Action Required Advisory Board/Commission Recommendation
❑X Motion ❑ Approval
❑ Public Hearing ❑ Denial
❑ Ordinance ❑ None Forwarded
❑ Resolution , ❑X Not Applicable
❑ Information Only Comments:
❑ Council Direction
❑X Consent Agenda
Staff Recommendation: Approve minutes as written.
Recommended Language for Motion: Move to approve minutes as written.
Project/ Issue Relates To: NA
Issue before Council (Highlight Policy Question):
❑Council Goals/Priorities ❑Adopted Master Plan(s) ❑X Not Applicable
ATTACHMENTS
1. March 31, 2026 draft regular meeting minutes
2. April 7, 2026 draft regular meeting minutes
3. April 21, 2026 draft regular meeting minutes
Respect. Excellence. Trust. Servic
503-635-0215 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
ATTACHMENT 1
� E Fo
JtL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
n MINUTES
March 31, 2026
OREGO'
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Buck called the regular City Council meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The meeting was held in-person in the Council Chamber at City Hall 380 A Avenue.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Buck; Councilors Corrigan, Mboup, Rapf, Verdick, Wendland
Excused: Councilor Afghan
Staff Present: City Manager Pro Tem Lynn Peterson, City Attorney Erica Tatoian, City Recorder
Laural Hawkins, ADA Program Manager Kelli Byrd, Public Works Director Erica
Rooney, Community Development Director Jessica Numanoglu, Management and
Program Analyst Teo Ramirez, Deputy City Manager Madison Thesing, Parks and
Recreation Director Jeff Munro, Park Analyst/Project Manager Kyra Haggart
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Councilor Rapf Farewell
Mayor Buck led a farewell presentation for Councilor Rapf, describing Councilor Rapf as an effective and
persuasive leader who remained true to his values and ethical compass rather than political popularity.
He highlighted Councilor Rapf's work with the International Fugitive Task Force and his connection to
local families through Lakeridge Middle School, and credited Councilor Rapf for speaking out against the
not in my backyard (NIMBY) mentality. In tribute to Councilor Rapf, he also shared two acronyms
learned at the National League of Cities, STP for the Same Ten People and CAVE for Citizens Against
Virtually Everything.
Councilor Rapf expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, emphasizing that Councilors should
look beyond the vocal minority to consider the silent majority who may be hesitant to engage in
government.
Councilor Mboup praised Councilor Rapf's blunt honesty and their shared love of football, noting that
while they often sat on opposite sides of the political aisle,they remained close friends. Councilors
Wendland,Verdick, and Corrigan each offered remarks thanking Councilor Rapf for his principled
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
March 31, 2026
leadership and commitment to the City.
Mayor Buck also presented a Distinguished Service Award to Administrative Assistant Kim Ono, noting
Ms. Ono was a tremendous ambassador who built public trust, and coordinated numerous student field
trips to City Hall and other departments to ensure young residents felt valued and connected to the City.
4.2 Proclamation—Arbor Month
Mayor Buck proclaimed April 2026 as Arbor Month, noting that Lake Oswego has been recognized as a
Tree City USA for 37 years. He encouraged residents to participate in upcoming workshops organized by
the City's Planning and Parks Departments,the Sustainability Advisory Board, and the Friends of Tryon
Creek.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
• Elliott Dale, Down Syndrome Network Oregon (DSNO), invited the community to the 25th
Anniversary Buddy Walk on September 20, 2026, at Millennium Plaza Park and announced
that Chris Nikic,the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon,
would be the keynote speaker.
• Stephanie Hallock, President, Friends of Luscher Farm, expressed disappointment regarding
the funding plan for the Willamette River Greenway Trail. She asked that Council reserve the
remaining$500,000 in Metro Local Share dollars specifically for upgrades to the Luscher
Farm driveway and parking lot, rather than redirecting those funds to other park projects.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
6.1 Resolution 2026-15, Declaring a Vacancy on the City Council
6.2 Approval of Facility Use Agreement Renewal for BOOKtique at City Hall
6.3 Adoption of the 2026 City Council Preferred Future,Goals,and Initiatives
Councilor Rapf 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 Corrigan, Mboup, Rapf,
Verdick, and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0).
7. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
No items were removed from the Consent Agenda.
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 2025 ADA Progress Report
Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) Program Manager Byrd presented the City's ADA Self- Evaluation
and Transition Plan project annual update, highlighting the construction of over 9,000 feet of ADA-
compliant sidewalks and 62 curb ramps. She detailed departmental accomplishments, including 60
hybrid Library programs and the arrival of an ADA-accessible bookmobile, accessible improvements at
the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center(LORAC) and Rassekh Park,the integration of Text-to-
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
March 31, 2026
911, and the issuance of 292 parking enforcement actions.
Councilor Corrigan expressed appreciation for the pathway crossing Upper Drive and Lake Grove and
inquired about the budget for the ADA improvements. City Engineer Rooney clarified that while the City
sets aside $750,000 annually for ADA ramps,the total spend often reaches$1.5 million when
incorporated into larger paving projects.
Mayor Buck confirmed with Staff that the City's most common inquiries are about ADA parking on
private property where the City does not have jurisdiction. He also asked for information on website
accessibility for the new City website.Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) Program Manager Byrd
explained the City had until 2027 to implement the newest website accessibility standards and the focus
would be on ensuring PDF documents could be read by screen readers.
Councilors and Staff discussed public outreach related to the importance of keeping new sidewalks clear
of garbage carts and mailboxes to prevent blocking pedestrian access.
Councilor Wendland confirmed with Staff that the City identified 2,280 ramps that needed ADA
improvements and that all of the pedestrian improvements made over the last three or four years have
been ADA compliant.
8.2 Resolution 26-09, Economic Development Council Subcommittee
Community Development Director Numanoglu introduced Megan Braunsten as the new
Redevelopment and Economic Development Program Manager and presented the Staff report on the
Resolution to form an ad hoc subcommittee of the Economic Development Council that would assist
Staff with finalizing the draft amendments to the 2022 Economic Development Plan.
Councilor Wendland moved to adopt Resolution 26-09. Councilor Verdick seconded the motion. A
voice vote was held, and the motion passed,with Mayor Buck and Councilors Corrigan, Mboup, Rapf,
Verdick,and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0).
8.3 Resolution 26-19, Community Grants Awards and Recommendations
Management and Program Analyst Ramirez presented the Staff report on the Municipal Grant
Awardees for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Spring funding recommendations and program updates, requesting
that the Council approve the Spring FY 2025-26 grant award recommendations totaling$20,456 and
provide direction on targeted program updates following the first year of implementation.
Recommended awards included:
• Kiwanis Club: $5,000 for basic needs.
• Friends of the Library: $2,340 for a Lake Oswego Reads speaker.
• Transitional Shelter Ministry: $1,558 for apartment repairs.
• Reborn Bikes: $1,558 for bicycles, safety gear, and bike education.
• DSNO: $10,000 for the Buddy Walk.
• Recommended program updates included a staggered annual cycle opening City Council grants in
the spring and social service grants in the fall,tightening application and accountability
requirements, and a closed sponsorship pathway for mature initiatives that have reached the three-
year grant limit.
Mayor Buck asked for clarification on the application timeline. Deputy City Manager Thesing explained
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
March 31, 2026
that the rolling application model was an experiment designed to allow community initiatives to emerge
organically throughout the year. However, in practice,the model proved cumbersome and time-
intensive because most organizations still applied around specific deadlines that did not necessarily align
with the City's fiscal year, requiring the Subcommittee to hold back funds in anticipation of future
requests. Management and Program Analyst Ramirez added that the recommended staggered
application cycle would provide clearer administrative separation and place award decisions closer to
the start of each funding cycle.
Mayor Buck inquired about the City fee waiver approval process. Deputy City Manager Thesing
responded that departments historically exercised independent authority to waive fees, which often
resulted in fragmented support across multiple departments.The proposed sponsorship pathway for
graduating initiatives would consolidate all City support, including cash awards,fee waivers, and
marketing assistance, into a single agreement for Council approval. Mayor Buck observed that some
community organizations essentially run public events on behalf of the City and expressed concern that
these groups frequently receive large bills for park usage despite providing a public benefit. He
advocated for establishing clear criteria to distinguish these favors to the City from private facility uses,
such as weddings. Management and Program Analyst Ramirez clarified that Staff is currently
developing a cohesive approach to ensure the grant process aligns with a broader citywide sponsorship
policy.
Councilor Corrigan emphasized the importance of keeping the process accessible for organic community
groups rather than professional people who are more experienced in grant-seeking. He also expressed
concern that the current application timeline might prevent groups from spending funds during certain
months of the year. Community events occur year-round and internal accounting or reporting deadlines
should not dictate when organizations are permitted to spend grant funds. He described the current
model as the tail wagging the dog and urged the City to adopt a mindset that accommodates a full 12-
month spending cycle.
Deputy City Manager Thesing acknowledged that existing model was strictly tied to the fiscal year and
agreed that Staff would work with the Finance Department to explore more dynamic solutions, such as a
biennial cycle, to better serve the community.
City Manager Pro Tem Peterson confirmed the Council's direction, calling for a simplified, once-a-year
application process, emphasizing that the new process should allow for year-round spending without
mid-year endpoints, ensuring that the City's fiscal requirements do not create unnecessary barriers for
applicants.
Mayor Buck clarified that while Staff would return with these programmatic refinements, the
immediate resolution was to approve the$20,456 in awards for the current spring cycle.
Councilor Verdick moved to adopt Resolution 26-19.Councilor Corrigan seconded the motion.A voice
vote was held, and the motion passed,with Mayor Buck and Councilors Corrigan, Mboup, Rapf,
Verdick,and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0).
8.4 Willamette River Greenway Trail Funding Plan
Park Analyst/Project Manager Haggart presented the Staff report on the Willamette River Greenway
Trail Funding Plan, project timeline, community engagement, and next steps, proposing$1.76 million to
complete the final 870-foot gap in the Willamette River Greenway Trail. The plan utilizes $1.14 million in
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
March 31, 2026
Metro Local Share dollars, requiring a reallocation of$500,000 originally intended for Luscher Farm due
to the Luscher Farm improvements being deferred pending a complex land use process with Clackamas
County.
Mayor Buck noted that because the City had condemned several private properties to secure the
necessary easements, it was imperative to move forward with construction rather than allowing the
land to sit idle. He inquired about the status of the $2 million in Metro Local Share funds and whether
any other projects had already utilized a portion of that allocation. Park Analyst Program Manager
Haggart clarified that the Greenway Trail is the first project to reach the intergovernmental agreement
(IGA) stage with Metro. She also identified the Luscher Farm driveway and the West Waluga
neighborhood connector trail as the other two projects currently included in the funding bucket.
In response to Mayor Buck's question regarding potential deadlines for the remaining funds, Park
Analyst Program Manager Haggart explained that while Metro has not set a hard deadline, they
established a goal for all jurisdictions to sign their first IGA by June 2026 to facilitate the expenditure of
bond dollars. She stated that the City intends to move forward as quickly as possible to ensure the
remaining funds are secured for future projects.
Mayor Buck emphasized the importance of preserving the remaining$500,000 for Luscher Farm as
planned and requested that Staff coordinate a completion ceremony.
Councilor Mboup expressed support for Luscher Farm and noted that having team members with deep
experience working with Metro would be an asset during the IGA process.
Councilor Verdick thanked Staff for their creativity in filling the funding gap, noting that former City
Manager Doug Schmidtz had originally worked on the property acquisitions and was eager to see the
project finally completed.
Councilor Wendland discussed the complexities of local government coordination, acknowledging the
frustration of neighborhood groups regarding long project timelines. He maintained that the City must
successfully incorporate Luscher Farm into city boundaries to gain more effective operational control.
Budget trade-offs are a reality of municipal management, and the need for additional funding was an
example of why some projects on the list, like the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center(LORAC)
remain unfinished. He also commended Staff for completing the trail this year, highlighting that the path
provides a critical safety connection for pedestrians and cyclists traveling toward West Linn and Oregon
City.
Councilor Wendland moved to approve the funding plan for the Willamette River Greenway Trail
Project. Councilor Verdick seconded the motion.A voice vote was held,and the motion passed,with
Mayor Buck and Councilors Corrigan, Mboup, Rapf,Verdick,and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0).
9. INFORMATION FROM COUNCIL
Mayor Buck and Councilor Mboup shared highlights from the National League of Cities conference in
Washington, D.C., noting the impressive performance of the student Youth Council delegation.
10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
City Manager Pro Tern Peterson thanked the Mayor and Council for a productive first two and a half
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
March 31, 2026
weeks in her new role and expressed gratitude for the service of Councilor Rapf and the dedication of
Administrative Assistant Kim Ono, noting that while Ms. Ono is irreplaceable,the City will begin the
process of finding a successor to maintain that high level of public service. She also commended Deputy
City Manager Thesing and Management& Program Analyst Ramirez for their work in refining the
community grants process to better serve both the Council and community partners. She reported
requesting additional details on risk management from Staff to guide Council as the Willamette River
Greenway project moves forward. She noted plans to tour Luscher Farm with Stephanie Hallock to
receive a full update on the site's status.Addressing safety concerns in the McVey Stafford corridor,the
City has three planned Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects for the area, starting with an enhanced
crosswalk at the Lakewood crossing. She recommended that these projects be coordinated and
presented to the community as a single corridor improvement to effectively address access
management and increase safety, noting that the current project timelines are appropriate, so Council
should maintain the established schedule.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Attorney Tatoian read the statutory basis for the Executive Session.
Mayor Buck adjourned the broadcast portion of the meeting at 4:32 p.m. and the Executive Session was
convened under ORS 192.660(2)(h)to consult with an attorney regarding legal rights and duties of a
public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed, and (f) consider records that
are exempt by law from public inspection.
The City Council moved into the Council Workroom to convene the Executive Session.
The Executive Session was held from 4:47 to 6:50 p.m.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Buck adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laural Hawkins, City Recorder
Approved by the City Council on June 2, 2026.
Joseph M. Buck, Mayor
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
March 31, 2026
ATTACHMENT 2
� E Fo
JtL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
n MINUTES
April 7,2026
OREGO�
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Buck called the regular City Council meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. on Tuesday,April 7, 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
Staff Present: City Manager Pro Tem Lynn Peterson, City Attorney Erica Tatoian, City Recorder
Laural Hawkins, Acting City Manager Megan Phelan, Deputy City Manager Madison
Thesing, LOPD Chief George Burke, LOPD Captain Clayton Simon
Others Present: Grant O'Connell and John Serra,TriMet
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Proclamation—Arab American Heritage Month
Mayor Buck proclaimed April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month, celebrating the contributions of
Arab Americans to the community and country. He acknowledged Councilor Afghan as the first Arab
American to serve on the Lake Oswego City Council, noting that such leadership reflects the importance
of diverse representation.
The Council proceeded to Item 5. Public Comments at this time.
4.2 Presentation—TriMet Regional Update
This presentation was given immediately following Item 5. Public Comments.
John Serra, Local Government Affairs Manager,TriMet, and Grant O'Connell, Manager of Service
Planning and Development,TriMet, presented an update via PowerPoint on the agency's budget and
proposed service reductions, reporting that TriMet faces a minimum $300 million budget deficit by 2028
due to declining fair revenue, inflation, and high office vacancy rates in downtown Portland.To balance
the budget,TriMet plans to cut$93 million in administration and reduce service by 10%,totaling$159
million, by July 1, 2028. Details of the proposed network changes for Lake Oswego were presented.
Development of the network changes integrated a technical evaluation rubric with feedback from over
4,800 community respondents to identify efficiency-oriented strategies that maximize budget savings
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7
April 7, 2026
while minimizing harm to ridership. Key changes proposed included:
• Combining Line 37 and Line 96 to create a one-seat ride from the Tualatin Park and Ride through
Lake Grove to downtown Portland, utilizing the Boones Ferry streetscape improvements.
• Line 38:Truncating the Multnomah County portion and merging the remainder with Line 97 to
connect Barbur Transit Center to employment centers in Tualatin and Sherwood.
• Eliminating Line 153, which serves McVey and Stafford, due to low ridership, averaging only two
rides per hour, and a high subsidy cost of$76 per ride.
• The proposed network changes built upon the Forward Together project, which utilized a clean slate
approach to redesign the regional transit map.This strategy aimed to move away from the old
paradigm of a five-day-a-week commute to downtown Portland, instead reorienting service toward
cross-town trips and warehousing or distribution centers where in-person work remains prevalent.
As part of the development process,TriMet conducted a required Title VI impact analysis to identify
potential disproportionate burdens on low-income or minority populations.This analysis concluded
that the total proposal did not result in any disparate impacts to the affected communities.
Mr. O'Connell responded to Mayor Buck's inquiry regarding frequency of the combined lines, stating the
new Line 96 would offer five trips per peak period compared to the three trips currently offered by Line
37.
Mayor Buck expressed concern about the impact on people who depended on TriMet's service. Mr.
Serra confirmed that TriMet was working directly with riders and noted that other ride services were
available in the area.
Councilor Mboup inquired about the specific annual dollar amount of payroll tax collected from Lake
Oswego businesses compared to the actual cost of transit services provided to the City. When
businesses pay into the system,they expect a corresponding level of service,yet Lake Oswego remains
very poorly served,which represents a fundamental lack of fairness.While the State must serve
marginalized areas, Lake Oswego should not be neglected, particularly given its aging population's need
for transit and the City's goal to become a Green city by reducing car dependency. He suggested the City
might be better served by reclaiming a portion of those tax funds to operate its own internal shuttle
system.
Mr.Serra committed to researching the specific payroll tax figures for the City but clarified that the
value of the system includes access to the entire regional network, not just the minutes a bus spends
within Lake Oswego city limits. Mr. O'Connell added that extremely high subsidies, such as the $76 per
ride cost for Line 153, are difficult to justify against the opportunity cost of serving areas with higher
ridership and more significant needs.
Mayor Buck observed a growing mismatch between the entities paying for the system and how the
system is actually used in a decentralized, post-pandemic environment. He characterized transit as a
public good that is currently paid for via a narrow, work-based business tax,which creates constant
political and systemic conflict, and expressed a willingness to support a broader-based funding model to
move away from the commute-based tax system that no longer reflects reality. Mr. Serra responded
that TriMet is currently working with a State task force and a coalition of partners to identify more
sustainable and equitable funding opportunities for the 2027 legislative session.
Councilor Afghan confirmed that none of the frequent service lines would be eliminated and asked how
the elimination of other lines would impact equity for service workers and those living in accessory
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7
April 7, 2026
dwelling units (ADUs). Mr. Serra responded that TriMet's focus was on harming the fewest number of
people regardless of location.
Mr. O'Connell confirmed for Councilor Afghan that TriMet had considered land use boundaries,job
centers, and population centers, explaining that TriMet's Forward Together plan utilized a clean slate
approach to reorient the map toward new travel paradigms, but the agency is now forced to work
toward lower budget targets because pre-pandemic ridership levels cannot be recaptured.
Councilor Wendland questioned whether changing existing routes was the best way to serve the metro
area. He suggested TriMet explore new ideas, such as shorter buses or private-sector coach models like
those used by Google or Facebook in San Francisco, to attract new riders and revenue. Mr. Serra stated
TriMet was exploring opportunities and innovations with a wide lens. Additionally, a regional transit
market research study was done to identify service gaps.
Mayor Buck commented that regional transit needs have been changing for some time and agreed that
the transit system needed real structural changes.
The Council proceeded to Item 6. Consent Calendar at this time.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
This item was addressed immediately following Item 4.1 Proclamation—Arab American Heritage Month
• Chris Durkee and Carrie Love provided an update on the South Shore Fire Station Bond
Measure 36-35, and reported that the voter pamphlet features a record-breaking 118
individual names in favor of the project and no opposing arguments. Outreach efforts,
including mailers and student art contests, are focusing on response reliability and
firefighter safety as the May election approaches.
The Council returned to Item 4.2 Presentation—TriMet Regional Update at this time.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
This item was addressed immediately following Item 4.2 Presentation—TriMet Regional Update.
6.1 Resolution 26-17,Approving an IGA with Clackamas County for Police Overtime
Reimbursement for Regional Retail Theft Missions
6.2 Approval of Meeting Minutes
• February 3, 2026 Draft Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 6, 2026 Draft Special Meeting Minutes
• February 17, 2026 Draft Regular Meeting Minutes
• February 21, 2026 Draft Goal Setting Retreat Minutes
• March 3, 2026 Draft Regular Meeting Minutes
• March 10, 2026 Draft Special Meeting Minutes
Councilor Corrigan moved to adopt the Consent Agenda. Councilor Afghan seconded the motion.A
voice vote was held, and the motion passed,with Mayor Buck and Councilors Afghan, Corrigan,
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7
April 7, 2026
Mboup,Verdick, and Wendland voting'aye', (6-0).
7. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
No items were removed from the Consent Agenda.
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 Council Goal Work Plans
Megan Phelan,Acting City Manager, presented work plans for the 22 initiatives adopted under the
2026 Council goals, noting that 14 of the initiatives are carried over from the previous year.
Mayor Buck highlighted the initiative to explore partnerships for affordable housing subsidies for
children.Acting City Manager Phelan confirmed that Staff plans to reassess the situation by holding a
follow-up meeting with stakeholders from the County,School District, and local housing providers.
Councilor Corrigan moved to approve the work plans for the 2026 City Council goals and initiatives.
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).
Acting City Manager Phelan stated Staff would provide quarterly updates on completion of the
initiatives.
8.2 2025 LOPD Annual Report
Police Chief George Burke and Captain Clayton Simon presented the state of the Lake Oswego Police
Department(LOPD)via PowerPoint, expressing pride in the organization and noting that community
survey results reflected high satisfaction with police services. Regarding the Department's organizational
strength, LOCOM,the regional communications center, is now fully staffed and trained to provide 24-
hour service. However,the sworn police Department currently manages two vacant positions and three
additional leaves of absence, which necessitated the temporary withdrawal of specialty units, including
School Resource Officers (SROs) and the Transit Police partnership, to ensure adequate coverage in
patrol districts. Recruitment efforts focused on hiring lateral officers through incentives in the collective
bargaining agreement, and four candidates were currently in the hiring process to address anticipated
vacancies from retirements.A review of 2025 operational data reported an 11%decrease in Part 1
crimes and an 18% decrease in burglaries, while Part 2 crimes, including thefts and frauds, increased by
15%. Stolen vehicles decreased by 23%, and officers saw a 223% increase in stolen vehicle recoveries.
Additionally,the first full year of the Department's drone program utilized nine pilots and four
operational drones for 41 deployments, resulting in the location of 14 suspects. Regarding traffic safety,
there was a 3.7% increase in cited violations. Staff also outlined the "Three E" philosophy of Education,
Enforcement, and Engineering.This approach included neighborhood safety presentations, high-visibility
enforcement grants for distracted or impaired driving and sharing crash data with traffic engineers to
identify infrastructure hot spots.The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) evaluated over 6,600
LOPD traffic stops and found no statistical disparities in the decision to stop, search, or the final
disposition. Use of force, force, or the display of force occurred in less than one quarter of one percent
of all police incidents, a 6.5%decrease from the previous year. Injuries are rare and typically consist of
superficial scrapes or bruises, with the most significant 2025 injury involving a K9 bite to a suspect who
attempted to ram police vehicles in a stolen car. On behavioral health,the Department's specialist and
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7
April 7, 2026
case manager saw an 88% increase in responses alongside Staff and an 82% increase in independent
responses. Lastly,there were zero fatal overdoses in the city in 2025,though non-fatal overdoses
increased by 92%.
Police Chief Burke and Captain Simon addressed Councilor questions as follows:
• Traffic enforcement numbers would not have decreased over the last few years if the Department
had two full-time traffic officers on Staff.
• The Council supports the Department by making positive comments,which are forwarded to
officers.
• Failures to renew vehicle registrations are addressed with Fix It [1:35:57] tickets, and there were
higher numbers this year simply due to increased enforcement.
• The threshold for reporting use of force injuries is low because the State defines physical injury as
substantial pain and protracted disfigurement.The likelihood of an injury increases when someone
needs to be taken into custody quickly,there are more people at the site of an incident, and as
officers get older.
• While traffic stop data is anonymous, officers capture zip codes in the CAD system,which helps
identify passthrough traffic trends for the communications team. However, more data might be
available from CJC.
• While the numbers were good overall,there was still plenty of activity in Lake Oswego for the
Department to retain Staff. Partnerships and taskforces give officers exposure to a variety of work,
helping to educate,train, and provide opportunities for officers to rotate positions. Additionally,the
officers are committed to working in a community with so much to offer.
• Most self-initiated activity related to traffic stops is conducted by the traffic unit and traffic stops are
much easier on a bike.Additionally, bikes are significantly more effective at speed enforcement than
patrol cars because they can easily remain visible in varied terrain. However, a lot of the patrol cars
now have moving radars.
• The Department was working with the School District to eliminate e-bikes at the schools where e-
bikes are prohibited by age, with a focus on education rather than citations, as well as participating
in a legislative workgroup to guide State policies,which are currently overly complicated. Local
ordinances could address some of the e-bike issues.
• All behavioral health issues are reported even if the behavioral health unit is not present and
officers are trained to recognize when behavioral health components are the underlying causes of
an offense.
Councilor Verdick encouraged the Department to prioritize traffic enforcement and education, as
residents commonly complain about a lack of adequate traffic enforcement.
Councilor Afghan advocated for a full-time behavioral health specialist that is not shared with other
jurisdictions when there are enough cases to justify the position. He also expressed pride in the
Department and commented on the officers' professionalism.
Councilor Mboup commented on the lack of complaints about the Department and the community's
desire for increased traffic enforcement. He also supported additional mental health specialists.
Councilor Wendland suggested tracking the traffic violations of residents and visitors separately to
better inform educational campaigns. Additionally, he was glad to see that hard drugs were trending
down and were no longer an issue.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7
April 7, 2026
Mayor Buck emphasized the importance of neighborhood enforcement to support safe pathways and
school routes, noting that data on arterial versus residential citations would be helpful for future policy
discussions. He also expressed concern about the impact of e-bike law enforcement on teen driving
records and spoke about the challenges created by a lack of State funding for educating the public and
enforcing e-bike laws.
8.3 2026 City Council Vacancy—Application and Selection Process
Madison Thesing, Deputy City Manager, outlined the process to fill the vacancy created by Councilor
Rapf's resignation and proposed three core evaluation criteria: related leadership experience,the ability
to prioritize a twice-monthly commitment plus special sessions, and productive team collaboration. The
proposed timeline includes opening applications for two weeks, conducting interviews on May 5, and
swearing in the new Councilor by June 2. She confirmed the application duration was a choice made to
expedite the process and was not legally mandated.
Councilor Afghan suggested the criteria include the requirement for the Councilor to serve as a liaison
on other boards and commissions.
Councilor Wendland suggested the City prioritize transparency by inviting a specific number of top-
ranked candidates for interviews rather than leaving the short-list recommendation solely to the Mayor.
Deputy City Manager Thesing responded that if the City only received a handful of applications,the
Council could interview all of the candidates. Staff wanted to avoid sharing the names of all applicants
and their rankings. She agreed to refine the process but noted each interview would take about 40
minutes.
Deputy City Manager Thesing confirmed the position would be advertised on Friday.
9. INFORMATION FROM COUNCIL
Councilor Afghan clarified that he is Iranian American, not Arab American, as stated during the Arab
American Heritage Month proclamation.
Councilor Mboup remarked on the recent Artemis mission, noting that the unprecedented and beautiful
images of the moon provided a welcome reprieve from negative world news, stating that witnessing
America's progress in science and exploration helped alleviate his anxiety regarding global conflicts and
political hostility. He stated society should focus its energy on scientific advancement rather than
fighting wars, expressing his firm opposition to war in favor of a more optimistic and exploratory future.
10. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
Lynn Peterson, City Manager Pro Tern, invited the Council to a wildfire presentation on May 7 and
noted an upcoming partial evacuation drill at an assisted living facility.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Buck adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:44 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7
April 7, 2026
Respectfully submitted,
Laural Hawkins, City Recorder
Approved by the City Council on June 2, 2026.
Joseph M. Buck, Mayor
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7
April 7, 2026
ATTACHMENT 3
� E Fo
JtL CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
n MINUTES
April 21,2026
OREGO�
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Buck called the regular City Council meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. on Tuesday,April 21, 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
Staff Present: City Manager Pro Tem Lynn Peterson; City Recorder Laural Hawkins; LOFD Fire Chief
Don Johnson; LOFD Prevention and Education Paramedic Nate Sigler; and Long
Range Planning Manager Erik Olson
Others Present: Judith Hathaway and KarenAlice Jones, Lake Oswego Meals on Wheels;Jason Graf,
First Forty Feet
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Proclamation—Public Service Recognition Week
Mayor Buck proclaimed the first week of May 2026 as Public Service Recognition Week, acknowledging
the dedication of City employees in maintaining the community's quality of life.
4.2 Presentation—Meals on Wheels
KarenAlice Jones and Judy Hathaway, Co-Chairs, Lake Oswego Meals on Wheels, presented a check to
the City for$19,867 to cover the program's current deficit and reported that the program served over
25,000 meals in the past 12 months, noting that while food and personnel costs have risen from $2.69
per meal in 2025 to $4.29 in 2026, revenues from the Older Americans Act have decreased.
Mayor Buck thanked Meals on Wheels for providing a critical lifeline to homebound residents and
maintaining the community gathering space at the Adult Community Center.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
April 21, 2026
• Ryan Roberts,Schwabe Williamson &Wyatt, representing Public Storage, addressed the
Foothills District Plan (Item 6.2), stated that if the City modifies the Public Storage access
between Avenues D and E, it would be considered a taking potentially valued at tens of
millions of dollars due to the facility's high profitability. He requested a collaborative
approach with City planners, noting they had been excluded from previous engagement
efforts.
• Lisa Adatto, Co-founder, Lake Oswego Sustainability Network(LOSN), supported the draft
Foothills vision and guiding principles. She invited Councilors to a clean energy presentation
at the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center(LORAC) on June 8, featuring experts
from the Oregon Department of Energy to discuss making Foothills a clean energy district.
6. STUDY SESSION
6.1 Senior Facilities Prevention and Education Paramedic Grant Update
LOFD Fire Chief Johnson and Senior Facilities Prevention and Education Paramedic Sigler presented an
update on the two-year State grant pilot project aimed at enhancing safety and preparedness within
senior care facilities.The program originated from discussions regarding high call volumes at these
facilities. While other jurisdictions enacted bed taxes or ordinances, Lake Oswego chose to focus on Staff
training and call reduction.The Fire Department responds to approximately 5,000 calls annually, with
25%of the 3,600 emergency medical services(EMS) calls originating directly from the City's senior care
facilities. Lake Oswego was one of only four agencies in Oregon to receive the grant funding, which
aligns with City Council goals to increase preparedness for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Details were provided about the program's first-year focus on building foundations, relationships,
and systems across the City's seven licensed care facilities.The initiative involved direct outreach,
site visits, and hands-on training in areas such as lift assists, CPR, and fire response.To support these
efforts,the Department purchased and distributed Samson straps,the same lifting devices used by
fire crews,to each facility to standardize lift assist procedures, lift assist calls at licensed facilities
decreased from six to ten per month to an average of one per month following the implementation
of the training and tools.The program's impact was also evident during a fire at Greenidge Estates
on February 23, 2026. By the time Westlake Fire Station 210 arrived, Staff had successfully
evacuated all residents and marked every interior door with a large X, allowing fire crews to focus
solely on mitigating the hazard. Without the evacuation drill performed at the facility three months
prior, the incident could have resulted in a less desirable outcome.The Department conducted an
after-action review with facility staff to address gaps in accountability and communication.
• The next phase of the program was outlined, including advanced scenario-based training, data
tracking, and a full-scale evacuation exercise scheduled for May 7 at The Stafford, involving Police,
Fire, and the Emergency Operations Center(EOC). Additionally,the 911 utilization report would
serve as a report card for each facility to help them track patient counts,transport rates, and
specific call types, such as falls.
• The program is moving toward a community risk reduction model that integrates with wildland-
urban interface safety efforts and expands outreach to vulnerable residents in private homes and
independent living. Staff expressed a commitment to exploring sustainable funding to maintain the
proactive model rather than returning to a reactive response.
LOFD Staff responded to Councilor questions as follows:
• The two-year grant started January 1, 2025 and all program data must be submitted by the end of
2026. Upon termination of the grant,the Department would return to the reactive model. Low
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6
April 21, 2026
acuity calls are expected to increase and preparedness at the facilities is expected to decrease.
• The grant was a result of litigation between the Oregon Healthcare Association (OHA) and the City of
McMinnville regarding facility fines and forfeitures.
• The rules governing facilities are vague and it is easy for facilities to rely on emergency services.
Therefore, Staff has been working towards standardizing the facilities' emergency plans.
Additionally,facilities have high staff turnover rates, which requires constant training of new hires.
• The grant funding totaled $288,000.To continue the program without additional grant funding, the
Department would need a fully loaded and benefited firefighter at the same level as Senior Facilities
Prevention and Education Paramedic Sigler, which would cost about$190,000 a year. Equipment
would also need to be purchased.
• The grant program is limited to licensed assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities.
However, beyond that, the Department proposed to partner with the Fire Marshall's Office to offer
community outreach events. Additionally, LOFD Staff planned to participate in an upcoming health
fair and an emergency preparedness fair.
• The grant program has resulted in 100 fewer calls per year and reduced wear and tear on fire
engines, as well as patients experiencing fewer trips to the hospital and less occurrences of being
returned to a hospital after being released. OHA is helping the grant recipients quantify how much
the program has saved each participating City.
• Outside of the grant, unlicensed low-income residential facilities like Hollyfield Village and Oakridge
could be included in an expanded version of the program.
Councilors expressed support for the program and committed to find funding to continue and expand
the program after the grant expires.
Mayor Buck suggested developing an advocacy agenda at the State level to ensure private corporations
are not subsidized for basic care while the City focuses resources on vulnerable residents in non-licensed
housing.
6.2 Foothills District Plan Update (PP25-0005):Vision and Guiding Principles
Long Range Planning Manager Olson and Jason Graph, First Forty Feet, presented via PowerPoint the
overarching vision and guiding principles for the Foothills District Plan Update, noting that while the
Foothills neighborhood encompasses approximately 120 acres,the developable area is roughly 16 acres.
Future conversations would need to address the realistic scale of development and the actual tax
increment generated from a potential urban renewal district given these size limitations.The project's
progress was reviewed, as well as the public engagement conducted since January, including an
interactive story map website with 50 responses, a February open house at the Adult Community
Center, and visioning exercises with the Community Advisory Committee (CAC),technical advisory
committee, and youth groups.The schedule was outlined with the project now transitioning from the
Opportunities and Challenges Phase into the Development of Initial Concepts in May, with a Draft
Framework Plan anticipated in the fall and a final plan for consideration in January 2027.
• Development of the draft vision and six guiding principles built upon the 2012 Plan while reflecting
the current community context. Core values heard during engagement included maintaining a
public-facing waterfront, establishing the next great residential neighborhood between downtown
and the river, and ensuring development feels distinctly Lake Oswego in its shape and density.The
community's non-negotiables included permanent public access to the riverfront and Foothills Park,
high-quality design, and central community benefit.The desired identity for the district is a blend of
nature and urban life that balances activity with calm.This identity included reclaiming the tree
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6
April 21, 2026
canopy, providing multimodal options beyond auto-centric travel, and avoiding over-
commercialization with national chains. Several trade-offs were inherent in the Plan, such as
balancing growth with congestion concerns and weighing economic vitality against the need for
housing affordability.The draft vision statement characterizes the district as the City's greatest
opportunity for a significant riverfront presence that knits together downtown,Tryon Creek, Old
Town, and the Willamette River.The statement describes a welcoming, inclusive neighborhood with
diverse housing options rooted in sustainability and long-term adaptability.The project team would
seek CAC approval of the vision statement on May 12, 2026.
Councilors provided feedback on the vision statement via the Mentimeter mobile application about
clarifying the definition of multimodal access, protecting the aesthetic from the top of the hill looking
down at Foothills, use of the term "neighborhood" which implied exclusive residential use, and ensuring
pedestrian access between downtown and Foothills.
Mayor Buck also noted that in order to bring people into the district, it must be complementary and
additive to downtown rather than a duplication that dilutes existing commercial activity. However, he
recognized that the river provided an opportunity for an active recreational component with retail that
supports the recreation, which is unique to the district.
Councilor Wendland identified the need to balance the public's desire for more recreation with the
Council's goal to add more housing in the district, and suggested the Plan define what type of housing
Council was prioritizing.
Mr. Graph continued the presentation, reviewing the six guiding principles, which were built from the
2012 Plan but address today's conditions.The principles were designed to shape the future design,
policies, and regulations of the 120-acre district, balancing economic development with quality of life.
Principles included creating a walkable mixed-use waterfront, balancing development with the
environment, connecting downtown to the waterfront, supporting an inclusive and economically vital
community, integrating sustainability and climate resilience, and planning for adaptability over time.
During the presentation, Councilors provided feedback on the six guiding principles, indicating that the
economic and commercial areas in the district should be unique and complementary to downtown;the
phrase regarding small town character could be too constricting and should be more general; that more
should be added regarding the aesthetics and sustainability of the district; and a need to draw
pedestrians to the water from downtown. Mr.Graph explained that the grand connection linear
amenity connecting downtown to the waterfront would be essential for creating development value by
visually and physically linking downtown to the water. Councilor Verdick advised against allowing the
neighborhood in the middle to block people from coming all the way through the district. She agreed
the area should feel unique and not like every other area.
Councilors also discussed the need for a certain amount of density in order to fund infrastructure and
provide the desired amenities. The principles should clarify that small town was not referring to small
cottages, nor was it referring to 15 story buildings, but should give people a realistic idea of how much
density to expect. Councilors expressed concern about the sustainability principles giving the impression
that Lake Oswego was too expensive to invest in. Mayor Buck suggested the principles specifically call
out how the development relates to downtown and that similar principles be combined. Councilor
Wendland believed the mixed-used waterfront should be defined more directly and the principle on an
economically vital community sounded more like a vision statement. He suggested the addition of
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
April 21, 2026
residential housing be included in the principles because Lake Oswego needs a mix of housing types.
Funding sources, including possible Urban Renewal funding, was also discussed briefly.
Mr. Graph confirmed the next step was to look at access points, internal street network, and
development area scenarios in June, which would inform future planning phases and decisions around
density and funding opportunities, and he explained how each phase of the planning would get more
detailed as the project progressed.
Long Range Planning Manager Olson stated that conceptual alternatives would be presented in May,
schematics would be presented in July, and a draft framework plan would be presented in the fall.The
presentations would also be given to the CAC and Planning Commission.
7. INFORMATION FROM COUNCIL
Councilor Corrigan reported that the City's water plant is prepared for a potential super El Nino
summer, as its ozonation system protects against blue-green algae.
Councilor Verdick reported on upcoming Library activities and events.
Councilor Mboup reported on Parks and Recreation Staff's work on the Tree Code and a youth
leadership event where he learned about the success of Harmony Academy. He also encouraged
attendance at the Lake Run on May 2.
Councilor Wendland reported on the Lake Grove Wine Walk in May.
Mayor Buck reported on the Metro Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), his work on the new Supportive
Housing Services (SHS) oversight committee, and the Metro Policy Advisory Committee's (MPAC) land
bank project.
8. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
Lynn Peterson, City Manager Pro Tern, reported on multiple active water leaks and structural warping
at the Library, noting that Staff relocated the second-floor reference desk and computers to maintain
service. She committed to bringing a decision-making framework and timeline for Library site selection
to the Council in May.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Attorney Tatoian read the statutory basis for the Executive Session.
Mayor Buck adjourned the broadcast portion of the meeting at 5:25 p.m. and the Executive Session was
convened under ORS 192.660(2)(h)to consult with an attorney regarding legal rights and duties of a
public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed, and (f)to consider records that
are exempt by law from public inspection.
The City Council moved into the Council Workroom to convene the Executive Session.
The Executive Session was held from 5:34 to 6:18 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6
April 21, 2026
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Buck adjourned the City Council meeting at 6:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laural Hawkins, City Recorder
Approved by the City Council on June 2, 2026.
Joseph M. Buck, Mayor
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6
April 21, 2026