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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2026-06-15 CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO �A� Sustainability Advisory Board 0 Action Minutes GREGO June 15, 2026 Approved Call to Order/ Roll Call Co-chair Kara Orvieto called the June meeting of the Sustainability Advisory Board to order at 6:31pm, located at Lake Oswego Maintenance Center, 17601 Pilkington Rd. Members Present: Buzz Chandler (Co-Chair), Kara Orvieto (Co-Chair), Lisa Helfer, Isabela Hollingshead, Calixto Hearn, Rohan Sekar, Angelique Leonard (SAB Alternate), Mike Perham (SAB Alternate) Members Excused/Absent: Whitney Street, Mark Puhlman, Lisa Strader Staff: Mayor Joe Buck, Lynn Peterson (City Manager), Sara Stith (Sustainability Program Manager), Bill Youngblood (Sr Code Enforcement Specialist), Kelly Bowie (Code Enforcement Specialist), Lt. Mike Scott (Police Dept) Public: None. Introductions Co-chair Kara Orvieto and Sara Stith welcomed attendees and introductions were provided, including remarks from Lynn Peterson, City Manager Pro Tem. Approval of Minutes Buzz Chandler made a motion to approve the May 2026 meeting minutes with minor formatting changes. Isabella Hollingshead seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comment None. Regular Business A. City Council Update Mayor Joe Buck provided updates on recent and upcoming City Council activities. Topics included: • Appointment of Jackie Manz to fill the vacant City Council seat through the end of the calendar year, with the position appearing on the November ballot. • Renewal of the City's contract with Storm Landscaping, continuing use of all-electric landscaping equipment as part of the City's lead-by-example strategy. • Public engagement planning for the future of the public library, including formation of two task forces—one focused on the existing library site and one focused on City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes Page 1 of 4 June 15, 2026 evaluating future location opportunities and community priorities. Recruitment is expected to begin soon. Ongoing discussions include financing approaches and maintaining fiscal transparency related to future library planning efforts. • Upcoming City Council discussion on emerald ash borer(EAB) readiness and response planning. • Upcoming updates regarding the wastewater treatment plant project. Additional discussion included reflections on recent community conversations regarding thermal energy networks (TENs) and potential applicability in the Foothills area. Members noted interest in the concept while acknowledging significant questions remain regarding feasibility, ownership structure, implementation costs, long-term maintenance, floodplain considerations, and overall return on investment. B. Presentation: Code Enforcement& Police Perspectives on GPLE Enforcement Staff representatives from Code Enforcement and the Lake Oswego Police Department presented current enforcement practices and considerations for any future regulation related to gas-powered lawn equipment (GPLE). Discussion topics included: • Overview of the City's enforcement philosophy and process, emphasizing education, voluntary compliance, and advance outreach before formal enforcement action. • Existing enforcement pathways include notices of violation, administrative penalties, and limited use of municipal court citations. • Current staffing capacity and competing responsibilities across code enforcement and public safety functions. • Existing methods for communicating new requirements, including direct outreach, educational materials, website updates, and grace periods for implementation. • Current processes for handling noise complaints, including distinctions between daytime and after-hours response responsibilities. • Limitations of the existing noise ordinance, which relies on subjective determination and direct observation rather than measurable decibel thresholds. • Challenges associated with evidence collection, witness participation, and prosecuting complaints through formal processes. • Considerations regarding whether future regulations should focus on noise impacts or regulate specific equipment directly. • Potential unintended consequences and broader policy questions related to regulating one equipment category compared to other similar activities. • Equity considerations and importance of proactive education and implementation approaches that avoid disproportionate impacts for certain groups. • Discussion regarding homeowner responsibilities and opportunities to encourage contractor compliance through private agreements. • Examples from other jurisdictions, including online reporting tools, phased implementation, and education-focused initiatives. The Board emphasized the importance of setting realistic expectations for implementation and understanding how enforcement responsibilities align with policy goals. City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes Page 2 of 4 June 15, 2026 Additional discussion focused on regional coordination efforts, market trends already influencing equipment transition,and the role of SAB in developing recommendations, rather than ordinance language. The Board reaffirmed its goal of developing policy guidance for City Council and discussed framing recommendations as a menu of options, including education, incentives, regional coordination, implementation pathways, and enforcement considerations. C. Community-Led Active Transportation Initiative Board members discussed opportunities to encourage bicycling and active transportation modes through community-led events and recurring group rides. Discussion topics included: • Examples from other communities that organize informal, themed bike rides to encourage participation and normalize cycling. • Existing challenges with bicycle connectivity and comfort across Lake Oswego neighborhoods. • Concepts such as recurring community rides, themed events, bike-oriented community programming, and temporary activation of public spaces. • Potential barriers associated with larger-scale road closures, permitting requirements, emergency access, and operational costs. • Opportunities to begin lower-barrier approaches and build participation over time. • Discussion regarding timing, frequency, communications, and community outreach. The Board expressed interest in supporting a grassroots approach beginning with informal rides and evaluating future opportunities based on participation and interest. Members interested in advancing the initiative will coordinate event details and outreach materials. D. Board &Staff Updates Youth Member Updates Board members Calixto Hearn and Rohan Sekar shared that the school year had concluded and provided updates on leadership transitions within the high school Green Teams. Ethics and Communications Training Recap Sara Stith shared that an ethics and communications refresher will be included on a future meeting agenda following recent developments related to state Public Meetings Law requirements and Boards communications practices. Sustainable Buildings Policy(SBP) and Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment(GPLE) Working Groups Sara Stith provided updates regarding ongoing regional GPLE coordination efforts and continued work related to the Sustainable Buildings Policy initiative. Farmers Markets and Community Outreach Staff shared that SAB remains on the waitlist for future farmers market tabling opportunities. City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes Page 3 of 4 June 15, 2026 E. Board Membership and Meeting Schedule Updates were provided regarding upcoming board transitions and appointments for the next term, including departing members, incoming appointments, and returning youth representation. The Board agreed to cancel the August meeting for the annual recess. Staff will follow up regarding attendance preferences and meeting logistics for the July meeting. Adjournment Co-Chair Kara Orvieto adjourned the meeting at 8:27 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Stith Sustainability Program Manager City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes Page 4 of 4 June 15, 2026