PUBLIC COMMENT

One person commented by video about development infrastructure costs and who pays for them. He requested that Council authorize the use of water SDCs to pay debt service for water infrastructure and direct staff to determine previous overpayments by ratepayers and develop a plan to reconcile these funds. He requested that this be done prior to commissioning any new water-related capital projects.

CITY MANAGER REPORT

Acting City Manager Tritsch highlighted two items. A Mayor and Legislative Joint Town Hall will be held March 14 from 2:30-4:00 PM in the Public Works Auditorium. Mayor Hu, Senator Neron Misslin, House District 25 Representative Bowman and House District 26 Representative Rieke Smith will be in attendance. RSVP in advance on the city’s website.  The “If I Were Mayor” 2026 Student Contest for Tigard students in grades 4-12 is now open and submissions are due by March 29. It is a great opportunity for young people to share their ideas and vision for Tigard. Submissions should be in the form of a poster for Grades 4-5, an essay for Grades 6-8 and a digital media presentation for those in Grades 9-12. The entry form and more information can be found on the city’s website.

ADOPT 2026 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Staff presented a federal agenda based on previous Council discussion. The Council added some items to the list for consideration at the next discussion in May. Previously identified was support for project specific funding requests for the 72^nd Avenue Corridor Improvements and the Public Safety Facility, the Transportation and Infrastructure Reauthorization Bill, and Affordable Housing.  Additional items to be considered for support are Community Development Block Grants, Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant Program, and programs that assist Tigard’s most vulnerable residents, such as Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP.   Staff will bring back a revised and edited list for consideration in May.

TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (TCDA) CINEMA SITE DISCUSSION

The Town Center Development Agency heard an update on the community’s response to engagement and surveys focused on their vision for redeveloping the 10.89-acre former cinema site in the Tigard Triangle. Survey results identified four top elements: 1) Walking and biking trails, 2) Playground, 3) Picnic area with tables and shelters, and 4) Natural/native plant green space.  Also identified was a preference for including entertainment (Music/Movie/Theater/Makerspace/Art Gallery/Arcade etc.) space and more food options. The TCDA Board considered four potential scenarios and gave direction to move forward on a Development Request for Qualifications (RFQ).  The TCDA Board selected Scenario 1 – Redevelopment First. This means the park and redevelopment projects would be built sequentially.

REVIEW OF YOUTH COUNCILOR POSITION

A majority of Council members opted to follow a staff recommendation to sunset the Youth Councilor position starting with the next cycle, which would have begun in June, in favor of a structured civic education program through the Tigard Youth Advisory Council (e.g., workshop, policy lab, or civics essay) which may provide greater educational benefit to a larger group than the single Council seat model.  Council also clarified that students living in unincorporated Washington County but attending school in the Tigard-Tualatin School District are eligible to be members of TYAC.