Public Comment
Two people from the development community commented on proposed River Terrace 2.0 street designs. One person asked that council consider reducing some of the River Terrace 2.0 street requirements back to River Terrace 1.0 levels. Regarding the finance strategies, he noted Council’s decisions impact the cost of building housing and asked for specific System Development Charge (SDCs) numbers so they can get an idea of what development will cost and the impact on home prices. A second caller referred to the Commercial Collector street design and said modifying the parking area will allow for wider sidewalks, providing an enhanced experience for retail shop and restaurant customers in the commercial area. They commented that the 8-foot landscape area was large and could be reduced to provide more sidewalk areas.
City Manager Report
Finance Director Kang filled in for Acting City Manager Tritsch and invited community members, partners and businesses to Mayor Hu’s State of our City event. It will be held at Broadway Rose Theater on Monday, April 13 from 5:30-7:30 PM and will highlight prior year accomplishments and share priorities shaping Tigard’s future. Light refreshments will be served prior to the mayor’s remarks and special performances by talented Tigard youth musicians. Childcare is available with advance notice. Reservations are encouraged and can be made on Tigard’s home page www.Tigard-or.gov
Consent Agenda
Council approved three Consent Agenda items which included meeting minutes, a contract for Mechanical/HVAC/ Preventative Maintenance, Service, Repair and Inspection Services, and Resolution No. 26-09, granting exemption from property taxes under Tigard Municipal Code Section 3.50 for non-profit corporation low-income housing projects.
Legislative Public Hearing: Recreational Immunity Ordinance
Under State law local governments can opt-in to certain limitations under the recreational immunity statute. Recreational immunity protects property owners who have made their land available to the public without charge for recreational purposes. A public hearing was held and the Council approved Ordinance No. 26-07, opting in to this limitation of the City’s liability for personal injury or damage resulting from use of a trail that is in a public easement in certain conditions for the City of Tigard and its officers, employees or agents, owners of land abutting the public easements or rights-of-way or a non-profit corporation and its volunteers for the construction and maintenance of the trail or the structures in a public easement or unimproved right-of-way in Tigard.
Economic Development Strategic Plan Adoption
Council voted to adopt a 3-year City of Tigard Economic Development Strategic Plan. Economic Development Manager Hauther summarized Council feedback from the March 3 Council meeting, included in the final plan - ensuring tracked metrics are aligned with current city systems and staff capacity, providing one main point of contact for development, and considering processes that create efficiencies for new business opportunities. This Plan will guide the city’s work to maximize the economic development program impact and was a Council goal.
River Terrace 2.0 Update: Transportation and Equitable Finance Strategy
Council received an update and discussed street designs for River Terrace 2.0. Community engagement identified competing priorities. More right-of-way would maximize safety and comfort but slows traffic. Less right-of-way reduces safety and comfort but minimizes upfront infrastructure costs and ongoing maintenance costs. More right-of-way means more on-street parking and less would reduce it. Council consensus was to keep bike/pedestrian paths on both sides of the street and to have more angle parking in the Commercial Collector areas. The Commercial Collector street type discussion will continue at the May 26 Council meeting. An overview was given of the Equitable Financing Strategy, which will identify how to balance reduced development costs and incentives with impacts on the city’s budget. There was interest in both tiered System Development Charges and supplemental fees. Council requested additional information on costs, funding sources, and risks prior to their next River Terrace 2.0 update, scheduled for May 26. A Developer Forum will be rescheduled for April so developer feedback will also be shared with Council in May.