[0:04] and the council action. The topic of tonight's work

[0:08] session is on the Force Grove Senior and Community Center. And I'm going to turn

[0:12] it over to our city manager, Jesse Vander.

[0:18] » Thank you, mayor, members of the council. I have here with me this

[0:21] evening Ann Lane, director of parks and recreation. Thanks, Ann, for joining us.

[0:25] Um, I know we have limited time and so we'll try to get through this as soon as

[0:29] we can. If you could go to the next slide, please, Mariah. Next slide,

[0:33] please. So, everything that we do here at the city connects back somehow to our

[0:38] vision 2040 plan. There's two areas in which this work session will connect

[0:42] back. The first goal statement is a healthy and active community. I'm not

[0:45] going to go through all of these, but the outcome is to increase recreation

[0:48] opportunities for all. And if you look down in actions 3.3, 3.6, six and 3.7.

[0:54] All of those have to do with reducing barriers to participation and trying to

[0:58] increase opportunities for our community. Next slide.

[1:01] So this goal statement is community connection. This one actually has a

[1:05] action specific to the senior and community center. If you look at 4.4

[1:10] increase and enhance opportunities at the senior and community center and then

[1:13] if you look at 4.6 increase the number of volunteers and volunteer programs and

[1:18] improve the culture of volunteerism. 4.2 2 is about exploring opportunities to

[1:23] create a central community gathering space. The Forest Grove Senior Community

[1:26] Center has served as a central gathering space in the community for many, many

[1:30] years that is welcoming for all ages. Next slide, please.

[1:35] So, there's really kind of two options that we're going to cover tonight. As

[1:39] the community uh may know, we received a letter from Central Cultural. um they

[1:45] will no longer be able to operate and manage the senior center after December

[1:48] 31st of 2026. Um and so they have asked the city to

[1:54] consider this issue and what some of the options might be moving forward after

[1:57] that date. And there's really kind of two options that are out there. One is

[2:00] nonprofit operated and managed. That's the way that it has been done since the

[2:04] inception of the senior center. The other one is B a city operated and

[2:08] managed in partnership with nonprofits or what we are characterizing as kind of

[2:11] the hybrid option. Next slide. We're going to talk about each of these in

[2:14] just a minute. So, the senior center is composed of two separate tax slots. Uh

[2:19] they were donated to the city in 1972. They were deed in 1993, and that's how

[2:24] they are currently recorded with the county today. Next slide. A little bit

[2:29] about uh the facility itself. It was built with what's called community

[2:33] development block grant funds. That's a federal funding program that was

[2:36] constructed in 1978. There's a number of agreements that go with it. And what an

[2:41] agreement is, the CDBG agreement is when you receive federal money, you agree to

[2:46] use the money in the fashion in which it was granted to you for a period of 20

[2:50] years. So if you look at the third bullet, encumbered until 2038, that's

[2:54] based on the kitchen remodel in 2018. So for 20 years, that is a publicly

[2:59] accessible kitchen that needs to be used in accordance with the program

[3:02] requirements for the federal funding that we received. The facility is

[3:05] approximately 9600 square ft. And some of the recent improvements has received

[3:10] quite a bit of improvements over the years, but most recently within the last

[3:13] decade, it's had a re- roof, a kitchen remodel, and ARPA stands for American

[3:18] Rescue Plan Act improvements. So, we had alarm system, floor, windows, doors,

[3:22] paint, HVAC, and restrooms. If you haven't been to the Forest Grove Senior

[3:24] Community Center, it's it's looking good. Next slide.

[3:29] So, the current city budget, uh, this is what's built and programmed into the

[3:33] city budget as of today. This will be contrasted later with what some of what

[3:37] Ann will go over in terms of a pro for a budget about what it might look like. Is

[3:41] currently the city pays all of the utility bills except for the natural

[3:44] gas. That expense is borne by the nonprofit, in this particular case,

[3:47] central. Um, and the operating expenses, it costs for for all the utility bills,

[3:53] it costs approximately $25,000 a year, and that's funded out of the city's

[3:57] general fund. In terms of capital, the city is responsible for all the

[4:01] structural maintenance and repairs. That's approximately $15,000 a year, and

[4:05] that's built into the budget for a total of 40. Next slide.

[4:10] So, it's been governed by an operating agreement since 1972.

[4:14] Forest Grove Senior Community Center nonprofit ran it for 1972 to 24. Centro

[4:20] has been doing it for the past couple years. And basically that operating

[4:23] agreement when we have a nonprofit that's running it is it defines a

[4:26] primary purpose. We have a council leaison. It grants what's called an

[4:30] exclusive operating license. And what that means is the nonprofit has the

[4:33] ability to operate it to program it to management and to receive and collect

[4:37] and keep the revenues that are generated from the facility. And then it defines

[4:40] the obligations of each of the parties. I've already covered some of that. So,

[4:44] next slide.

[4:47] I'm going to turn it over to Matrix. And is Matrix online? So,

[4:53] if you could promote her to a panelist, please. Matrix is going to go through a

[4:58] little bit of some demographics, some of the use patterns, and then also make a

[5:02] recommendation about a potential path forward for the city. And then Ann will

[5:05] follow after Matrix and talk about some of the items that what that might look

[5:09] like putting it into practice.

[5:22] All right, you have me now on your end, Jesse and Ann.

[5:25] » Yep. Hi, Megan. Can you hear us? >> Hey. Yes. Can you hear me? Okay.

[5:29] » Yes, we can. >> Excellent. Um, so I have a number of

[5:33] slides here with lots of data. We're going to go through them um quickly just

[5:36] because I I recognize that there is a a time crunch on this, but um we're

[5:42] available for questions or additional conversation as needed. Um we can go to

[5:46] the next slide. So our team is working on the parks,

[5:50] recreation, open space, and trails master plan. So working closely with Ann

[5:54] and her team. Um but you know, today we really want to talk about the senior and

[5:58] community center and how we make that decision on what the next best step is.

[6:02] So, we won't dig into the small text on all this, but essentially, you know, how

[6:07] do we help make a defensible decision? And it really comes down to what is the

[6:11] service model going to be? Um, what's that perform going to look like? What's

[6:16] the condition of the facility? And then recognizing that there are some

[6:19] unknowns. So, who's going to utilize? Um, is there a demand that's unmet? And

[6:24] some of those questions that, you know, we'll get into a little later on what we

[6:28] think might be the best next steps. So, next slide.

[6:33] um documented programs. So, currently there is a strong backbone um of

[6:38] programming at the at the center. There's health and wellness, there's

[6:41] some nutrition and food programming. Um there are quads and social events that

[6:45] are held there, events and fundraisers, rentals, and then there's some day

[6:50] trips, education and skill support, wellness services, sort of a

[6:54] well-rounded um uh backbone of programming. We go to the next slide.

[7:00] Um, so in terms of demographics, obviously you all are very aware that

[7:04] Forest Grove has a unique and diverse population and it continues to shift and

[7:08] broaden. Um, and so these are one of the, you know, this is one of the things

[7:13] we're going to look at when we start thinking about what's the right program

[7:15] mix for the facility long term. Um, recognizing that about 40% of the

[7:20] population falls in that 25 to 64 year old range, which is working adults. Um

[7:27] obviously you guys have a pretty strong 18 to 24

[7:32] um percentage of your population through Pacific University and then you know

[7:36] there's that 65 plus that's a smaller but strong portion of of the population

[7:41] as well. Next slide. Um another important part of this whole

[7:47] conversation is not just um age in the population but also ethnicity. So

[7:52] understanding that um 31% of the community is Hispanic and Latino and

[7:58] that we want to make sure that you know whatever the next step is in this

[8:01] process that we ensure we meet every need in the community and how the

[8:06] residents um view the center. Go to the next slide.

[8:12] So this is just a snapshot of some statewide recreation trends. Um the

[8:17] point here really being that across all sort of of the the considerations at the

[8:24] top there of ethnicity, households with disabilities, statewide, urban versus

[8:29] rural. Um there's, you know, top three things across the board are a desire for

[8:35] clean and well-maintained facilities, um access to restrooms, and then free of

[8:41] charge or lowcost recreation opportunities.

[8:47] Um, next slide.

[8:51] So, part of our process, and we're early in this and still growing through um

[8:56] some of our community engagement, but our team is um working on a series of

[9:02] many polls. They just closed. So, each of them were um targeted to certain

[9:07] topics. So, current conditions, park usage, recreational programming,

[9:11] recreational improvements, and then this most recent being the aquatics and

[9:15] community center. Um, the aquatics and senior center, I'm sorry. And we had a

[9:19] team on site dur um couple weeks ago, little bit of impact from some smoke and

[9:25] some weather, but they were able to get out in the community and have a few

[9:28] conversations that are going to help us define what our next step in the

[9:32] community engagement process is. You'll go to the next slide. Um so these

[9:38] responses are to the series of five mini polls. This data is about two weeks old.

[9:43] So um as of today when we closed the last mini poll we have about 3,000 views

[9:50] um 2200 visits about 820 contributors. And I think an important piece is that

[9:56] last aquatics and senior center poll that just closed um had 260 responses.

[10:01] So one of the highest of the five across the board.

[10:06] We go to the next slide. Um, as I said, we were on site in August. Um, a little

[10:12] impacted by weather. We intended to be at National Night Out, and a couple

[10:17] other events that were cancelled, but we were able to go out and talk to some

[10:21] folks at these places. We were at the senior and community center. We were at

[10:24] the library, the aquatic center. Um, we met some folks in Lincoln Park. and then

[10:29] um obviously got a heavy um voting at Pink Spoon.

[10:37] We'll go to the next one. Um so when we look at the results so far of the

[10:44] engagement that we've seen, there's a couple things that stand out. Um one of

[10:48] which is just representation across the board. So, we recognize that, you know,

[10:52] through the many poll responses about 84% of respondents were identified as

[10:57] Caucasian or white, which means that's a a demographic and a target community

[11:02] that we have not reached through the many poll responses. And that'll be um

[11:06] something that we intend to go out into the community and sort of broaden how we

[11:10] address that. Um the same with youth. It's hard to expect a a youth or a

[11:16] 12-year-old or a 10-year-old to, you know, take a mini poll online, but it is

[11:20] something that we intend to be out in the community and talk to kids because

[11:23] it's important to understand um what they want through a lot of these

[11:27] processes. Again, the aquatics and senior center

[11:30] when we developed this presentation, it was still a little early to know what

[11:34] the poll was going to indicate. Um but now we do know a little bit more. and um

[11:41] that statement that a need for increased communication and unmet demand kind of

[11:45] persisted throughout even even after the 260 responses. So there's definitely an

[11:51] unmet demand for um some aquatics programming and then also some

[11:55] recreation programming that we've seen through this community engagement

[11:58] exercise. And the last piece is um there were 330 written comments that we

[12:04] received as part of the many poll responses. um we will spend some time

[12:08] aggregating and going through those and creating themes. We haven't done that

[12:11] yet because they just closed yesterday. Um but those often give us a little more

[12:16] insight into the specifics rather than just the broad questions.

[12:22] So we can go to the next slide. Um so what improvements would you most like to

[12:26] see? This question was offered both in the on-site engagement and through the

[12:31] many polls. Um and just high level you'll see here um walking and biking

[12:35] trails was far and above the most cited thing that we heard um in addition to

[12:41] more sports and fitness facilities and upgraded playgrounds. So across the

[12:46] board those rode to the top rose to the top and the improvements um that folks

[12:50] wanted to see both through voting in on-site engagement and then also through

[12:55] the many polls. Next slide.

[13:01] Um so the second question was um what major investment over the next 10 years

[13:07] would respondents like to see? Um so interestingly only 60% of many poll

[13:13] respondents said that their programming needs were being met. Um with 50 cents

[13:19] 56% of them indicating that there was a need for indoor recreation space. Um and

[13:25] children and teens were most frequently referenced for the focus of programming.

[13:30] Um but you'll see here that recreation programming was last on the list of

[13:33] desired investment. So I think that divergent uh that divergence needs um to

[13:40] be studied a little more on our end to just understand is it an education piece

[13:44] or is it you know having conversations with the community on what's possible?

[13:49] Um and that's really something we hope to dig into through our next phases of

[13:52] community engagement.

[13:56] Next steps. So what does all that mean in terms of what um what might be next

[14:01] for the senior and community center? So this is sort of how we think that those

[14:06] trends and demographic themes might be um applicable to to today. So first, you

[14:14] know, repositioning from a true senior center to an all ages community wellness

[14:18] hub fits with the vision 2040 plan and it serves as much of your population as

[14:23] possible. um really leading with social connection to ensure that the community

[14:28] feels connected to the space and to one another. Um there's definitely a

[14:32] loneliness epidemic that's being studied as a trend throughout the country and

[14:36] this is an opportunity to address that. Um the operating model though has to be

[14:41] built on partnerships. The city can't do it alone and so building on that

[14:44] programming partnership and service delivery partnership is going to be very

[14:48] important. Um the space is great. Um, it offers multiple rooms, lots of

[14:54] opportunities to be flexible in what you're scheduling and who's in the

[14:57] building at any given time, but also throughout the day. Um, funding

[15:01] resources and cost recovery is going to be a key to success. I think Ann's going

[15:05] to touch on that in a few minutes, so she'll sort of talk through what that

[15:09] cost recovery might look like. Um, and then across, you know, the United

[15:14] States, we're seeing a trend in more intergenerational programming. So,

[15:17] really being able to lean into that in this facility. And then ensuring that

[15:22] access in the programming mix and the service delivery model is there. So

[15:26] including language, transportation, programs offered, affordability is all

[15:30] going to be important through the next steps.

[15:34] Go next slide. So all that to say, um there's a couple

[15:40] of things we would recommend in terms of what do we continue, what do we expand,

[15:44] and then what do we develop. This is sort of an outline of those things. Um,

[15:48] we continue the health and wellness programming. There's an opportunity to

[15:52] expand meals and nutrition, expand the social and recreation programming. Um,

[15:58] develop some lifelong learning opportunities, specifically utilizing

[16:02] Pacific University and other partnerships. Um, there's an opportunity

[16:06] to expand rentals and event space use and then to develop some support

[16:10] services um through partnerships with the county

[16:14] and other players.

[16:18] go to the next slide. Um, so this is just a snapshot of what's currently

[16:22] offered. Um, you know, just a a sort of an average of a a couple of calendars

[16:28] put together. Um, there's a strong backbone as we said earlier, but with

[16:33] the right op with the right resources and operational model, there's

[16:36] definitely an opportunity to expand and to meet a broader segment of the

[16:40] community. So, if we flip to the next slide, you'll see

[16:45] um so again, this is what a fully built out potential could look like. Um still

[16:50] really focusing on that older adults and senior programming, but also able to tap

[16:55] into youth, teen, and family. But the other piece of this is being able to

[17:00] understand what rentals and partnerships could look like in terms of a revenue

[17:04] generator. What you'll see here is some grayed out areas. that would be what

[17:09] staff likely can't cover currently. So that's when we're looking at additional

[17:14] costs potentially for personnel and could come later in the process when we

[17:18] understand what the rental um market looks like and how many you know people

[17:22] want to be in the space at that time. But um the point here would be we don't

[17:27] want to get rid of any current programming but there's certainly an

[17:29] opportunity to expand um availability. We'll go to the next slide. So, um, city

[17:38] manager covered this a minute ago. You currently provide, um, some funding

[17:43] through utility and operating. Um, you've contributed significantly to

[17:47] capital through grant funding and the overall facility structure. um positions

[17:53] are currently funded in the general fund and some of those could shift to provide

[17:56] coverage at the center in addition to some of those volunteer and intern

[18:00] opportunities to cover gaps utilizing partnerships program agreements um and

[18:06] really defining what that looks like over time. And that last piece is sort

[18:10] of what I just mentioned that additional personnel could be added over time when

[18:14] programming and rental capacity exceeds what your current staff is able to do.

[18:21] and go to the next slide. So, the facility um is in good condition. We had

[18:25] architect and um a an MEP contractor come out and take a look. Um it's in

[18:32] good condition. Primary issue is lack of storage and some spaces that no longer

[18:37] really align with their original intended use. That's a relatively easy

[18:41] thing to overcome. Um mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, a lot of it's

[18:46] been upgraded. It's certainly been maintained well. So, there's a couple of

[18:50] things like any building that may need to be addressed, but there are no um no

[18:55] big expenses that we anticipate will be upcoming um for the facility.

[19:02] So, to get back to the the main question here is sort of what's the potential

[19:07] operating model for the future of the facility. Um the city manager alluded

[19:12] to, you know, the nonprofit model versus the hybrid and some of the benefits of

[19:16] each. So, in the nonprofit model, which is what we've seen historically, um you

[19:21] know, that organization would staff the building. They provide the services, but

[19:25] they also are keeping the revenue and they have exclusive use of the building.

[19:30] Um so, that really limits the city's ability to expand the programs and

[19:34] services that they can offer. with a hybrid model. Um we would, you know,

[19:40] expect that those nonprofits and partners are still in the mix and that

[19:44] they're still assisting with the programs and services um and helping

[19:48] with fundraising and event management. But the city would be the day-to-day

[19:53] operator of the facility and then continue current programming as it

[19:57] exists today, but also be able to expand offerings like we just showed in that

[20:01] schedule where maybe there's an opportunity to reach a broader segment

[20:05] of the community.

[20:08] Um so through just the demographics and some of the um preliminary public

[20:14] engagement that we've received, we feel like the recommended model based on a

[20:19] couple different things would be the hybrid model. Um really an opportunity

[20:23] to position the building as a a flexible all ages hub still anchored by some of

[20:28] those programs that you see today. Um but also understanding that you know it

[20:34] relies on very successful partnerships and um support through the nonprofit and

[20:39] partners that you already have and who are already in the facility.

[20:47] » Thank you very much Megan for that. Uh so the last part of this evening's

[20:50] presentation provides for a more detailed look at each of the operational

[20:54] and management frameworks. Next slide.

[20:58] Option A is the nonprofit operated and managed model.

[21:04] The transition plan for this option is estimated to take approximately four

[21:08] months and would follow a RFP process, a request for proposals process much like

[21:14] last time. That would kick off in September and be wrapped up by the end

[21:18] of the year. Uh as of current, the city has not been approached by any entity

[21:23] expressing interest in operating and managing the facility.

[21:29] Option B is the cons, as the consultant recommended, the hybrid model where the

[21:34] city operates and manages the facility in partnership with nonprofits.

[21:39] The transition plan for this option includes staff development of approaches

[21:43] to address operations, staffing, budget, programming, and partner development.

[21:51] Components of the transition plan will be broken down in the following slides.

[21:56] Uh first for the first year the city would take a do no harm approach to the

[22:01] operational structure of the facility. Existing programs would continue to be

[22:06] supported while also exploring opportunities to expand into

[22:10] multi-generational programs. Facility hours would be maintained at a

[22:14] minimum of Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. Current leases and

[22:19] rental agreements would be honored. Communications associated with the

[22:24] operations of the facility would be folded into the city's existing

[22:28] structures such as website, social media, newsletters, etc. And as the city

[22:35] develops a communications and branding plan, the facility would be considered

[22:39] for subbranding to create a unique identity within the city. Throughout the

[22:45] first year, staff will be taking the time to conduct a thorough assessment of

[22:50] the complete operation and develop opportunities that will help enhance and

[22:54] optimize the asset for the community.

[23:02] Parks [clears throat] and recreation department is uniquely skilled and

[23:04] positioned to assume operational and management responsibility of the

[23:08] facility. The existing full-time recreation coordinator would be

[23:12] reclassified to recreation supervisor and be the on-site staff in charge of

[23:18] day-to-day operations of the facility. The existing full-time administrative

[23:23] specialist currently housed at the aquatic center would split time between

[23:27] both facilities. The existing cashier team would be

[23:31] cross-trained to work at both facilities, filling staffing gaps and

[23:36] providing necessary customer service coverage.

[23:39] In time, this team will need to expand to ensure adequate coverage is met at

[23:43] both facilities. The additional facility would require

[23:47] additional custodial and landscaping maintenance. Internal and external

[23:51] options would be explored to meet this need appropriately.

[23:56] Volunteers would hold a significant role in operations of the facility and for

[24:00] the department through the creation of a staffmanaged volunteer program.

[24:09] Financial assumptions made by staff during review of this opportunity are

[24:13] based on current known conditions. An understanding that these conditions may

[24:18] change upon assuming full operational and management responsibility will be

[24:22] necessary. The initial budget developed for this

[24:26] opportunity assumes that the existing level of city budget allocation will

[24:30] continue that the recreation coordinator and recreation program funding from the

[24:36] levy will also continue. It is also assumed that the administrative

[24:40] specialist and cashiers will continue as budgeted. As mentioned earlier, assuming

[24:47] responsibility for the facility will require additional personnel to maintain

[24:51] coverage. Should the city operate and manage the

[24:55] facility, all revenues generated by the city will be retained by the city.

[25:00] Revenue generation would be dependent on programming and nonprofit participation.

[25:06] The city would seek to continue andor reinstate programs and events that have

[25:12] and or can generate revenue. Working with nonprofits on potential fundraising

[25:17] opportunities for the facility will also be an avenue of re revenue generation.

[25:24] By adding the facility to the inventory of assets, it can be assumed that

[25:28] staffing expenses will increase as well as custodial and landscaping expenses

[25:33] and ongoing operational expenses. It can also be assumed that there will be an

[25:38] increase in one-time equipment expenses.

[25:45] With all the financial assumptions made, the table shown is a representation of

[25:49] year 1 operations and management of the facility and associated budget impacts.

[25:55] Staff is estimating that rents and leases will increase revenue by $25,000

[26:00] and it is reflective of new and/or expanded rents and leases and not a

[26:07] change to any existing rents or leases. With the addition of indoor programmable

[26:13] recreation space, it is estimated that programs and events will increase

[26:18] revenue by $10,000 and increase expenses by $5,000,

[26:24] resulting in a net revenue gain of $5,000.

[26:28] Personnel expenses are estimated to increase by 21,200

[26:32] and reflects the status change of the recreation coordinator advancing to

[26:37] recreation supervisor and additional cashier hours. Custodial expenses are

[26:43] estimated to increase by 15,200 and landscaping expenses to increase by

[26:49] 7,800. Facility maintenance is estimated to

[26:53] increase by 10,000, materials, supplies, and services by 5,000, and utilities and

[26:59] insurance by 1,000. The net result is an increase in expenses totaling $30,200.

[27:09] Another component staff has reviewed as it would relate to the city assuming

[27:14] operations and management of the facility is programming.

[27:18] The first year of operations will consist of assessment of existing

[27:22] programs and services held at the facility. Dependent upon findings,

[27:26] adjustments may be made to optimize participation, access, and facility

[27:32] optimization. Existing parks and recreation department

[27:36] programs will also be assessed for expansion into yearround indoor

[27:40] opportunities. New programming opportunities would

[27:44] would exist with the addition of indoor space that could accommodate year-round

[27:49] special interest programs, services, and events that yield high participation.

[27:55] Revenue generation, maximizes facility use, and serves multiple generations in

[28:02] a goal is a goal for the department.

[28:08] Much like the approach that would be taken with programming, the first year

[28:12] of operations will consist of assessment of existing part partnerships associated

[28:17] with the facility as well as with the parks and recreation department. This

[28:22] would include an assessment of the partners' role, their alignment with the

[28:26] city's purpose, and the service or services they provide. Along the way,

[28:32] new partnership opportunities would be explored and all partnerships would have

[28:37] to have an assurance of mutual benefit to be considered viable.

[28:44] At this time, we welcome questions and discussion regarding the preferred

[28:48] operating model of the existing Forest Grove Senior and Community Center.

[28:53] » Thank you, Director Lane. I'm going to go with Council President Valenuela and

[28:57] then Councelor Falconer. Thank you, mayor, and thank you for this

[29:01] beautiful job, the presentation, everything very clear.

[29:06] Um, so thank you for all the hard work that was put into this presentation.

[29:11] That being said, it's always amazing to me that we have a

[29:17] certain percentage of Latino population that for some reason is very difficult

[29:22] to reach out to. So again I will give my advice when we

[29:28] have consultant for example we have central cultural we have muheres

[29:36] they can certainly provide a lot of support in terms of outreach

[29:41] so can teachers at the schools so I ask you that I ask

[29:47] you to please take that into consideration because we get 6% 13%

[29:53] response out you know, a population of 31 Latinos that we have. Okay? And I'm

[29:58] just saying this for future practice because it's not the first time that I

[30:02] say it and um it's 31%. So, you know, I would

[30:10] appreciate the effort to bring up this number for participation because these

[30:16] things are important for the entire community. Okay. So that being said, if

[30:24] I may, um, in terms of volunteers, you know, a

[30:29] lot of things come to my mind. you have a Pacific University,

[30:34] you know that you can connect with professors, with faculty that can

[30:39] certainly um make something happen in terms of volunt volunteerism uh from

[30:45] their students, you know, uh to do something good uh for for the

[30:51] surrounding community. Um, also the high school,

[30:56] the high school, uh, you have teachers that are looking for opportunities also

[31:01] to connect their students with some type of volunteer work in the community. And

[31:07] I think having generations, the youth and the elderly is such an important uh

[31:13] component of growing up and you know giving them these opportunities. I think

[31:20] it would be really really great. H so those are um those are my comments and

[31:27] my suggestions uh to make this beautiful work happen. Thank you. Thank you very

[31:32] much. Um I know that uh Megan shared briefly about the the result of the

[31:38] polls and the outreach that they've done so far. Um I just want to reiterate that

[31:42] they really are just getting started and these are preliminary results on sort of

[31:46] the first run. Um but they've got many more months ahead of them of of outreach

[31:51] and you know fine-tuning um to to make sure that we really are reaching the the

[31:56] whole community as best we can. >> And you can always call on me to to

[32:00] help. >> You got it. And [laughter]

[32:03] thank you and I agree. Thank you council president for your comments. And I would

[32:05] just like to say that there might be an opportunity in September with back to

[32:10] school nights. Yeah. Right. Yeah. I mean, I just think

[32:16] that that I think that we have struggled. I think and I've heard

[32:19] council president, I mean, we've some of us have said this, like we know that we

[32:24] need to do more to engage with all of our community members and especially our

[32:29] Latinx community. And so, um, maybe it's through the schools. Uh, I think back

[32:35] like every single school will have a back to school night in September. And I

[32:38] think that, you know, since they're early in the process, you know, SEMA

[32:42] will be there. We'll have translation services. And I think, you know, when

[32:46] you're I think it's a twofold because those partnerships, you know, could also

[32:50] be with the school the school district resource office, the CLC, you know, when

[32:56] all of these things are that's that's the way we, you know, I'm know I'm

[33:00] speaking to the choir, but that's how we get things done in Force Grove is that

[33:04] we all come together um >> you know, and work together. Okay.

[33:07] Sorry, councelor Falconer, your updates. >> Thank you. Um, Megan and Director Lane.

[33:15] Well, I thank you so much for sort of calling out the discrepancy between, you

[33:20] know, some of that some of those demographic data points and the

[33:24] preliminary outreach results. um a question that I have about you know

[33:29] sort of tracking you know those are those are two data you know I think you

[33:32] you know you sort of you know you've kind of focused on like age and race um

[33:36] as data points um I would if if it aren't already so maybe this is a

[33:40] question and a and a comment if we aren't already you know I think it's

[33:44] really important in particular for recreation and programming at a site

[33:48] like this um you know if we're not already asking for demographic

[33:52] information about income as well as housing housing status. I think housing

[33:57] status in particular gets sort of lost as one of those demographic stat you

[34:01] know data points that we that people don't tend to think to collect. Um but I

[34:06] think for things like transportation for recreational opportunities folks who

[34:10] rent are at a very clear disadvantage and disparity when it comes to

[34:13] opportunities um and access to to these types of services. So, I would hope and

[34:18] and if we, you know, if we're not already, um, if we can please start

[34:22] asking for that information when we're collecting this data, um, I really

[34:26] really want us to start as sort of like a practice um, to do that because I

[34:31] think, you know, we get really skewed results um, from homeowners um, and from

[34:36] folks with higher incomes. And that is um you know that can really sort of

[34:40] influence the kind of pro recreational programming that you know that we sort

[34:44] of hear from the community that they want and there again maybe we're not

[34:47] meeting the needs of of you know the most vulnerable vulnerable people in our

[34:51] community. >> Thank you. Thank you, councelor

[34:55] Falconer, and I second that statement and so does other your colleagues here

[35:00] too are nodding their head. Yes, councelor Shiml,

[35:04] » I also echo the the presentation. Thanks for for bringing this to us.

[35:11] So I you know two um two thoughts that that intersect. One is the the re uh

[35:19] involving asurances. One is the assurance of your your staff and the

[35:23] facilities you have and ability to maintain them. And then there's the

[35:27] assurance to the the seniors and programming that exists there and being

[35:32] able to retain them in that first year. And and uh correct me or clarify the

[35:39] we're we're bringing our current staff and and stretching them across this

[35:42] facility. So there's that. if you could speak to that and and then Jesse on the

[35:48] budget piece is can we anticipate a a budget adjustment decision or does our

[35:55] current budget give you enough latitude and covering this this 30,000 and

[36:01] possibly uh contracting with an existing staff in

[36:06] the facility today to help that first year?

[36:10] So, so the staffing shift that you're asking about, [clears throat] the

[36:15] current recreation coordinator that will be uh reclassified to recreation

[36:20] supervisor uh is currently housed upstairs at city hall. Um placing that

[36:27] person over in a facility where the public can actually access them uh

[36:32] easily is a huge benefit. >> Yeah, huge benefit.

[36:38] um and [clears throat] that person will be present uh public facing and engaging

[36:44] directly with people that are coming into the facility. So I think that right

[36:49] there is a barrier eliminator for a lot of people. They just, you know, they

[36:54] have questions, they need to talk to people. Um so [clears throat] and then

[36:58] also uh shifting that expertise of existing

[37:03] admin staff over there to assist with and building the structure of customer

[37:08] service um and making sure that people that come into the facility get the

[37:14] experience that they're looking for. Um we have that existing uh we we do need

[37:21] to backfill um with cashiers that are uh under the direction of the

[37:27] administrative specialist uh that are are trained customer service support

[37:31] staff. >> How about your current facilities?

[37:36] Are are you saying that in this plan there's no compromise to maintaining

[37:40] your the facilities you already have across your portfolio? So the the only

[37:46] other customer service point facility we have is the aquatic center. Um I think

[37:52] there will be great benefit in being able to cross trainin those cashiers. Um

[37:56] with at the senior and community center as well as the aquatic center they

[38:01] become much more versed in the total operation of what parks and recreation

[38:05] has become for Forest Grove. Um and th those folks already exist. Uh yes, there

[38:11] will be need to be some back fill with cashiers, but we expect that with year

[38:15] one, it's going to it's going to be a kind of a slow ramp up. Um at least

[38:19] that's kind of what we're hoping for is a bit of a slow ramp up while we get our

[38:24] feet under us and and we can figure out what the rhythm of the building is and

[38:29] where the needs really are greater. So

[38:36] » any other or did you have more to say? I was going to say with regard to the

[38:39] budget, I was going to uh ask Kim Eel, our assistant city manager, to respond

[38:43] to the budget question. >> Hi, Kim Eel, assistant city manager. Um,

[38:47] we do believe that the budget will be able to absorb the current budget will

[38:51] be able to absorb um this additional cost as uh Ann Lane has put it so well.

[38:55] We will slowly be ramping up and if there is any change that we need to make

[38:59] to the budget, we'll be monitoring that closely. Can always bring that u forward

[39:02] to the council. It'll also be part of the budget discussions for the next

[39:05] bienium going into next spring.

[39:10] Okay, any further questions? I'm seeing none. So, let's get let's

[39:16] come to consensus on the models. So, the two operating models we could choose

[39:20] from was model one, which was nonprofit. Wait, I want to say something before we

[39:26] get to this. Um, you know, for very many years, longer, more years than I've been

[39:32] alive, we've had nonprofits helping the city provide the service. And, you know,

[39:37] I want to take the opportunity to say we really do appreciate that. Both the

[39:41] Forest Grove Senior Center board and Central Cultural have done a wonderful

[39:45] job in partnering with the city to provide services for seniors. Um, so I

[39:51] say that now and I want to be really clear that the the decision this council

[39:55] makes as a governing body has nothing to do with the quality of work that these

[40:00] groups have done for the city and the respect and value that we have for them.

[40:05] So now I'll go back. Thanks. Um, so we can either do option one which is a

[40:10] nonprofit model and an RFP process or we can start building out a hybrid model. I

[40:16] guess that's we switch from one to A and B. Okay. So, either we can choose. So,

[40:22] is there anyone that would like to do the nonprofit RFP model?

[40:27] Is there consensus to do the hybrid model? Just thumbs up or head nods,

[40:32] hands raised. Okay, we're going to move forward with the hybrid model, please.

[40:38] » Just one addition. Will there be a period of transition where central will

[40:42] be there and then city will be there? I think so.

[40:47] » Thank you very much for asking that question. I I did intend to mention that

[40:51] along the way. Um, we really hope that once we we get through the the

[40:56] formalities here that we will start this conversation with Centro ASAP and uh we

[41:02] hope to have staff placed even just part-time over there uh as soon as

[41:08] October so we can start to learn the function of the building, get to know

[41:12] the patrons, get to know the people that um are leasing space in there,

[41:17] understand the relationships and commitments uh and just again the rhythm

[41:21] and the flow. of the building. You got you have to be there to to know it. So,

[41:27] uh in hopes that when December 31st rolls around and then we move to January

[41:32] 1, it it won't feel too different is the hope.

[41:36] Okay, great. Thank you. I'm going to adjourn this work session. We're going

[41:40] to take about a 10-minute bio break and then reconvene for our meeting. And I'm

[41:44] sorry to everyone

[43:58] Good evening. Welcome back after our summer hiatus. I would like to call to

[44:03] order this meeting of the Forest Grove City Council on Monday, August 24th at

[44:08] 7:23 p.m. Will our city recorder please call roll.

[44:13] » Council President Venuela >> here. [music] Councelor Shiml

[44:17] » here. Councelor Falconer >> here.

[44:20] » Councelor Martinez >> here. Councelor Marshall

[44:23] » here. >> Mayor Wenszel

[44:24] » here. I'm having difficulties with my Okay. Uh

[44:29] we acknowledge the land on which Forest Grove is located rest on the traditional

[44:34] village sites of the Atalotti, a tribe of the Calapoua who originally inhabited

[44:38] the Twolitan Plains, including Forest Grove. They are now part of the

[44:42] Confederate tribes of Grand Ron. For more information on the atlotti, visit

[44:46] the Pacific University libraries. Will the council in the audience please join

[44:51] me in the pledge of allegiance.

[44:55] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[45:01] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[45:08] justice for all.

[45:22] Okay, I remembered my glasses today. I'm like [clears throat] a newly

[45:27] reader person and it worked. I just can't see out there now. I'm not really

[45:31] used to it. Okay, so bear with me and I apologize.

[45:34] Okay, so I would like to start with National Day of Service and Remembrance.

[45:39] Whereas on September 11th, 2001, nearly 3,000 men, women, and children who were

[45:46] going about their normal routines were taken from us, depriving families and

[45:52] loved ones of a lifetime of precious moments. And whereas in response to this

[45:57] tragedy, Americans across the country came together in a remarkable spirit of

[46:02] unity and carried out countless acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion.

[46:09] And whereas community organizations and family members of 9/11 victims began

[46:15] observing the anniversary of September 11th as a charitable service day to

[46:21] honor the memory of those who were lost and those who united in response to the

[46:26] tragedy, including first responders and

[46:30] volunteers. And whereas on September 11th, 2026 and

[46:36] on the days leading up to the and following this day, citizens of Forest

[46:40] Grove have an opportunity to participate in activities that honor 911 victims and

[46:46] heroes by joining together in service projects to meet community needs. And

[46:52] whereas on Friday, September 11th, 2026 at 900 a.m., the public is invited to

[47:00] attend a remembrance ceremony at the Big Flag to reflect on the 25th anniversary

[47:07] of the attacks, the lives lost, and pay tribute to the families who still live

[47:12] with extraordinary pain. Now therefore, the city council of the city of Forest

[47:17] Grove does hereby proclaim September 11th as National Day of Service and

[47:22] Remembrance in Forest Grove, Oregon and encourages all residents of Forest Grove

[47:27] to honor the lives of those lost through participation in community service and

[47:32] remembrance ceremonies on this day and throughout the year. Thank you.

[47:42] Proclamation consider

[47:55] No,

[48:11] extraordinary.

[48:24] Victim

[48:43] personel.

[48:58] Forest. grow.

[49:25] Reflection. Reflection. Extraordinary

[49:43] Forest Grove

[49:51] in Forest Grove.

[50:22] That's it. Thank you, Council President Valenuela. We are now going to move on

[50:26] to item B on the agenda, which is public comment. Time provided for anyone

[50:32] wishing to speak to the council on any item not scheduled for a public hearing.

[50:36] Comments are limited to 2 minutes unless additional time is granted by the

[50:40] presiding officer. The public comment period shall not exceed 30 minutes

[50:44] unless extended by the council. Zoom attendees may use the raise hand option

[50:48] to be called on. And we have two people signed up for public comment. We'll

[50:53] start with Mr. Dale FE.

[51:15] » Good evening, Mr. FE. >> Good evening, Mayor Winsel and Council

[51:20] President Valuelia and Council B.

[51:26] I had when I do public comment to the county commissioners, this falls back.

[51:30] So I just have to check I don't fall back. Hurt myself. Sorry.

[51:36] May I have three minutes? >> You may.

[51:38] » Thank you. I sent you two emails. I'm going to talk about those two emails.

[51:43] One has to do with others have a right to expect from us and what we have a

[51:46] right expect from others. that has to do with Merkeley and wildfires.

[51:53] I ended I went to the Chamber of Commerce uh meeting today in which the

[52:00] pres the two talkers were uh Mlan Representative Mlan and Senator

[52:07] Sman uh and they they spoke I asked a

[52:11] question and they both spoke about the incident that happened to Senator Mlan

[52:15] out at the sewage and treatment plant in Forest Grove. She was verbally ousted.

[52:21] She her glasses were taken off of her and thrown and she the sheriff or police

[52:26] department came and they arrest him and he has a court date. Uh it was very

[52:30] clear for both of our representatives that that's inappropriate behavior and

[52:35] that people need to act civily even though they disagree with each other.

[52:41] And it's very important that that occur. I think before I did talk with you the

[52:46] email I sent you about what others have a right to expect from us. what we have

[52:49] a right to expect from them and in particular there are aid of them

[52:55] that we do not steal what belongs to them. We do not injure their health,

[52:58] damage their bodies or kill them. That we do not interfere with their freedom

[53:03] of action when their conduct in no way injures us and that we do not make false

[53:07] statements that would injure their reputation or give them a bad name. I

[53:11] just hope you, I'm sure you do, and everybody else involved in the political

[53:16] system, in the governmental system adheres to good ethics and behavior.

[53:24] Just hope that I made a presentation to the Hillsboro

[53:29] City Council. You know, when I send my emails, I send it usually to four mayors

[53:33] and I usually make comment here, but also I made comment at the Hillsboro

[53:38] city council meeting in the last meeting they had. I shared this with them. Uh

[53:43] they agreed with me. The city manager of Hillsboro came up to me later and said,

[53:47] "Thank you, Dale, for your comments and we read your emails." So, I much

[53:51] appreciate them doing that and taking seriously what I send to them. the

[53:58] wildfire. Uh I live in a wildfire zone in Forest Grove. I'm real concerned. I

[54:03] even had some uh arbivide cut down because we're in a fire wild wildfire

[54:09] area and you really have to be careful in doing that. But that's just local.

[54:12] We're talking about forest broke figure. We're talking about the county. We're

[54:17] talking about the state. And so Senator Mkeley introduced the wildfire smoke

[54:22] emergency declaration act. And in my email to you, I ask each of you to take

[54:27] a look at that and really support his bill. We need all the help we can get.

[54:33] So if you haven't looked at it, please take a look at it. It's very important.

[54:36] Thank you. >> Great. Thank you, Mr. V. Our second

[54:40] public comment is Miss Carol Allery.

[54:53] Hello. Good evening. >> Hey, I'm glad you guys all had a

[54:56] vacation. We all needed it. There's a lot been going on this last year.

[55:00] Anyway, uh and thank you for the information on uh what you're doing with

[55:05] the 9/11. I think that's an awesome thing that we're doing here. What I just

[55:09] have to share is I always come and I share the word of God with you guys

[55:12] because I think you need to be blessed by what he has to say. 1 Corinthians

[55:16] 2:6:10 says, "We teach wisdom to people who are mature, but the wise we teach uh

[55:23] not from this world. It is not the wisdom of the rulers of this world, nor

[55:28] are losing who are losing their powers, but we speak God's secret wisdom that

[55:33] has been hidden from everyone until now. God has planned this wisdom for your

[55:38] glory. He planned it before the world began. None of the rulers of this world

[55:43] understood this wisdom. If they had understood it, they would have not

[55:47] killed our great and gracious Lorden on a cross. But scriptures say, "No one has

[55:52] ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one can ever imagine what God has prepared

[55:57] for those who love him." Perfect love casts out all fear. And our Lord Jesus

[56:02] Christ offers that to anyone who loves him. May that bless you today. And may

[56:06] you have a wonderful evening. >> Thank you, Miss Allerie.

[56:11] There are no other individuals signed up for public comment. Is there anyone in

[56:15] the audience who would like to give public comment?

[56:21] Maybe a hesitation in the back. We're very kind up here.

[56:31] While you're decided, I'll ask, is there anyone on Zoom who would like to give

[56:34] public comment? Anybody on Zoom, please use the raise

[56:39] hand feature if you would like to give public comment.

[56:43] I'm not seeing anybody, so I'm going to ask again. In the audience, would you

[56:46] like to give public comment? No. Okay. Yes.

[56:52] Okay. Sounds good. Uh for those watching or maybe councelor Falconer, they're

[56:57] going to speak with Director Lane later. Um I I would believe probably about the

[57:01] senior center work session. Thank you for attending. Um okay, we're going to

[57:05] move on to our consent agenda. Consent agenda items considered routine that are

[57:09] adopted with a single motion without discussion. Councilors may remove items

[57:13] prior to the motion to adopt. Any removed items are discussed and acted

[57:17] upon following the approval of the remaining items. What is the wish of the

[57:22] council? >> Move.

[57:25] » Second. >> Councelor Marshall made the motion and

[57:29] councelor Martinez seconded the consent agenda. All those in favor, please say

[57:33] I. I. >> I. I. All those opposed hearing none.

[57:37] The consent agenda is approved in a 6 to zero vote. Thank you. Additions and

[57:44] deletions. City manager, do you have any additions or deletions?

[57:48] » No additions or deletions. Thank you, mayor.

[57:50] » Thank you. Any proposed by counselors seeing or hearing? None. We will now

[57:56] Nope. We will not. We will move on to item F, which is public hearings,

[58:01] ordinances, and resolutions. And our first resolution is from is resolution

[58:08] 202635. And I'm going to ask that our parks and

[58:12] rec director, Lane, come up to the microphone.

[58:19] I'm going to make sure I don't have any scripts.

[58:27] Sorry. I'm just making sure I don't have There's no public hearings on this,

[58:30] right? Nothing. No. Okay, cool.

[58:40] Seems like a whole lot of

[58:59] the first slide.

[59:04] Just very briefly, um, back on July 14th, the city was notified of an

[59:09] opportunity of two or actually rather three parcels of land that were coming

[59:14] for auction on July 16th. Uh, city expressed an interest in uh, being a

[59:21] bidder on those parcels as they are adjacent to uh, Kyle Park, the future

[59:27] future park to be developed down along Gails Creek. Um so after review um and

[59:35] great discussion we decided that we would go ahead and p pursue this. Um and

[59:41] it was [clears throat] the city did end up being the the winning bidder on two

[59:46] parcels. Uh it was very exciting. It was a mad dash and it was a little stressful

[59:52] but we got in and we made it happen. So, I just want to go through um these

[59:58] couple parcels with you. Slide.

[1:00:04] Uh the two parcels that we were winning bidder on were number 400 and 401 that

[1:00:08] are circled on the map there. Uh lot 203 that's in the square. That's the

[1:00:14] existing Kyle Park property. Um the third parcel that was up for auction

[1:00:20] that we did not bid on was lot 500. that's in blue directly north of 401.

[1:00:28] So, if you back up just briefly one time, uh the green highlight that's

[1:00:32] across there, that is the future route of the Forest Grove Loop Trail.

[1:00:38] » All right. Can Can I ask a question? Yeah. um lot 401 like that's not going

[1:00:44] to impede like not getting that lot has nothing to do with us being able to

[1:00:49] develop the the loop trail and that's correct

[1:00:52] » access it because we have access points at 203 is that right or

[1:00:57] » so we have access points at 203 but the trail actually runs on top of an

[1:01:03] existing utility easement >> okay

[1:01:05] » uh so we'll develop that surface uh into a a drivable surface that um will be

[1:01:11] reinforced for large. Got it.

[1:01:16] » Okay. >> You guys the other day.

[1:01:20] » Um so, first brief look at lot 400. This was the first property that was on the

[1:01:26] auction block. Uh it was also our top priority lot to acquire. 4.97 acres.

[1:01:32] Shares uh its east property line with Kyle Park and its north property line

[1:01:38] with the Forest Grove Loop Trail. Uh there is also a certificate of water

[1:01:43] rights with this parcel uh to Gail's Creek. Uh benefit is of course direct

[1:01:49] connection to Kyle Park and opportunity for future park expansion. This parcel

[1:01:55] is uh largely in flood plane but uh is a terrific opportunity for nature park

[1:02:00] experience. Next

[1:02:05] lot 401. This was the third property on the auction block. Uh but it was our

[1:02:10] second priority lot to acquire. Uh this totals 14.76 acres on this lot. Shares a

[1:02:17] property line to the north with the future Forest Grove Loop Trail. It too

[1:02:21] has a certificate of water rights. Uh water rights are um a big deal. Let's

[1:02:27] just say that. Uh benefit of this parcel is uh just its size in general, but a

[1:02:34] lot of creek frontage and its close proximity to Kyle Park. Uh there's also

[1:02:40] terrific opportunity although a lot of it is in flood plane for uh again nature

[1:02:45] park uh experience

[1:02:49] » and that is it. So we were the successful bidder. Um those two parcels

[1:02:55] uh [laughter] we were high bid total came to $217,800.

[1:03:01] um purchase of that came from or would come from the parks systems development

[1:03:06] charges. Well, any questions from council for

[1:03:11] director Lane? Yes, I see councelor Shiml. Well, just to confirm my

[1:03:17] understanding and maybe the right language to describe the funds used to

[1:03:21] purchase this as well as the metro funds used to reimburse it.

[1:03:26] So, also on the agenda coming up next will be um discussion about the

[1:03:31] acquisition reimbursement from Metro. But even if that reimbursement wasn't

[1:03:36] available, the the money that uh would be used to to make this purchase comes

[1:03:42] from what's called parks systems development charges. Those are fees that

[1:03:46] are charged to developers when they construct things in town. And it's a per

[1:03:50] door charge that goes into a special account that we use um to expand

[1:03:55] recreational opportunity.

[1:04:00] Perfect. Okay. What is the wish of the council?

[1:04:06] » So move 2026-35.

[1:04:10] Move to adopt. >> Okay. Perfect. So, resolution 2026-35

[1:04:16] was moved by councelor Shiml and seconded by councelor Martinez. Any

[1:04:20] discussion?

[1:04:24] Seeing no discussion, want to make sure I'm looking at councelor Falconer.

[1:04:28] Um, no discussion. Okay. Uh, because it has to do with land acquisition, we're

[1:04:33] going to do a roll call vote.

[1:04:38] » Oh, wait. Can you read it by Listen, it's my first meeting back after a

[1:04:41] month. Give me a break. I caught myself like Jesse's looking. Will the city

[1:04:46] manager please read the resolution by title only?

[1:04:48] » Resolution 2026-35 authorizing the purchase of property

[1:04:52] identified as tack lot tax lots 1 s41000-00400

[1:04:58] and 1-0041

[1:05:03] for the expansion of adjacent city park property and authorizing city manager to

[1:05:07] complete the purchase. >> Okay, great. And now, will the city

[1:05:11] recorder please call for the vote? >> Councelor Martinez,

[1:05:14] » yes. >> Councelor Marshall,

[1:05:16] » yes. >> Council President Valenzuela,

[1:05:18] » yes. >> Councelor Shimo,

[1:05:20] » yes. >> Councelor Falconer,

[1:05:22] » yes. >> Mayor Wel,

[1:05:23] » yes. The Forest Grove City Council approves resolution 2026-35

[1:05:29] with a 6 to0 vote. Before we move on, I just would like to say that prior to

[1:05:35] being mayor, when my predecessor, Mayor Traxx, did this and would mess up in my

[1:05:39] brain, I was like, "Come on, this is not that difficult. Get it together." And

[1:05:42] now I seem to mess up all the [laughter] time. So, just a little reflection of

[1:05:48] maybe I should be a little bit more graceful. Okay. Anyways, uh we're going

[1:05:53] to move on to resolution 2026-36. And I'm going to continue to let

[1:05:59] Director Lane. All right. Very good. Thank you. Um

[1:06:04] before we went to bid on the two parcels um down on Gails Creek, I approached

[1:06:10] Metro. Uh as previous conversations with them, they had indicated to me that they

[1:06:15] had the ability to help with land acquisition should an opportunity arise.

[1:06:19] I reached out to them. Uh they said, "We can't move that quickly. Hopefully you

[1:06:23] can. Uh and if you can, we'll help you out." So they they are helping us out

[1:06:28] significantly by reimbursing the purchase of the two parcels um at a

[1:06:34] total of $200,000. So uh net cost to the city is 17,800 for

[1:06:40] those two parcels. >> Is how much? Can you say that again?

[1:06:43] » 17,800. That's

[1:06:47] that's so nice. >> I'm telling you partners are partners.

[1:06:52] It's where it's where the magic happens. Metro. Thank you, Metro.

[1:06:57] Cool. Any Is that the end of your staff report? I don't want to cut you off.

[1:07:00] » Yeah, that's it. Okay. So, are there any questions for Director Lane? Yeah, I

[1:07:04] think you know I would like to just say yes. Partnerships. It's where the the

[1:07:09] secret sauce is at, right? Um is working together. So, are there no other

[1:07:15] questions? Will the city m Oh, I need a motion. Jeez Louise.

[1:07:24] Okay. Can I please get a motion? >> I move that we approve.

[1:07:29] » Jeez Louise. >> Man, I'm struggling. Okay. Councelor

[1:07:34] Martinez made the motion and councelor Shiml seconded resolution 2026-36.

[1:07:40] And now I should ask for discussion. Seeing no discussion, will the city

[1:07:46] manager please read the resolution by title only?

[1:07:50] » Resolution 2026-36. authorizing the city manager to enter

[1:07:54] into an intergovernmental agreement with Metro to receive acquisition funding.

[1:07:59] » Okay, great. And all those in favor, please say I.

[1:08:05] » I. All opposed? >> Hearing none. Resolution 2026-36

[1:08:10] is approved by the Force City Council in a six to zero vote.

[1:08:15] » Thank you, Director Lane. On a side note, I want to give her and props for

[1:08:19] moving on this so fast and seeing the seeing the value in this land because

[1:08:24] that was a huge purchase in a short amount of time and I know it took a a

[1:08:28] lot of like a lot of getting everything lined up really fast and you did a great

[1:08:33] job with that. >> Thank you very much for being nimble and

[1:08:36] working with me. So [laughter] yeah, >> thank you. Thanks so much. Thank you,

[1:08:40] Councelor Marshall. Next up is resolution 20226-37

[1:08:45] and I'm this has to do with an IGA with clean water services and I will have our

[1:08:50] assistant city manager Kim Eel present.

[1:08:56] Thank you and good evening mayor and council. The resolution before you this

[1:09:00] evening authorizes the city manager to execute an intergovernmental agreement

[1:09:04] with clean water services that delineates specific responsibilities of

[1:09:07] each party for storm water and sewer services. The original IGA was adopted

[1:09:11] in 2005 and has been amended subsequently. All cities within

[1:09:15] Washington County have an IGA with clean water services. Beginning in early 2025,

[1:09:20] CWS undertook a process to update their IGAs with all partner cities with the

[1:09:24] intention of seeking consistency among cities in operating and managing program

[1:09:27] responsibilities. The city and CWS staff have met several times and have reached

[1:09:32] consensus on the IGA before you for consideration this evening. While many

[1:09:36] core elements of the 2005 IGA remain in place, the proposed IGA updates and

[1:09:40] modernizes the previous agreement. Two notable changes to the IGA are one, the

[1:09:45] addition of language that allows cities to bill CWS for billing, collecting, and

[1:09:50] remitting sewer and storm water revenues to CWS. The cities are collaborating

[1:09:54] with each other and CWS on a consistent billing approach and are expected to

[1:09:58] have a process in place soon. This proposal will result in increased

[1:10:02] revenue to the city of Forest Grove to pay for a portion of the city's utility

[1:10:05] billing expenses. The second notable change is changes the

[1:10:10] sanitary sewer SDC allocation from 80% CWS and 20% city to 96% CWS and 4% city

[1:10:20] effective July 1st, 2027, so next fiscal year. Coupled with the change in the SEC

[1:10:26] allocations is an increase in cost sharing eligibility for the city of

[1:10:29] Forest Grove for replacement sewer pipes 12 in and greater. This means a city can

[1:10:34] now split replacement costs 50/50 with CWS for 48,000 linear feet of pipe

[1:10:40] instead of bearing the entire cost. Based on the new cost sharing formula,

[1:10:44] the city estimates 10 to 16 million in savings and replacement costs, far

[1:10:48] exceeding what would have been collected in SDC revenues under the previous

[1:10:51] allocation methodology. This SEC allocation change makes Forest Grove

[1:10:55] consistent with all other cities in Washington County and will lead to

[1:10:58] significantly reduced future capital expenses. Thank you and happy to answer

[1:11:02] any questions. Thank you. Any questions for assistant city manager?

[1:11:09] » Okay, hearing no questions. What's the wish of the council?

[1:11:15] Move that we approve resolution 202637.

[1:11:20] » Second. Thank you. Resolution 2026-37

[1:11:25] was moved by councelor Martinez and seconded by councelor Marshall. Any

[1:11:29] discussion? Well, I'm excited about the billing

[1:11:34] thing. I mean, I know that seems pretty pretty small, but I think that's really

[1:11:39] important and I Anyways, I'm pretty excited to hear that that's getting done

[1:11:42] and the future. I mean, at first I was like, wait, what are we getting out of

[1:11:46] this? But the infrastructure costs are going to be yeah I think the I mean

[1:11:51] again what Ann said right partners secret sauce

[1:11:56] » okay so that's my discussion I don't see any other discussion um will the city

[1:12:01] manager please read the resolution by title only

[1:12:04] » resolution 2026-37 authorizing the city manager to execute

[1:12:08] an intergovernmental agreement with clean water services regarding

[1:12:11] cooperative management. [clears throat] >> Thank you very much. All those in favor,

[1:12:15] please say I. >> I.

[1:12:17] » I. >> I.

[1:12:18] » All those opposed. Hearing none. Resolution 2026-37

[1:12:24] is approved by the Force City Council in a 6 to zero vote.

[1:12:28] Okay. And next up is our assistant or nope. Next up is our city manager Jesse

[1:12:33] Vanderan talking about our legislative priorities to the League of Oregon

[1:12:39] Cities. >> Thank you, mayor, members of the

[1:12:41] council. Um, each even-numbered year, the League of Oregon Cities, of which

[1:12:45] the city is a member, asks each city to submit their top five legislative

[1:12:50] priorities that they would like the League of Oregon Cities to focus on

[1:12:54] during the legislative cycle. The League of Oregon Cities has several lobbyists

[1:12:57] that go down and represent their city members, of which we are one. Once all

[1:13:01] the city's votes are tallied, the LC board of directors will review and

[1:13:05] approve a final set of legislative priorities at exo at its October

[1:13:10] meeting. The city council met in a work session on July 13th and arrived at a

[1:13:14] consensus to submit the following overall top five priorities not

[1:13:18] necessarily in priority order. The priorities are public meetings law

[1:13:22] clarity, infrastructure funding, land availability and land use streamlining,

[1:13:28] 2027 transportation package, and full funding and streamlining for housing

[1:13:33] production. I'd be happy to answer any questions that the council may have.

[1:13:37] Okay, >> any questions for Jesse? Hearing

[1:13:43] none. What is the wish of the council?

[1:13:48] Move that we pass resolution 2026-38.

[1:13:53] Thank you. Second. >> Thank you.

[1:13:57] Resolution 2026-38 was moved by councelor Martinez and

[1:14:01] seconded by council president Valenuela. Any discussion?

[1:14:10] Just for the audience, just update. We had a work session about this a month

[1:14:14] ago. It's like I just wanted we're not just like picking and choosing. It's not

[1:14:18] a multiple choice like state test. Okay. I guess I don't need to say that. But

[1:14:24] anyways, let's say Andrew, please read this by title only.

[1:14:28] » Resolution 2026-38 authorizing the city manager to submit

[1:14:32] city council legislative priorities to the League of Oregon Cities.

[1:14:36] » Thank you. All those in favor, please say I. I.

[1:14:40] » All those opposed. Hearing none. Resolution 2026-38

[1:14:44] is approved by the Force City Council in a 6 to zero vote. Next up on the agenda,

[1:14:51] I believe is hang on. I guess I have to turn my page. I think it's our labor

[1:14:56] agreement, but I can't turn my agenda. All right.

[1:15:00] Resolution 20-2639 authorizing

[1:15:04] execution of a labor agreement. And I'm gonna turn it over to our human resource

[1:15:09] director, Brenda Camele, and then also Emily. I don't know your last name by

[1:15:15] heart, but >> Gmont.

[1:15:16] » Gmont. That's right. Emily Gmont, um, our city attorney.

[1:15:22] » All right. Well, good evening, council. Um, we are here today with the good news

[1:15:26] that through bargaining, we have reached tentative agreement on a new collective

[1:15:30] bargaining agreement with ASME. Um this as we know the CDA uh we're currently

[1:15:36] under expired on June 30. So we're in a holdover period right now. Um ask me has

[1:15:41] already ratified the CBA. It was a unanimous vote which is always

[1:15:46] encouraging and we are here to advocate that council also ratify the CBA. Um

[1:15:52] I'll quickly go through some highlights. So um you know the money is always the

[1:15:56] big part of a new contract. So through your contract here are the wage

[1:16:00] increases. In year 1, employees will receive a 2% market adjustment to bring

[1:16:05] them within competitive market range and then a 4% cost of living adjustment.

[1:16:10] Year two is a 3.75 cost of living adjustment and year three is a 3.25%

[1:16:16] cost of living adjustment. Um, one of uh the city's goals and actually as goals

[1:16:22] too, a shared goal for this bargaining session was to promote recruitment and

[1:16:26] retention of employees. um recruit new employees, retain the employees that we

[1:16:31] currently have. So to that end, there were some other changes we agreed to in

[1:16:35] the contract. Um we made some adjustments to vacation so that

[1:16:38] employees acrew more vacation earlier in their tenure with the city. Um we made

[1:16:44] some changes to some longevity incentives. one in particular um when

[1:16:49] employees [clears throat] reach certain yearly milestones of continuous

[1:16:53] employment in the city they get you know cash sums added to their VA accounts. Um

[1:16:58] we did some work on the positions in the public works department. Added some new

[1:17:03] positions so that employees have um opportunities to move into um more

[1:17:08] advanced positions for professional development, bringing a skill set to the

[1:17:12] city that the city would find very valuable for operations and then made

[1:17:16] some spot adjustments to existing positions um spots on the wage scale to

[1:17:20] stay competitive within the market. We also um were protective of the city's

[1:17:25] financial position. One of the um things we bargained for was is a CDL

[1:17:30] reimbursement program. So, city pays to send employees to go get their

[1:17:34] commercial driver's license. Pays for the employees time and training, pays

[1:17:37] for the cost of receiving that training, which is a big investment for the city.

[1:17:41] Um and it's beneficial for both the city and the employee. So, we have language

[1:17:45] now in the CBA that um would allow the city to recoup some of those costs if

[1:17:51] the employee were to leave under certain circumstances within 2 years following

[1:17:55] their date of getting that CDL. Um insurance was another feature of

[1:17:59] bargaining. Um city's insurance contributions remain at 95%. So, city

[1:18:04] pays 95% of the health insurance premiums, employee pays 5%. That's a

[1:18:09] carryover from the contract language we're currently under. Um, but I think a

[1:18:13] great thing that we have agreed to is that upon ratification, if that's if

[1:18:17] that's the way council votes tonight, um, the city and ASME are convening a

[1:18:21] task force to look into alternative sources of health insurance coverage.

[1:18:27] You know, right now, um, for ASME, CIS provides the policies. There have been

[1:18:32] pretty substantial increases in cost to those. So, the point of this task force

[1:18:36] is to go out and see what other options might be available so that employees

[1:18:40] have the insurance that they need at a cost that makes sense for both the city

[1:18:45] and the employee. Um, Brenda, anything you'd add?

[1:18:50] » No, I just want to quickly recognize our bargaining team. That was excellent. Um

[1:18:54] besides Emily and myself, um our assistant city manager was over there um

[1:18:59] she was on the bargaining team, very helpful for us and great initiation for

[1:19:04] her into um the union side of things here at the city. Um Greg Robertson,

[1:19:08] public works director and Colleen Winters, library director. So very

[1:19:12] excellent team. >> Yes, I will give another shout out to

[1:19:15] the basket of snacks that Kim brought to every bargaining session. That was a

[1:19:19] very valuable member of the city's bargaining team. And I'd also like to

[1:19:22] thank the ask me bargaining team. Um we did a lot of good work at the table. Um

[1:19:26] really appreciate working with all of your ask members who are on that

[1:19:29] bargaining team and then also the ask me representative who joined us. But a

[1:19:34] quick question can you explain to I mean maybe the people that aren't watching

[1:19:38] but people who are watching like the difference the diverse job

[1:19:42] classifications in this labor organization.

[1:19:45] » Yeah. Apps is our largest bargaining unit. It encompasses everything from our

[1:19:49] janitors to our planners to administrative staff to the employees

[1:19:54] who basically do everything that is not covered by IBW, fire, police um or

[1:20:00] management. So it is our broadest most diverse union um and has all levels of

[1:20:07] employees. So I think it's a a big challenge for them to get their members

[1:20:11] together and on the same page and even come up with bargaining priorities. So,

[1:20:14] I think that they had really good leadership this year

[1:20:17] » and um what I'm hearing the employees are very happy with with the contract

[1:20:22] and that the city has recognized them for the work that they're doing.

[1:20:27] » Great. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. What is the wish of the council

[1:20:36] that we pass uh resolution [clears throat] 2026

[1:20:41] 38? Second.

[1:20:44] Yeah, you're good. Thank you. Resolution 202639,

[1:20:49] I think. 39. No, no, right. Yeah, 39 was moved by councelor Martinez and seconded

[1:20:55] by councelor Shiml. Any discussion? >> Yeah, I just think I think we all just

[1:21:02] think great work and then also great work from as you said, ask me. I mean

[1:21:06] that that is a really large complex. I mean everything that we have in the city

[1:21:11] is because of the employee. I mean, like literally throughout the whole city, uh,

[1:21:16] they show up for us. So, thank you. It's I think it's difficult to to negotiate

[1:21:22] all of those roles and make sure people are happy and I think you all did a

[1:21:25] really good job. So, um, thank you. Any other discussion?

[1:21:31] Seeing none, um, will the city manager please read the resolution by title

[1:21:36] only? Resolution 2026-39 authorizing execution of a labor

[1:21:41] agreement between the city of Forest Grove and the American Federation of

[1:21:44] State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3786

[1:21:49] Council 75 effective July 1st, 2006 26 and expiring June 30th, 2029.

[1:21:57] » Great. Thank you. Will the city recorder please call roll?

[1:22:02] » Councelor Marshall, >> yes. Council President Valenza,

[1:22:06] » yes. >> Councelor Shimal,

[1:22:08] » yes. >> Councelor Falconer,

[1:22:10] » yes. >> Councelor Martinez,

[1:22:12] » yes. >> Mayor Wzel,

[1:22:13] » yes. Resolution 2026-39 is approved by the Force Road City

[1:22:18] Council in a 6 to0 vote. Thank you very much. Um, you're not off yet. So, we're

[1:22:23] going to move on to resolution 2026-40, adopting city managers performance

[1:22:29] review. >> I'm going to let Emily take this. She

[1:22:32] was directly involved. >> All right. final step here. Um, so today

[1:22:37] is the day where the council makes the official decision whether to adopt the

[1:22:41] performance review that has been previously discussed with their city

[1:22:44] manager in executive session. I believe that was back in June June 22nd.

[1:22:48] » Mhm. Correct. So I mean is there any questions about

[1:22:55] Okay. What's the wish of the council? >> So I move that we pass resolution

[1:22:59] 202640. >> Thank you.

[1:23:03] Second. >> Thank you. Resolution 2026-40

[1:23:06] was moved by councelor Martinez, seconded by councelor Shiml. Any

[1:23:10] discussion? I'm going to ask our assistency manager

[1:23:15] to read it by title only because Jesse kind of gets weird about this stuff.

[1:23:20] Sorry, Kim, to put you on the spot. I should have told you before.

[1:23:24] » That's okay. I found it. Uh, resolution 2026-40 adopting city manager

[1:23:28] performance review. >> Okay. All those in favor, please say I.

[1:23:34] I. I..................... All. Those opposed. Hearing none. Resolution

[1:23:37] 2026-40 is approved by the force grow city

[1:23:40] council in a 6 to0 vote. And then we're going to move on to resolution 2026-41

[1:23:46] authorizing compensation for city manager. I'm going to turn it over to

[1:23:49] Brenda to give us some information about comparables and give us the the 411. So

[1:23:56] the final step then um the evaluation has now been completed and adopted by

[1:24:00] council. So the final step is to set the c the compensation for the city manager

[1:24:04] position for the upcoming year and it will be retroactive to July 1st um and

[1:24:09] also the vehicle allowance for the city manager position. Um last year you might

[1:24:14] remember that we found that our city manager position was over 5% um more

[1:24:19] than that below the market for our peer cities in our area. The council took two

[1:24:23] important steps at that point. They gave the position not only a cost of living

[1:24:28] adjustment but also deferred compensation which was something that we

[1:24:31] were seeing a lot of peer cities doing with their city managers which so when

[1:24:35] you look at just base compensation the position was already 5% below the

[1:24:41] market. When you look at total compensation it was much more out of the

[1:24:44] market. So the council adopted last year a 5% deferred compensation

[1:24:49] ongoing for the city manager as well. So what we found this year which is good

[1:24:52] news is that I think that worked and kept our position in the market. So on

[1:24:58] base compensation alone um with the 10 peers who I was able to get data from in

[1:25:04] our in our area it put the city manager's position at 74% above market

[1:25:10] median which basically means it's at median.

[1:25:12] » Yeah. with the total compensation, including things like retirement,

[1:25:17] deferred comp, um, vehicle allowance, FIBA contributions, those kind of

[1:25:22] things. The position is 1.79% above market median, which, you know,

[1:25:27] with the comparables, I'm very pleased with that. So, thank you for the work

[1:25:31] that you did [clears throat] last year because no matter how Jesse feels about

[1:25:34] not wanting us to give him pay increases, we need to stay competitive

[1:25:37] in the market um, for this position. Mhm.

[1:25:40] » And so I wanted to bring to the council um this evening just some information

[1:25:44] about so the market position is is good in terms of our policies on

[1:25:49] compensation. The council then gets to decide how much they want to provide for

[1:25:54] percentage increase and we always or generally do the same percentage

[1:25:58] increase for the vehicle allowance that we do for the

[1:26:02] uh for the cost of living increase. So I put together some numbers um for three

[1:26:07] 3.2 3.25.

[1:26:11] Shouldn't have eaten those nuts before I came. Um 3.5, four, and 5%. Just to have

[1:26:16] numbers available for the council. To give you a little bit of context, um our

[1:26:19] unrepresented employees received 3.25% cost of living increase on July 1st. Um

[1:26:26] as you saw, the um IBW got significantly higher. Of course, each of these groups

[1:26:32] have different markets and different factors that are considered and asked

[1:26:35] me, you know, just received a 6% but so the UNREP um is 3.25%. If you want any

[1:26:41] more information I can provide, please let me know. Yeah. So,

[1:26:48] I feel well we I think I mean I I guess it's

[1:26:53] more for discussion. I don't have a question for you. Sorry, I caught myself

[1:26:57] not doing the right process. Any questions for Bren for Brenda?

[1:27:03] Um if when we decide on the percent the

[1:27:07] cola increase, you'll help me fill out the what that equals to per month and

[1:27:11] Okay, let's um so let's can I have a process question? I don't

[1:27:16] know if it's maybe for Mariah. So, in order to have I'm kind of like in my I'm

[1:27:21] already been really bad tonight about my order of operations, but we can't really

[1:27:25] have a motion until we have the amount and I can't. So, I want to discuss

[1:27:31] before the motion. Can I do that? Usually, it's a motion, the discussion,

[1:27:36] the right >> I I think you would still make a motion

[1:27:41] to adopt the resolution. So, you could have the discussion and then you would

[1:27:44] then make a motion to amend the resolution.

[1:27:47] Okay, let's do that then. Thank you. Is there a motion to adopt

[1:27:55] resolution 202641 to discuss compensation?

[1:27:59] » A motion to approve resolution 202641.

[1:28:04] » Perfect. >> Second.

[1:28:05] » Great. Thank you. Resolution 2026-41 is moved by councelor Marshall and

[1:28:09] seconded by councelor Martinez. And now let's start discussing the cola, the

[1:28:15] bargaining, right? the numbers. Um, so what I was going to say is that,

[1:28:20] you know, the complexity of being a full service city and having lots of unions

[1:28:26] and all these things going on is constantly the balance game of like

[1:28:31] making sure we're doing what's fair to the person in the moment, I think, and,

[1:28:37] you know, backing it up with data. And we made our jump for Jesse last year,

[1:28:43] and I really, really appreciate it. I think and I think we are all in

[1:28:47] agreement that we needed to correct that and he's been doing a great job. I think

[1:28:52] where I'm at right now is that I would like just to keep it at 3.25 as the

[1:28:58] unrepresented groups and have that be the same. Um, and I think that

[1:29:05] just I just think that that's what I would like to do stand alone. I think

[1:29:09] it's the best policy, but then also as you're finishing up other negotiations

[1:29:13] like just to make sure I don't know that's my

[1:29:17] I'm not going to say anything more about it but that's my

[1:29:19] » I agree I hear [clears throat] an agreement from

[1:29:23] and then council uh councelor Falconer what do

[1:29:28] you think okay cool okay so if we do 325 so if I wrote it out

[1:29:37] well I got to we got to get the numbers first let's try to do so with the

[1:29:40] amending motion I think do we need to say like section one. Do I Okay, let me

[1:29:48] just ask. Right. So, can we do a motion saying we want to have a bullet increase

[1:29:54] of 3.25%. And that would be good enough or do we

[1:29:58] need to say the city manager's base salary shall be as follows?

[1:30:02] This this blank per month this this annually and then the car.

[1:30:08] » I think you would make a motion to modify or to amend sections one and two.

[1:30:14] um or the exact amount 3.25% increase. >> Um

[1:30:21] I'll chime in. Yes, you can just say 3.25% increase because we know what the

[1:30:26] amount is right now and the numbers will follow from the percentage increase.

[1:30:29] » Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Go for it.

[1:30:32] » I'll make a motion uh to amend resolution 2026-41

[1:30:38] to reflect a 3.25% 25% for section one and 3.25 for section two.

[1:30:45] » Okay, I second. >> So the amended motion with the 3.25%

[1:30:50] coal increase was moved by councelor Shiml and seconded by councelor

[1:30:53] Martinez. Any discussion on that? Okay. Now when we vote are we we're

[1:31:00] voting just on the amendment or can is it just the vote now?

[1:31:02] » So you had an open motion on the table. You move to amend the motion. You vote

[1:31:06] on the amendment and then the motion becomes the amended motion and then you

[1:31:10] vote on the >> We're going to vote twice.

[1:31:12] » Yeah. And then I have a suggestion at some other point to streamline this for

[1:31:16] you in the future. >> Amazing. Thank you.

[1:31:18] » But that's Yeah. Two votes. Here we go. >> Okay. And thanks. I'll take that,

[1:31:23] you know, recommendation. Okay. So, uh, do we have to read it by title

[1:31:30] assist manager? Can No, not the amendment one. Okay. So, let's take a

[1:31:34] vote on the amend amended motion. Uh, Mariah, can you please call for the

[1:31:41] vote on the amendment? >> Council President Venuela,

[1:31:47] » yes. >> Councelor Shimal,

[1:31:48] » yes. >> Councelor Falconer,

[1:31:50] » yes. >> Councelor Martinez,

[1:31:52] » yes. >> Councelor Marshall,

[1:31:54] » yes. >> Mayor Wel,

[1:31:55] » yes. So, the amended resolution qualifying the same manager for a 3.25%

[1:32:01] 25% increase has been approved. Is there any discussion on resolution 202641

[1:32:09] with the cola included? >> I have a sorry quick question. Is that

[1:32:14] 3.25 you're carrying it through sections one and two?

[1:32:17] » Yes. >> Okay.

[1:32:19] » That was my understanding. >> Yeah.

[1:32:22] » That was his motion. >> Okay.

[1:32:24] » So, we're going to say yes. Okay. Um Okay. Can we

[1:32:30] say city manager will you please read the resolution by title only?

[1:32:35] » Absolutely. Resolution 2026-41 authorizing compensation for city

[1:32:41] manager for fiscal year 2026 to 27. >> Thank you very much. Amai, will you

[1:32:46] please call for the vote? >> Councelor Shimal,

[1:32:49] » yes. >> Councelor Falconer,

[1:32:52] » yes. >> Councelor Martinez,

[1:32:54] » yes. >> Councelor Marshall,

[1:32:56] » yes. Council President Venuela, >> yes.

[1:32:58] » Mayor Wel, >> yes. Resolution 2026-41

[1:33:02] has been approved by the Force City Council in a 6 to zero vote. Thank you

[1:33:06] very much for the work you all do and thank you for helping me get through

[1:33:09] this. A little awkward dance. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay, now we're

[1:33:15] going to move on to item G, which is our council communication.

[1:33:19] Uh, and I'm going to start with our council president, Valenuela.

[1:33:24] Thank you, mayor. So, um

[1:33:32] the there are three um activities that I would like to highlight

[1:33:37] uh with the library uh commission for which I am the leazison.

[1:33:44] Um, we were invited to a tour of our police station

[1:33:52] and uh I had done that a few years ago when I first came to council

[1:33:58] and uh that was in 2019.

[1:34:04] So what I can say and ask is for my community, our community,

[1:34:13] um to support our police department um this November. Um the situation, the

[1:34:22] building, the need, it's just I found it to be kind of precarious to be honest.

[1:34:29] like since 2019 until now. Um it has deteriorated more.

[1:34:37] They need more space. We always want to support our police force.

[1:34:45] There are a lot of community members that are always advocating for the blue.

[1:34:52] Um so let's show that uh this November

[1:34:56] because they really need our support. Um I also attended the uh policy

[1:35:05] advisory board. This time we met in person which we do only once a year

[1:35:10] during the month of August. We met in Cornelius at the library and we were

[1:35:16] greeted by the city manager of Cornelius, Peter Brandon. And uh thank

[1:35:22] you so much to him uh for his uh hospitality, for having us there, giving

[1:35:28] us a a tour, a very quiet tour of the library cuz you know how libraries are,

[1:35:32] right? So you can just walk around very quietly. H but it was really great to

[1:35:38] see uh how the vision of that city when they worked on the project to renew uh

[1:35:44] their downtown how it's becoming a reality.

[1:35:49] uh already, you know, we having the library built over there with affordable

[1:35:53] housing for seniors upstairs just above the library.

[1:35:58] » Um and then um he took us on a tour to what used to be Cornelius Elementary

[1:36:05] School and it's going to become

[1:36:09] a the community center. They already have the basketball courts. So it just

[1:36:15] really and a lot of space you know so it used to be a school. So you know for us

[1:36:21] to build something like that it would be a huge task but they already have this

[1:36:28] gift you know this school that they're purchasing from the school district

[1:36:33] uh to make it their community center. and uh he explained to us, we looked at

[1:36:39] the rooms, you know, and everything that they were planning on doing in that

[1:36:44] space. We also looked at some slides of the

[1:36:48] projects um that Cornelius has been able to fund uh to improve their streets,

[1:36:55] especially sidewalks for people with disabilities. Um there were no sidewalks

[1:37:00] in some streets there a few years ago. Uh but it's amazing how you know with

[1:37:06] [clears throat] all the effort and uh uh CDBG uh funding you know how how much it

[1:37:13] can help to change the community um just you know to make it a better place and

[1:37:20] there I learned that their farmers market is right there in the Cornelius

[1:37:25] parking lot. >> Uh so they're really you know making

[1:37:29] their vision come true. So h it was a really nice gathering you know it was um

[1:37:37] yes but sadly we also learned that a few of the members of the policy

[1:37:47] advisory board are not going to run for reelection this November.

[1:37:53] So you know counselors from other cities have decided that their time has come

[1:37:59] you know to do other things. So um

[1:38:05] that was kind of sad because you work with people for so many years. Um

[1:38:11] so [clears throat] there's always a change in the dynamic of the whole thing

[1:38:14] when someone of the team you know changes

[1:38:18] or [clears throat] goes you know. Um so uh that's for that and uh the public

[1:38:24] uh arts commission is getting ready and I suppose you did receive the the

[1:38:30] invitation to the event. Uh they are working really hard to make that event

[1:38:35] great for the community. [clears throat] is going to be at the library, our our

[1:38:39] public library uh on September 26th.

[1:38:44] Uh I believe it's from >> 4 to 6 or a couple of hours. Uh there

[1:38:52] will be a lot of history, you know, of how art has become part of the city. Uh

[1:38:59] the different projects that have been accomplished, different artists will be

[1:39:03] present as well. And uh I invite the whole community um

[1:39:10] to come and be part of that uh because you know that helps you see

[1:39:15] what a special town we live in. Um so yeah those are those are the things I

[1:39:20] wanted to to highlight and um yeah >> thank you council president. Those are

[1:39:28] good uplifting and it's the I looked it up. It's on the 20th of

[1:39:33] » September. 26. >> 20th. September 20th.

[1:39:40] No, 26. >> That's what a

[1:39:44] » I don't know. That's >> okay.

[1:39:45] » But maybe not. But 4 that's what I have on my email.

[1:39:48] » So I will I will look it up because I need to be sure.

[1:39:52] » Sunday. I have Sunday, September 20th, 4 to 6, the 20th anniversary celebration.

[1:39:57] It should be a good time. And yeah, if we can all make it, it would be great.

[1:40:00] » Okay. I'll probably mention it next time, a

[1:40:06] reminder. >> Okay, perfect. Um, okay. Next up is

[1:40:10] Councelor Falconer. [clears throat]

[1:40:15] » Um, thanks everyone. The, uh, just real quick, I'm on East Coast time, so I'm

[1:40:20] going to keep my comments really short. Uh, the, uh, chamber is hosting the

[1:40:25] cornrows fest is coming up, so September 19th. Please mark your calendar for

[1:40:29] that. Um, also, you know, I just wanted to real quick, um, I know it's been

[1:40:35] quite, um, there's been a lot of conversation online and in the news. Um,

[1:40:40] and I just, as I was reflecting on the proclamation earlier tonight, uh, for

[1:40:45] first responders, I was, um, you know, it's been really heavy on my heart. Um,

[1:40:49] what happened over the weekend outside of city limits, my heart is just

[1:40:53] breaking for those fam for the families, for those involved. Um, but also I've

[1:40:58] been thinking a lot about um our firefighters and our um police officers

[1:41:02] and all of the first responders who have been um who responded to the incident um

[1:41:08] and also are responsible for investigating um the events. Um so just

[1:41:13] been thinking a lot about um everyone who's who's been touched by that and

[1:41:18] just want to say um I've been thinking a lot about that and I know all of

[1:41:23] everyone in the community really is as well. So,

[1:41:27] thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Falconer.

[1:41:31] Councelor Marshall, >> um Ann had gone over most of what I was

[1:41:36] going to discuss. That was uh the majority of our meeting. Um do you want

[1:41:41] to give out a shout out to Cody for the WCK program this summer uh for nothing

[1:41:47] but great things from from kids um along with the staff that's worked with it. I

[1:41:52] know a handful of the kids that work there and they said they had a awesome

[1:41:55] time and were sad to see it end. Um, one thing um, Future X has stepped down as a

[1:42:01] leazison and it's now going to be Linda Harrington has stepped in to take that

[1:42:06] place. >> Um,

[1:42:08] that was um, mostly what I had actually the other thing was is that um, the

[1:42:13] parks and recck board did agree with um, the B option during our work session as

[1:42:18] well. I know they sent out that, but that was um they were all pretty excited

[1:42:21] for that um that opportunity for that. Um our next meeting we will be holding

[1:42:27] at the um police department as well to kind of switch it up one and two give it

[1:42:32] a give everybody a kind of an idea of what it looks like there, what what

[1:42:36] everything is there. Um and that is all I have for that.

[1:42:40] » Okay, great. Thank you, Councelor Marshall. Councilor Martinez

[1:42:46] had the sister city committee meeting last week. Um we will have our student

[1:42:51] delegation here in Forest Grove October 20th to November 1st. We'll have 10

[1:42:58] students. They're around 13 12 to 13 years old. Um and also two men and a

[1:43:06] woman um teacher one who's uh I guess it was two teachers and well someone from

[1:43:13] their welfare division.

[1:43:17] Um you know the only thing other thing I want to say is um with the rural board

[1:43:23] there's not a whole lot of information to give except that every meeting um

[1:43:30] chief uh is sharing about the exceptional work

[1:43:36] that we're able to do because of the bond that was passed with the extra

[1:43:41] firefighters and we're able to most of the time

[1:43:45] um staff to engines and so our um capabilities to respond to emergencies

[1:43:52] is much better. >> That is really good. Thank you

[1:43:57] » councelor Shamal. >> Thank you mayor. Um EDC was on sobatical

[1:44:02] in August. Thank you Miles. Uh DV highway transit uh committee uh will

[1:44:09] meet again at the end of uh September. uh they rotate around to different

[1:44:14] municipal chambers uh and each time and they'll be here uh for the next meeting

[1:44:21] on the 29th and then uh CCe also met at the uh uh

[1:44:27] police station. So I it sounds like all the different committees commissions are

[1:44:32] rotating in. Uh so especially for CC, it's good good uh awareness and uh a few

[1:44:40] months ago an uh extended invitation to join her on a trip around the Emerald

[1:44:46] Trail. So I I took her up on it and and last week we or no, it was just Yeah,

[1:44:52] just last week. >> Last week

[1:44:54] » um we took the gator, the city's gator and we went just the entire uh city

[1:45:00] perimeter uh following the trail. We even went down into the field and got

[1:45:04] different vantage points. So, I I definitely encourage folks to to take

[1:45:08] advantage of of that if you're you're okay in the open air um uh vehicle. U

[1:45:16] also introduce her to to uh our metro counselor Miles Palasio. So, Miles is

[1:45:22] going to uh take uh go on a trip, too. >> Yeah. I actually spotted counselor Shiml

[1:45:29] and Director Lane and Council Shiml was having it was like he was like a

[1:45:32] four-year-old with his big tonking trucks. I was like, "Wait, cuz I'm

[1:45:36] walking my dog doing my thing." And then I see this gator coming. I'm like,

[1:45:38] "What, you know, the mayor's nosy. I'm like, "What is this person doing? What

[1:45:42] is going on?" And then here's Brian with like the biggest smile ever and had a

[1:45:48] great smile, too. So, highly recommend it. I was like, "Oh, it looks like

[1:45:51] they're having all the fun." >> Okay. Sorry to interrupt. My bad. My

[1:45:55] [clears throat] bad. >> Okay. Thank you very much. And then

[1:45:57] we'll move to Jesse for his city manager report.

[1:46:00] » Thank [snorts] you, mayor, members of the council. Um, a big thanks to our

[1:46:04] communications staff who helped coordinate a tour with Congresswoman

[1:46:08] Bonamichi's office. Mayor, I'm assuming you'll probably give us more details on

[1:46:11] that. So, um, but a big thanks to the comm staff for doing that on on short

[1:46:15] notice. Couple other updates. The economic development strategic plan is

[1:46:20] being advertised. Um proposals are due September 1st. Um our civics academy

[1:46:27] today is the last day to sign up. So if we have any last minute signups, it does

[1:46:31] close at the end of the day today. Um August 3rd through the 24th was the sign

[1:46:36] up period and the SE Academy starts on September 2nd. So that will be coming up

[1:46:41] very soon. The annual community open house. I know this is a long ways off,

[1:46:45] but just kind of telegraphing it now. It's tenatively scheduled for Tuesday,

[1:46:49] October 27th. More details to follow on that. Um, building on the commissions,

[1:46:54] boards and commissions having meetings at the police facility. The chambers

[1:46:58] rise and shine will also be held at the police facility on September 3rd at 8

[1:47:03] a.m. Um, staff is finalizing a contract with

[1:47:08] David Evans and Associates. They're a leading land use planning firm here in

[1:47:12] the state of Oregon. uh we are hiring them to audit our comprehensive plan and

[1:47:17] propose an update process. So we are in the final stages of that. More to follow

[1:47:21] later. Uh congratulations to Greg and the public works team. The public works

[1:47:27] administrative building remodel and expansion was opened and received their

[1:47:32] certificate of occupancy on August 7th. So kudos to them. The project was a

[1:47:38] great success. We used a construction manager general contractor method. It

[1:47:42] ended up saving us some money and um and and uh improving the timeline by nearly

[1:47:47] a month. So, we did finish ahead of schedule and actually under budget. I

[1:47:51] just I know I mentioned this last time, but I just kind of want to reiterate it.

[1:47:54] We have received uh several positive comments about adding some additional on

[1:47:59] street parking spaces in downtown by restriping. So, again, kudos to Greg and

[1:48:04] Crystal and their team for doing that. Um adding 20 spaces in the downtown. to

[1:48:09] build on what councelor Martinez was mentioning earlier, the Steve, the chief

[1:48:13] has been keeping really good track about kind of the impacts of the additional

[1:48:18] positions that were added as a result of the levy. June, which is normally a very

[1:48:23] busy month, and we have quite a few firefighters that take vacations during

[1:48:27] that month, uh we increased our response uh units where we have two unit staff

[1:48:32] instead of just one. Previously, it was 37% of the time, but because of the levy

[1:48:38] in the month of June, it was 87% of the time. So, a nominal 50% increase. So,

[1:48:43] kudos. 26 of 30 days, we had two emergency response units out and able to

[1:48:48] respond to emergencies in our community. And then last but not least, if you

[1:48:52] haven't had a chance to drive by the East Side Park, please do so. It is on

[1:48:56] track. It's nearing completion. And uh stay tuned for a ribbon cutting

[1:49:00] announcement. And that's all I have. Thank you, Mayor.

[1:49:02] » Great. Thank you, Jesse. Um, yeah, I guess I'll start with that. So, as Jesse

[1:49:08] mentioned in his report in July, we had um I call it a field trip because I'm a

[1:49:13] teacher uh about our East Side Forest Grove transportation projects and

[1:49:17] Congresswoman Bonamichi came out and of course I took the opportunity Jesse like

[1:49:22] ran through like oh we'll go this way and I was like well let's go down 19th

[1:49:25] so we can show them the park as well because I think you know as we tell the

[1:49:29] stories you know when we talk about community engagement and you know people

[1:49:33] like to say what the city isn't doing or what we can do better. You know, we

[1:49:37] really have as a council and I think as city staff invested in East Side Forest

[1:49:42] Grove, we were reflective. We knew we needed a park there. We knew we needed

[1:49:46] to, you know, improve our transportation, the walkability. Um, and

[1:49:51] so anyways, I thought thought that was a great opportunity to show the

[1:49:55] congresswoman who just as a friendly reminder, you know, gifted the city

[1:49:59] $850,000 and currently I think she has another million trying to get to us.

[1:50:06] We'll see how that pans out. Um, but it was wild because we lit I think

[1:50:12] sometimes the congresswoman thinks we like plan things to look really bad

[1:50:16] there and I'm like, "Nope, that's just a daily." So, she, you know, I felt bad

[1:50:21] for uh Director Robertson. Greg's trying to explain this intersection at UT

[1:50:25] Street and what's going to happen and she's just like keeps grabbing my arm.

[1:50:31] She's like, "Oh my god, someone's going to cross that bus, that car." And

[1:50:36] because that probably haven't been out there, but

[1:50:40] there's this intersection that's really dangerous. Um, so anyways, that

[1:50:46] was I think a worthwhile field trip. I still don't know. Jesse,

[1:50:51] do you know why the midblock crossing is not going to be done till the end of the

[1:50:55] year? >> It's something to do with hooking up to

[1:50:59] the electrical system. All the infrastructure is put into place, but

[1:51:02] getting the electrical system and the parts associated with a rapid flapping

[1:51:05] be rapid flashing beacon has been the delay.

[1:51:10] » Yeah. So, ODOT's doing that and that's again the midblock crossing at Rose

[1:51:14] Grove to the bus station kind of by Pink Spoon. And then when ODOT's presenting

[1:51:18] on that before that's like sometimes when you go on a field trip you're like

[1:51:22] wait I don't like that answer because it was scheduled to be done by the end of

[1:51:26] summer. It was going to be done the same time our park was done because I thought

[1:51:30] we had this synergy going on like kids are going to walk from Rose. They're

[1:51:34] going to safely cross TV highway to get to our new park. This is like in, you

[1:51:40] know, in my head what I'm seeing like, hey, this is all going to work out

[1:51:43] really well. And now it's not going to be done. It's going to be dark in

[1:51:48] October. Kids are going to be walking to school in the dark. It's going to be no

[1:51:52] flashing light. So anyways, ODOT, if you're listening,

[1:51:56] it' be great if you could hurry up on that. But I think that overall we have

[1:52:00] lots of good projects and that's an exciting time. Um that same day before

[1:52:04] that field trip, Habitat had a ribbon cutting and two families got the keys to

[1:52:10] their house. So that was really good. That's always a great, you know, as

[1:52:14] councelor council president Valeno was talking about like those are

[1:52:17] heartfilling moments. Um I did attend Toyama is a prefixure that our sister

[1:52:23] city new zen is part of and so they had their 30th anniversary of state

[1:52:31] um sister sister statehood, I guess. Uh, so that was at the Japanese gardens. I

[1:52:36] attended that. Um, I did forward him and Jesse an email from the MMC wanting data

[1:52:45] on how much funding or how much money the city has spent providing services

[1:52:51] addressing homelessness. Uh, because there's going to be some SHS

[1:52:55] conversations and Metro conversations coming up. and I'm going to be

[1:52:59] presenting at the Westside Economic Alliance meeting on September 17th. So,

[1:53:05] I'm just putting that out there like I would like to meet with him and Miles to

[1:53:09] kind of make sure we have a presentation put together. Um, so I'm prepared for

[1:53:14] that. And then just a couple friendly reminders, September is a really busy

[1:53:18] month in Forest Grove. So, the cornrows chalk art, the 20th anniversary of the

[1:53:24] public arts commission. Um, those calendars are going to fill up. And then

[1:53:28] also, you know, I, you know, shout out to councelor Martinez and councelor

[1:53:32] Shimble for going to the market about the police facility bond. Um, you know,

[1:53:39] just anything we can do to get that out there. And by the way, another little

[1:53:42] scheduling thing is that I received an email today from

[1:53:47] somebody and they want to have an interview with the chief and I before

[1:53:51] Friday about the police bond. So if I don't know we is that can I ask you guys

[1:53:56] to help me arrange that or do I need to do that outside of staff time?

[1:53:59] » Yeah. No, we can certainly help arrange that.

[1:54:01] » Okay, cool. And I think let's see. I have a lot of stuff on here, but we

[1:54:06] still have another meeting after this. Um, I would like to address similar to

[1:54:11] what councelor Falconer said, the tragedy that happened this weekend

[1:54:16] outside of Forest Grove and the Gails Creek community is heartbreaking. Um, I

[1:54:21] know it's probably frustrating to some of our community member, we because we

[1:54:25] are a close-knit community, people reaching out to all of us saying, "Hey,

[1:54:29] mayor, what's going on? Like, what can you tell us?" Um,

[1:54:35] you know, and what I've been telling people is like, I really can't tell you

[1:54:38] anything other than I feel terrible for the family and friends of the victims.

[1:54:44] And then also, you know, the responders, the first responders, the public safety,

[1:54:50] the police, the fire that come um those rippling effects and with school

[1:54:55] starting, I don't know. I just have a lot of concerns. But um I I just know

[1:55:00] too in our heart that force grow community will come together to support

[1:55:04] that family. Um and so and our you know and our police and fire. So with that

[1:55:10] I'm going to adjourn this meeting but I'm going to ask you stay for our UR

[1:55:15] meeting. Okay. And with that oh but except councelor Falconer you're on East

[1:55:19] Coast time. If you don't want to stay it's your call.

[1:55:23] So meeting adjourned.

City Council Meeting

Agenda

Transcript