City Council Approves DEI Strategic Plan, Welcomes Civics Academy Graduates
July 19, 2022 — At the July 18, 2022, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council adopted the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee’s Strategic Plan. The plan identifies short-term actions over the next 1-2 years to foster more inclusive community engagement, improve communication & education, and develop inclusive cultural events and a wider array of celebrations and holiday recognitions.
The Council appointed a City Manager Pro Tem through Aug. 14 to cover the absence of City Manager Bryan Cosgrove. Assistant City Manager Jeanna Troha (July 19-23; Aug. 1-14) and City Attorney Amanda Guile-Hinman (July 24-31) were appointed to serve in Cosgrove’s stead.
The Council also authorizes the City Manager to execute an procedural agreement with TriMet that allows SMART Transit to begin receiving its $5.3 million Statewide Transit Improvement Funds (STIF) 2021-23 allocation from Portland-metro’s regional transit provider.
During Mayor’s Business, the Council recognized the 2022 graduates of the Civics Academy, the City’s annual program to provide an in-depth look at how the City operates. Participants spend one night each month learning from City staff, elected officials and others throughout the seven-month program.
Mayor Julie Fitzgerald (watch) and Councilor Joann Linville (watch) initiated discussion about the proposed Oregon Highway Plan tolling amendment and the I-205 tolling plan and its potential impacts to Wilsonville, and to the Charbonneau district in particular. Fitzgerald encouraged Wilsonville community members to provide public testimony on the record before Aug. 1.
Mayor Fitzgerald acknowledged a City proclamation that officially recognizes July as Parks & Recreation Month, noting the many benefits that Wilsonville Parks & Recreation programs and events provide.
During Communications, Community Development staff shared news of the City’s recent designation as a Walk Friendly City. Established by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC), the WFC program lauded Wilsonville as one of 23 communities throughout the U.S. that has developed and supported walking environments with an emphasis on safety, mobility, access, and comfort.
At the work session held prior to last night’s meeting, the Council directed Economic Development staff to continue studying the pros and cons of the City establishing a Construction Excise Tax (CET) as a potential means of generating revenue to support more affordable housing in Wilsonville. If implemented, the CET program would levy a one-time, tax of up to 1% on the permit value of residential and/or commercial construction projects, as defined by the Council.
Planning staff shared an update on the status of the Frog Pond East & South Master Plan. The Council provided direction on their desired mix of housing types to allow planners to begin defining draft land use policies that will guide development within these future neighborhoods.
The next regular meeting of the City Council is to be held on Monday, Aug. 1, at 7 pm; a pre-meeting work session is scheduled at 5 pm.
Community members can watch all City Council meetings on cable (Xfinity Ch. 30, Ziply Ch. 32) or on the City’s YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
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