City Council Approves 2021-23 Goals, Ratifies Three-Year Deal with SMART Employees

June 22, 2021— At the June 21, 2021 meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council approved the Council Goals for 2021-23. Seven high-level goals, each supported by short-term strategies, have been established to guide the Council’s priorities in the months ahead. They are:

  • Increase mobility for all
  • Support our local businesses recovery post-pandemic
  • Expand home-ownership for first-time homebuyers and people with lower incomes
  • Attract high-quality industry and economic opportunity
  • Align our infrastructure plans with sustainable funding sources
  • Engage the community to support emergency preparedness and resiliency
  • Protect our environment and increase access to sustainable lifestyle choices

The Council also approved a resolution that ratifies a three-year agreement with Service Employees International Union Local 503 (SEIU), the union representing the City’s transit and fleet employees at SMART.

Additionally, the Council approved an amendment to the City’s Fee Schedule, adding a Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF) section to include planning application review fees, technical design review fees, and an appeal of decision fee. The fees allow the City to recover the cost of  implementing land use review of WCF applications in compliance with FCC regulations.  

During Mayor’s Business, the Council ratified the appointments of two people recommended by Mayor Julie Fitzgerald to serve on the Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Committee. Natasha Hancock and Sageera Oravil Abdulla Koya were appointed to terms beginning on July 1 and continuing until June 30, 2023.

City Attorney Barbara Jacobson provided a brief summary of the recent ruling by a Court of Appeals, which reversed and remanded the Land Use Board’s Decision on the 2012 Aurora State Airport Master Plan.

During Communications, Assistant City Attorney Ryan Adams introduced representatives of Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) – a U.S. Department of Defense volunteer program – to present City Manager Bryan Cosgrove and City Attorney Jacobson with the Patriotic Employer Award. The award recognizes of the City’s support of employees who simultaneously serve the U.S. military and are deployed in service to the country.  

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Urban Renewal Agency Board met to adopt a resolution authorizing City staff to create a single-property Urban Renewal District. Establishment of the Twist Bioscience WIN Zone allows staff to initiate a public process that includes consultation with all affected taxing districts and review by the Planning Commission to ensure the program conforms to the Comprehensive Plan. 

At the work session held prior to the meeting, Planning staff provided details on the progress of the Town Center Streetscape Plan. Staff shared draft design elements – such as lighting, street furniture and sidewalk materials – to gather feedback from the Council. The plan detailed three levels of investment (standard, enhanced, signature) that provide a range of cost options for consideration on each street located within the future Town Center.

A representative from Bird Scooters shared a brief synopsis of how the company deploys its electric scooters within other municipalities. The presentation allows the Council to evaluate  another affordable, convenient transportation option that could reduce vehicle traffic and improve air quality.

The meeting scheduled for July 8 has been canceled. The next regular meeting of the City Council is to be held on Monday, July 19, 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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