City Council Approves Three CNG Buses for SMART, Establishes New DEI Committee
May 4, 2021 — At the May 3, 2021, meeting, the Wilsonville City Council approved the purchase of three 21-passenger Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to be utilized by Wilsonville’s South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART).
Upon the arrival of the new buses – funded substantially by more than $310,000 in State and Federal grants – half of the vehicles in SMART’s fleet will operate with electricity or lower-emission alternative fuels.
Additionally, the Council adopted a resolution that establishes by-laws for the City’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Appointments are to be made soon for the new citizen committee, which is charged with developing the City’s DEI strategy and advising the City Council on programs and policies to yield more equitable and inclusive outcomes for historically marginalized members of the community.
Two grants awarded through the Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Program were approved by City Council:
- The Wilsonville-Boones Ferry Historical Society is to receive $10,600 to gather oral histories that reflect upon a most unusual 2020.
- Wilsonville Little League is to receive $6,750 to upgrade bleachers at Wood Middle School.
At the work session held prior to the meeting, Planning and Economic Development staff shared details about the benefits and drawbacks of implementing Vertical Housing Development Zones (VHDZ), which allow cities to provide tax abatements to incentivize future multi-use development. The Council is considering VHDZ zoning to incentivize residential/retail development at Villebois Village Center and Wilsonville Town Center.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled to be held virtually on Monday, May 17, 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.
- # # #
