City Council Nears Approval of IGA to Develop Regional Water Supply, Approves Form-Based Code
At the Feb. 22, 2018, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the Council conditionally approved an intergovernmental agreement among Tualatin Valley Water District and the cities of Wilsonville, Hillsboro, Sherwood, Beaverton, and Tigard to form the Willamette Intake Facilities Commission, pending revision of a design issue. The new commission jointly owns, operates and pays for Willamette River water-intake facilities, including the existing Wilsonville intake and a new facility funded by Tualatin Valley Water District and the City of Hillsboro. With this agreement, the City is scheduled to receive more than $17 million in benefits, including seismic upgrades at the Water Treatment Plant and funding of several right-of-way enhancement projects to be performed over the next five years in conjunction with installation of three miles of new water pipeline.
The Council approved on second reading an ordinance adopting new form-based code standards for businesses located in the Coffee Creek Industrial Area. This innovative building code sets clear and objective standards for new development that are designed to allow developers to construct connected, campus-like designs and to facilitate efficient, expedited City review of proposals that provide developers with greater certainty and more flexibility.
The Council approved a two-year tourism promotion marketing plan designed to promote Wilsonville lodging properties and local area tourism attractions to out-of-area visitors. Recommended by the City Tourism Promotion Committee, the objective of the plan is to increase occupancy at Wilsonville hotels, restaurants and attractions. Developed by the City’s tourism consultant firm Vertigo Marketing of Bend, the plan seeks to take advantage of Wilsonville’s unique proximity to a broad range of regional cities and attractions by promoting a series of day-trips that originate from Wilsonville.
During consent agenda, the Council approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Braun Construction & Design for approximately $922,000 to repair, rehabilitate and replace about 4,000 feet of storm pipe in Charbonneau. The most deficient sections of sewer and storm pipe are being replaced with materials designed to remain in good working condition for 75 years.
Also, the Council authorized additional funds for improvements to the I-5 Undercrossing Trail, connecting Memorial Park to Boones Ferry Park. The additional $60,000 is funding installation of vaults for future fiber connections, resolution of a drainage problem, extension of a bench pad to meet ADA requirements and relocation of a PGE vault, increasing the total project amount to approximately $314,000.
A scheduled public hearing was continued at the request of City staff. The hearing—which proposes an amendment to the Year 2000 Urban Renewal Plan to increase the maximum indebtedness to fund the Boeckman Dip Bridge—is currently rescheduled for May 7.
During citizen input, several community members expressed concern about traffic along Willow Creek Road in the Meadows neighborhood. The City Manager indicated he would assign City staff to gather further traffic data.
During the work session prior to City Council, City staff provided updates on several ongoing initiatives, including a new plan to accommodate cyclists on a cross section of Garden Acres Road with a raised bike lane, preliminary discussion of a more comprehensive Integrated Pest Management plan and a revision of zoning policies that is being considered to allow industrial development to include commercial recreation such as gyms and indoor sports venues.
Community members can watch a replay of all or a portion of the City Council meeting on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 30, Frontier Ch. 32 or on the City’s video-on-demand service at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
