News
Posted On:
Thu, 05/31/2018
WILSONVILLE, OR — The City of Wilsonville’s South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) agency has won two competitive grants totaling $555,200. These awards, approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) on May 17, account for 15% of $3.7 million in federal transit funds awarded statewide.
With these awards — which are augmented by a 20% funding match of $111,000 from the City — SMART intends to purchase new transit vehicles and expand alternative fueling infrastructure.
Posted On:
Tue, 05/29/2018
The Cities of Tualatin and Wilsonville are a step closer to completing the Basalt Creek Concept Plan, which provides a vision for development of 850 acres of low-density rural residential and farmland located between the two communities.
Portland’s regional land-use authority, Metro, recently approved land-use designations for Basalt Creek’s “Central Subarea,” determining that the area should remain designated for employment use. With this resolution in place, a project team from both cities is now developing the final draft concept plan for land uses, transportation facilities and related infrastructure.
The collaborative effort ensures that both cities are involved in creating a vision that appeals to members of both communities, provides adequate services, coordinates land use and transportation, and preserves the area’s primary natural resources.
Posted On:
Tue, 05/22/2018
WILSONVILLE, OR — On May 21, 2018, the Wilsonville City Council adopted on second reading a new franchise agreement with Republic Services to provide garbage, recycling, yard debris, and other services to City residents and businesses. Effective July 1, this agreement provides for incremental annual, inflation-indexed increases in rates (rather than periodic and generally larger rate increases) and adjusts the City’s franchise fee to 5%, commensurate with the fee paid by solid-waste service providers in other cities. A modest rate increase of 3.25% on July 1 results in a $0.86 increase in the service rate for most residential customers (those with 35-gallon can). Due to a significant downturn in the world market for recycled materials, a temporary $2.50 monthly recyclables surcharge for residential customers and $1.50 per yard for commercial customers also becomes effective July 1. This fee will be reviewed after 6 months to determine if any adjustment is warranted.
Posted On:
Tue, 05/15/2018
Two scheduled road construction projects north of Wilsonville’s Villebois neighborhood, at Tooze Road and Grahams Ferry Road, require upcoming road closures that will require detours and may cause delays.
May 21-May 30: Just west of Grahams Ferry Road, Tooze Road is completely closed to all traffic on May 21-25 and on May 29-30. All through traffic is being detoured to Malloy Way. During Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28, through traffic (over a gravel roadway) is permitted.
May 31-June 22: Between Tooze Road and Malloy Way, a portion of Grahams Ferry Road is closed to all traffic on weekdays; weekend traffic is allowed when the roadway is safe. Residents requiring local access are allowed passage to homes within the closure area, but delays should be expected. Through traffic is being detoured onto Tooze Road and Malloy Way.
Posted On:
Tue, 05/15/2018
The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a public meeting at Boones Ferry Park on Tuesday, June 5, 6 pm, to solicit final public input on the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan, which develops a community vision for the park that best suits Wilsonville’s current and future needs.
Informed by engagement with community stakeholders at two workshops and via online survey, the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan draft was developed with GreenPlay, LLC, a Colorado-based firm with extensive experience researching and developing master plans for parks throughout the United States.
The plan’s purpose is to advise City Council and Parks and Recreation staff how Boones Ferry Park currently functions, and to guide future park improvements. Recommendations in the draft plan would enhance the park with new active amenities and improve its access to the Willamette River.
Posted On:
Mon, 05/14/2018
WILSONVILLE, OR — The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a public meeting at Boones Ferry Park on Tuesday, June 5, 6 pm, to solicit final public input on the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan, which develops a community vision for the park that best suits Wilsonville’s current and future needs.
Informed by engagement with community stakeholders at two workshops and via online survey, the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan draft was developed with GreenPlay, LLC, a Colorado-based firm with extensive experience researching and developing master plans for parks throughout the United States.
The plan’s purpose is to advise City Council and Parks and Recreation staff how Boones Ferry Park currently functions, and to guide future park improvements. Recommendations in the draft plan would enhance the park with new active amenities and improve its access to the Willamette River.
Currently, the seven-acre park in Wilsonville’s Old Town neighborhood includes a playground...
Posted On:
Thu, 05/10/2018
On Wednesday, May 9, at a legislative hearing to consider recommending adoption of the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan to City Council, the Planning Commission approved a motion to continue the hearing to August 8, keeping the record open for additional testimony.
The two-month stay provides City staff additional time to address questions presented by City Council during its May 7 work session and to consider public testimony introduced at the May 9 meeting.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides a community-driven vision and long-range guide for Wilsonville’s parks, facilities and community programs. This update to the 2007 Parks and Recreation Master Plan addresses deficiencies, amends goals, and identifies needs for future park development, recreational services, trails, and open space preservation. Additionally, it prioritizes short-term and long-term needs and provides approximate costs of improvements and additions.
Posted On:
Wed, 05/09/2018
At its May 7, 2018 meeting, the Wilsonville City Council approved on first reading an amendment to the Year 2000 Urban Renewal Plan that provides a funding source for the proposed “Boeckman Dip” bridge. This project would improve East to West connectivity, making Boeckman Road safer for all modes; cars, buses, emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cylists – especially important with the new middle school and future elementary school located just off of Boeckman Road. The amendment increases the authority for spending in the urban renewal area by about $14.5 million.
Posted On:
Mon, 05/07/2018
Two seats on the five-member Wilsonville City Council are being contested during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The four-year terms of Councilor Scott Starr and Councilor Charlotte Lehan expire on December 31, 2018.
All City Council positions are four-year terms, non-partisan and elected at-large. Qualified candidates must be registered voters living within Wilsonville city limits for 12 months prior to the Nov. 6 election.
Candidates may file with Wilsonville’s City Recorder, Kimberly Veliz, between May 30 and August 20. Interested applicants are encouraged to meet with the City Recorder to pick up a packet of materials that outline the election process.
Election guidelines require that each candidate submit a pre-approved petition that includes at least 20 signatures from registered voters residing within city limits. Additionally, candidates may need to submit a contribution and expenditure report to the Secretary of State.
Posted On:
Thu, 05/03/2018
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Wilsonville are accepting public comment on the draft recommendations of the I-5 Wilsonville Facility Plan until May 29.
A link to ODOT’s public comment page is posted at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/I-5BooneBridge
The I-5 Wilsonville Facility Plan proposes the construction of a new “ramp-to-ramp” auxiliary lane on southbound Boone Bridge to ease traffic congestion on both I-5 and Wilsonville Road. The new highway lane would begin at the Wilsonville Road I-5 on-ramp and extend south past Miley Road/Charbonneau exit to the Canby-Hubbard Highway 551 off-ramp. Seismic upgrades to the Boone Bridge would occur simultaneously.
Posted On:
Wed, 05/02/2018
By Mayor Tim Knapp’s April 16 proclamation, May is Bike Month in Wilsonville. The designation provides an opportune time to recognize many City projects aimed at developing a more connected community for cyclists.
Wilsonville is committed to helping riders enjoy safe and convenient transportation within city limits; 73 percent of residents rated ease of bicycle travel as excellent or good in the City’s most recent community survey.
“As we continue to grow, we are very motivated to develop an infrastructure less reliant on motor vehicles to keep Wilsonville moving,” said Planning Director Chris Neamtzu. “Virtually every planning and engineering decision the City makes is considerate of providing cyclists and pedestrians with safe and convenient passageways.”
Posted On:
Mon, 04/30/2018
Pat Duke, Director of the Wilsonville Public Library, is the Oregon Library Association’s 2018 Librarian of the Year. The OLA presents the award annually to an Oregon librarian for exceptional service.
Duke’s honor was announced at the OLA’s annual conference in Eugene on April 20. Among those in attendance were colleagues from Oregon libraries, the City of Wilsonville and the Wilsonville Library Foundation, who are happy to see Duke’s accomplishments recognized throughout Oregon.
“Thanks to Pat’s vision, leadership, and staff empowerment, the Wilsonville Library plays a central role in educating and entertaining the people of Wilsonville,” said City Manager Bryan Cosgrove. “The entire community benefits from innovative programs developed by Pat, his creative staff, the Wilsonville Library Foundation and the many hard-working volunteers whose contributions make the Wilsonville Library successful.”
Posted On:
Thu, 04/26/2018
On Wednesday, May 9, at 6 pm, the City of Wilsonville’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to evaluate the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update (Case File # LP18-0003) and consider whether to recommend adoption of the amendment to the City Council.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides a community-driven vision and long-range guide for Wilsonville’s parks, facilities and community programs. This update to the 2007 Parks and Recreation Master Plan addresses deficiencies, amends goals, and identifies needs for future park development, recreational services, trails, and open space preservation. Additionally, it prioritizes short-term and long-term needs and provides approximate costs of improvements and additions.
Development of this plan was a collaboration between City staff and GreenPlay, LLC, a national consulting firm that specializes in facilitating, researching and developing master plans for park and recreation providers.
Posted On:
Wed, 04/25/2018
Each fiscal year, the City of Wilsonville provides $25,000 in Community Opportunity Grants, with the intent to assist organizations in funding projects that promote education, diversity, arts or community involvement in Wilsonville.
The second of two award cycles for the 2017-18 budget year was completed at the April 19 meeting of the Park & Recreation Board, when the board met and awarded grants to five local programs:
Inza Wood Middle School: $3,724.25 to support a student trip to the “We the People” Competition in Washington, D.C.
Wilsonville Little League: $2,498 for a portable pitching mound.
West Linn-Wilsonville Music and Arts Partners (MAP): $2.224.25 to support the Wilsonville Schools Music and Arts Festivals.
World of Speed Motorsports Museum: $2,224.25 to support the “Storybook Garage” pre-Kindergarten care program.
Charbonneau Arts Association: $1,974.25 to update the Charbonneau Arts Festival’s internet presence.
Posted On:
Wed, 04/18/2018
At the April 16, 2018, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council adopted on first reading the 2017 Water Treatment Master Plan Update, which provides a 20-year plan to ensure reliable delivery of high-quality drinking water to Wilsonville citizens and businesses. The plan identifies equipment repair and replacement schedules, details capital and operational improvements—
including seismic upgrades—and accounts for facility expansions to accommodate future growth. It also coordinates the City’s plant improvements with several projects that will be undertaken by the Willamette Water Supply Program as part of their plan to supply water to Hillsboro and Tualatin Valley communities.
The Council adopted a resolution to allow year-round fishing from the Memorial Park boat dock. Last year, Oregon State Marine Board grant restrictions prohibiting fishing from the dock expired, allowing Council to consider the an option recommended by Parks and Recreation staff.
Posted On:
Thu, 04/05/2018
Wilsonville Environmental Resources Keepers (WERK) Day, the City’s annual community park improvement and clean-up event, returns on Saturday, May 12, 8 am-11:30 am.
On WERK Day, volunteers join City employees to complete projects that prepare City parks for the busiest season of the year. Past projects have included painting soccer goals, placing bark chips on trails, rebuilding eroded trails, removing invasive species, and sanding and painting picnic tables.
“The City relies on the efforts of our WERK Day crew to get our parks in shape for summer,” said Brian Stevenson, Parks & Recreation Program Manager. “It is a great activity that allows families, friends and co-workers to have fun doing meaningful work together. We are very appreciative of the volunteers that turn out year after year.”
Posted On:
Tue, 04/03/2018
At the April 2, 2018, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, Mayor Tim Knapp delivered the 2018 State of the City Address, detailing Wilsonville’s ongoing efforts to develop a community that provides for people in all stages of life. The 30-minute presentation, themed “Creating a Complete Community,” reviewed progress toward Council goals. Mayor Knapp highlighted improvements to the transportation infrastructure, management of the city’s growth, identifying new opportunities to create high-wage jobs and affordable housing, environmental stewardship and providing new avenues for a connected, complete community.
“The ongoing goal, the overarching challenge, is how do we create a safe, desirable, aesthetically-pleasing community which nurtures and sustains all who are here,” Mayor Knapp said.
Posted On:
Wed, 03/28/2018
The City of Wilsonville French Prairie Bridge Task Force is holding a public meeting on Thursday, April 12, 6 pm, at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East.
The 21-member task force’s primary objective at this meeting is to identify a preferred site location for the French Prairie Bridge, a proposed bicycle/pedestrian/emergency-access bridge across the Willamette River.
Evaluation and scoring of three possible bridge sites, located between the I-5 Boone Bridge and Portland & Western railroad bridge, have been completed and scored by the Project Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
The task force is considering the TAC scoring at the meeting, and may provide its own score; both scores, in that event, would be presented to City Council for consideration in May.
Posted On:
Wed, 03/28/2018
On Tuesday, April 10, 5-6:30 pm, the City is hosting an open house at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop E, to complete the final design review of the proposed 5th Street to Kinsman Road extension.
City engineers welcome public comment on the project, which extends 5th Street west to intersect with Kinsman Road, which is being extended south from Wilsonville Road.
The project also includes extension of the Ice Age Tonquin Trail 2,000 feet to connect with Boones Ferry Road and a redesign of Boones Ferry Road between Bailey Street and 5th Street.
Posted On:
Wed, 03/28/2018
The City of Wilsonville’s Tourism Promotion Committee has awarded $44,000 in grants to assist seven local organizations in providing events and attractions that bring visitors to the Wilsonville area.
These awards come from two programs, both funded by lodging taxes paid by overnight visitors: $25,000 from the City of Wilsonville Community Tourism Matching Grant program and $19,000 from the Clackamas County Tourism Community Partnership Program (CPP).
“The seven organizations we are funding this year have successfully drawn visitors in past years to Wilsonville and Clackamas County,” said Parks and Recreation Program Manager Brian Stevenson, who administers the grant programs. “We’re proud to support community efforts to bring entertainment and cultural enrichment to residents and visitors alike. Cumulatively, these efforts make Wilsonville a great place to live and visit.”
Posted On:
Tue, 03/20/2018
At the March 19, 2018, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council held a public hearing and authorized a supplemental budget adjustment for the current fiscal year to account for changes in project cost estimates and reclassify certain expenses.
Major adjustments that total $3.6 million include reimbursing the West Linn-Wilsonville School District $1.4 million for infrastructure work related to improvements of Advance Road for the new Meridian Creek Middle School; $1.18 million for road construction projects in the I-5/Wilsonville Road interchange area; $437,000 for improvements to Boeckman Road; and $385,000 for Library remodeling improvements.
Posted On:
Wed, 03/07/2018
The City of Wilsonville is hosting an open house featuring southbound I-5 traffic-congestion mitigation concepts on Wednesday, March 14, 5-6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East.
Posted On:
Tue, 03/06/2018
At the March 5, 2018, City Council meeting, the Council welcomed Soul’d Out, Wilsonville High School’s a cappella choir, for a live performance to commemorate the choir’s first-place finish at the International Championship of High School A Capella.
Posted On:
Tue, 03/06/2018
At the March 5, 2018, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the Council welcomed Soul’d Out, Wilsonville High School’s a cappella choir, for a live performance to commemorate the choir’s first-place finish at the International Championship of High School A Capella (ICHSA) Northwest Semifinal in January.
Declaring March 5-11 as Soul’d Out Week, Mayor Tim Knapp read a proclamation recognizing the choir’s success and congratulating the staff and students of the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. Afterward, Council unanimously approved a grant of $3,000 to support Soul’d Out’s fundraising efforts to travel to New York City for the ICHSA Finals at Lincoln Center on April 20.
Posted On:
Thu, 03/01/2018
For the 20th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has recognized the City of Wilsonville Finance Department with the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” for the fiscal year 2017-18 budget document.
The recognition from GFOA reflects the commitment of the City Finance staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting standards. To qualify, a budget document must be rated proficient as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device; additionally, it must satisfy14 mandatory criteria within those four categories.
“This award demonstrates the care taken to effectively present and communicate the City’s budget to the community,” said City Manager Bryan Cosgrove.