Council Proclaims “Wildcats Week,” Acquires Land for New Park in Frog Pond West

Wilsonville High School basketball players and coaches posing with the City Council in Council Chambers.

April 4, 2023 — At the April 3, 2023, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council welcomed the Wilsonville High School boys’ varsity basketball team in celebration of its third consecutive OSAA Class 5A State Championship. Mayor Julie Fitzgerald read a proclamation declaring April 3-7 “Wilsonville Wildcats Week,” which detailed many of the team and individual achievements earned by the Wildcats en route to their sixth State title.

The Council also authorized an agreement to fund the purchase of a 2.93-acre property from the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. The property is the future site of a future neighborhood park in the Frog Pond West neighborhood, adjacent to a new primary school to be constructed on Boeckman Rd.

Additionally, the Council adopted two-year goals and strategies established with staff during a two-day work retreat in February. Broadly, these goals guide how staff and Council prioritize the delivery of programs and services for the community’s benefit.

To expand the fiber optic infrastructure network in Wilsonville and neighboring Sherwood, the Council authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Sherwood to facilitate collaboration on a project funded by the federal America Rescue Plan Act. Notably, the project is providing public Wi-Fi access for visitors Town Center Park and Murase Plaza.

The Council endorsed a prioritized list of about 40 City of Wilsonville and South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) projects to be shared with Metro to inform the agency’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTP guides long-term investments in the metro-area’s transportation system for all forms of travel. Projects in the RTP are eligible to receive federal and state funding to reduce the funding burden for priority transportation and transit projects.

On second reading, the Council took two actions to annex and rezone approximately 9.63 acres at 25540 SW Garden Acres Road. These actions allow Precision Countertops to advance the development of a new corporate headquarters/fabrication facility within the Coffee Creek Industrial Area.

The Council also approved an amended employment agreement with Municipal Court Judge Weinhouse that provides an increased hourly wage that is commensurate with his skills and experience.

During Councilor Comments, members of the Council reminded residents of Charbonneau and the greater Wilsonville area of the tolling forum to be hosted by Sen. Aaron Woods and Rep. Courtney Neron at the Charbonneau Country Club on Friday, April 14, at 10 am. Participants will learn the effects of local tolling and have an opportunity to speak directly to Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) representatives.

Councilor Joann Linville noted her recent appointment to Governor Tina Kotek’s Opioid Settlement Treatment and Recovery Board (OSPTR Board), which is charged with determining how to allocate the State’s portion of Oregon’s opioid settlement funds.

During Communications, Information Systems staff briefed the Council on the City’s fiber infrastructure, which is being developed for future benefit in conjunction with road development projects that provide opportunities to underground new cable.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. During the period of public input, two individuals testified of their personal experience living with Parkinson’s, a progressive disease that affects nearly 1 million people in the United States.

In recognition of Arbor Day, on April 28, Mayor Fitzgerald noted a proclamation that is included in the City’s meeting materials. Fitzgerald acknowledged the City’s 25-year standing as a Tree City USA.

During the work session held prior to the meeting, Planning staff sought additional feedback on draft Development Code amendments that, when adopted, establish the development standards that advance the vision of Frog Pond East and South Master Plan. The Council directed staff to continue the discussion at a future work session.

The City Attorney sought additional feedback to inform the latest draft of new overnight camping Code being established to put the City in compliance with new state and federal law before July 1. The project seeks to create clear rules about where, when, and how camping is/isn’t permitted on City property and rights-of-way. New Code is scheduled to be considered for adoption in May; a final work session is scheduled to take place before the Apr. 17 meeting.

The next regular meeting of the City Council is to be held on Monday, Apr. 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.

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