City Council

!:?'~Vfn3.~. ' . *-. Mayor Council President Councilors John Miner Jairo Rios-Campos Mark dark DaraTan c"i°F,Wood WOOD VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 28, 2024 PRESENT MayorJohnC. Miner, Council PresidentJairoRios-Campos, CouncilorMarkdark, CityAttorneyJeff Condit, City Manager Greg Dirks, Public Works Supervisor Erika Normine, Director of Finance Seth Reeser, and interested parties. ABSENT Councilor Dara Tan CITIZEN COMMENTS (NON. AGENDA ITEMS) None. dark arrived at 6:08 PM. CONSENTCALENDAR A. City Council Minutes . April 9, 2024 . April 23, 2024 B. City Events . Nature Walk Recap . CommunityCleanupDayDebrief Miner stated his appreciation for the City offering nature walks in Spanish for the Hispanic community in WoodVillageandnotedthatover 30 people attendedthe last naturewalk, Minercommented on the importanceofpreserving bird habitatsandstatedthe Cityshould keepthis in mindwhenconsidering park development. CityCouncil Minutes May28, 2024 | Page 1 Dirksexplainedguestsatthe naturewalkswere impressedwiththe parkand its naturalamenities. Dirks discussed howthe City should consider the amount of invasive blackberry vines removed in the park since they are natural habitats for birds. Upon motion byRios-Campos,secondedbydark and passing3-0, the ConsentCalendarwasapproved. PGE RATE UPDATE Larry Bekkedahl, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Advanced Energy Delivery at PGE, introduced himselfandthankedCouncilfor havinghim. Bekkedahl reviewed the. history of PGE in Oregon and reviewed customer price history from 2015 up to the current, including the 16. 4% overall rate increase effective in January 2024. Bekkedahl explained that the January 2024 rate increase rollout confused and upset many customers and wasa lesson learnedfor PGEto not implement rate increasesin January,especiallygiventhe severe winter storm the Portland region experienced this last January. Bekkedahl discussed the rate case regulatory process explaining that it is a minimum 10-month public processgovernedbythe Oregon PublicUtilityCommission. Bekkedahl stated 75% of the proposed 7. 3% overall rate increase for 2025 would be for capital investments like new battery installations and improvements to transmission and distribution systems. BekkedahlexplainedPGEis harnessingmoreenergyfrom wind,solar, batteries, and hydropowerasthey shut down more oftheir thermal plants but explained a low supply of hydropower from Canada caused a price increase across the Northwest and resulted in more energy flowing north from California, which he remarked is unusual. Bekkedahldiscusseddifferentenergyassistanceprogramsofferedthrough PGEand stated roughly80, 000 customers were enrolled to receive a discounted energy bill. Bekkedahl mentioned the risk of wildfires and other extreme weather conditions and the potential need for a PublicSafetyPowerShutoffwhere PGEmay needto turn offpowerto certain high-riskareas. He mentionedconsideringfactors in evaluatingthe needfora PublicSafetyPowerShutoffincludeamountof fuel (grass, vegetation) nearby, tree mortality rate, humidity, wind, and the location of fire stations nearby. He stated PGE offers wildfire preparedness events. dark asked if PGE turned off all its coal plants. Bekkedahl stated one coal plant remained in Montana but noted it is scheduled to be shut down within the next decade. dark asked if PGE still had gas powered plants. Bekkedahl confirmed. dark noted that he sees news stories from California about wildfires caused by transmission lines but not here in Oregon. Bekkedahl commented that weather patterns are moving north, including wildfires, but stated PGE tries to keeptransmission linesabovetree canopiesand trimming vegetationawayfromdistribution lines. City CouncilMinutesMay28, 2024 | Page 2 dark remarked the success locally of keeping trees trimmed around power lines. Rios-Campos asked about energy assistance programs, especially for manufactured home occupants, and how easy it is to apply for non-English speaking community members, Bekkedahlstatedthattheapplication is offered in multiple languages,withSpanishasthe mostcommonly asked for. Dirks mentioned the City put information about the PGE assistance program in its last newsletter both in English and Spanish, Minerstated he understood PGEis a private companyand needsto makea profitbutaskedaboutthe latest PGEstockbuybacksand howtheyfit intothe rate increases. Bekkedahl stated the Commission wants the company to maintain a 50% debt to a 50% equity and that buybacksa partofthe process, He also mentionedthe roughly9.5% regulated rateof return, similarto bond interest, thatPGEusesforsystem improvements. Miner thanked Bekkedahl for his straightforwardness and mentioned that the Commission may need to look into the buyback formula. Bekkedahlmentioned PGEhas not hitthe 9.5% regulated rateofreturn recentlyand hasbeencloserto 8 to 8.5%. Dirks asked about the current rate increase proposal and potential future built-in increase options. Bekkedahl stated the built-in options were to increase the rate of return on capital investments in a more streamlinedfashionthanthecurrent 10-month publicprocess, buthe predictedthe processwould remain the same. Dirks inquired about battery storage and the cost of purchasing power. Bekkedahl explained that PGE tries to purchase power during non-peak times to store excess power as a wayto level energycostsforconsumers, Dirks asked when it may be necessary for a new public utility given the increase in demand to electrify everything. Bekkedahlstated the regulatoryprocess is a good processthatworksreallywell. He explainednewpublic utilities would not get preference power in the same way existing ones do. Bekkedahl posited that a new public utility would not have somewhere to purchase power. Miner thanked Bekkedahl for attending the meeting. Bekkedahl invited the Council to a tour to see the grid in action. Minerasked Bekkedahlto ensure hisquestionaboutthe rate payersand buybackformulawasofficially documented and passed along. URBAN FLOODSAFETY& WATER QUALIFY DISTRICT Reeser stated the UFSWQD was formed by the Oregon State Legislature and merged the four existing legacyflood districtsthatcould notafford improvementsafterthe levee lost its certification. In 2024, Senate CityCouncilMinutes May28, 2024 | Page 3 Bill 431 modified the UFSWQDto allow the district to charge an intergovernmental privilege fee and take over the assessment authority from the legacy districts, Reeser mentioned the City did not officially endorse or oppose the bill. Reeser mentioned the current board determines the revenue collection model and level. Reeser noted the latest $150 million general obligation bond, Measure 26-243, passed on May 21 , 2024 at an anticipatedrateof$0. 14per 1,000oftaxableassessedvalue. Reeserreviewedhowthe UFSWQDis fundedand mentionedWoodVillage'sportion is approximately $40, 000 annually. Reeser stated Council would provide direction on how the City would collect and distribute this newflood safety benefit fee and reviewed a few options for doing so - incorporating into the existing Street Utility Fee, whichincludesstormwater, or passinga newFloodSafetystormwaterratethatwould appearon bills on January 1, 2025. Dirks asked for Council's questions or preferences on how to collect the new fee. Minerstated hethoughtthefee would comefrom propertytaxesand notfrom a Cityutilityfee. Reeser explained the original legislation wanted to create a fee that could be billed consistently across the district using the same methodology but, because cities across the district do not store the same utility system information,this wasnot possible.The UFSWQDis a specialdistrictanddoesnot havethetaxing or fee authority to implement a utility fee. dark asked ifthis got around the tax maximum the City can receive. Reeserclarifiedthatthe bond measure approveda rate ontaxableassessedvaluethatwould payfor capital butcitieswould needto chargea feeto payoperatingcosts. Miner remarked that it has now come back to cities to figure out howto collect their portion ofthe flood safety benefit fee. DirksnotedthatSenateBill 431 amendedthe original legislationto allowthe districtto chargecitiestheir proportionate share and that cities could then pass along that cost to underlying community members at any legal means a city has. Reesermentionedcities recognizedthe mostefficientwayto collectthefeewould be to directbill rather than create a new collection methodology that would be exoensive to ooerate. Rios-Camposasked ifthe fee would be $1.75 permonth perdwellingunit. Dirksclarifiedthatwould bethe rate if modeledon theCity'scurrent utility rate methodology. Rios-Campos asked if it would appear as a new item on utility bills. Dirks explained it could be or the City could decide to "eat it" or it could be bundled in with the current Street utility fee or the City could pay a portion and pass along the rest to utility users. Rios-Campos asked when it would need to be implemented, Reeser stated it would go into effect on January 1 , 2025, which would allow the rate proposal to be a part of the larger utility rate increase conversation. City Council MinutesMay28, 20241 Page 4 Minerstated his concernthiswould be perceived as a newtaxwhentheCity may also havea considerable newcostdependingonfireservicediscussions. Minerasked ifthesetwo options plus anoptionto buildthe $40,000cost intothe City'soperatingcosts were the only ways forward. Reeser stated all three were options and noted the fee is almost incidental. Miner agreed but reiterated the perception of another tax would not be good. Rios-Camposstatededucatingthecommunityand beingtransparentaboutthe newfee andoptionsto implement it are important. Reesermentionedthecapitalbond passed by nearly60%and polled well acrossthe region. Minerreiterated it would begoodto includethe community inthediscussion,especially ifthe Cityalso has to ask for an increase in cost to fire service. Rios-Camposnotedthe NiteOutwould be a good opportunityforcommunityengagementonthis topic. MT HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGEBOND/LEGISLATIVEUPDATES DianeMcKeel,the MHCCBoardViceChair, explainedthe college is consideringa bondon the November 2024 ballot and going around sharing information to get feedback from communities. McKeel reviewedthe historyof, programsoffered at, and enrollmentat Mt HoodCommunityCollege, including 14 studentsand7 employeeswholive in WoodVillage. McKeelstated MHCCbecamethe second community college in the state to offer a bachelors degree, McKeel mentioned the bond would fund construction, expansion, and renovation of the grounds and buildings. McKeelexplainedMHCChasnot passeda bond in over50 years. McKeelstated MHCCexaminedits strategic, academic,enrollment, andcomprehensivefacilityplans and realized the total need is $201 million, McKeel noted a Bond Development Work Group, comprised of community members, students, and staff, was organized to see howthe bond and its projects resonated across the community, McKeeldiscussedthe Prepare, Invest, Connectthemeofthe bond andexplainedthe proposed bond and its funded projectswould require$131 million. Charles George, Associate Vice President of Facilities, explained a variety of projects the bond would fund, includinga Centerfor Health Professionals;modernizingsciencelabsandclassroom;securingthe safety ofstudents and staff; renovatingaginglearningspaces; updating, repairingandpreserving college assets; improving athleticfacilitiesandcommunitypool; and improving accessibility. McKeel mentionedstate tourism datasuggestsa community pool generates$2million in local revenues and is an economicdriverforthecommunity. McKeelnoted studentfeedbackprioritized restroom updates but clarified nothing new is being built, McKeel revieiwedthe estimatedtaxpayercostof$0.25 per 1 ,000ofassessedvalue, whichwould be around$5 a month peraverageassessedhouseholdinthe district. McKeel mentioned MHCCis at stage three ofthe bond timeline - community input - and based on feedback, the board will decide in July 2024 if or when to put the bond on the ballot. CityCouncil Minutes May28, 2024 | Page 5 Mineraskedhowmuchtime MHCCwould haveto campaignforthe bond. McKeel stated the bond campaign would take place from around July to November. Miner asked if any polling had been done yet. McKeel stated early polling was conducted. dark remarkedthatthe MHCCcampusis phenomenaland noted facilityupkeep is a greatidea. dark mentioned the campaign should also include that improving heating and cooling will eventually save money. Mineragreedandstated theywouldalsosave insurancemoneywiththese improvements, dark asked ifthe campus had a boiler room. George noted the college replaced boilers and chillers in 2009 or 2011 in the Academic Center but the otherbuildingsstill have rooftopequipment. Miner thanked Rios-Campos for serving on the advisory committee. Rios-Campos stated it was a privilege to be involved and noted the focus was really an investment back into the community. Minerremarkedthe pool is a driverforcommunityengagementandthe school is aneconomicdriverforthe community. Miner mentioned the Wood Village Opportunity Scholarship and how it supports students who attend MHCC. Miner applauded MHCC for its recent achievement of adding a bachelor's degree program and the innovative joint venture to renovate the Pony Soldier Motel as student housing. Dirks mentioned the Oregon Promise Program and howto connect more community members through new legislative amendments to the program. Miner stated the four cities in the area should be supportive in helping pass legislative amendments to the Oregon Promise Program. McKeel clarified that the College Housing NW is responsible for renovating the Pony Soldier Motel but stated MHCCisexcitedto see it happeninginthe area. McKeel mentioned the MHCC Foundation and its fundraising efforts to support student scholarships. Miner stated the City would be reviewing its scholarship applicants soon. McKeel thanked the Council for having them and stated MHCC has flyers about the bond in multiple languages. DIRECTOROFPUBLICWORKSREPORT Normine reviewed Public Works projects from the last month: the last BigBelly trash can was installed at Arata and Wood Village Blvd; the CCTV sewer project has now completed its second week; restriping and jersey barriers installed on Sandy Blvd; staff planted seeds in the Edible Grove; Pacific Sports Turf completed the spring treatment of the field; and the City welcomed its newest Utility Worker 1, Jererny Charpentier. City Council Minutes May 28, 20241 Page 6 Normine recapped that 20 permits were issued, 58 inspections scheduled; 33 new code compliance cases, of which 31 were closed; and the City had a 13. 16% water system loss, Normine and Gallien explained one meter reading miscalculation caused the water loss to appear larger. Normine stated the City has been over 10% water loss for a while and is examining a variety of theories as to why. dark mentioned havinga metertest benchwouldbegood. Normineagreedand explainedstaffare swappingout meters beforetheyhopefullyhaveissues. Miner asked howoften the City is emptying the BigBelly cans. Nomrineand Gallienthe Bywayand BottleDropcansarefrequentlyemptied, followednextbythe Gyro Kingcan. Gallien mentionedstaffarestill learningto usethe companionappand notificationsystem. Miner asked Dirks if there was an invite to attend last week's Public Works Appreciation Lunch. Dirksanddark stated yes it wasfor lastThursday, Rios-Campos and dark mentioned they both missed the lunch. DIRECTOROF FINANCEREPORT Reeser stated the City is still monitoring the business income tax distribution. Reeserprovidedan updateon the911 UserBoard and noted he senta letterto the Chair'sChiefofStaff regardingpotentialchangesto thecostallocationprocessand howthatmightaffectthe County's EMS costs nextyearifthe Board'sJulyvote goesthrough. Miner asked for clarification. Reeserexplained heand Dirksmetwiththe GreshamCity Managerandthe Policeand FireChiefsto reviewthe proposed costallocationchanges. Reeseralsoexplained he metwiththe Portland Fires Business Manager and Operations Chiefto address questions about it, as well. CITYMANAGERREPORT Dirks updated the Council on the gateway entrance project. Dirks mentioned the June 17th three-city regional fire discussion meeting. Rios-Campos asked what time the meeting would take place. Dirks stated 6:00 PM at City Hall. Dirksmentionedthe Cityreceivedan updateon itsfacilitysecurityatthe last Council meeting, so that project iswrappedup. Dirksnoted the City'sAPPis movingforwardwell. Dirks discussed the meeting held with the County's Office of Sustainability to install heating and cooling mini-splitunitsin mobile homesandthe pilotprogram's roll out. Dirksexpectedthe pilot program bytheend of June, Dirks stated Cultivate Initiatives has been out twice to take care of right-of-way vegetation on NE 238th Drive and mentioned a proposed new maintenance contract with the organization starting in July. City CouncilMinutesMay28, 2024 | Page 7 Miner asked if the vegetation on Arata was in discussion as well. Dirks confirmed and mentioned other areas that would be covered in the newcontract with Cultivate Initiatives. Rios-Campos asked if it was all of Arata. DirksclarifiedonlytheWoodVillageportion. Dirksmentionedthethree-cityCity Managermeeting withtheJointOfficediscussingservice needsand prioritiesforthe nextfiscalyear. Dirksstated theJointOfficeunderstandstherecurrentcontractedservice model is brokenandthatthere is a differentservice need in EastCountythan in Portlandandthatthereare allocated funds for service in our area. Dirks discussed the on-site meeting with Metro discussing the potential wetland project at the corner of Arata Rd and Wood Village Blvd. Dirks stated there is hopeful collaboration with the future development at theadjacentGrand Rondesite, as well. Dirksmentionedthegrantreviewcommitteeseemedto likethe project and that there are more grant funds than funds requested. Miner asked for the project's timeline. Dirks stated possibly later this summer for the grant announcement. Miner stated it seemed like a strong application. Dirks noted he sat on a panel committee to review City of Fairview City Manager candidates and stated the CityofFairviewselected LauraConroyasthe newCity Manager CITYATTORNEYREPORT None. MAYOR& COUNCILCOMMENTS Minerreminded Councilthattheyhad received Dirksevaluationandwould needto reviewbefore submitting back to Gallien. Gallien stated the deadline to get the reviews back is the end ofthis week. dark mentioned he attendedtheopeningofthe newNWNaturalhydrogenplant in downtownPortlandand reviewed the process to convert natural gas into hydrogen, dark stated it is the only hydrogen plant in the United States and explained the byproduct ofthe process is being used as road material. Dirksstated NWNaturalwould be atthe Council'ssecondJulymeeting. Rios-Campos mentioned the Port of Portland invited him to attend a community and agency work session in mid-June. ADJOURNMENT Withno furtherbusiness,the Counciladjournedat7:56pm, City Council Minutes May 28, 20241 Page 8  n C. Miner MAYOR ATTEST: CJ^ CITY RECORDER City Council Minutes May28, 2024 | Page 9