City Council

&.. Mayor Jairo Rios-Campos Council President DaraTan Councilors John C. Miner Mark dark Patricia Smith aTY.°.F<Wood ige WOOD VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES February 11, 2025-6:00 PM PRESENT MayorJairoRios-Campos,CouncilorsJohnC. Miner, Markdark, and PatriciaSmith, City ManagerGreg Dirks, Public Works Operations Manager Erika Normine, Public Works Projects Manager Becky Gallien, Directorof FinanceSethReeser, CityAttorneyJeffCondit, and interested parties. Smith arrived at 6:01 PM. ABSENT Council President Dara Tan CITIZEN COMMENTS (NON. AGENDA ITEMS) None. PUBLICSAFETYREPORT Captain Stewart presented the public safety report for January: two stolen vehicles, one of which was recovered in Vancouver, WA a week later. Stewartmentionedtheactivityreport showeda trend in crashes, noting MCSOhassincehiredovertime as response. As a result, traffic stops have increased to 90 with plans for future traffic safety missions and speed trailers in the area. Stewartnotedthe person crime is up butexplained MCSOcould not havedone muchto impactit. MinerthankedStewartforincreasingpresence in the area, Smith thanked Stewart and stated, in her opinion, Wood Village has the best policing. Rios-Camposasked Stewartto sharemoreaboutGresham'scease-fireprogram, MCSO'srole in it, and how it could become a wider .East County initiative. Stewart stated MCSO is committed to continue meeting with Gresham to determine how MCSO could partner with them. Stewartmentioned MCSOis involved with other initiatives, such as homeless outreach, to solve issues in East County. Rios-Campos stated he felt reassured to see MCSOat the launch ofthe cease-fire program. Smithreiterated the needto bring backthe citizen'sacademyprogram. Stewartstated heconnectedwithSgt. White,whopreviouslyranthe program, butdueto staffing,there is no planto bring it backatthistime. Dirksremarked MCSOhasresumed HOPETeamefforts, mentioningCitystaffhavehadconversations withtheteamto connectwiththe unhoused in theareaduringthesecoldweatherevents. Stewartstated he hashadconversationson staffingwarmingshelterstoo. CONSENTCALENDAR A. City Council Minutes . January28, 2025 Upon motion by dark, seconded by Smith and passing 4-0, the Consent Agenda was approved. COMMUNITYMEMBEROFTHEYEARAWARD Dirks briefly reviewed the history ofthe award and announced the Wood Village Baptist Church asthis year's recipient. Dirks presented PastorTom Miles with a plaque and Maria Guadalupe Herrera Flares and Vera Mailman with certificates. Rios-Campos stated he has partnered with the church for many years and expressed his appreciation for Miles' leadership. darkthankedthe churchfortheirmanyyearsasa partnerto the City. Miles thanked the City forthe recognition and congratulated the Cityon their care ofand dedication to the community. The recipients posed for photos. Smith and Miner both expressed their appreciation forthe church and its partnership with the City BOARDANDCOMMISSIONINTERVIEWS Rios-Campos invited Hunter Jones to come forward for his interview forthe Urban Renewal Board. Dirks stated the applicant was not here yet asthe Council moved through the agenda quicker than anticipated. Dirkssuggestedmoving ontothe nextagendaitem untiltheapplicantarrives, Representativesfrom Mt Hood CommunityCollegecameforwardto present. At 6:32 PM, Rios-Campos invited Hunter Jones to join the Council for his interview for the Urban Renewal Board. Rios-CamposaskedJonesto sharea little abouthimself. Jonesstated he grewup in the areaand attended MHCC, moved to WoodVillagethree yearsago, hastwo kids, andwantsto finda wayto give back. SmithaskedJoneswhyhewantsto serve onthe Urban RenewalBoard. Jones stated he enjoys the amenities in Wood Village and wants to ensure they continue to exist, noting he is gratefulthe newbathroomsbeingconstructed in thepark. Jonesexplainedhe is an engineerfor PGE currently, evaluating construction projectsand budgets, and is lookingto usethoseskillsto serve the City. dark asked Jones if graduated from MHCC. Jonesconfirmed hegraduatedfrom MHCCwithan associate'sin mechanicalengineeringtechnology beforegetting a bachelor'sdegreefrom OIT. dark asked Jones about his definition and style of leadership. Jones stated he tries to understand where people come from and noted this is the starting point for conflict resolution and assigning goals moving forward. Miner asked Jones what he considers important factors in the group decision making process. Jones responded that communication is the most important factor, including making clear statements and definingcleargoals andensuringeveryone hasthat information. Rios-Campos asked Jones what he believes are important issues facing the community right now. Jones stated expensive housing, noting he is one of the few people he knows his age who owns a home. SmithaskedJonesiftherewasanythingelse hewould like to sayabouthowandwhyhewouldservethe community. Jones stated he has waited to find the right time to publicly serve, and given the current political climate, he feels he cannot sit back and wait, dark asked howold his children were. Jones stated almost five and the other just turned one. Smith asked if they liked the park. Jones confirmed, noting he's enjoyed seeing his oldest get more confident in the park. Smith motioned, dark seconded, and the Council unanimously agreed to appoint Jones to the Urban Renewal Board, Dirks stated staff would reach out next week to set up orientation for the Urban Renewal Board and then a separate orientation for the budget portion. Rios-Camposmentioned PlayEastis also lookingforsomeonetojoin its Recreation Boardand noted he can share more information regarding it. Jones stated he is interested but it depended on time, asking how often the board meets. Rios-Campos stated they meet six times a year currently, but do not meet in the summer, and that Dirks would share more information with him soon about the position. MT. HOODCOMMUNITYCOLLEGEUPDATE CharlesGeorge,AssociateVicePresidentof Facilities,PublicSafetyand Risk, introduced himselfand Board of Education member Diane Noriega. Georgestatedtheypresentedto the Councillast Springregardingtheirupcoming bond andthankedRios- Camposforsitting on theircommunitystakeholderworkgroupforthebond, aswelt. Georgereviewedthecommunityoutreachefforts MHCChasperformedoverthe last nine months, includingattending67 communityevents, anddiscussedwhythe bond mattersforboththe college andthe greater community. Georgereviewedwhatthe bondwould accomplishifapproved. Noriega stated the estimated taxpayer cost will be 25 cents per 1,000 assessed value, or roughly $5 a month for the average homeowner in the area. Noriegaexplainedthe bondis an investment in the local economyand reviewedcareerpathsofrecent graduates,noting bondfundedprojectswill also createconstructionjobs inthe region. Noriegastated MHCChasreceivednumerousawardsforits financialresponsibilityandaccountability. Noriegaaskedforthe Council'ssupportandendorsementofthe bondandaskedthe Councilforany questions. Minerstated MHCCdeservespassageofthis bond and asked howthe Citycouldsupportthisbond measure. Noriegastated workforcedevelopmentis a greatwayto highlightwhythe bondshouldbesupported. Miner clarified his question: what could the City do to help pass the measure. Noriegastated an endorsementwould be appreciatedand mentioned MHCCcould providethe endorsement forms ifthere was a consensus among the Council, noting Rios-Campos could endorse on his own, as well. Noriegaexplainedendorsementsfrom elected officialswouldgo a longwaysincetheyalreadyhave people's trust. darkaskedabouthowclose the lastbond attemptfailed by. Noriegastated polling rightafterthe holidaysgotthemcloseto 50 percent. dark asked ifthe measurehadnotyetgoneto a vote. The Council explained it has not. Dirks clarified dark was asking about the previous bond measure. Noriega stated the last bond was over 50 percent but, at the time, it required a two-thirds majority. dark asked ifthe requirementwasstill a two-thirdsmajority. Noriego explained this new measure would only require a 51 percent majority. Rios-Campos discussed needed updates to the MHCC campus to ensure staffand students had whatthey neededforsuccess, butalsoto ensurethecampuswasviewedas a community resource. Noriegastated the swimmingpool is one ofits top communityamenities. dark agreed, stating he visits the pool with his grandkids almost every other week, but agreed it needed improvements. Noriegaand Georgediscussed MHCC'splanto install a retractable roofas partofthe bond projectto extend the pool's usability for both recreation and competitions. Georgestated Rios-Camposwasdiscussingtheseismicupgradesneededforthegymnasiumsince it serves as a Red Cross shelter in the aftermath of a seismic event. Noriegamentionedthe needto improve campussafetyforstudentsandfaculty, aswell, notingthere is no current way to lock down the campus. Rios-Camposaskedthe Councilforthoughtson endorsingas a Council. dark approved. Miner called for a motion to endorse. Smithstated shewouldlike additionalinformationbeforedeciding. Dirks stated staff could provide more information with an opportunity to bring this back as a potential resolution at a future meeting. Noriega shared informational materials with the Council, and George mentioned more information could be found atwww.mhccbond.com. Smith stated it sounds good, but she would also like to hear more about the cons. Dirks reiterated it would be scheduled to come back before the Council. Rios-CamposthankedGeorgeand Noriegafortheirwork. At 6:32 PM, Rios-Campos invited Hunter Jones to join the Council for his interview for the Urban Renewal Board (see above section). PLAYEAST ANNUAL UPDATE Rios-Campos presented the annual PlayEast report, noting fiscal year 2023-2024 wasone ofthe best yearsfor registrationwitha 20 percentincreasefromthe previousyear. Rios-Campos explained increased registration also means an increase in registration revenue with a 45 percent increase year-to-year, Rios-Campos mentioned that, despite an increase in program costs, PlayEast still awarded 178 scholarships with a value ofjust over $10, 500. Rios-Campos reviewed the program expense vs program revenue and explained he hopes to have more accurate numbers soon since the City of Fairviewrecently hired a new Finance Director. Rios-Campos reviewed registration forthe first two quarters of FY2024-25, noting an overall 56 percent increase in registration from the previous year. Rios-Campos explained this increase could be attributed to offering two sessions ofthe most popular classes and offering a newdance class, which has been extremely popular. Rios-Campos mentioned an anticipated 35 percent increase in total registrations for the year with a 56 percent increase in programs offered in Spring 2025 and a 43 percent increase in programs for Summer 2025. Rios-Campos stated last year's Summer Meal Plan served nearly 1 ,000 meals with fourweeks covered by the Reynolds School District and PlayEast covering the cost of an additional week. The plan is to offer the Summer Meal Program again for 5-6 weeks total with PlayEast again covering the cost of one to two of those weeks. Rios-Campos reviewed PlayEast's event participation at city events in both Wood Village and Fairview. Smithasked ifparentscould partakeinthe SummerMeal Programtoo. Rios-Campos confirmed, stating they are the only summer meal program site in the Reynolds School District that allows adults to receive meals. Dirks asked about the annual fundraiser. Rios-Campos stated last year's fundraiser raised almost $43, 000, and the hope is to hit $45, 000 this year. The fundraiser will be on Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 PM at the Fairview Food Plaza, There will be catered food in addition to raffles and donation opportunities. Rios-Campos stated, outside ofthe two cities' direct contributions, the fundraiser isthe program's number one revenue avenue to raise funds forthings like the the extra weeks ofthe Summer Meal Program, the freetechnologycamps, andthe mobile recreationvanwithfree activities. Dirks asked where someone could donate. Rios-Campos stated there will be a link on both Fairview and Wood Village websites and a link or QR code will be shared with Dirks to promote. Smith stated Fairview and Wood Village started this program nearly 7 or 8 years ago to serve marginalized and low-income youth. Rios-Camposexplained PlayEastis oneoftheonlyagenciesthat isn'twithina recreationdistrictthatoffers a standard rate insteadofa residentversus non-residentrate, whichallowsthe programto remain equitable. Minerand Smithcongratulated Rios-CamposforhisaccomplishmentswithPlayEast. Rios-CamposclarifiedforJones,whoremainedin theaudience,thathe isthe PlayEastprogram manager in addition to being mayor. RESOLUTION2-2025:WELL3 UPGRADESOLESOURCEAWARD Normine provided background on the project and why staff want to sole source the project to Control SystemsNorthwest,whocompletedthe City'sSCADAproject in 2022andserves asthecurrentintegrator and on-call service provider. Normine reviewed the Well 3 electrical upgrades. Norminereviewedthe procurementprocess, noting existingORSlawsandguidelinesallowforsole sourcing to avoid redundancy and extra cost. Normine explained the fiscal impact ofthe project, noting staffwould like to add $20, 000 from contingency for change orders or modifications to the project. Normine asked the Council for questions. Smith asked if there was an amount to not exceed on this. Normine confirmed there is. Norminepresented severaloptionsforthe Council'sconsiderationandthesuggestedstaff recommendation to sole source the award to Control Systems NWwith a do not exceed amount of $220, 000. Minerstated heagreesthatthe projectshould remainwith Control Systems NWgiventheirfamiliaritywith oursystem. Upon motion by Smith, seconded by dark and passing 4-0, Resolution 2-2025 was approved. DISCUSSION:HOLIDAYMEAL Dirks reviewed the City's involvement with addressing food insecurity and its history of holiday meal programs. Dirksrecappedthe City's holidaymeal programsfrom 2020-2024,mentioningthetotal costwas$40,342 for these programs. Dirksreviewedthe partnershipwiththe EastCountyFood Pantryin 2022and2023andexplainedthe City broughtthe programsbackin-housefor2024. DirksmentionedWoodVillageonlyaccountsfor roughlya third oftotal holidaymeal program recipients. Dirks presented items for the Council's consideration regarding howthe City should address food insecurity movingforwardandpotentialoptionson howto doso. Dirksmentionedan optionfora pop-upfarmstandaroseoutofconversationswithOutgrowingHunger during the conversation regarding managing the community garden program. Dirks explained Double-Up Food Bucks, which allowcommunity members utilizing SNAP benefits to increase their purchasing power for produceatfarmers markets. Dirks explained a thought for the farmstand would beforthe Cityto purchase leftover farmstand produce to donate to local food pantries or the summer lunch program to support local farmers and address food insecurity. Minerstated it madesenseto narrowthefocusto WoodVillageatthistime andasked aboutthe potential forcommunityoutreachto receive inputon thediscussion. Rios-Campos stated these programs were created during a difficult time, noting it wastime to reexamine the City'srole. darkaskedaboutputting a couponforthe meal programs in the newsletter. Dirks stated registration could easily be limited to Wood Village only with no need for a coupon, but explained Wood Village participation has plateaued. Smith asked about the Wood Village Baptist Church's interest in expanding theirfood pantry. Dirks explained it did not seem there was interest, at least for the time being, based on conversations with Pastor Miles. darkmentionedthatmuchofthechurch'smembershipalsocamefrom outsideofWoodVillage. Dirksdiscussedthechurch'sfood pantry, noting it wasrightsizedfortheirintentionsand purpose. Rios-Campos also confirmed this. Rios-Campos stated it would begood to look atthe farmstand option through Outgrowing Hunger, especiallywiththeforthcomingcommunitygarden. Rios-Campos explained he continues to hearthe need from community members, mentioning that no other citiesare offeringprograms likethe holidaymeals. Rios-Campos mentioned there are still community members who aren't aware ofthe holiday meal programs but stated he does not have the answer as to howto get the word out better without absorbing significantstafftime. Smithstated it should be put in the newsletterto reachWoodVillagecommunity members. Dirksconfirmed it alwayshas been in additionto beingon the City'swebsiteandsocialmediabut explained the November meal is advertised in September and the December meal in November, so many communitymembers mayforgetabout it beforeregistrationbegins. Dirksstated thefarmstandprogramwould notcostthe Cityanythingand mentionedtherewill be someone at the Easter Extravaganza to educate on the Double-up Food Bucks. Smithaskedaboutplacinga shortquestionnaireinthenewsletterto seewhatthe communitywants regarding food programs. Rios-Camposagreedit wasimportantto hearfrom communitymembersand askedaboutcreatinga more generalfood programfund in the budgetto keepfundsmore unrestricted whiletheCityevaluatesoptions. Dirksconfirmedthiswould be possibleand mentionedtheoptionto askcommunitymembersfor inputat events rather than a survey in the newsletter, stating it usually produces better results. Miner stated he would like to collect additional information before deciding and asked about reaching out to keycommunicatorsinthe communityforinputratherthan a generalcommunitymembersurvey. Minerexplained it wasimportantto considerthe meal programscostgiventhe risingcostforother services, like public safety, coming up. Miner stated it was also important to decide what the City's key roles were in providing services. Dirksexplainedstaffwould puttogetheroutreachoptionsandagreedwith Mineraboutexaminingthecost. RESOLUTION3-2025:DLRPARKAMENITIESBIDAWARD Dirks presented background on the park amenity project, which was selected by the Parks Commission in 2023 as the recommended CDBG project. Dirks reviewed the proposed amenity improvements and project design. Dirks stated four bids were received for the project, mentioning staff reviewed and found Lee Contractors as the lowest qualified bidder. Dirksexaminedthe$125,000project budgetwith$80,000comingfrom CDBGfunding. Dirksstatedthere is a $43,000gapin availablefundsforthe project. Dirksfurtherreviewedthefundingsourcesforthe project, explainingSDCscould be reallocatedfrom the wetland project to this one. Staffwould be applying for additional grant funding for the wetland to replace these reallocated funds. Dirkspresented optionsforthe Council'sconsiderationformoving forwardandthestaffrecommendationto awardthe projectto LeeContractorswitha do notto exceedamountof$136,000. Minerexpressedconcernthatthe Citycontinuesto lookforfundsforoverbudgetprojects butnoted he doesnot likethe ideaofwalkingawayfrom a $80,000grant. Smithstated costsare alwaysrising and if notcompleted now,the projectcostwouldjust increaseinthe future. darkstatedthe Cityhasalwaysbeenfiscallyresponsibleand, in hisopinion,doesnotviewthe$43,000 gapas a dealbreaker.dark alsoexpressedconcernoverwhatcould happenatthefederallevel withfuture funding availability. Rios-Camposaskedwhatitwouldtaketo rescopethe project. Dirksexplainedthe Citywould haveto askthe CDBGboard ifweareallowedto rescope it andthen rebid the project. Dirks stated hedoes not know ifthere would be a significant cost break by rescoping and rebidding. Gallien stated rescoping would not be a simple process and was not sure ifthe CDBG board would require the Cityto waitto reapplyuntil the nextfundingperiod. Reeserreiteratedthere is not muchto cutoutofthe scopewithGallien noting itwould be moreofa choice betweenthe picnicamenitiesortheADApathway. Dirksmentionedthere are noothermajorGeneral Fundprojects scheduledatthistimewiththe Cityshifting focus to the cost of public safety services. Dirksstated thestaffrecommendedoptionwouldfundthe projectwithoutmassivelyimpactingthe General Fund balance or the viability ofother scheduled projects. Miner stated staff did not seem optimistic about rescoping the project. Dirks agreed. Rios-Campos asked about the eligibility of SDC funds. Dirksexplained SDCscan only be used fortheir specific systems, in this case the Park System. Rios-Campos asked about the potential wetland project grant funds. Dirks stated the Cityfound out only last week thatthere will be another grant opportunity and plan to askfor a slightly higheramount to cover the loss ofthe SDCfunds if reallocated to the CDBG project. Miner again expressed his concern aboutthe cost butexplained Dirks' comments eased his concerns. Upon motion by dark, secondedbySmithand passing4-0, Resolution 3-2025wasapproved. CITYATTORNEYREPORT None. MAYORAND COUNCILCOMMENTS Rios-Camposstated a local representativereachedoutfora letterofsupportforSenateBill 703, which would create state funding for a non-profit to assist community members seeking permanent citizenship in Oregon. Rios-Camposaskedforthe Council'sinput. Smith asked if it was different than the current citizenship process. Rios-Camposexplainedit wasto helpcoverlegalcostsfor individualsseekingpermanentcitizenship. Dirksalsostated it wassimilarto a legal aidfund to assistindividualsnavigatingthecitizenshippathway. Rios-Camposstated hewould providethe proposedsenate billto Dirksto sharewiththe Council, Rios-Camposalsodiscussedthe EMOPIprogram basedin Gresham, noting EMOPIwill be going back before the State to request continuous and additional funding for the program. Rios-Campos explained EMOPI received additional funds last Julyto expand the program to all East County, so he askedfortheCouncil'sinputon providinga letterofsupport, dark asked what the program does. Dirks explained EMOPI works as a youth intervention program in East Multnomah County to offer violence prevention and post-incident outreach. Dirksstated EMOPIpresented beforeCouncil lastyearand mentioned it would begoodto bringthem back to present howtheir services and providers have benefited those in Wood Village since their last presentation. Smith stated she would like to see EMOPI's accomplishments and information on how they are utilizing these funds. Miner agreed more information is needed. Dirksreiterated staffwouldbe asking EMOPIleadersto provideadditionalinformationto the Council. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the Council adjourned at 7:48 pm, Jair i -Ca o MAYO ATTEST: CITYRECORDE