City Council Approves Annexing County Roadway, Receives Top-Rated Annual Audit Report

At the Jan. 4, 2018, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the Council approved on first reading the annexation into City limits of 4.9 acres of roadway located in the northwest industrial area of Wilsonville. Approximately one mile of existing rural and unimproved county roads were annexed, including SW Garden Acres Road, SW Cahalin Road and SW Clutter Street. The Council’s action is the first step that is to be followed by transfer of the road authority from Washington County to the City in preparation for development of the regionally significant Coffee Creek industrial area.

The Council also heard a glowing report on the annual audit of the City’s 2016-17 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report conducted by the certified public accounting firm, Merina & Company, LLP. Auditor Tonya Moffitt, CPA, reported that the City received a favorable audit with an unqualified opinion, which indicates that the financial statements are presented fairly, and users can rely on the material accuracy of the documents to evaluate the City’s financial position.  Results of the audit also demonstrate the City’s compliance with state and federal financial laws.

Under Mayor’s Business, the Council confirmed the appointment of Dave Pearson, Executive Director of the World of Speed Motorsports Museum, to the Tourism Promotion Committee, vacant position no. 1, with a term ending June 30, 2019.

Prior to the Council meeting in work session, the Council discussed issuing a joint letter with the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners to Oregon legislative leaders opposing potential legislation in the “short” February session of the legislature, assuming the legislation proposes to remove public-review processes to allow the Oregon Dept. of Aviation to ‘supersite’ an extension of the Aurora State Airport runway in Marion County. The Council directed staff to work with Clackamas County to oppose legislation that preempts public participation in the land-use process and results in increased urban-level activity in a rural location lacking municipal governance, adequate infrastructure and surface-transportation facilities.

The Council heard an update on the Southbound I-5 Boone Bridge Auxiliary Lane Study, technically called an interchange facilities plan, that the City is undertaking with the Oregon Department of Transportation. The study is to quantify the cost and benefits of adding a new lane on the I-5 Boone Bridge over the Willamette River in order to mitigate traffic congestion between the I-5/Wilsonville Road and the I-5/Highway 551 interchanges; for more information see www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/I-5BooneBridge.

The Council also heard a report on the 15-year-long history of planning for regional parks numbers seven and eight that border the Coffee Creek wetlands located in the developing Villebois ‘urban village’ neighborhood. Several neighbors had raised concerns that they understood that the parks were to be left unimproved; however, long-term plans approved through prior public processes had determined that the parks would be partially developed with pathways, gazebos, children’s play structures, a restroom, an open play area and a parking lot. The remaining 43 acres of the 55-acre park land are to be set-aside as a natural area that Metro regional government plans to rehabilitate ecologically by removing invasive species and restoring with native plants.

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.