City Council Approves Funding Plan for Construction of Public Works Complex
January 21, 2022 — At the January 20, 2022, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council took three actions to secure funding for a future Public Works Complex. The Council authorized a financing plan for construction of the facility, directed staff to proceed with a maximum $16.5 million financing for construction of the facility, and approved a temporary inter-fund loan from water operating fund to general fund.
The $22.5 million project addresses the City’s current and future needs with a new facility on Boberg Rd. Construction of the PW Complex will improve the efficiency of operations, enhance the security of City’s assets and improve emergency preparedness.
The Council also approved a contract to extend the “Explore Wilsonville” tourism program. The contract funds tourism promotion and development and destination marketing services through June 2023.
Additionally, the Council authorized the City Manager to participate in a nationwide settlement to resolve all opioids litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against the country’s three largest pharmaceutical distributors.
During Mayor’s Businesses, Julie Fitzgerald shared details of the Oregon Health Authority’s drive-thru COVID vaccine clinic, which is operating through Jan. 29 at the Wilsonville Transit Center. The site has doses of all FDA-approved vaccines available, including boosters and pediatric doses. No appointment is necessary, and there is no charge.
Fitzgerald also shared a summary of her recent testimony before the Oregon Transportation Commission, where she advocated for the use of federal infrastructure funds to expedite the I-205 Abernathy Bridge Project and the I-5 Boone Bridge Improvement and Seismic Retrofit Project. She also urged the Oregon Department of Transportation not to begin tolling I-205 before completing the Regional Mobility Pricing Project.
During Communications, waste and recycling franchise hauler Republic Services shared its annual report, highlighting operation costs, new and temporary services, sustainability goals and customer satisfaction data.
Council President Kristin Akervall outlined details of a plan developed with City staff to establish clear, transparent guidelines that govern how and when proclamations are written, reviewed and/or read aloud at meetings.
At the work session held prior to the meeting, Library staff shared the draft Library Strategic Plan, a five-year plan that outlines strategies to achieve six primary Library objectives: enhance services and resources, raise awareness of the library and its services, extend access to more community members, improve physical spaces, add resources and support City initiatives. City Manager Bryan Cosgrove and members of the Council acknowledged the work of retiring Library Services Manager Steven Engelfried.
Planning staff sought input to inform the affordable housing component of the Frog Pond East and South Master Plan now being developed. The Master Plan is to include additional focus on housing inventory for a wider variety of income levels and to ensure that the built form of such housing contributes to a neighborhood’s look and feel.
Police Chief Rob Wurpes and Clackamas County Behavior Health staff detailed plans to increase support for people experiencing mental health crises by adding of a full-time behavioral health specialist to the Wilsonville Police force. The new position is being funded by money the City received following passage of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The next regular meeting of the City Council is to be held on Monday, Feb. 7, 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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