City Council Discusses Building Permit Fees and I-5 Monument Signage

January 24, 2020 — During the Jan. 23, 2020, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the  Council discussed a number of issues during work session. 

City Building Official Dan Carlson outlined the results of a recent income and expense analysis that showed current building permit and plan review fees are not covering their costs. Last raised 14 years ago in 2006, a proposed fee increase in 2020 would make Wilsonville building permit and plan review fees equivalent with the average fees in nearby jurisdictions. Additionally, the Council appeared to favor a proposal to tie fees with annual changes to the Seattle Construction Cost Index or similar construction costs-related inflation index.

The Council also reviewed several design options for updated “monument signs” that welcome visitors exiting I-5 at Wilsonville Rd. The Council indicated a preference for a design with a dark background, silver-colored font for “Welcome to Wilsonville” and a large color logo with backing. The updated signs are to be installed as outlined in Phase I of the City’s 2019 Signage & Wayfinding Plan.

City finance staff presented the Urban Renewal Agency’s annual report about public-works projects financed by tax increment financing in the City’s urban renewal districts. Required by state law, the annual report provides financial data, activities of the Urban Renewal Agency, and basic information about how tax increment financing works, and its impact on the community.

During the meeting, City Manager Bryan Cosgrove reported that a sufficient number of valid signatures had been verified by the Clackamas County Clerk for a proposed city ballot measure pertaining to term limits for City Council positions.

The next meeting of the City Council is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3, at 7 pm, with work session commencing at 5 pm.

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 YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.

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