City Council Report for August 1, 2016
On August 1, 2016, the Wilsonville City Council held a first reading, public hearing and adopted an ordinance to approve the Coffee Creek Urban Renewal Plan. The plan, which covers approximately 258 acres of land located between Day Road, Ridder Road, 95th Avenue and Grahams Ferry Road, establishes how the City’s Urban Renewal Agency proposes to fund and build the public infrastructure that is needed to transform the now largely undeveloped area into a new employment center with approximately 1,470 jobs and an estimated annual payroll of $55 million. The plan establishes a maximum indebtedness of $67 million, which sets the limit on urban renewal funding also known as tax increment financing, that is to be invested to build public infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, and water and waste-water services. A citizen task force recommended creation of the urban renewal district, which was approved by Wilsonville voters in a November 2015 advisory vote. A second reading for the ordinance is planned for the City Council meeting on Thursday, September 8. Prior to final approval by City Council, the plan must also be approved by the Washington County Board of Commissioners.
During the Communications portion of the meeting Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R) Chief Duyck gave a “State of the Fire District” report to the City Council.
The Council received an update on the upcoming weekend closure of Wilsonville Road at the railroad crossing west of Interstate 5 to repair ongoing settling and grade issues. The closure begins on Friday, August 5, 8 p.m., and lasts until Monday, August 8, 6 a.m. The detour route is on Barber Street accessed of off Wilsonville Road from either Boones Ferry Road or Kinsman Road. The closure includes the bike lanes and sidewalks along this section of Wilsonville Road as well.
On the Consent Agenda the Council approved three resolutions. The first authorizes the City Manager to enter into a construction contract to complete street maintenance and repairs at the Wilsonville Road railroad crossing in August. Another of the resolutions authorizes staff to apply to Metro regional government for a federal transportation funding grant for the design and construction of a proposed pedestrian and bike bridge over I-5 connecting Town Center Loop and Barber Street. Finally the Council approved a resolution authorizing the City to apply for a Metro Equitable Housing and Development Grant to fund creation of an Equitable Housing Strategic Plan.
During work session prior to the meeting, City Council received reports and discussed Clackamas County’s fuel tax ballot measure and a potential marijuana ordinance if voters in November decide to remove the current ban on locating a marijuana-related business in Wilsonville.
Community members are able to watch a replay of all or a portion of the City Council meetings on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 30, Frontier Ch. 32 or on the City’s video-on-demand service at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
