Mayor Delivers Annual State of the City Address, Council Approves Wastewater Outfall Replacement
At the April 2, 2018, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, Mayor Tim Knapp delivered the 2018 State of the City Address, detailing Wilsonville’s ongoing efforts to develop a community that provides for people in all stages of life. The 30-minute presentation, themed “Creating a Complete Community,” reviewed progress toward Council goals. Mayor Knapp highlighted improvements to the transportation infrastructure, management of the city’s growth, identifying new opportunities to create high-wage jobs and affordable housing, environmental stewardship and providing new avenues for a connected, complete community.
“The ongoing goal, the overarching challenge, is how do we create a safe, desirable, aesthetically-pleasing community which nurtures and sustains all who are here,” Mayor Knapp said.
During the meeting, Council approved authorization of $1.1 million to replace the outfall at the Wilsonville Water Treatment Plant, a project that allows for additional capacity to treat expected demand increase and prepare for future permit requirements. Funding was also authorized to relocate a mid-median traffic signal during an upcoming project to modify the intersection at Wilsonville Road and Boones Ferry Road.
Mayor Knapp read an Arbor Day proclamation in conjunction with the City’s recognition, for the 20th straight year, as a Tree City USA. Morgan Holen, a board member at Oregon Community Trees, presented the Mayor with a Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation, citing the City’s new computerized tree-management database and wildlife-habitat protection efforts. The City hosts an Arbor Day planting this Saturday, April 7, 9 am, at the Edelweiss Park Shelter, 28970 SW Costa Circle West.
Metro Councilor Craig Dirksen presented an update on regional government initiatives, including a potential bond measure for affordable housing, the new Regional Transportation Plan under development, and growth management issues. Metro public affairs representative Jes Larson further detailed considerations for a regional property-tax bond measure to support efforts at developing more affordable housing options.
During the work session prior to City Council, City staff and a representative from Aha! Consulting provided a tour of new integrated websites scheduled to launch this summer for the City of Wilsonville, the Wilsonville Library, Wilsonville Park & Recreation and SMART Transit. Assistant City Manager Jeanna Troha welcomed members of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and the Muscular Dystrophy Association to discuss details of the annual “Fill the Boot” fundraiser for MDA, expected to take place in Wilsonville on May 22, 7 am-7 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 video-on-demand service at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.