News
The April 2020 edition of the Wilsonville Public Library newsletter "Check Out" features articles and information about events at the library throughout the month. Check it out!
April 10, 2020 – The City of Wilsonville’s “One Wilsonville” Gift Card Purchase Program is now underway to support residents and local restaurants in need of financial relief in the wake of COVID-19.
This month, City employees are visiting local restaurants to purchase $20,000 in gift cards, providing a segment of our local business community with immediate and much-needed support in the wake of the State’s ‘stay at home’ directive that has temporary closed doors and dining rooms, and diminished sales at retail establishments citywide.
April 7, 2020 — During the April 6, 2020, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution to provide Wilsonville Community Sharing, a local non-profit, with up to $10,000 in additional funding to aid residents in the payment of City utility bills during the ongoing health crisis.
The Council also extended the City’s local state of emergency declaration through the end of May. Authorized on March 13 and ratified by City Council on March 16, the declaration provides the City’s Emergency Management staff with latitude to coordinate an effective response by redirecting funding for emergency use, implementing mutual aid agreements, suspending standard procurement procedures and making operational adjustments in the interest of public welfare.
April 6, 2020 – As communities experience the emotional weight of an unprecedented public health crisis, there are many stressors – financial burden, illness, unemployment, confinement, concern for loved ones, etc. – that may adversely affect peoples’ mental health and well-being.
General mental health guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) includes minimizing or avoiding exposure to news that causes distress, developing daily routines, maintaining connection to people within existing social networks, engaging in healthy activities, and getting proper sleep and nutrition.
In Clackamas County, mental health professionals and public safety officials are bracing for an increase in depression, anxiety, violence, abuse, suicidal ideation and other mental health conditions. They provide a reminder that anyone in crisis is a phone call away from help.
April 3, 2020 – Wilsonville's recycling and solid-waste hauler, Republic Services, is implementing temporary service adjustments to account for an expected increase in volume while working to ensure the safety of customers and employees during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Bulky Waste Day scheduled in May is to be rescheduled, and curbside bulky waste pickup is being temporarily suspended. The special free bulky waste pick-up program for seniors and ADA residents is also on hold. The new Metro-area commercial food-scraps collection program has been delayed until September 2020.
Residents are encouraged to take the following steps to maintain efficient residential pick-up service:
April 2, 2020 — South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART), which operates transit services in and near Wilsonville, is temporarily scaling back bus service and office hours effective Monday, April 6.
All routes remain in operation; most will run less frequently. The changes come in response to a sharp decline in ridership following the March 23 Stay at Home directive from the Governor. The changes equate to about a 25% reduction in services.
“The conditions demanded that we reinvent ourselves,” said Transit Director Dwight Brashear. “We looked at ridership and adapted with adjustments that avoid severely impacting the people who count on us.”
The decision follows a similar reduction from Portland’s TriMet and the substantial temporary closure of Salem-based Cherriots. Brashear said carriers are focused on driver and passenger safety, fiscal responsibility, and the importance of delivering essential workers to their place of work.
March 31, 2020 –Guided by the recommendations of state and federal health officials, the City of Wilsonville has extended the public closure of all City facilities through at least April 30.
This decision extends public closures already in effect at City Hall, the Wilsonville Library, the Wilsonville Community Center, SMART Transit, the Parks & Recreation Admin. Building and all City-owned buildings and park shelters.
“We applaud the overwhelming majority of Wilsonville residents for putting their community first and recognizing the importance of social distancing,” City Manager Bryan Cosgrove said. “I appreciate how quickly City staff has adjusted to remain responsive to community needs via phone and email.”
The April 2020 edition of the all-city newsletter, The Boones Ferry Messenger, features reports and updates on a range of topics including the following articles and content:
March 23, 2020 — While the City of Wilsonville continues to encourage people to enjoy parks, trails and natural areas with social distancing modifications in place, the City is temporarily closing all play structures, sport courts, swings and other playground equipment at all parks as a precautionary measure.
The COVID-19 virus can survive on hard surfaces like plastic or steel for up to 72 hours, making play structures particularly problematic because these areas cannot be adequately disinfected throughout the day to prevent the threat of transmission.
“Each preventative move we make is aimed at keeping our community healthy,” City Manager Bryan Cosgrove. “We’re remaining aggressive, and advising everyone in the community to understand the importance of limiting all non-critical interactions.”
March 23, 2020 — The City of Wilsonville and the Wilsonville Area Chamber of Commerce are working together to explore local solutions and identify state and federal resources to support out-of-work individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations that may be seeking assistance and financial relief in the wake of COVID-19 related hardship.
“Obviously this is a staggering blow for the majority of workplaces here and in many parts of the world,” said City of Wilsonville Economic Development Manager Jordan Vance. “As federal, state and regional programs materialize to aid those impacted by loss of work and/or diminishing revenues, we’re available to point people to programs that might help them find relief.”
March 19, 2020 — With the COVID-19 response efforts requiring social distancing, business closures, canceled activities and disrupted routines around the globe, South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) operations are unusual in that they are continuing with virtually no disruption.
Currently, Wilsonville’s independent transit operator is operating all routes, all days. While ridership is down by nearly half, SMART Director Dwight Brashear notes this is allowing riders to get to their destinations comfortably, without worrying about other passengers getting too close.
“The social distancing is happening organically because we’re seeing lighter passenger loads,” said Brashear, who has hopped aboard several buses recently to chat with riders and bus drivers about COVID-19 concerns. “We’ve been able to continue helping the people who count on us and may not have other options.”
March 18, 2020 — If you’re going online to shop for resources or seek information about COVID-19, the Wilsonville Police Department cautions that scammers may be eager to take advantage of consumer fears and uncertainty around the current global health crisis.
“Stay alert,” advises Wilsonville Police Chief Rob Wurpes. “Unfortunately this is a perfect set of circumstances for scammers: an anxious population, vulnerable people at highest risk, excessive demand for out-of-stock goods and disinformation on social media.”
Wurpes cautions people to keep computer protection up-to-date and to remain skeptical of websites and ads that aren’t from trusted sources. If you’re not sure, he says, don’t click.
March 17, 2020 — The City of Wilsonville, continuing to adopt the social distancing recommendations of the CDC, the Oregon Heath Authority and Clackamas County Public Health, is closing access to all public facilities, effective this evening.
The decision closes public access to City Hall, SMART Transit offices and the Police/Public Works building. The City had previously put into effect public closures at the Wilsonville Community Center, the Wilsonville Public Library and the Parks & Recreation Administration Building.
“The situation is fluid, and we’re continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our employees and community members,” City Manager Bryan Cosgrove said. “When weighing the inconvenience of this decision against the need to urgently do our part to flatten the curve and slow transmission of COVID-19, closing our doors is the responsible choice.”
March 16, 2020 — The Parks & Recreation Administration Building is now closed to the public, effective Tuesday morning. While not typically used for programs, the facility hosts occasional group meetings and receives frequent walk-in traffic from people visiting nearby Town Center Park.
All public facility closures announced by the City – at the Park & Rec. Admin Building, the Wilsonville Community Center, and the Wilsonville Library – is to remain in effect until April 8, or longer at the recommendation of public health officials.
City Hall remains open to the public, 8 am to 5 am each weekday. Customers are highly encouraged to conduct business by phone or online for their own protection and that of City staff.
March 15, 2020 — The Wilsonville Library is open today, 1-6 pm. Effective Monday, Mar. 16, and through at least April 8, the Library is closing its doors to the public.
During the public closure, the following library services remain available:
The library is here for you!
Check out our virtual library resources -- from digital books and audiobooks, to popular magazines and newspapers, to language learning and kids' science projects, and more:
Books (eBooks and eAudiobooks) & Online Services:
Effective Saturday, March 12, masks are no longer required at the Wilsonville Public Library. Masks are still advised, and can be provided (while supplies last) for anyone who prefers to wear one. Please join us in respecting the personal choice made by each Library visitor.
UPDATED 3/10/2022
During this extraordinary time, the following library services are available:
Looking for that next great read? Ask a librarian! Fill out this form and we will send you 3-5 reading suggestions within three days.
UPDATED 9/04/2020
We are pleased to welcome you back to the Wilsonville Library starting Tuesday, June 23. We are following public health guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, the Governor’s office, and Wilsonville’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Please note the following new safety measures we are adopting to protect visitors and Library staff:
LINCC card holders whose home library is Wilsonville now have access to The New York Times online. Accessing this resource through the LINCC catalog grants 72-hour access to nytimes.com for use on any device's Internet browser and smartphone/tablet apps. Digital access is renewable after the 72-hour access expires.
How to Access
1. Visit www.lincc.org, then go to "Online Resources" in the upper left menu. In the search bar, search "NYT" or "New York Times"
2. Follow the steps under "To Access"
*You will receive emails from The New York Times upon creating your account. However, you can unsubscribe to these promotional emails, and The New York Times will honor your request.
Wilsonville Public Library is on YouTube! Check out our growing collection of videos, from helpful tutorials to children's programs like Storytime, and more.
March 13, 2020 — As a precautionary measure in the interest of public health, especially for older adults most at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, the City of Wilsonville is temporarily suspending all public activities at the Wilsonville Community Center.
The facility remains open to the general public until 5 pm today (March 13), though all fitness classes have been canceled. On Sunday, the Community Center is scheduled to host a meeting of the Pioneer Baptist Church. Effective on Monday, Mar. 16, and until further notice, the facility is closed for public use. All drop-in activities, fitness classes and evening rentals are canceled.
“With health officials encouraging people, and especially older adults, to begin social distancing, we need to lead by example by implementing protections to help stem the transmission of COVID-19 in our community,” said City Manager Bryan Cosgrove.
UPDATED 8/13/2021
By the Governor's order, starting August 13, 2021, masks are required inside the library for everyone ages 5 and up.
Free masks are available in the lobby. If you are unable to wear a mask, we can assist you while you wait outside of the library building.
For information about current library services, please visit the Library Services Update page.
March 13, 2020 — City of Wilsonville Mayor Tim Knapp has authorized the City Manager to declare a local state of emergency, which takes effect immediately and may be ratified by a resolution to be brought before the City Council on Monday, March 16, at 7 pm at City Hall.
Taking this action allows City staff greater flexibility to address the hazards posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by facilitating more expedient coordination with other public agencies and quicker deployment of resources needed to safeguard the Wilsonville community.
The state of emergency declaration provides the City’s Emergency Management staff with latitude to coordinate an effective response by redirecting funding for emergency use as needed, implementing mutual aid agreements with other public agencies and suspending standard procurement procedures.