News

Three examples of City of Wilsonville signage for consideration by the public.
Posted On:
Thu, 06/07/2018

June 7, 2018 — The City of Wilsonville is hosting a Signage and Wayfinding Open House on Tuesday, June 26, 5:30-7:30 pm, at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop E., to gather community feedback on initial design concepts that will inform the City’s Signage and Wayfinding Plan.

After a brief presentation about wayfinding, three design concepts are being presented for public review and comment. An online survey is collecting additional feedback from community members unable to attend. A survey link is being posted on the City’s Facebook page and on the City’s website at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/signageandwayfinding after June 26.

June cover
Posted On:
Wed, 06/06/2018

The June 2018 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:

Posted On:
Tue, 06/05/2018

June 5, 2018 - At a public hearing on June 4, 2018, the Wilsonville City Council selected a preferred alignment to locate the proposed French Prairie Bridge over the Willamette River that would serve as both an emergency incident response route for I-5 and a daily use amenity by bicyclists and pedestrians.

Working in partnership with Clackamas County, the City Council acted on a unanimous recommendation from a 21-member citizen task force empaneled to review and recommend an alignment and design for the bike-ped-emergency bridge. The Clackamas Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution supporting the Alignment W1 recommendation on May 24.

Willamette River, raw water source of the Willamette Water Treatment Plant
Posted On:
Mon, 06/04/2018

Samples of local water delivered to a Seattle-area laboratory for testing on Friday, June 1, revealed no detectable level of microcystins in the local water supply, the cities of Wilsonville and Sherwood announced today.

A ‘non-detect’ result was returned this morning for three samples – source water, finished water and distributed water – supplied by the City of Wilsonville.

As an additional measure to ensure the health of the water supply, Wilsonville is sending samples to two laboratories to analyze seven straight days (June 1-7) of water.

***June 13, 2018, update: all samples analyzed by laboratories during the week of June 1-7 returned 'non-detect' results, indicating no cyanotoxins in the Wilsonville/Sherwood water.***

Posted On:
Fri, 06/01/2018

The City of Wilsonville learned yesterday afternoon, May 31, that a treated water sample recently tested for contaminants revealed trace levels of microcystin, a cyanotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, sometimes referred to as blue-green algae.

The City is rushing a sample to a laboratory in Seattle this morning for more thorough testing; results are expected on Monday.  Based on the result of the test, the City will determine if a public advisory is necessary pursuant to state and federal guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency strongly recommends obtaining results from a confirmation sample prior to issuing a public advisory.

If necessary, the public advisory would likely apply to anyone who is under the age of six, who has a compromised immune system, who is receiving dialysis treatment, who has a pre-existing liver condition, who is pregnant or nursing, or who has other sensitivity concerns.  

Posted On:
Fri, 06/01/2018

The City of Wilsonville learned on afternoon of May 31 that a treated water sample recently tested for contaminants revealed trace levels microcystin (micro-sys-tin), a cyanotoxin (sigh-an-o-toxin) produced by what is commonly referred to as blue-green algae. Out of an abundance of caution, the City is notifying the public of the trace detection; at this time, this is not a public-health advisory, but rather a notice of detection.

On June 1, out of an abundance of caution, the City issue a public notice of the contaminant finding, and then reached-out to communicate with commercial retailers, daycare centers, senior/assisted-living facilities, and others.

Posted On:
Fri, 06/01/2018

What are the health risks posed by exposure to these toxins?

Although these toxins are not absorbed through the skin, a red, raised rash or irritation of the skin and eyes can develop after contact with toxins in the water. If affected water is swallowed, you may experience one or more of these symptoms; headaches, cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, numbness, dizziness, fever. Children and pets are at increased risk of exposure because of their size and level of activity. The most severe reactions occur when large amounts of water are swallowed. Symptoms of exposure can mimic food poisoning. Food poisoning symptoms usually go away fairly quickly once your body gets rid of the spoiled food. Symptoms of exposure to a HAB will go away, but not as fast. Again, if symptoms are severe or persist you should seek medical attention.

Wilsonville SMART bus at Transit Center.
Posted On:
Thu, 05/31/2018

WILSONVILLE, OR — The City of Wilsonville’s South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) agency has won two competitive grants totaling $555,200. These awards, approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) on May 17, account for 15% of $3.7 million in federal transit funds awarded statewide.

With these awards — which are augmented by a 20% funding match of $111,000 from the City — SMART intends to purchase new transit vehicles and expand alternative fueling infrastructure.

A map of the Basalt Creek Planning Area.
Posted On:
Tue, 05/29/2018

The Cities of Tualatin and Wilsonville are a step closer to completing the Basalt Creek Concept Plan, which provides a vision for development of 850 acres of low-density rural residential and farmland located between the two communities.

Portland’s regional land-use authority, Metro, recently approved land-use designations for Basalt Creek’s “Central Subarea,” determining that the area should remain designated for employment use. With this resolution in place, a project team from both cities is now developing the final draft concept plan for land uses, transportation facilities and related infrastructure.

The collaborative effort ensures that both cities are involved in creating a vision that appeals to members of both communities, provides adequate services, coordinates land use and transportation, and preserves the area’s primary natural resources.

Manny Ghiselline and Sean Byrne receive acknowledgement from Mayor Knapp and City Councilors.
Posted On:
Tue, 05/22/2018

WILSONVILLE, OR — On May 21, 2018, the Wilsonville City Council adopted on second reading a new franchise agreement with Republic Services to provide garbage, recycling, yard debris, and other services to City residents and businesses. Effective July 1, this agreement provides for incremental annual, inflation-indexed increases in rates (rather than periodic and generally larger rate increases) and adjusts the City’s franchise fee to 5%, commensurate with the fee paid by solid-waste service providers in other cities. A modest rate increase of 3.25% on July 1 results in a $0.86 increase in the service rate for most residential customers (those with 35-gallon can). Due to a significant downturn in the world market for recycled materials, a temporary $2.50 monthly recyclables surcharge for residential customers and $1.50 per yard for commercial customers also becomes effective July 1.  This fee will be reviewed after 6 months to determine if any adjustment is warranted.

Posted On:
Tue, 05/15/2018

Two scheduled road construction projects north of Wilsonville’s Villebois neighborhood, at Tooze Road and Grahams Ferry Road, require upcoming road closures that will require detours and may cause delays.

May 21-May 30: Just west of Grahams Ferry Road, Tooze Road is completely closed to all traffic on May 21-25 and on May 29-30. All through traffic is being detoured to Malloy Way.  During Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28, through traffic (over a gravel roadway) is permitted.

May 31-June 22: Between Tooze Road and Malloy Way, a portion of Grahams Ferry Road is closed to all traffic on weekdays; weekend traffic is allowed when the roadway is safe.  Residents requiring local access are allowed passage to homes within the closure area, but delays should be expected. Through traffic is being detoured onto Tooze Road and Malloy Way.

Posted On:
Tue, 05/15/2018

The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a public meeting at Boones Ferry Park on Tuesday, June 5, 6 pm, to solicit final public input on the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan, which develops a community vision for the park that best suits Wilsonville’s current and future needs.

Informed by engagement with community stakeholders at two workshops and via online survey, the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan draft was developed with GreenPlay, LLC, a Colorado-based firm with extensive experience researching and developing master plans for parks throughout the United States.

The plan’s purpose is to advise City Council and Parks and Recreation staff how Boones Ferry Park currently functions, and to guide future park improvements. Recommendations in the draft plan would enhance the park with new active amenities and improve its access to the Willamette River.

Crowd attends public meeting at Boones Ferry Park near the Willamette River.
Posted On:
Mon, 05/14/2018

WILSONVILLE, OR — The Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a public meeting at Boones Ferry Park on Tuesday, June 5, 6 pm, to solicit final public input on the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan, which develops a community vision for the park that best suits Wilsonville’s current and future needs.

Informed by engagement with community stakeholders at two workshops and via online survey, the Boones Ferry Park Master Plan draft was developed with GreenPlay, LLC, a Colorado-based firm with extensive experience researching and developing master plans for parks throughout the United States.

The plan’s purpose is to advise City Council and Parks and Recreation staff how Boones Ferry Park currently functions, and to guide future park improvements. Recommendations in the draft plan would enhance the park with new active amenities and improve its access to the Willamette River.

Currently, the seven-acre park in Wilsonville’s Old Town neighborhood includes a playground...

Posted On:
Thu, 05/10/2018

On Wednesday, May 9, at a legislative hearing to consider recommending adoption of the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan to City Council, the Planning Commission approved a motion to continue the hearing to August 8, keeping the record open for additional testimony.

The two-month stay provides City staff additional time to address questions presented by City Council during its May 7 work session and to consider public testimony introduced at the May 9 meeting.

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides a community-driven vision and long-range guide for Wilsonville’s parks, facilities and community programs.  This update to the 2007 Parks and Recreation Master Plan addresses deficiencies, amends goals, and identifies needs for future park development, recreational services, trails, and open space preservation.  Additionally, it prioritizes short-term and long-term needs and provides approximate costs of improvements and additions.  

Posted On:
Wed, 05/09/2018

At its May 7, 2018 meeting, the Wilsonville City Council approved on first reading an amendment to the Year 2000 Urban Renewal Plan that provides a funding source for the proposed “Boeckman Dip” bridge. This project would improve East to West connectivity, making Boeckman Road safer for all modes; cars, buses, emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cylists – especially important with the new middle school and future elementary school located just off of Boeckman Road. The amendment increases the authority for spending in the urban renewal area by about $14.5 million.

Posted On:
Mon, 05/07/2018

Two seats on the five-member Wilsonville City Council are being contested during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The four-year terms of Councilor Scott Starr and Councilor Charlotte Lehan expire on December 31, 2018.

All City Council positions are four-year terms, non-partisan and elected at-large. Qualified candidates must be registered voters living within Wilsonville city limits for 12 months prior to the Nov. 6 election.

Candidates may file with Wilsonville’s City Recorder, Kimberly Veliz, between May 30 and August 20.  Interested applicants are encouraged to meet with the City Recorder to pick up a packet of materials that outline the election process.

Election guidelines require that each candidate submit a pre-approved petition that includes at least 20 signatures from registered voters residing within city limits. Additionally, candidates may need to submit a contribution and expenditure report to the Secretary of State.

Posted On:
Thu, 05/03/2018

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City of Wilsonville are accepting public comment on the draft recommendations of the I-5 Wilsonville Facility Plan until May 29.
A link to ODOT’s public comment page is posted at www.ci.wilsonville.or.us/I-5BooneBridge

The I-5 Wilsonville Facility Plan proposes the construction of a new “ramp-to-ramp” auxiliary lane on southbound Boone Bridge to ease traffic congestion on both I-5 and Wilsonville Road. The new highway lane would begin at the Wilsonville Road I-5 on-ramp and extend south past Miley Road/Charbonneau exit to the Canby-Hubbard Highway 551 off-ramp. Seismic upgrades to the Boone Bridge would occur simultaneously.

Posted On:
Wed, 05/02/2018

By Mayor Tim Knapp’s April 16 proclamation, May is Bike Month in Wilsonville. The designation provides an opportune time to recognize many City projects aimed at developing a more connected community for cyclists.

Wilsonville is committed to helping riders enjoy safe and convenient transportation within city limits; 73 percent of residents rated ease of bicycle travel as excellent or good in the City’s most recent community survey.

“As we continue to grow, we are very motivated to develop an infrastructure less reliant on motor vehicles to keep Wilsonville moving,” said Planning Director Chris Neamtzu. “Virtually every planning and engineering decision the City makes is considerate of providing cyclists and pedestrians with safe and convenient passageways.”

Posted On:
Mon, 04/30/2018

Pat Duke, Director of the Wilsonville Public Library, is the Oregon Library Association’s 2018 Librarian of the Year.  The OLA presents the award annually to an Oregon librarian for exceptional service.

Duke’s honor was announced at the OLA’s annual conference in Eugene on April 20. Among those in attendance were colleagues from Oregon libraries, the City of Wilsonville and the Wilsonville Library Foundation, who are happy to see Duke’s accomplishments recognized throughout Oregon.

“Thanks to Pat’s vision, leadership, and staff empowerment, the Wilsonville Library plays a central role in educating and entertaining the people of Wilsonville,” said City Manager Bryan Cosgrove. “The entire community benefits from innovative programs developed by Pat, his creative staff, the Wilsonville Library Foundation and the many hard-working volunteers whose contributions make the Wilsonville Library successful.”

Posted On:
Thu, 04/26/2018

On Wednesday, May 9, at 6 pm, the City of Wilsonville’s Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to evaluate the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update (Case File # LP18-0003) and consider whether to recommend adoption of the amendment to the City Council.

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides a community-driven vision and long-range guide for Wilsonville’s parks, facilities and community programs.  This update to the 2007 Parks and Recreation Master Plan addresses deficiencies, amends goals, and identifies needs for future park development, recreational services, trails, and open space preservation.  Additionally, it prioritizes short-term and long-term needs and provides approximate costs of improvements and additions.  

Development of this plan was a collaboration between City staff and GreenPlay, LLC, a national consulting firm that specializes in facilitating, researching and developing master plans for park and recreation providers.

Posted On:
Wed, 04/25/2018

Each fiscal year, the City of Wilsonville provides $25,000 in Community Opportunity Grants, with the intent to assist organizations in funding projects that promote education, diversity, arts or community involvement in Wilsonville.

The second of two award cycles for the 2017-18 budget year was completed at the April 19 meeting of the Park & Recreation Board, when the board met and awarded grants to five local programs:

Inza Wood Middle School: $3,724.25 to support a student trip to the “We the People” Competition in Washington, D.C.
Wilsonville Little League: $2,498 for a portable pitching mound.
West Linn-Wilsonville Music and Arts Partners (MAP): $2.224.25 to support the Wilsonville Schools Music and Arts Festivals.
World of Speed Motorsports Museum: $2,224.25 to support the “Storybook Garage” pre-Kindergarten care program.
Charbonneau Arts Association: $1,974.25 to update the Charbonneau Arts Festival’s internet presence.

Posted On:
Wed, 04/18/2018

At the April 16, 2018, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council adopted on first reading the 2017 Water Treatment Master Plan Update, which provides a 20-year plan to ensure reliable delivery of high-quality drinking water to Wilsonville citizens and businesses. The plan identifies equipment repair and replacement schedules, details capital and operational improvements—
including seismic upgrades—and accounts for facility expansions to accommodate future growth. It also coordinates the City’s plant improvements with several projects that will be undertaken by the Willamette Water Supply Program as part of their plan to supply water to Hillsboro and Tualatin Valley communities.

The Council adopted a resolution to allow year-round fishing from the Memorial Park boat dock. Last year, Oregon State Marine Board grant restrictions prohibiting fishing from the dock expired, allowing Council to consider the an option recommended by Parks and Recreation staff.

Posted On:
Thu, 04/05/2018

Wilsonville Environmental Resources Keepers (WERK) Day, the City’s annual community park improvement and clean-up event, returns on Saturday, May 12, 8 am-11:30 am.

On WERK Day, volunteers join City employees to complete projects that prepare City parks for the busiest season of the year. Past projects have included painting soccer goals, placing bark chips on trails, rebuilding eroded trails, removing invasive species, and sanding and painting picnic tables.

“The City relies on the efforts of our WERK Day crew to get our parks in shape for summer,” said Brian Stevenson, Parks & Recreation Program Manager. “It is a great activity that allows families, friends and co-workers to have fun doing meaningful work together. We are very appreciative of the volunteers that turn out year after year.”

Posted On:
Tue, 04/03/2018

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.

Posted On:
Wed, 03/28/2018

The City of Wilsonville French Prairie Bridge Task Force is holding a public meeting on Thursday, April 12, 6 pm, at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East.

The 21-member task force’s primary objective at this meeting is to identify a preferred site location for the French Prairie Bridge, a proposed bicycle/pedestrian/emergency-access bridge across the Willamette River.
Evaluation and scoring of three possible bridge sites, located between the I-5 Boone Bridge and Portland & Western railroad bridge, have been completed and scored by the Project Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

The task force is considering the TAC scoring at the meeting, and may provide its own score; both scores, in that event, would be presented to City Council for consideration in May.

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