City Council Report for Jan. 5, 2017
On Jan. 5, 2017, the Wilsonville City Council held a swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Tim Knapp and City Councilors Susie Stevens and Kristin Akervall who each were elected to office in the November general election. Municipal Court Judge Michael Gleeson swore into office the three members of City Council who begin four-year terms of office that extend until Dec. 31, 2021.
The Council acknowledged outgoing City Councilor Julie Fitzgerald who completed a four year term on Council and also acknowledged incoming City Councilor Kristin Akervall who is the City Council’s newest member.
Also during the ceremony Judge Michael Gleeson, who is retiring from the position, swore-in Judge Fred Weinhouse as the City’s newly appointed Municipal Court Judge. Judge Weinhouse has a distinguished legal career and recently retired from a 36-year career as a prosecutor first with Multnomah County and then with United States Department of Justice. Retiring Judge Gleeson served as the City’s Municipal Court Judge for the past 28 years presiding over the court that has jurisdiction over traffic violations, parking citations and local ordinances. Judge Gleeson also maintained a private law practice and lived in Wilsonville for many years.
At the meeting the Council approved revisions and established a new method and billing rate for the City’s road-maintenance fee program to ensure that revenues keep pace with the cost to complete annual repairs needed to adequately maintain Wilsonville’s public roads. The adopted changes were developed and recommended by a citizen task force composed of local residents and business representatives in response to concerns that the road-maintenance fund was not keeping pace with increasing road costs. Beginning in March and appearing on April utility bills, the current monthly charge per single-family household of $4.03 increases to $5.23 per month; a second adjustment moving to $7.62 per month is set for November 2017, with annual adjustments each Nov. 1 thereafter based on changes to a northwest construction cost index. The fees for commercial and non-residential utility customers are based on the number of trips the business/establishment generates. For more information, contact Mike Ward, Civil Engineer, at 503-570-1546; ward@ci.wilsonville.or.us.
Under Mayor’s Business, Mayor Knapp issued a proclamation in honor of the upcoming 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr, Day, on Jan. 16 that declare Wilsonville to be a community that welcomes people of all ethnicities, fosters mutual respect and encourages volunteer service. In support of the proclamation, WilsonvilleSTAGE artistic Director Terry Kester discussed how the local theater company is currently preparing to perform “The Laramie Project” in late February and early March.
Also during Mayor’s Business the City Council elected City Councilor Scott Starr to continue as Council President for the remaining two years of his term which lasts until Dec. 31, 2019.
The Council agreed to continue until the Council’s Thursday, Jan. 19, meeting an ordinance to create a residential parking-zone program.
On the Consent Agenda the Council approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with Clackamas County to transfer roadway authority for portions of Stafford Road and Advance Road.
During work session prior to the meeting, the City Council heard reports and discussed, City Council liaison appointments, Council appointments to external committees and the Wilsonville Town Center Plan that is holding a public kick-off event on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 5:30 pm, at City Hall, 29799 SW Town Center Loop East.
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.
