City Votes to Support State Legislation Aimed at Resolving Aurora Airport Conflict
Janurary 22, 2021 — At the January 21, 2021, meeting, the Council voted in favor of supporting House Bill 2497. Sponsored by State House Rep. Courtney Neron, HB 2497 develops a process for local City and County governments and the Oregon Department of Aviation to work together to update the Aurora Airport Master Plan. The bill’s intent is to guide a collaborative and transparent process aimed at reaching solutions rather than requiring parties to seek remedies through litigation.
In accordance with Oregon budget law, the City Council and the Urban Renewal Agency each held public hearings to approve supplemental budget adjustments to accommodate a number of recent and future projects, including an $80,000 program to provide additional COVID-19 relief funds to Wilsonville restaurants to help mitigate financial losses.
During Communications, Rep. Neron provided an update on her priorities for the 2021 State legislative session in Salem. These include the safe opening of schools, the protection of vulnerable Oregonians, lending support to essential workers and those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic, and Boone Bridge seismic and capacity upgrades.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Chief Deric Weiss provided an update on the agency’s work to assist public health officials in the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine to more than 2,500 firefighters, first responders and police officers within the region.
In the period of public comment, several residents shared comments with the Council both for and against three State-proposed laws that would restrict wake surfing and other recreational sporting activities within the Newberg Pool, a portion of the Willamette River that includes Wilsonville, in order to preserve the riverbank.
During the work session held prior to the meeting, Public Works staff shared details about the pending purchase of a vehicle and closed circuit video equipment to inspect the City’s underground sewer and stormwater infrastructure. A resolution to fund the purchase is scheduled for the Feb. 1 meeting.
Staff also provided new design details on the City’s proposed new Public Works Complex to be built on City property adjacent to the SMART operations center on Boberg Rd. The $21 million project would support the City’s long-term growth and yield much-needed space for the Wilsonville Police Department in the existing Police/Public Works building.
The Council accepted an invitation to participate in the Willamette Falls and Landings Heritage Area Coalition composed of local and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, business associations and private companies. The Coalition seeks a Congressional National Heritage Area designation by the US Parks Service that would provide regional tourism marketing promotion on a national scale and local financial/technical assistance.
Additionally, the Council approved the 2021-22 State Legislative Agenda, which is based on Council-adopted policies over time that guide City response to proposed legislation, and to finalize each Council member’s representation assignments among the eight regional intergovernmental bodies that require an elected official’s attendance.
The next meeting is scheduled to be held virtually on Monday, Feb. 1, at 7 pm; a pre-meeting work session is scheduled at 5 pm.
Community members can watch all City Council meetings on cable (Xfinity Ch. 30, Ziply Ch. 32) or on the City’s YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
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