News
Posted On:
Tue, 06/02/2020
June 2, 2020 — At the June 1, 2020, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council adopted a City budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020. The all-funds budget of $214.3 million was approved for the Council’s consideration by the Budget Committee on May 21.
The annual budgeting process coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a unique challenge for City Finance staff, the City Manager, and the Budget Committee. More than $2 million was cut out from the draft budget, with an expectation that more adjustments could be made as the City’s financial position becomes clearer in the wake of coronavirus economic impacts.
Posted On:
Mon, 06/01/2020
June 1, 2020 -- At tonight’s meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, Mayor Tim Knapp is officially designating the week of June 1-5 as “Honoring the High School Senior Class of 2020 Week”
This week, about 300 Wilsonville-area students are completing a school year abruptly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. In collaboration with the City of West Linn and the West Linn-Wilsonville School District Board of Directors, the City seeks to honor Wilsonville’s resilient Class of 2020.
“May this early test of your ambition, patience, and resolve help you overcome future obstacles,” said Knapp, acknowledging the challenges and disappointments in a recorded a video message posted on the City’s social media channels. “You will yet find opportunities, unforeseen pathways, and chances to contribute to building a new world around us.”
Posted On:
Sun, 05/31/2020
The June 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:
Posted On:
Thu, 05/28/2020
Re-Entry Dates Still to be Determined at Other Facilities
May 28, 2020 – The City of Wilsonville is preparing to accommodate general public re-entry to City Hall on Monday, June 8. The building is opening temporarily for Traffic/Municipal Court on Tuesday, June 2, at 5 pm.
The City is still in the process of determining subsequent re-entry dates at other facilities, including the Wilsonville Library, the Community Center, SMART Transit offices, Police/Public Works Building and the Parks & Recreation Administration Building.
Posted On:
Thu, 05/21/2020
May 21, 2020 -- The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a $1.2 million grant award to SMART Transit as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. SMART Transit will use the grant funds to pay operating, administrative, preventive maintenance, and other expenses during the COVID-19 public-health emergency.
The City of Wilsonville’s South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) agency provides public transit and ADA paratransit service within the city as well as connections to transit systems in Canby, Tualatin, Portland and Salem/Keizer.
Posted On:
Thu, 05/07/2020
The May 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!
Posted On:
Tue, 05/05/2020
May 5, 2020 — At the May 4, 2020, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council finalized allocations from the $400,000 Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants Program, amending the program to award an additional $1,500 each to 38 qualifying businesses in the tourism/hospitality sector with awards funded by City Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) revenues.
City staff hosted a brief lottery to complete the process of awarding funds to applicants eligible for grant funding by the City’s Urban Renewal Agency (URA) program income. Among the 162 eligible applicants, the City funded 87 grants from the $200,000 URA pool.
Posted On:
Thu, 04/30/2020
The May 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:
Posted On:
Wed, 04/29/2020
Following the guidance of public health officials, the Wilsonville Public Library will extend its closure through May 31, 2020.
Due dates for library materials have been extended through May 31. No overdue fines will accrue during this time, so feel free to hold on to your checked out items. However, if you are able to do so in a safe manner, we ask that you bring your finished library materials back to the library. This will make the library’s reopening easier by ‘flattening the curve’ of returned items.
While the library building remains closed, many library services and programs continue to be available.
Posted On:
Tue, 04/28/2020
April 28, 2020 – Following the guidance of public health officials, the City of Wilsonville is extending the closure of all City facilities – including City Hall, the Wilsonville Public Library, the Wilsonville Community Center, the SMART Transit Operations Facility and the Parks & Recreation Admin Building – through May 31, 2020.
Because the City has successfully transitioned to remote meetings for Boards and Commissions, the Council Chambers is closed to the public during meetings of the City Council and other boards, except in contested cases or extraordinary circumstances, to be prearranged with the City. The City’s website, at ci.wilsonville.or.us/meetings, provides meeting agendas and meeting packets that include detailed instructions for those who wish to submit testimony in writing or appear virtually to provide comment during the meeting.
Posted On:
Fri, 04/24/2020
En Español l Recognizing the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on many local small businesses and their employees, the City of Wilsonville has opened the $400,000 Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants Program to aid the community’s economic recovery. Applications may be submitted online until the 5 pm deadline on Wednesday, April 29. All qualified applications that meet the deadline are to receive funding consideration.
Program eligibility is limited to qualifying Wilsonville businesses with 20 full-time employees or less. A complete list of eligibility requirements, additional criteria for the City’s consideration, and a link to the online application is now available.
Posted On:
Fri, 04/24/2020
In English l En reconocimiento de los efectos devastadores que ha tenido la crisis de la pandemia de la COVID-19 en muchos de los pequeños negocios locales y sus empleados, la Ciudad de Wilsonville ha abierto el Programa de subvenciones para la asistencia a pequeños negocios con un valor de $400,000 por la COVID-19 para ayudar a que la comunidad se recupere económicamente. Las solicitudes se pueden presentar en línea hasta las 5 p. m. del miércoles 29 de abril.
Este programa es solo para negocios de Wilsonville con un máximo de 20 empleados. La lista completa de requisitos, criterios adicionales para que la Ciudad los considere, y un enlace a la solicitud en línea están en:
Posted On:
Wed, 04/22/2020
April 22, 2020: At the April 20, 2020, Wilsonville City Council meeting, the City Council approved a $400,000 grant program to provide immediate assistance to small local businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funded by City Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) and Urban Renewal Agency (URA) funds, the Wilsonville Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants Program is set to award more than 150 grants to eligible businesses of no more than 20 full-time employees. Designed with input by the Wilsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the new program provides one-time grants, ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, to a limited number of qualified businesses.
Posted On:
Tue, 04/14/2020
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!
Posted On:
Fri, 04/10/2020
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.
All gift cards purchased by the City are being routed to community members with dire need via Wilsonville Community Sharing and the Wilsonville Police Department.
Posted On:
Tue, 04/07/2020
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.
Posted On:
Mon, 04/06/2020
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.
Posted On:
Fri, 04/03/2020
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:
Posted On:
Thu, 04/02/2020
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.
Posted On:
Tue, 03/31/2020
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.”
Posted On:
Tue, 03/31/2020
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:
Posted On:
Mon, 03/23/2020
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.”
Posted On:
Mon, 03/23/2020
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.”
Posted On:
Thu, 03/19/2020
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.”
Posted On:
Wed, 03/18/2020
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.