Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tualatin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
47 issues
Climate action and downtown revitalization
Two big downtown projects — Riverfront Park and the downtown design framework — will be designed together so the park and downtown feel connected, with contracts approved for Walker Macy and Berger Partnership.
Downtown Tualatin urban design framework and design standards
PSU students studied the east-west stretch of Boones Ferry Road and recommended separating pedestrians from vehicles, narrowing travel lanes, adding space for artwork, and community identity elements, plus better connections to the Tualatin River Greenway Trail.
New Library Director Leadership
The city has a new library director, Magdy Carrillo-Sotomayor, and the committee will formally meet them. Library leadership shapes everything from programming to staffing priorities at the Tualatin Public Library.
WCCLS Centralization Project
The council reluctantly approved new five-year agreements keeping Tualatin in the county library system — 67% of the library's budget depends on it. The mayor and most councilors blasted the county's rushed, top-down process.
Family Peace Center Services
The Family Peace Center, which the city helps fund through outside agency grants, reported a 34% increase in survivors served since opening its new 60,000-square-foot building in January. Tualatin residents served rose from 54 last year to 73 this year.
In-pipe Hydropower Project
Tualatin is now the first city to generate clean power directly from its own water pipes using an in-pipe hydropower system. It’s a small but notable sustainability win that turns existing infrastructure into an energy source. The big question is whether it saves money or mainly serves as a pilot project.
Tualatin-Sherwood Road / Rail Crossing Study
The rail crossing at Tualatin-Sherwood Road causes major congestion — one freight train blocking the crossing can take traffic 45 minutes to recover. Four options are on the table: widen the crossing, go over the rail, go under it, or do nothing, but the advisory committee, Planning Commission, and public all prefer different things. Council hasn't picked a direction yet and wants more info on safety, bike/ped facilities, and funding.
Transportation project prioritization
Staff unveiled a tiered system for ranking roughly 100 transportation projects, which will drive the next five-year Capital Improvement Plan starting around December or January.
Hazardous Materials Emergency Response and Code Enforcement
After the Lam vote, several councilors said they're uneasy about how consistently the city enforces its noise and livability codes, and want a work session on hazardous materials and emergency response — especially around schools. The city manager noted enforcement is complaint-driven because of limited staff, and more proactive enforcement would cost more.
Lam Research Building B Addition Appeals
Neighbors appealed the approval of a 3,900-square-foot addition to Lam Research's Building B, citing noise and chemical safety worries. The Council unanimously denied the appeals, saying environmental rules are operating standards, not architectural review criteria — but agreed to a future work session on hazardous materials and emergency response.
Outside Agency Grant Allocations for FY 2026/27
The Council worked through how to split $50,000 among community organizations for next fiscal year. Councilor Hillier stepped aside for the discussion, and the final awards will come back as a resolution at a future meeting.
Sub-regional transit service study
Tualatin will lead a $160,000 study with Lake Oswego, Sherwood, and West Linn on how to improve transit service — a response to long-standing dissatisfaction with bus service in all four cities.
City Council Election
Councilors debated whether the $750 tech stipend and $20 utility credit — unchanged for decades — should adjust for inflation, and whether the IDEA Committee should study barriers to running for office. Staff will return options on the stipend and credit only.
Building Division fee increase
Building permit fees rise 15% now and 5% a year afterward because rising costs left the program short of covering its expenses. Tualatin's fees stay on the low end compared to nearby cities.
Resident-Led Community Spaces and Code Enforcement
A resident told the council that repeated complaints — some tied to a rainbow painted on her fence — have brought city enforcement against her volunteer community gathering space, and asked the city to stop punishing residents who build community.
Tualatin Station Bar and Grill public safety concerns
A resident documented 50 police dispatches in 11 months at the bar — mostly between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. — including assaults, DUIs, and an overdose, and asked the city for directed enforcement, an OLCC/nuisance review, and enforceable security protocols.
Sole-source water supply vulnerability
August's transmission line leak showed Tualatin runs on one pipeline from Portland with no backup that can meet full daily demand. Public Works wants to start serious planning for a backup supply identified in the 2023 Water Master Plan — a big, costly decision coming within the next year.
City Manager compensation adjustment
A salary survey showed the City Manager was paid roughly 9% below comparable cities, so the council agreed to raise compensation to $224,211, formalized on the consent agenda.
Food cart pods downtown and citywide
New rules allow destination-style food cart pods in commercial zones with restrooms and covered seating — but a fight is brewing over whether small 2-4 cart pods should get a cheaper, lighter tier. The council will revisit at a work session.
Lam campus operational noise
Neighbors appealing the Building B approval say the campus already creates noise and chemical-safety risks, including silane gas stored 800 feet from homes. The city says those issues belong in code enforcement, not architectural review, and deliberations continue October 12.
Phase three consultant team and Riverfront Park
Two big downtown projects — Riverfront Park and the downtown design framework — will be designed together so the park and downtown feel connected, with contracts approved for Walker Macy and Berger Partnership.
Housing affordability findings from the Contextualized Housing Needs Analysis
New data shows a typical Tualatin home costs about six times household income — well above the healthy 3-4 ratio — and over half of renters are cost burdened. The findings will feed future housing policy decisions.
Housing Needs and Capacity Analysis
New data shows a typical Tualatin home costs about six times household income — well above the healthy 3-4 ratio — and over half of renters are cost burdened. The findings will feed future housing policy decisions.
CIO boundary map update and program changes
The first-ever redraw of community involvement organization boundaries creates a new downtown CIO and rebalances households; the code also renames the program and cuts required meetings from two per year to one.
Downtown floodplain and stormwater management
Most of downtown drains into Nyberg Creek, and last year the main drainage outlet sat three feet below the creek's elevation — meaning water had to flow uphill to drain. A new project could add floodwater capacity and let downtown developers skip building costly on-site stormwater facilities.
Lee's Kitchen building redevelopment (Rec. 5.6)
A proposal would pursue acquisition and redevelopment of the building east of Vet's Plaza that houses Lee's Kitchen, Rosie's Kitchen, and La Barca Guerreo, because it doesn't connect well with the lake. Members asked about responsibilities to the three active businesses.
Education and civic campus proposal (Rec. 5.5)
A member proposal would recruit a higher education or healthcare institution to build a downtown campus, potentially driving student housing and redevelopment and supporting workforce training. Members worried about declining college enrollment and the hit to urban renewal if a big tax-exempt landowner anchors downtown.
Tonkin Commerce Center annexation correction
A corrective ordinance fixes language in last year's annexation of about 55 acres at Tonkin Loop so the property is properly inside the Clean Water Services district for sewer and stormwater service.
New Clean Water Services operating agreement
Tualatin's 2005 sewer and stormwater deal with Clean Water Services was outdated, so the city helped negotiate a new five-year agreement covering who owns and maintains what, how enforcement works, and billing. The city can now charge CWS an administrative fee for billing services it long covered itself, and CWS will make an annual presentation to the council.
CERT emergency preparedness at 10 years
Tualatin's volunteer emergency response group reported 143 active members, a new solar-powered communications trailer, a planned 30-member rapid response team, and free neighborhood preparedness trainings — with federal FEMA funding uncertain.
Republic Services 2025 performance and Metro rate increase
Metro is raising the regional waste fee 10% and the regional excise fee 5%, on top of a reported 92% in garbage rate hikes since 2020. Councilors pushed back, and the food scraps technical assistance program lost its funding.
Tualatin economy and industry clusters
Tualatin's economy is strong — high-tech manufacturing alone is 15% of jobs at $125,000 average wages — but only 6% of people who work in Tualatin live here. The analysis kicks off a multi-year update to the Economic Development Plan.
2027 Legislative Agenda
Staff floated a wish list of state and federal funding asks — Riverfront Park, trail connections, a railroad crossing, a microgrid, and more. Council wants more vetting on a couple before picking priorities.
Clear and objective housing code limits on neighbor input
State law requires cities to use clear, measurable standards for housing approvals. Tualatin is auditing its development code, and the council agreed to focus on an adjustment process for multifamily development rather than allowing multifamily by right in lower-density zones for now.
Stop sign safety at 103rd Avenue and Ibach Street
Residents have raised concerns about cars and bicyclists not following the rules at this intersection. Councilor Hillier asked staff to look for forward-thinking safety solutions.
E-bike and e-scooter safety
A community coalition is building a school-based education campaign after a state law lowered the e-bike riding age to 14 and injuries spiked. They'll host a listening session October 27 at Hazelbrook Middle School and asked for a council work session afterward.
Homelessness services intergovernmental agreements
The Metro homeless-services tax has housed 2,871 people and prevented 3,335 evictions in Clackamas County since 2021, with both ten-year goals already exceeded. Tualatin residents are served, and the city's food pantry got a $250,000 HVAC grant.
Camping ordinance update for vehicle camping
Resident Gina Schlatter described ongoing looting, drug activity, and camping near her home on SW Tualatin Road, saying she was never notified of the public camping designation and that hours aren't enforced. She urged the council to find alternative solutions.
School Resource Officer Program renewal
The SRO program has paired Tualatin police officers with Tualatin schools since 1988, focusing on mentorship and relationships rather than just security. The Council unanimously renewed it for another school year.
Backyard Habitat Certification Program
Councilor Brooks reported 1,019 Tualatin trees are at risk from the emerald ash borer and asked for a work session with the Soil and Water Conservation District. The Council agreed.
Utility Fee Rate Increases for Water, Sewer, Stormwater, Road, and Parks
Your utility bills are going up. The rates follow the city's master plans and the road fee's index, but one councilor wanted no increases and another abstained wanting more answers.
2027 Legislative Funding Requests
The council weighed in on which big projects — Riverfront Park, trail connections, a microgrid, and more — the city should ask state and federal lawmakers to fund. Final priorities come later.
FY 2026-27 City Budget Adoption
The $177.5 million budget is set for the year starting July 1, keeping the property tax rate at $2.2665 per $1,000. Councilors also want a future conversation about their own pay and travel budget.
Sidewalk Maintenance Backlog
A resident flagged that there's no crosswalk on Boones Ferry Road between Tualatin View apartments and the ODOT building, even though the 76 bus stops there. Jurisdiction is murky — Tualatin, Durham, the county, or ODOT — and staff promised to check and follow up.
Washington County public safety levy and sheriff services
Sheriff Massey reported the November 2025 public safety levy passed, funding jail operations, mental health response, and outreach. The jail will fully reopen in June with 572 beds, and a drone-as-first-responder pilot is showing promising early results.
108th Ave. Sewer Project contract
The council approved hiring WSP USA for engineering and construction management on the 108th Avenue sewer project, moving a key infrastructure upgrade forward.
Recycled water ('purple pipe') for Tualatin Community Park
The city will use Clean Water Services recycled water instead of drinking water for park irrigation, saving about 80% on water costs. The catch: a pipeline has to go under a railroad, so service may not start until summer 2028.