[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6214892,"mediaKeyId","3663413-4df9959bddec59b0e05a6ae38202bb94","parentId",3663413,"title","New downtown businesses draw praise; city’s redevelopment fund nearly exhausted for business grants amid rising demand","audioSeconds",3211,"startMs",2244000,"endMs",5455000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3663413-4df9959bddec59b0e05a6ae38202bb94&start=2244&end=5455","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3663413-4df9959bddec59b0e05a6ae38202bb94/thumbnail_2244000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214892/Milwaukie/Clackamas-County/Oregon/New-downtown-businesses-draw-praise-citys-redevelopment-fund-nearly-exhausted-for-business-grants-amid-rising-demand","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214892-cb3f092ae55a982de781aca5dd11c9ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204824&Signature=Vshpr1mjaV8GY5wKMFwqZ8ugJXbntE6pN3Jn6KWr2booNtLohKX0n9ZDjcmkJwuUyez8rdVDNbnJzaRv7BEIpimXzTHvzrmE8W58naB~1E5IAmtPfWSlI1NPj7TAMAsuhH1kxf59Rgf30ZayYXzIiZo4aX5q3aaBSwxaJSRgvH7VDhVBUWM~X09Ii-g~eGSwIek7WuqEhaRCIewZcN8Q9KoP49Kr~JjP1AbQFvsFNfFf5UZRiacsoOEVhkwL2CaS3gXTrvQ427bJf43KF4UJKpuCXSA5BzokrPqEZ1yjDEsKi6Am8NCWa~vEva90d84qX4QAQqz9eylxZE5-BuWrpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Milwaukie, OR","date","2025-06-04T04:14:07Z","article","Two new downtown businesses — Keeper Coffee and Free Family Brewers — were formally welcomed at the Milwaukie City Council meeting, and councilors and staff used the appearance to highlight downtown economic activity, safety concerns near the bus mall, workforce development opportunities for youth and the status of the Milwaukie Redevelopment Commission business grant program.

Mayor Lisa Beatty and councilors introduced Britney Huff, owner of Keeper Coffee, and Rudy Kellner of Free Family Brewers. Huff described opening Keeper’s Milwaukie location after years in food service and said the shop has quickly become a neighborhood gathering place. Kellner said Free Family Brewers had waited 13 years to open a second location and praised the community response and city staff assistance. Both owners described strong customer demand and staffing challenges during the opening weeks.

Councilors asked how the businesses are connecting to young people and to families. Huff said Keeper is planning weekday morning children’s reading sessions that pair child-friendly pastries with story time and play elements; Kellner said Free Family Brewers has experience in Hood River hiring local high school students for entry-level roles and hopes to replicate that recruitment locally.

Public safety and operations also came up in the discussion: Kellner and Huff reported a few security incidents near their south/west corner locations on Main Street and said they have worked with the Milwaukie Police Department and plan modest physical improvements — decorative fencing on the south and west sides — to provide separation and customer comfort. Kellner credited the city’s community resource officers and named staff who had assisted with permitting and operations.

Council members used the appearance to signal support for business retention and to ask what the city could do: owners asked for continued open lines of communication with staff and responsive public safety support; Kellner praised city responsiveness in permitting and coordination for events such as Milwaukee Fest.

City redevelopment staff reported that the Milwaukie Redevelopment Commission’s (MRC) business improvement grant program has issued 19 grants and has five applications pending. MRC staff said the fund’s revenues have exceeded expectations this year (about $1.0 million collected against a $790,000 projection for the same period) and that the MRC budgeted $600,000 for the grant program and is nearly expended. Redevelopment staff and the advisory committee recommended moving from a multi-year lookback to a 90‑day lookback for reimbursing prior work and that the anti‑displacement portion of the program be rebranded (staff suggested “legacy business consulting support”) to increase uptake.

MRC staff said the commission is likely to request additional appropriation for the business improvement grants in the next quarterly budget amendment to maintain program momentum. Staff also noted that a planned capital outlay budget (about $4.7 million) will largely not be invoiced until the next fiscal year, which affects year‑end accounting.

No formal council action was required to welcome the businesses. Redevelopment Commission minutes and routine MRC items were approved in a separate commission session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Session and Redevelopment Commission 06/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Keeper Coffee and Free Family Brewers were introduced to the Milwaukie City Council, which also received an MRC update reporting 19 business improvement grants issued and a likely request next quarter for additional grant funds.","taxTitle","Milwaukie, Clackamas County, Oregon","taxId",70312,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214897,"Milwaukie councilors debate elements of proposed state transportation package, plan follow-up",295,2805000,3100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3663413-4df9959bddec59b0e05a6ae38202bb94&start=2805&end=3100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3663413-4df9959bddec59b0e05a6ae38202bb94/thumbnail_2805000.jpg","/articles/6214897/Milwaukie/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Milwaukie-councilors-debate-elements-of-proposed-state-transportation-package-plan-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214897-098a9ff02444d361b5007db455006739/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204824&Signature=ijZ~M28S5cPjH9WvstWOqBDyEO~Ise7hHpJ~cpiMb~yzBjdWlwYZW-8ampobK-YuojG6xWxnNkujOtMluvnuKxrnluHyzKLoc233ouE94t19zB8ffcO5eRoMdF-WbueJnxQx2VlEwvZf3oIPIa3e86pD904cbsjFvRaq8cQTsXZZZy9Bv~mi1eimasc2TavUptqUQuhpqMTtTzYk5CRL2Nrnb4yCpqi-k4dmbcXzEtIT-7vS~KDxFSrn6bUtKvzx3Jes24qKqIlMZEtKL7dd0jWh5sC8w60TqD71E8tzRHbGhxJIoeA5DWVpAiHPK8TLPBbl43smO9NLPIf7nbWkEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors in Milwaukie spent an extended portion of their meeting discussing a proposed state transportation funding package and the policy tradeoffs it raises for cities.

Councilor Stauffer, who presented the legislative update, said the package under discussion in Salem would create new revenue streams while removing or “taking off the top” some funds that previously flowed through the 50–30–20 transportation allocation (50% state/30% county/20% city). “A proposal would take $250 million off the top of the 50–30–20 split to fund projects promised in 2017,” Stauffer said, adding that local officials should consider whether those deductions erode the intended local funding share.

Councilors identified three areas where Milwaukie may want to weigh in: preserving the integrity of the 50–30–20 distribution for local needs, ensuring adequate transit funding given proposed payroll tax increases, and assessing the merits and risks of a cap‑and‑invest (cap‑and‑trade) approach or new road‑use charging to replace declining gas tax revenue.

On transit, Stauffer and others noted that TriMet and other providers face higher per-ride subsidies than in prior years and that a proposed increase in payroll tax to stabilize transit service could lead to service reductions if not fully funded. “If they do not get an increase, they’re going to have to cut 51 of their 78 bus lines,” Stauffer said, citing material he used in the update. Councilors discussed the equity and economic tradeoffs of a road‑use charge for electric vehicles and more fuel‑efficient cars, including privacy concerns about mileage tracking and potential higher burdens on rural and lower‑income residents.

Councilors also discussed a potential cap‑and‑invest proposal that could raise substantial one‑time revenue for statewide uses such as wildfire response and transportation; some environmental groups and other stakeholders have not been part of recent Republican-led conversations about that mechanism, councilors said.

Milwaukie Mayor Lisa Beatty and other council members suggested that the council take time to review the package language when it is released and to coordinate with regional partners. Stauffer said staff would bring the issue back to council next Tuesday for further discussion and that the mayor or council may reach out to state legislators, including Representative Gamba and Senator Taylor, with the city’s priorities.

No formal council vote occurred on positions; the council agreed to continue deliberation and to consult regional partners — including the Metro Mayors Consortium — before deciding whether to send formal letters to legislators.","Councilors discussed the proposed Oregon transportation funding package — including concerns about removing funds from the 50–30–20 split, a possible road‑use charge, and transit payroll tax increases — and agreed to continue the conversation next week and coordinate with regional partners and legislators.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214902,"Milwaukie council approves budget adjustment moving ARPA funds, closes city hall fund and records potential overhire for building inspectors",31,701000,732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3663413-4df9959bddec59b0e05a6ae38202bb94&start=701&end=732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3663413-4df9959bddec59b0e05a6ae38202bb94/thumbnail_701000.jpg","/articles/6214902/Milwaukie/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Milwaukie-council-approves-budget-adjustment-moving-ARPA-funds-closes-city-hall-fund-and-records-potential-overhire-for-building-inspectors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214902-045c91138768358a9a98b5e37530c1fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204824&Signature=ZOaGpm-hrIYD5rUhW4w-m3P22TXpXfd28JEzGOgvWAM1PwZmQMJ2~CAKuj02hgB7ib-uf5t8kbvECR6RTbmSj96YmuMAn~KLBwZSIZSAvBX9V-pweyUao-kFYuTMb4t2S2cfkV9~nlXDXk8nP2vT1WvBFkpoMZs-H5OUioZ9vwat5v8y2khsCYT8YyZzX1wQSf7QMiYuNNmnxPf0Ag0MWGeD~B3zI-GtygYoHvwFSPg4GcqEKM5GQse4U5t9Gb3g7em~FcreRclUEepLT~OKuRd-R4J0iKFpPKf5pH2GAMl7Ltp-~FegXJU3SG8mCJjdy8nNm38u6z6~EIG8yID~qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milwaukie City Council on Tuesday approved a quarterly budget supplemental to move previously recognized federal ARPA funds into current-year appropriations, close the City Hall fund and correct a minor timing item in the library budget, after a staff presentation and brief council questions.

Finance Director Michael Osborne said the item was a routine cleanup to align revenue recognition and expense appropriations. “This is a small item. There’s $800,000 in ARPA funds we received in fiscal year 21–22; we recognized the revenue then and now are moving it from beginning fund balance into the public works appropriation so the budget will reflect the expense this fiscal year,” Osborne said. He also said $146,847 remaining in the City Hall fund will be transferred into the general fund to support future art and building-related items and a $2,500 timing difference will be moved between the council and library budgets.

Osborne presented the three-part adjustment during the public hearing on the proposed supplemental. Following the hearing, a council motion to approve the resolution authorizing the 2025–26 biennium supplemental passed unanimously.

The city manager separately told council he has authorized an overhire in the building department to bring on two inspectors to address inspection workload. The manager described the building fund as healthy and said the additional full-time equivalent (FTE) would be funded from the building fund; he said the overhire will be brought forward as an item in the next quarterly budget adjustment for formal appropriation.

City Recorder Miss Sager and staff answered procedural questions about timing and how the ARPA money is being applied to parks-related projects. Council members asked for clarification on which items were covered by the $800,000 ARPA adjustment; staff said that money will offset public-works expenses and clean up the accounting so fiscal-year 2025 reflects the expenses.

The council closed the public comment part of the hearing with no testimony and then voted to approve the supplemental resolution. The city manager said staff would send additional audit-related correspondence to council members by email.

The council did not take separate votes on the manager’s authorized overhire; staff described the overhire as a manager-level staffing decision that will be reflected in the next formal budget amendment for the council’s review.","The Milwaukie City Council unanimously approved a quarterly budget supplemental that moves $800,000 in ARPA funds into public works, closes the City Hall fund and moves $146,847 to the general fund; the city manager also said he has authorized an overhire of building inspectors that will be added to a future budget amendment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New downtown businesses draw praise; city’s redevelopment fund nearly exhausted for business grants amid rising demand

Milwaukie councilors debate elements of proposed state transportation package, plan follow-up

Milwaukie council approves budget adjustment moving ARPA funds, closes city hall fund and records potential overhire for building inspectors