[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6484604,"mediaKeyId","5611854-513b456c7c49a6193fa2c5923c96cd70","parentId",5611854,"title","Votes at a glance: Oregon City Commission approves grant agreement, amends parks SDCs and advances ordinances","audioSeconds",36,"startMs",6316000,"endMs",6280000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611854-513b456c7c49a6193fa2c5923c96cd70&start=6316&end=6280","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611854-513b456c7c49a6193fa2c5923c96cd70/thumbnail_6316000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484604/Oregon-City/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Votes-at-a-glance-Oregon-City-Commission-approves-grant-agreement-amends-parks-SDCs-and-advances-ordinances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484604-1f816f21c2092a542650d7377cb80d44/orig.mp4?Expires=1773709368&Signature=N1aC706NKgmG63kr29s1ajk7eh~JVyqVR3Hi~u2hfG~sTyQtAh7YaEgD~rb0z23DZO9c6QBjOc5rq87lJUEVRRrbDiHcRMo22tzebq0kGkeEu-qXTpFsCxklJTVVdF1WGuXGnVhGQ0uDCJvsxMEg1gmid7T2SsP6fY8DxMiAFg3uKfUFbpikvUTICCUa5B4CPItxRRbkYYbZ~0E5EmZ~DDRzVI~V6HV4~5uF-ePgQPUbLC2W~6C1cTVIc2FB5JhGluTGaoCM0QAT0GY1C6VNey62CDQxm9eLrhJhBk0yNNXTYhUdec1g2mOXk0SgzIV3X~FdgSe4RGYbQTssh2WmvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Oregon, OR","date","2025-08-21T05:22:34.7Z","article","The Oregon City Commission took a series of formal actions Aug. 20, approving a state grant agreement for Willamette Falls improvements, adopting a contract for city software services, amending park system development charge (SDC) assumptions for an aquatic and recreation center and advancing an ordinance expanding eligibility for the Youth Advisory Commission.

Commissioners unanimously approved a State of Oregon lottery revenue bond grant agreement to provide $12,500,000 to the city for “Willamette Falls Improvements,” a project description included in the meeting packet. Mayor Denise McGriff said the agreement “puts us in the driver’s seat” for previously paused river access work. The motion to approve passed on a roll-call vote (see tally below).

The commission also voted to approve a contract for Tyler Technologies’ software-as-a-service offering. IT Director Mike Tobay told commissioners the vendor’s larger security and backup resources will improve the city’s information security posture; the motion passed unanimously.

On park system financing, the commission voted to adopt Resolution 25-19 with an amendment reducing the methodology assumption for the Recreation and Aquatic Center from $9,100,000 to $5,000,000. Commissioner Adam Morrow said he remained uncomfortable with the larger assumption but supported a tiered multifamily SDC approach; the amended motion passed.

An ordinance (25-1011) to expand eligibility for the Youth Advisory Commission to allow more members who attend city high schools but live outside city limits passed on its first reading. Communications Manager Jared Lyman said the change responds to a record 16 applicants for the commission’s youth seats.

Separately, in an informational public hearing the commission acknowledged the Oregon City Microenterprise Grant program funded by a Business Oregon CDBG award; staff reported that nine local small businesses received direct financial support under the program.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes)
- Motion to approve remainder of the agenda: Passed (Ayes: Mitchell, Wilson, Smith, Morrow, McGriff).
- Motion to acknowledge support of the Oregon City Microenterprise Grant Program: Passed (Ayes: Mitchell, Wilson, Smith, Morrow, McGriff).
- Motion to approve Tyler Technologies SaaS contract: Passed (Ayes: Mitchell, Wilson, Smith, Morrow, McGriff).
- Motion to identify the adaptive reuse/rehab application for 703 Main St. as a project of interest (express commission interest and direct staff to continue conversations): Passed (Ayes: Mitchell, Wilson, Smith, Morrow, McGriff).
- Motion to approve Resolution 25-19 modifying park SDCs and amending the aquatic center assumption from $9,100,000 to $5,000,000: Passed (Ayes: Mitchell, Wilson, Smith, Morrow, McGriff).
- Motion (first reading) to approve Ordinance 25-1011 expanding eligibility for Youth Advisory Commission members who attend high school within city limits but reside outside city limits: Passed on first reading (Ayes: Mitchell, Wilson, Smith, Morrow, McGriff).
- Motion to approve the State of Oregon lottery revenue bond grant agreement for Willamette Falls improvements ($12,500,000): Passed (unanimous roll call).

The commission recorded these actions as its primary formal business for the evening. Several agenda items with substantial public discussion were continued for code changes or staff follow-up (see companion articles for detailed coverage of sidewalk reimbursement discussion and adaptive reuse presentation).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting - August 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Oregon City Commission took multiple final actions Aug. 20, approving a $12.5 million state grant agreement for Willamette Falls improvements, adopting a Tyler Technologies SaaS contract and amending park SDC methodology assumptions for an aquatic and recreation center.","taxTitle","Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon","taxId",53937,"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},6484599,"Commission weighs expanded sidewalk reimbursement, temporary permit relief after widespread tree-root damage",1259,6541000,7800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5611854-513b456c7c49a6193fa2c5923c96cd70&start=6541&end=7800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5611854-513b456c7c49a6193fa2c5923c96cd70/thumbnail_6541000.jpg","/articles/6484599/Oregon-City/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Commission-weighs-expanded-sidewalk-reimbursement-temporary-permit-relief-after-widespread-tree-root-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484599-5002f2536789682a5933e947e6ba4585/orig.mp4?Expires=1773709368&Signature=KKy7GQ0L1vGZIf2XhgEBQSna5aTFbq~s4RNIsEjt3SKNSeSWGCPdPfSejJGgJ590J7xQTB3dLGiIjPP6Xd9n1JwNlLG2btqMhb1gGLckm-7qQYIfE-bN~79a9qpr~M3WUij7zovOvCbC8ijzEcyTCZ~eqwFjokvqGogLxwEFXEzkIutNK0xpGicLqIlJQIhpAAq9h11aqtStHkpp1iVsXQp-kAZ~1wYxXdFnsmlPzUSgLpJF4clo6VmOoSOr97MEqrClnGIC1LuEOFf8urUVgTVytlfrsZtmmnQUT0BgWuXrwIrhACjD-oI6n9KUgGL4BtTa6DeRTebN3VQI~-O7uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oregon City commissioners spent extended time Aug. 20 addressing a surge of sidewalk repair notices tied to mature street trees. Public works staff and multiple residents described logistical, financial and equity challenges for homeowners required to repair sidewalks that the city code places on adjacent property owners.

Public works director Dana Webb reviewed current practice and the program’s mechanics: a single-property sidewalk permit costs $207, while group permits (three or more properties) carry one fee of $413; property owners participating in the city’s tree-related reimbursement program receive a 50% permit discount under current practice. Staff reported 89 properties in code enforcement citywide; 27 of those had already applied for permits, five had received second notices, and several neighborhoods reported clusters of affected properties.

Residents from the McLaughlin neighborhood urged expanded financial assistance and better coordination. Neighbors described difficulty lining up the same contractor, synchronizing permit pulls and scheduling work within the narrow windows historically provided by the city. One resident said contractors’ setup and mobilization costs make incremental panel replacements costly, and another urged that government help could be targeted to the largest-burden cases.

Commissioners discussed a set of near-term and medium-term options. The commission asked staff to return with redlined code amendments (item 9b) reflecting a longer construction window: staff will draft language that keeps existing permit-application timing but extends the time allowed to complete work (the commission directed staff toward a 180-day total window from initial notice in practice). Commissioners also asked staff to prepare a resolution creating a temporary, citywide permit-fee amnesty period (discussion focused on a roughly 60-day window for residents to pull permits with no fee) and to notify property owners on the enforcement list.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives to full panel replacement — for example, allowing grinding in more cases and evaluating slab-raising foams — and the constraints of prevailing wage rules (projects over $50,000 typically invoke Bureau of Labor and Industry requirements, which raise costs). Staff said administering an interest-free loan program would create substantial administrative overhead and recordkeeping requirements (liens on property would be required) and asked the commission to identify funding sources and program parameters if it wished to pursue that option.

Next steps: staff will return at the next meeting with a redline code amendment for the sidewalk reimbursement program (item 9b), a draft resolution to implement a limited permit-fee amnesty and an outreach plan to notify affected property owners of the available options. Public works emphasized they are available to meet on-site with residents to review conditions and answer questions.

Quote: \"If we don't get it done tonight, we won't die on the vine here,\" Commissioner Rocky Smith said, urging the commission to provide timely direction so staff can return with concrete proposals.

Why it matters: Sidewalk repairs touch equity and safety concerns across neighborhoods. The commission’s choices will affect who bears repair costs, how quickly hazards are fixed and how the city manages recurring maintenance needs tied to street trees.

Ending: Staff will draft the code changes and a resolution for the commission’s next regular meeting and will reach out to property owners currently in the enforcement queue to explain the new timelines and any temporary fee relief.","Oregon City commissioners discussed options including longer completion windows, a temporary permit-fee amnesty and coordination to help residents fix sidewalks damaged by tree roots; staff will return revised code language and a limited-fee-resolution for commission approval.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Oregon City Commission approves grant agreement, amends parks SDCs and advances ordinances

Commission weighs expanded sidewalk reimbursement, temporary permit relief after widespread tree-root damage