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Residents press Wilsonville council on housing affordability, Boone Bridge, safety and other local concerns
Summary
At the Jan. 23 meeting, multiple residents urged action on housing affordability and the Town Center plan, called for faster progress on the Boone Bridge, raised public‑safety concerns and questioned a utility right‑of‑way work on Beckman Trail; several speakers praised city programs and suggested more outreach.
During the Jan. 23 public‑comment period, more than a dozen residents addressed the council on a range of community issues, with a heavy emphasis on housing affordability and the Town Center plan.
Speakers who identified themselves as long‑time residents urged the council to prioritize housing options that allow workers and first‑time buyers to live in Wilsonville rather than being forced to commute. Supporters of denser Town Center proposals told the council that local employees — from nurses to restaurant and retail workers — are increasingly priced out of the community. Several commenters described friends or family who had already left the city for more affordable housing elsewhere.
Other recurring topics during citizen input included:
- Boone Bridge concerns: Multiple residents asked for clearer timelines and more public information on the I‑5 Boone Bridge replacement and the city’s role in lobbying for earlier design and construction funding. One resident urged the council and staff to “give honest discussion” that traffic and congestion are driven largely by I‑5 conditions as well as local growth.
- Public safety: Residents cited recent incidents and statistics showing a rise in person‑related crime and asked what the city is doing to maintain public safety as the population grows. One speaker requested more frequent updates from the Wilsonville Police Department online.
- Human trafficking awareness: A number of councilors and members of the public said they attended a local human‑trafficking awareness presentation and urged broader community attendance; councilors said the issue occurs locally and called for more education and interagency coordination.
- Beckman Trail / right‑of‑way concern: A resident reported receiving a short notice about a temporary right‑of‑entry for work on a storm pipe near his two‑acre property at the Beckman Trail area and asked the city for clearer outreach and a possible town‑hall for affected property owners.
- Parks accessibility: A parks volunteer noted the recent purchase and use of temporary mobility mats at Memorial Park events that improve access for people using wheelchairs or strollers.
Several residents praised the civics academy and local volunteer organizations, and one speaker thanked the city for cultural events such as a Lunar New Year celebration. The council thanked residents for their comments, said staff would follow up on individual concerns and encouraged citizens to submit written material to the city or speak at future meetings.
Speakers who addressed the council during the meeting included Mark Kokenoski (expressing the Beckman Trail right‑of‑way concerns), Kate Johnson (housing and outreach), Tim Knapp (importance of regional representation), Paul Bunn (Boone Bridge timeline requests), Ruth Webster (public safety), Natalie Dunn (parks and community activities), Mary Rooney (manufactured‑home history and housing stability), Miranda Tate (support for Town Center and workforce housing), George Dunn (personal testimony on workforce housing needs), Susan Reap (Town Center hopes and appreciation for city services) and Bill Bagnall (parks accessibility / mobility mats). Several of the public‑comment submissions were also provided in writing to the city clerk.
Councilors and the mayor thanked speakers, noted follow‑up items and reiterated that the council will set goals in a March retreat that could shape future policy decisions on housing, safety and infrastructure.
