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Oregon City bids farewell to economic development manager; commission advances seal/flag design and hears project updates
Summary
The commission thanked outgoing Economic Development Manager James Graham, advanced a professional redesign of the city seal and flag, and received updates on several capital projects including a quiet‑zone cost gap, Public Works site environmental review grant and Liberty Plaza park dedication questions.
Commissioners used the March 10 work session to recognize departing economic development manager James Graham, approve steps to professionalize the city seal and flag design, and hear status reports on several projects.
James Graham, who leaves next Monday for a job in Washington State, was honored by commissioners for his six years with the city and for work on economic development tools including the city’s event programs and business support efforts. Commissioners expressed appreciation for Graham’s leadership and wished him well.
On branding, staff presented an updated city seal concept that restores Mount Hood and adds the bridge obelisks. Commissioners gave design guidance — use a sans‑serif font for legibility, center and increase the size of the “Incorporated 1844” text, and slightly enlarge the obelisk elements — and directed staff to advance the concept to a professional graphic designer. Staff said the design team will solicit a small set of finalists (preferably three, no more than five) and bring options back for public input and commission review ahead of a July 4 target.
Staff also reported project updates across departments: Public Works received a 50/50 Business Oregon grant (up to $33,000) for a phase‑one environmental review at the Center Street relocation site (possible phase‑two funding could follow), the quiet‑zone railroad safety project has an estimated $1.6 million construction funding gap that staff are exploring from transportation and urban renewal sources, and parks staff will return with recommendations on charter park dedication boundaries and sidewalk/right‑of‑way dedications to avoid future legal hurdles.
Other updates: city staff reported ongoing negotiations and draft language related to Tommo Village funding and a planned technical path forward with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and state partners; the homeless solutions coalition reported progress on fundraising and a move‑in timeline for core services by late 2026; and commissioners asked staff to check whether the city has authority to enact local restrictions or penalties related to youth vaping and to reengage with county partners.
Next steps: staff will engage a graphic designer for the seal and flag, bring project funding options for the quiet zone and Center Street environmental work back to the commission, and follow up on questions about System Development Charges related to Liberty Plaza prior to dedication.
