CAC chair proposes October town hall; resident raises downtown parking safety concerns

Troutdale, Ore. — Adrien Kester, chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee, told the Troutdale City Council on May 12 that the committee is advancing plans for a hybrid open‑house/town‑hall event, tentatively scheduled for the first full week of October, to improve two‑way communication between residents and city departments.

"The skeleton of a plan that we have right now is to schedule it sometime around the first full week of October," Kester said, describing a format that would begin with an open house staffed by city departments and committees and follow with a town‑hall presentation and questions on a headline topic.

Kester said police and fire matters are currently the primary concern among residents but that the event would allow multiple topics to be addressed. He asked the council whether the CAC should return on a future agenda to present details and receive the council's endorsement or direction.

Kester also raised a separate safety concern about on‑street parking in the town center. He said narrow streets with cars parked on both sides create hazardous conditions for traffic flow and sightlines, calling out Second Street by Wayfinder and Fourth Street between Buckton and the public works facility. "Where does the process start to start suggesting that one side of a street be made no parking?" he asked the council.

Council members responded positively to the town‑hall concept and said they would discuss the proposal and follow up with staff on scheduling. The parking issue drew agreement that safety must be examined; council members suggested staff look at options for restricting parking where necessary and consider a future agenda item or study session.

Next steps: the CAC will continue planning and the council indicated Kester may return to the council with a more detailed plan and requested timing.