Tualatin outlines preliminary 2027 legislative agenda and candidate funding requests

Deputy City Manager Megan George and Cody Field, the city’s policy analyst, presented a preliminary slate of candidate projects recommended for 2027 state and federal funding requests and walked the council through timelines for staff outreach and adoption.

George said staff aim to identify two to three candidate funding requests for each of the state and federal agendas, then vet those requests with Thorn Run Partners and congressional staff in July and August. The city intends to return to council at the July 13 meeting for additional direction and hopes to adopt a final agenda on Aug. 10.

Field summarized projects drawn from the city’s capital improvement program. Items discussed included Riverfront Park (design and later construction), the Tualatin Greenway Trail alternatives analysis, intersection safety improvements at 12th and Sherwood Road (estimated planning/construction ~$1.6 million), a Kniper/Nyberg Creek trail extension to improve neighborhood connectivity, an ongoing alternatives analysis for a Sherwood Road railroad crossing (about $200,000 invested so far), Basalt Creek area sewer planning (presented as a planning estimate), A‑one reservoir interior/exterior upgrades (presented as a city water division priority), and renewable energy projects: a library/city offices solar installation (analysis complete; est. $1.7 million presented) and a potential city services microgrid (scope and cost pending).

Council members questioned which projects best match federal office priorities and funding windows. A staffer said congressional field offices had urged $1 million–$3 million project requests as the most viable federal asks; staff also noted some federal programs do not fund ongoing operations and maintenance. Council members advised staff to vet the full list with Thorn Run Partners and the offices of Congresswoman Salinas and U.S. senators, then narrow to a small set of priorities for formal requests.

Councilors also asked questions about microgrid economics and battery sizing; staff noted possibilities for agreements with Portland General Electric to tap battery storage and that the city’s in‑pipe microhydro project currently receives a one‑to‑one net‑metering credit on the city’s electric bill.

Next steps: staff will work with Thorn Run Partners and congressional offices to identify the warmest prospects, return July 13 with a refined list and themes, and aim for adoption at the Aug. 10 meeting if ready.