Council President Betsy Wilkerson previews next week’s council agenda

Council President Betsy Wilkerson on Monday previewed items the council will take up next week, including a resolution backing an STA measure for a 0.2% sales tax, a shared-streets resolution from the transportation commission, and an ordinance to create a residential rental property mitigation fund to support the city's eviction program.

Wilkerson said the first item will be “a resolution in support of STA's renewable maintenance and enhancement of a point 2% sales tax to help provide additional public transportation services.” That measure, as described in the preview, is intended to provide additional funding for public transportation needs through the sales-tax increase.

Also on the agenda, Wilkerson said, is a shared-streets resolution referred by the transportation commission and an ordinance establishing or funding a residential rental property mitigation fund aimed at supporting eviction-related services. The council president said the right-to-cooling ordinance has been deferred to the July 29 legislative session.

Wilkerson invited residents to participate in the legislative session, saying, “If you would like to testify on any of the upcoming items or our consent agenda items at our legislative session, please remember to sign up on our website.” She noted the council’s online signup now allows participants to indicate pro or con positions and to submit written testimony.

The council preview did not include formal votes or further details about the STA proposal’s financing plan or the rental mitigation fund’s budget; those specifics are expected to appear in the full agenda and staff reports when the items are formally introduced next week. Wilkerson closed the preview by encouraging public participation and saying the council will reconvene for the legislative session next week.