North Plains council approves $72,000 settlement in UGB referendum appeal, 4–3

The North Plains City Council voted 4–3 on Feb. 3 to accept a $72,000 settlement offer in the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) referendum appeal. Councilor Aaron Dumbrow moved to accept the plaintiff’s offer, Councilor Katie Reding seconded, and the motion carried with Reding, Mandy Hagedorn, Aaron Dumbrow and Mayor Ariel Goodwin voting yes and Michele McCall-Wallace, Trista Papen and James Fage voting no.

Council members discussed the settlement after an executive session held under ORS 192.660(2)(f) to consider information exempt from public inspection. The counteroffer from the plaintiff followed a position the council had taken in an earlier executive session; councilors debated whether to accept the figure presented by the plaintiff and ultimately voted to settle. The transcript records no further operational details about payment timing or other settlement terms.

The vote came amid broader council discussion about the UGB relook process earlier in the meeting. Councilor Dumbrow had earlier moved — then withdrew — a motion to direct staff to prepare an ordinance rescinding Ordinance 490 and to schedule a work session on supporting documents (the HNA, EOA and comprehensive plan amendments). The council later voted to postpone the UGB relook discussion to a March 3 work session that will include the UGB Relook Committee.

The motion to accept the settlement resolved the active appeal as discussed in executive session; the council did not record additional public conditions attached to the acceptance during the open session. The meeting adjourned at 9:49 p.m.