North Plains council approves ODOT TGM contingency reallocation to fund neighborhood UGB outreach, 4–2

The North Plains City Council on Oct. 6 approved Resolution No. 2320 to authorize the use of Oregon Department of Transportation Transportation & Growth Management (ODOT TGM) grant contingency funds for neighborhood-level public outreach tied to concept planning for the city's urban growth boundary (UGB).

City Manager Bill Reid told the council that ODOT clarified the grant's current focus is to explore various UGB expansion options rather than plan for a predetermined expansion area. He said the proposed change would allow staff to redirect contingency funds to smaller, neighborhood meetings with homeowners associations and community groups so the city could gather broader, localized input.

"The city would not incur costs beyond staff time, as ODOT would fund the neighborhood meetings," Reid said. Councilor Michele McCall-Wallace moved to approve the resolution; Councilor Trista Papen seconded. The motion passed 4–2: McCall-Wallace, Papen, James Fage and Council President Aaron Dumbrow voted aye; Councilors Katie Reding and Mandy Hagedorn voted no.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about whether the outreach would produce a pre-set UGB line; Reid confirmed the process is intended to develop concepts without a predefined expansion. Supporters said localized outreach could surface perspectives missed by large community meetings; opponents expressed concern about setting expectations that expansion decisions were imminent and urged careful framing and transparency.

Next steps: With council approval, staff will coordinate with ODOT on reallocating contingency funds and designing neighborhood-level engagement. Council requested clear communications that the process is exploratory and not a predetermined expansion decision.