Wilsonville council refers Town Center Development District to November ballot, votes 5–0

The Wilsonville City Council voted unanimously, 5–0, on Aug. 5 to adopt Resolution 3‑279 and refer proposed Ordinance 905 — the Town Center Development District plan and its accompanying ballot materials — to the November 2026 ballot.

Mayor O'Neil said he reviewed staff reports, legal advice and public testimony and concluded the work before council justified letting voters decide. "I believe they should," he said, announcing he would vote to refer the measure. Council President Berry moved the resolution, and Councilor Scholl seconded; Councilor Cunningham said he would vote yes to refer despite reservations about the ballot wording.

City staff told the council that the referral would place the ordinance, ballot title and explanatory statement — including required financial disclosures on duration and maximum indebtedness — in the voters' pamphlet and on the city website, and that the county elections official ultimately determines what portions of the ballot title appear on the printed ballot. The city attorney also said anyone seeking to challenge the ballot title must petition Clackamas County circuit court within seven business days of the city's notice; staff noted a deadline around Sept. 3 to settle any challenge before county filing.

The council's action sends voters the package of exhibits identified in Resolution 3‑279, including the full draft plan, financial analysis and explanatory statement; it does not itself adopt the Town Center plan or authorize construction. If voters reject urban renewal funding under the city's charter framework, staff said the charter would restrict council ability to pursue urban renewal until 2028 absent further action.

Next steps: the city recorder will take actions necessary to conduct the election and the county will determine the final ballot content and placement. Any legal challenge to the ballot title would be filed in Clackamas County circuit court.