Achievements

In January 2023, Tigard City Council worked with the City’s leadership team to identify the critical challenges facing our city, as well as goals and coordinated actions necessary to address these challenges. Informed by citizen input, and guided by the City’s vision for an equitable community that is walkable, healthy, and accessible for everyone. The following goals and our associated accomplishments have anchored our work since I became a councilor in 2023.

COUNCIL GOALS

I. Reduce Houselessness: Focus on outreach, wraparound services, transitional housing and support the business community to offset impacts.

Prevention-Housing

  • Over the past five years, the City of Tigard has supported construction of nearly 600 new affordable homes, facilitated by fee reductions, land donations and accessible loans.
  • In partnership with Washington County, prevented approximately 4,500 county-wide housing evictions through tenant rent assistance.
  • Partnered with the Tigard Chamber of Commerce to create the $250,000 Tigard Small Business Sustainability Fund for the purpose of assisting local businesses with safety and security improvements.

Sheltering Supports

  • Invested $1 million in the Family Promise hotel purchase, creating Bridge to Home transitional housing for families. Tigard currently maintains 75 family shelter beds and 20 shelter beds at Just Compassion (soon to be 60 shelter beds).
  • Created a Time, Place & Manner ordinance offering camping space for those seeking shelter while balancing safety and accessibility to parks and public spaces frequented by our community members.
  • Designated one patrol officer focused on serving the needs of downtown Tigard, with an additional officer planned for the coming year.
  • Developed a plan for Safe Parking Lots which will launch at Tigard City Hall in the fall of 2024
  • Adding a community resource staff member to assist at the Tigard Library. 

II. Address Community’s Impact on the Climate: Execute strategies that mitigate the carbon pollution impact of City operation and our homeowners and renters.

  • Developed a fleet electrification plan with the goal of replacing eight gas-powered vehicles.  Two electric vehicles have been purchased so far, and we remain on a waitlist for the remaining six.  
  • Installed Electric Vehicle Charging Stations available to the public at locations such as Public Works, Burnham parking lot and the Senior Center. 
  • Collaborated with the Oregon Department of Energy and Earth Advantage to facilitate adoption of energy efficient heat pumps. The carbon emission reduction initiative provides $11,000 cash incentive per home to install new energy-saving heat pumps. 
  • Partnered with Portland General Electric’s Drive Change Fund to make electric bikes available at two multi-family affordable housing facilities. 
  • Evaluating installation of a micro-grid at the Tigard Library, which will store energy and power the facility during future outages. 
  • Engaging the community on River Terrace 2.0 Planning for a multi-modal, multi-use community that reduces climate impact through housing density and walkable access to consumer needs. 
  • Formed a community-driven Climate Action Committee.

III. Enhance Community Safety and Accessibility: Ensure adequate public safety funding continues as well as expanding the Safe Routes to School Program.

  • Successfully passed the Public Safety Levy Renewal with an overwhelming 78% voter approval. The levy will sustain funding for 8 patrol officers, 1 School Resource Officer, and de-escalation/crisis intervention training for our officers.
  • Implemented Safe Routes to School on Locust Street Sidewalks, improving walkability and biking accessibility. 
  • Planning Safe Routes to School improvements for Twality Middle School & Templeton Elementary to be completed in 2025.  These street and sidewalk enhancements will be funded by a $2M grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

IV. Modernize & Improve City Services: Advance key initiatives to modernize operations and improve services for the public.

  • Successfully passed an updated City of Tigard Charter which modernizes the city’s governing document and expands the size of council to better represent Tigard’s community.
  • Installed the first inclusive playground in Oregon at Cook Family Park, inviting children of all abilities to come play in Tigard. 
  • Launched first phase of new city-wide software system within the finance department to improve staffing utilization. Beginning this fall the new water utility billing system will improve the public interface and facilitate internal efficiencies.
  • Purchased property with the goal of building new police and public work facilities that meet the needs of a growing community and are safer and more resilient
  • Launched a community engagement process to solicit input on planning for extensive park improvements at Steve Street Park and Bagan Park