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February 2023 HelloLO*****ECRWSS***** POSTAL CUSTOMER Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Permit 124 Lake Oswego, OR Insert 2022 Year In Review Inside For inFormation about the City and its serviCes, go to www.lakeoswego.City or Call 503-635-0257. O . O L .Hello February 2023THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO 2 Mayor's Roundtable Preparedness Training Economic Development Strategy & Resource Plan New City Attorney Pickleball Update LO Rec & Aquatics Center Tips to Help Prevent Burglary 3 Art of Storytelling Workshop Stewardship Opportunities Music: Dr. Bryce Colson Author: Omar El Akkad LO Reads Book Giveaway 4 Community Calendar Natural Areas Habitat Management Plan Outside the Art Room Black History Month #worklocal Process(ing) Exhibition NATURAL AREAS HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN - APPROVED In December, the Natural Areas Habitat Management Plan was presented to City Council with a unanimous vote to adopt Resolution 22-32 and continue the 2022 City Council goal of investment in Lake Oswego's high-quality parks, natural areas, and recreational services. The plan's purpose is to provide a framework for consistent management of natural area parks managed by the City of Lake Oswego. This will enhance and restore Lake Oswego's natural areas, provide safe and healthy ecosystems that can support a wide diversity of native plants and animals, and adapt to change amidst the increase of recreation, encroachment by invasive species, climate changes, natural water flow vicissitudes, and threats posed by wildfires and climate change. Anticipated benefits of the Plan include: • Providing the City with a framework for planning and prioritizing restoration activities; • Providing a framework that can apply to other smaller or future natural area sites; • Ensuring transparency in how natural areas are managed; CREATE YOUR LIBRARY. SHAPE OUR FUTURE. The Lake Oswego Public Library is embarking on a community visioning process. Its purpose is to shape a community vision for the Lake Oswego Library of the future. The visioning process will include community engagement, surveys, focus groups, and community forums. Community insights and feedback will shape future library programming, services, and gathering spaces. This process will take place from February to May. We need you to help create our future! Join us for our first Library Visioning Community Forum on February 8, Wednesday, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the City Maintenance Center, 17601 Pilkington Rd. No prep work needed, just be ready to explore the possibilities with our Library! If you are unable to attend the first Library Visioning Community Forum, visit the online survey at www.lakeoswego.city/library to share your vision for library services. You can also look forward to additional Library Visioning Community Forums coming in March and April! CATALYTIC CONVERTER ENGRAVING EVENT To help deter thefts, the Lake Oswego Police Department is offering a free catalytic converter engraving event for Lake Oswego residents. To participate, bring your vehicle to the City's Maintenance Center, 17601 Pilkington Rd, on Saturday, February 4 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. For questions, contact Officer Tony Sparling at 503-635-0221 or asparling@lakeoswego.city. LAKE OSWEGO RECREATION & AQUATICS CENTER IS MOVING FORWARD! This intergovernmental project, a collaborative effort with the Lake Oswego School District, is part of the 2019 bond project that proposes a state-of-the-art recreation and aquatic center that includes a 12 lane competitive pool, a 4,500 square-foot recreational pool with three additional lanes for lap swimming, significant weight and cardio area, a 7,250 square foot gym that will equip all types of activities and league play, locker rooms, multi-purpose group fitness rooms to hold education and outreach programs and host events. There will also be a front desk area for centralized check-in, including golf, scheduling and office space for staff. After bids were submitted on November 17, 2022, the cost for the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center (LORAC) project presented was $3.6 million over the initial budget. The overall cost of the aquatic center is $46 million, including $36.5 million for construction. The budgeted dollars for the project are calculated at $43.3 million. Proposals for the project were significantly higher than anticipated due to rising construction costs caused by inflation and labor and materials cost escalation. On January 3, 2023, the City Council approved the contract and awarded the project to Triplett Wellman Contractors. Triplett Wellman Contractors is the successful proposer based on a combination of their demonstrated experience, qualifications, and price. The contract amount is $36,445,587 for the construction and is slated to be completed in the summer of 2024. The City of Lake Oswego and the Lake Oswego School District continue looking into different LORAC Front Entry Perspective LORAC Plaza Perspective Continued on page 4 Continued on page 2 2 Trudy Corrigan City Councilor tcorrigan@lakeoswego.city Massene Mboup City Councilor mmboup@lakeoswego.city Ali Afghan City Councilor aafghan@lakeoswego.city Aaron Rapf City Councilor arapf@lakeoswego.city Rachel Verdick City Councilor rverdick@lakeoswego.city John Wendland City Councilor jwendland@lakeoswego.city Joe Buck Mayor jbuck@lakeoswego.city City Council 503-635-0215 City Manager Martha Bennett 503-635-0215 PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FLOOD PROTECTION & RADIO COMMUNICATIONS The Lake Oswego Fire Department will be hosting a training for local residents on emergency preparedness. The training is on Wednesday February 22, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the City's Maintenance Center, 17601 Pilkington Road. Attendees will learn about the proper use of sand bags to control flooding and receive an update on local emergency communications (radio) efforts. To sign up for this training, visit our CERT webpage - www.lakeoswego.city/fire/cert - and click on the CERT & Volunteer Portal link. CITY ADOPTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND RESOURCE PLAN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO SUPPORT BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND JOB CREATION IN LAKE OSWEGO In December 2022, City Council adopted an Economic Development Strategy and Resource Plan intended to support business investment and job creation in Lake Oswego. The Plan, which solidifies a partnership with the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), is consistent with City Council’s 2022 goal, as well as with the Lake Oswego Comprehensive Plan’s Economic Vitality Chapter. In developing the Plan, City staff met with Chamber representatives to identify ways the organizations could work together. In addition, City departments explored ways that local government could best support business expansion and job creation with existing resources. The Plan identifies opportunities, strategies and resources that will guide the City and Chamber in supporting economic development. Strategies to support business investment and job creation in Lake Oswego include: • Collect and disseminate information on existing and prospective businesses and business locations. • Provide strategic business assistance including education and training. • Coordinate with other governments and nongovernmental organizations. • Conduct a comprehensive review/audit of the development code and fee schedule as they apply to businesses, and remove impediments to business investment and job creation while maintaining high-quality design and livability. • Review and update the City’s urban renewal plans, and plan for the Foothills District following approval of a new wastewater treatment plant, as needed. • Coordinate and cross-promote local events to support local business. The Chamber will use American Rescue Plan Act grant funds previously awarded by Council to fulfill its role. TIPS TO HELP PREVENT BURGLARY Lake Oswego continues to be one of the safest communities in Oregon. However, the Lake Oswego Police Department has noticed an increase in residential burglaries, package thefts, and thefts from vehicles. Here are a few steps you can take to help avoid becoming a victim of burglary or theft: 1. Have good motion-sensing lights near any doors or windows. 2. Keep your garage door closed when you are not actively using it. 3. Increase awareness in your neighborhood: • Get to know your neighbors. You can ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house when you’re gone, pick up packages so you don’t broadcast you are away, and call if they see someone they don’t recognize at your house. • Be alert and be a good neighbor. Knowing your neighbors builds community, and a strong community is a safer community. • Call the police if you see something suspicious in your neighborhood. Lake Oswego police will investigate any suspicious circumstances. Call 911 for a crime or suspicious activity happening now, otherwise, call LOPD's non- emergency number, 503-635-0238. Burglars generally select targets with the lowest risk of getting caught and the highest chance of successfully stealing items of value. The more you can do to make your home and neighborhood uncomfortable for thieves, the less likely it is that you will become a victim. ways to fund the budget-gap by looking to value engineer construction without eliminating programs or square footage to reduce the overall cost, sourcing other revenue streams. The Parks and Recreation Project Team is currently working on permits, and a timeline of construction will be forthcoming. Community input over the last few years has been a benchmark for how the City is moving forward with the 2019 bond projects that continue to enhance residents’ and visitors’ livability and economic vitality. The community will receive projects worth over 60 million dollars, twice as much as the 2019 approved bond, by leveraging other funding streams from system development charges, general funds, and investment funds that have gone into the completed and in-work projects. These projects include: Adult Community Center remodel, the addition of the Yates property to Hallinan Park to add natural area enhancement, soft trails and pathways, Tennis Center rehabilitation with a grand reopening that occurred in January, new restroom facilities with ADA access at George Rogers Park and East Waluga, the Water Sports Center dock replacement that added stability and longevity to that property, and the Golf Course, Driving Range, and Clubhouse rehabilitation to be completed in 2024. RECREATION Continued from page 1 WELCOME NEW CITY ATTORNEY In December, Lake Oswego City Council selected Ellen Osoinach as its new City Attorney. Most recently a Local Legal Initiative Attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), Ms. Osoinach began her new role on January 23. Prior to her position at RCFP, Ms. Osoinach was the Senior Deputy City Attorney for the City of Portland, the Deputy District Attorney at Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and has worked for the Oregon State Legislature. Ms. Osoinach obtained her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhodes College. Ms. Osoinach replaces former City Attorney Jason Loos, who resigned in 2022. PICKLEBALL AT GEORGE ROGERS PARK At the January 17 City Council meeting, a majority vote was obtained to close the pickleball courts at George Rogers Park. Council directed Parks and Recreation to begin the conversion of the Westlake Park tennis courts into pickleball courts and convert the George Rogers Park pickleball courts into tennis courts. Parks and Recreation will undergo community engagement and exploration regarding noise, parking, traffic, and rehabilitation costs, along with working with the City’s Planning Department to amend existing conditional use permits and approvals for both properties. For more information, visit www.lakeoswego.city/parksrec. MAYOR’S ROUNDTABLE Join us on Thursday, February 23 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, for the first Mayor’s Roundtable of 2023! The Mayor’s Roundtable is a community forum to hear directly from the Mayor and Council members on top issues or goals of the community. The Mayor’s Roundtable is a quarterly meeting with a different topic focus, as well as guest Councilors, per quarter. This is a great opportunity to share your questions, thoughts, and ideas with your local elected officials! February's topic: Library Visioning. For details on these and other events, visit www.lakeoswego.city/library or call: Main Number, 503-636-7628 Reference Desk Number, 503-675-2540 Donate online, www.lopl.org/donate 3 Your Community Resource for Information and EnrichmentCITY LIBRARY PARKS & RECREATION Mailing: PO Box 369 For more information or to register for Parks & Recreation programs, visit www.lakeoswego.city/parks or call 503-675-2549. FIRST TUESDAY MUSIC: DR. BRYCE COLSON Tuesday, February 7, 6 to 8 p.m. Dr. Bryce Colson will bring his portable organ console to Lake Oswego Public Library for a special treat! This month's First Tuesday Music performance will feature projections of the classic movies J. Searle Dawley's Frankenstein (1910) and Buster Keaton's The Haunted House (1921)! For more information, contact librarian April at 503-534-5667 or ayounglove@lakeoswego.city. "YOU DO SPEAK ENGLISH, DON'T YOU?" A PERFORMANCE BY MARK & HELENA GREATHOUSE Wednesday, February 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Join us for a family friendly, lively cabaret-style variety show! Mark and Helena Greathouse, an international musical duo, present their one-hour original show, "You Do Speak English, Don't You?" featuring humorous stories of their early life together. They have taken this show on tour around the U.S. For more information, please contact librarian Todd at 503-675-2535 or tfeinman@lakeoswego.city. ANIME YOUR WAY! WITH CARLOS NIETO III Saturday, February 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please join us in the library for a comprehensive step by step drawing program developed over 10 years by former Simpson's artist Carlos Nieto! Using simple shapes and easy to understand instructions, you will gain the knowledge to create your very own unique anime characters. All materials are provided. For more information, please contact librarian Todd at 503-675-2535 or tfeinman@lakeoswego.city. THIRD TUESDAY AUTHOR: OMAR EL AKKAD Tuesday, February 21, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Omar El Akkad is an author and journalist. His writings have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde, Guernica, GQ, and many other publications. His debut novel, American War , is an international bestseller and has been translated into thirteen languages, and listed as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, Washington Post, GQ, and others was selected by the BBC as one of 100 novels that changed our world. His new novel, What Strange Paradise was named a best book of the year by the New York Times and several other publications. This event will take place in-person at the Library and will be livestreamed on LOPL's YouTube channel. For more information, contact librarian Alicia at ayokoyama@lakeoswego.city. GLOBAL STORIES - JAPANESE Saturday, February 4, 10:30 a.m. First Saturday Readalouds - Listen to stories told in different languages by Lake Oswego community members. Each month spotlights a different world language, a familiar song, and a simple take-home craft. This month, reader Chieri Kasahara, will be sharing stories in Japanese. EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC AND MOVEMENT IN MANDARIN CHINESE Monday, February 6, 13, and 27 at 10:30 a.m. Join Sharon Gan, founder of Heart Strings Mandarin for a series of thirty-minute programs targeting our youngest learners. We will sing, move, play instruments, and tell stories. We welcome all levels of Mandarin fluency from absolute beginners to native Mandarin speakers. Recommended for ages 2-5 years. Space is limited and available on a first-come basis. For more information, please call the Children’s desk at 503-697-6580. LO READS BOOK GIVEAWAY! Saturday, February 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your Lake Oswego Library card or number to receive a free copy of The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson. 800 free books will be distributed to Lake Oswego Public Library cardholders, thanks to the ongoing support of the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library. Books will be distributed through our parking lot starting at 11 a.m. Please do not line up beforehand. Walk up service will also be available starting at 11 a.m. LIBRARY CLOSURES Presidents Day - Monday, February 20 THE ART OF STORYTELLING WORKSHOP Since 2009, The Moth radio program and podcast have been sharing stories that make you laugh, think, feel and inspire the listener to believe they could be a storyteller too. The truth is, you can be! The Lake Oswego Adult Community Center is hosting Jackie Shannon Hollis, a local author to lead a workshop that will teach the art of storytelling. Unbeknownst to most of us, we are full of stories that just need a bit of coaxing and a tweak here or there. The workshop runs every Tuesday, from February 28 through April 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents, register by calling 503-635-3758 or visiting www.loparks.org. PARKS STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE IN FULL SWING! How can you help? And what will you do? Lake Oswego is home to over 460 acres of land that maintain and enhance the City's natural character and beauty. Protecting and conserving our natural area parks is essential to our mission. These natural areas provide important habitats for plants and animals, watershed and stormwater management, and spaces for the community to connect with nature. The Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to volunteer and help restore our local habitat. It's a perfect activity for families and service organizations, with all ages able to participate. Each date focuses on different locations and tasks that will aid in the success of the restoration and beautification of our natural park areas. Friends of the Parks lead work parties, and no experience is necessary! Make sure you dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring gloves and water for hydration. Each volunteer must bring a filled-out Volunteer Waiver before work can begin. Download a copy at www.lo-stewardship.org. Here are some of the upcoming dates, times, and locations for our work parties: • Walgua Park - Saturday, February 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. "Pull Together" - remove invasive species. • Iron Mountain Park - Sunday, February 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. "Give Mother Nature A Helping Hand" - help restore the habitat home to birds, animals and pollinators. • Lily Bay Natural Area - Saturday, March 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. "Restore the Habitat” - remove invasive species to allow more space for native species to thrive. • Springbrook Park - Saturday, March 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. "Invasive Removal" - to work on the shaded fuel break along park and private property lines in these 52 natural acres. • Woodmont Park - Sunday, March 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. "Restore and More" - restore the habitat in this 7-acre park. For more dates and information about each stewardship opportunity, visit www.lo-stewardship.org. Want to coordinate a group to do a private party? Call Babs Hamachek, Parks Stewardship Coordinator, at 503-534-5697. 44 For inFormation about the City and its serviCes, go to www.lakeoswego.City or Call 503-635-0257. Contributing writers:Allison Arnold, LibraryNell Diamond, Library Tom Harper, Police Jamie Inglis, Parks & Recreation Robin Krakauer, Parks & RecreationScot Siegel, Planning & Building Madison Thesing, City Manager's Office Kim Vermillion, City Manager's Office Citizen inFormation speCialist and hellolo editor/writer Bonnie Hirshberger 503-675-3992 bhirshberger@lakeoswego.city This newsletter is printed on Processed Chlorine Free 100% recycled content paper, using soy-based ink. For Americans with Disabilities Act or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/ interpretation services, or more information call 503-635-0270 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1 February 1 Wednesday • Chautauqua on First Wednesday, Oswego Heritage Council, 6:30pm • Displacing Black Portland: A History of Housing Discrimination LIB, 7pm 2 Thursday 3 Friday • Blood Drive, City Hall, 9:30am-3pm • ARTmart After Dark, 5:30pm 4 Saturday • Catalytic Converter Engraving Event, MC, 10am-2pm 5 Sunday 6 Monday • DRC Meeting, 7pm 7 Tuesday • City Council Meeting, 5:30pm • First Tuesday Music: Dr. Bryce Colson, LIB, 6pm 8 Wednesday • HRAB Meeting, 6pm • LAB Meeting, 7pm • Library Visioning Community Forum, 5-7pm 9 Thursday • Teen Advisory Board, 6pm • BIPOC Women's Speaker Series: Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, Mary's Woods, 7pm 10 Friday • Living Well Dance with the Millennium Dance Band, CCP, 7pm 11 Saturday • Stewardship Work Party, Waluga Park, 9am 12 Sunday 13 Monday • Planning Commission, 6:30pm 14 Tuesday • Caregiving 101: The Dos and Don’ts, ACC, 1pm 15 Wednesday • "You Do Speak English, Don't You?" A Performance by Mark & Helena Greathouse, LIB, 5:30pm 16 Thursday 17 Friday • Process(ing) Exhibition opens, Arts Council 18 Saturday 19 Sunday • Stewardship Work Party, Iron Mtn Park, 1pm 20 Monday 21 Tuesday • City Council Meeting, 4pm • Third Tuesday Author: Omar El Akkad, LIB, 5:30pm 22 Wednesday • DRC Meeting, 7pm 23 Thursday • Mayor's Community Roundtable, City Hall, 5:30-7pm 24 Friday • Outside the Art Room - Teen Art Showcase + Auction, CCP, 6pm 25 Saturday • LOReads 2023 Book Giveaway, LIB, 11am 26 Sunday 27 Monday • Planning Commission, 6:30pm 28 Tuesday March 1 Wednesday • Chautauqua on First Wednesday, Oswego Heritage Council, 6:30pm 2 Thursday 3 Friday 4 Saturday • Stewardship Work Party, Lily Bay, 9am • Author Diane Wilson Ticket Giveaway, LIB, 11am • Rover Pop-Up Library, Mary's Woods, 1pm 5 Sunday 6 Monday 7 Tuesday • City Council Meeting, 5:30pm Event dates are subject to change. More details are available online at: www.lakeoswego.city/calendar For more information, call 503-675-3992. Community Calendar ACC Adult Community Center CCP Christ Church Parish DRC Development Review Commission HRAB Historic Resources Advisory Board LAB Library Advisory Board LIB LO Public Library MC Maintenance CenterGlossaryPROCESS(ING) AT ARTSPACE EXHIBITION OPEN FEBRUARY 17 TO MAY 19 The Arts Council of Lake Oswego is excited to announce a new exhibition entitled Process(ing). This exhibition brings together three artists: Shelley Chamberlin, Emily Jung Miller and Martin Stabler whose work weaves a common theme of art exploring process, time, healing and sense of place. Visit the opening reception on March 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the ARTspace Gallery, 380 A Avenue, Suite A. For more information, check the Arts Council website at www.artscouncillo.org. #WORKLOCAL BROUGHT TO YOU BY LO & WEST LINN BUSINESS RECOVERY CENTER The Lake Oswego & West Linn Business Recovery Center is bringing local job openings, opportunities, and awareness to our communities and asking for help! Do you have the time to work a 4-hour shift (part-time) at your favorite local store? You can save gas, earn a little money, support a local business and build up your community... it's a win-win for all! View #worklocal opportunities at www.wanderwillamette.com/jobs. BUSINESSES: To take advantage of this free advertisement opportunity, you must have a Lake Oswego, Marylhurst, or West Linn zip code. Then simply fill out the form and your job will be listed on www.wanderwillamette.com and future #worklocal marketing. To share your job listing, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/MQQPLXR. HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH JOIN US AT THE LAKE OSWEGO LIBRARY For kids and teens: • On your way down to the Children’s Library, check out our interactive display that highlights the achievements and contributions that Black Americans have made to the fields of science, sports, and arts. • Downstairs, browse our Black History Celebration Sets. If you’re looking for more reading recommendations on Black history for the kids and teens, check out our curated Pinterest boards for ages 0-18 at https://tinyurl.com/pfajzduh. • Our Teen Book Group’s choice for February is Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle. It is a sweet, charming story with both heartwarming and heartrending moments. The book group meets on February 16 at 6 p.m. For adults: • Join us for a presentation on “Displacing Black Portland: A History of Housing Discrimination” by Zachary Stocks, Executive Director of Oregon Black Pioneers, on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. • Join A Bookish Affair book group virtually on Sunday, February 12, at 11 a.m. to discuss D’Vaughn and Kris Plan A Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins. Registration is required. • This month, browse our book displays which highlight fiction by Black authors and non- fiction works celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. Year- round, visit our Black History Pinterest board featuring e-books, audiobooks, and streaming videos: https://tinyurl.com/2hptr7y2. OUTSIDE THE ART ROOM TEEN ART SHOWCASE + AUCTION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24 FROM 6 TO 8 P.M Outside The Art Room is back for its 7th year! The event, presented by the Parks & Recreation Youth Action Council, supports local artists and includes a silent art auction benefiting Children's Healing Art Project (CHAP). This is a free event, open to all ages, and features live music, amazing art, and a kids art clinic. Join us at the Parks & Recreation Annex at Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Rd in Cummins Hall. Calling All Teen Artists Artists in grades 6-12 are needed to fill the room with amazing artwork! Artists may choose to sell or simply display their art for the event. For more information and to apply, visit www.LOTeenscene.org. Applications are due February 7. • Providing background information to help support land use approvals for necessary enhancement activities, particularly within areas identified by the City's Sensitive Lands Atlas (Sensitive Lands Code, LOC Article 50.05.010); and • Streamlining project development for habitat enhancement grant applications. Adoption of this plan has no direct fiscal impact. The plan will direct and prioritize department work in Lake Oswego's Natural Areas, which is already funded annually. "I am so excited that City Council adopted this plan! The plan provides an adaptable framework guiding us on our current restoration work and future work with the overall goal of improving the resiliency of our natural areas " ~ Megan Big John, Parks Manager. Since 2011, over 370 acres of the City's natural areas have been in this restoration process. The complete plan can be viewed on the Parks and Recreation website at www.lakeoswego.city/ parksrec/natural-areas-habitat-management-plan. HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN Continued from page 1