Approved Minutes - 2024-10-28City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
October 28, 2024
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CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
October 28, 2024
Approved
Call to Order / Roll Call
Jay Hamachek called the October meeting of the Sustainability Advisory Board to order at 6:32 pm.
Members Present: Buzz Chandler, Jay Hamachek, Lisa Helfer, Kara Orvieto, Whitney
Street, Mason Klein, Isabela Hollingshead (Alternate)
Members Excused/Absent: Robin Palao, Mark Puhlman, Luna Flores
Staff: Councilor Trudy Corrigan, Amanda Watson, Tim Roberts
Public: None
Approval of Minutes
Whitney made a motion to approve the September 2024 meeting minutes, Buzz seconded, minutes
approved unanimously.
Public Comment
None.
Regular Business
A. Flood Hazard Management Code Updates
Jay explained that there are new regulations coming from FEMA regarding floodplains within the city
that include Foothills and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Jay introduced Tim Roberts, Flood Plain
Manager, the City of Lake Oswego Engineering Department. Tim explained that FEMA was making
changes related to protections for species in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) affecting Lake Oswego
Flood Hazard Management codes and ordinances. There were three choices that FEMA gave for the City
of Lake Oswego and the City Council chose to adopt a Model Ordinance and update the codes and
language within. Tim outlined the important dates, changes and explanations of what FEMA is requiring
for the Special Flood Hazard Areas.
There was a discussion about the changes happening, the impact it may have on new or existing home
owners in a floodplain and the waste water treatment plant. FEMA will be requiring a qualified person
to do the inspection reports for the habitat in the area that will be built on. The City of Lake Oswego will
need to set what qualifications will need to be met for an inspector. A portion of the new Wastewater
Treatment Plant location is in the floodplain and discussed several scenarios on how this could affect the
plant.
B. City Council Update
Councilor Trudy Carrigan gave an update on the last three City Council meetings. The meeting held on
September 17, 2024, had a citizen come and talk about EV charging stations. The Council approved the
McVey Pump Station Phase 2 design contract, appointed Pro Tem Judges Amy Lindgren and Bruce
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October 28, 2024
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Shepley, heard an Appeal of Proposed Zone of Benefit for SW Pilkington Road Sewer Extension that was
denied, heard an EV Charging Strategy update, had a study session on a PGE Franchise Fee Rate increase,
and a presentation on Residential Demolition and Nonconforming Development.
The meeting held on October 1, 2024, started with three proclamations: Meals on Wheels Month,
Indigenous Peoples Day and Hispanic Heritage Month. The council adopted Resolution 24-41 modifying
the 2023-2025 biennial budget through a supplemental budget, annexed property at 5077 Dawn Street
was 0.24 acres in size, PGE Franchise Agreement was granted, appointed a task force to study South
Shore Fire Station, established a Privilege Tax on electric utilities, and then considered the FEMA
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Endangered Species Act (ESA) integration in Oregon.
At the October 15, 2024 meeting, received an update on the North Anchor Project, a presentation was
given on Portland by the City of Portland Administrator Michael Jordan, and proclaimed Domestic
Violence Awareness Month. The council also approved the Third Quarter Goals Update, approved a
collective bargaining agreement between the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1159 and
the City of Lake Oswego, approved another resolution to appoint a new Chamber of Commerce Member
to the South Shore Fire Station Task Force, and studied the Business License Fee Structure.
There is a Council study session coming up at the November 19, 2024 meeting regarding updates to the
Tree Code. This is a project that will start in January. As it relates to sustainability; the City Council
would like this board to review and make some recommendations. Amanda is going to send a link out to
Board members with the recently updated Urban Community Forest Plan. There is also an Annual Tree
Summit on November 2, 2024, that could provide some good information and resources.
There was a table discussion on several points that were brought up on the City Council business that
was presented. The PGE Franchise Agreement is for using/renting the City’s right-of-way to reach other
properties. The presentation by Michael Jordan on the City of Portland was very well done, giving an
update on the changes and improvements happening in the city at all levels.
C. Youth Member Updates
Mason did not have anything to report. Kara commented on that she got to see youth in action at the
Windjammer performance and how the youth ran the Meet the Candidates forum. Luna and Mason as
well as other students did a good job and were well organized.
D. SAB Annual Goals
Amanda gave a quick overview of how the goal setting process has changed starting last year. In
December the Board will put together a memo to City Council on what the SAB has accomplished this year
and the top three topics, questions or issues for the City Council to consider for 2025. In January the
Council holds a Boards and Commissions Summit to discuss projects, goals, and concerns for the Council
to consider for 2025. The Sustainability Advisory Board will have a work planning meeting in February
after the City Councils goals are adopted. This will allow the Board’s goals to be in line with the Council’s.
The goals for 2024 were reviewed: education and engagement of the community, sustainable
transportation and phasing out gas powered tools, looking at the City of Portland’s newly adopted
Ordinance around gas powered tools such as leaf blowers, weed eaters and lawn mowers. Next month
staff from the City of Portland and Multnomah County will be attending a meeting to go over how they
are implementing the new ordinance that will take effect in 2026, regarding gas powered tools. This will
give SAB an opportunity to discuss this ordinance and ask questions.
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There was a round table discussion about possible goals for 2025. The discussion included:
• Encouraging more use of public transportation through hop-on-hop-off public transportation
from neighborhoods to community events at Millennium Plaza Park and Foothills
• Having vendors at community concerts and events use recyclable or compostable products to
serve food and beverages in (Amanda explained the Farmer’s Market already prohibits single use
plastic, but could look into other events; compostable serviceware is not accepted in regional
compost collection programs)
• Adding recycling bins to Millennium Plaza Park and/or offering bottles and cans to non-profit
groups like scouting groups as a fundraiser at events
• Creating an educational platform for the community (Lisa is working on a draft plan),
communication about SAB’s and the City’s sustainability work; putting articles in the Lake Oswego
newsletter, social media posts and collaborating with school papers. Could start with a small pilot.
• Engaging the business community on sustainability initiatives; getting Chamber of Commerce
involved. Highlight LO businesses that are already doing interesting things on sustainability.
• Prohibiting gas powered lawn tools; highlighting activities the City and SAB is doing to address the
issue, like educational campaigns, equipment turn-in event. Amanda is working on a short article
for the City’s website about what the City is doing to address gas-powered lawn tools.
• Encouraging businesses to shift to renewable energy.
SAB members discussed how making goals tangible helps see their accomplishments. If additional
information on any topic or idea is needed before the December goal setting discussion, let Amanda know.
E. Staff & Board Updates
Kara gave an update on the Parks 2040 plan which is a fifteen-year plan, is moving forward. There are
one hundred twenty-four total projects that are being worked on in four groups. The groups are 1.
reinvest by improving and maintaining existing structures and parks; 2. build and add, which is adding
amenities and new spaces; 3. access which is accessible to parks, ADA accessible, trails between parks,
and transportation to the parks; 4. nature enhancing erosion control and trailing. Pickle Ball is one
thing that is also being considered for the parks. There has been a Capital Investment Improvement Plan
that will be presented to the City Council in December and finalized in the spring of 2025.
Buzz gave an update on the South Shore Fire Station Task Force. The first meeting was held last
Thursday night at the fire station. The task force was given a comprehensive run down on the needs of
the building, the condition of the building which is not seismic safe, and the renovations that have been
done to the main bays. The Fire Department has been creative with storing the rescue boat and pick-up.
This is the only station in the city that must be backed in, stopping traffic on South Shore Boulevard to
accomplish this. The fire station is fifty-three years old made of cinder block, storm water drainage is
wrong and other things. The City of Lake Oswego owns the property next to this fire station making
room for expansion. The Task Force is comprised of a diverse group, from student advisors to senior
community members. The next meeting will be in two weeks.
Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Watson
Sustainability Program Manager