City Status & News

Reopening City Facilities

For Lake Oswego, the health, safety, and wellness of our community and staff continues to be the City’s top priority. We will continue to comply with the Executive Orders and will work within the Governor’s framework for reopening. All guidelines will be followed, including the most current face covering guidance.

Lake Oswego has successfully remained below the extreme risk level under the state's public health framework since the end of February, and assuming that Clackamas County stays below “Extreme Risk,” the City plans to gradually reopen City Hall and other facilities to the public.  All recommended safety protocols will be in place including capacity limits tied to the State’s risk level.

City Hall and Maintenance Center

• April 19 - opened to the public for walk-in traffic
• June 15 - first in-person City Council meeting (tentative)

Library

The Lake Oswego Public Library is now offering limited indoor access (the current public occupancy limit is 4 people - this limit is subject to change based on changes to the City's risk level). Residents can now make a brief visit (10 minutes) into the library without an appointment, for self-service holds pickup, a limited display and bundle selection, and access to rapid readers advisory and materials retrieval services. Read more below. 

Parks & Recreation

For Parks & Recreation, many facilities have reopened for in-person activities, with capacity limits and safety protocols in place. These include: Christ Church Parish, the Charlie S. Brown Water Sports Center, LO Indoor Tennis Center and Luscher Farm classrooms. The driving range at the Golf Course is also open. The full course, which was heavily impacted by the ice storm, and the club house are expected to open in early April. The Adult Community Center is still under construction and remains closed.

Upon reopening, the public is still encouraged to take advantage of other methods of handling City business, such as by phone, email, virtual and online services, etc.  For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the appropriate department directly.  General City Services / Department information is also included below.

To keep visitors and staff safe, all recommended safety protocols will be in place including capacity limits tied to the State’s risk level. 

Health & Safety Strategies

The City is working hard to make sure our facilities are ready for a few more people to be in them. The City has evaluated each facility for possible contact and physical distancing hazards and has implemented strategies to minimize risk. Strategies include:

• Providing hand sanitizer - at least 60% alcohol - at all counters and in shared work areas. 
• Setting public capacity limits. 
• Installing floor decals and signage denoting locations for customers to wait for service. 
• Installing shields or stanchions.
• Removing or limiting seating in waiting areas, lobbies and/or in hallways. 
• Requiring shared spaces be cleaned after each use. 
• Tracking employee attendance and visits to facilities for purposes of contact tracing. 

Oregon’s Risk and Protection Framework - Lake Oswego Continues to be in the Moderate Risk Level

On December 1, the Governor announced a new health and safety framework, with four different risk levels for counties based on their level of COVID-19 spread. At each risk level - Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk - health and safety measures and guidance for businesses and individuals will apply. 

Effective April 23 through May 6, Clackamas Counties and Multnomah Counties, remain in the High Risk level - with Washington County also returning to the High Risk level.  

A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available at the Oregon Health Authority website. 

For guidance on activities - and associated health and safety protocols - for counties with high risk review the Risk Level Guidance Chart. 

The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week's data will provide a "warning week" to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. The next assignment of risk levels will be announced May 4 and take effect May 7.

Reopening information specific to Clackamas County can be found at:  www.clackamas.us/coronavirus/reopening

At every risk level, to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, Oregonians should continue to wear face coverings, watch their physical distance, wash hands, stay home when sick, and keep social get-togethers and gatherings small.

You can find more information about the Risk Levels and the associated allowed activities on the Governor’s COVID-19 webpage: coronavirus.oregon.gov. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

On April 19, all Oregonians over the age of 16 are eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Once eligible, people can find a clinic location and make an appointment through Oregon Health Authority or Clackamas County.

If you’re 16 or 17, or the parent/guardian of someone who is, here’s what you need to know:  

• Pfizer is the only vaccine that is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by people under the age of 18. 
• Sixteen and 17-year-old people should look for appointments in locations that have access to the Pfizer vaccine.  
• Not all vaccine websites tell you what kind of vaccine is available. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is working to increase information about the type of vaccine that’s available. VaccineFinder.org does allow you to search for locations that provide the Pfizer vaccine. 

If you are unable to use the Get Vaccinated Oregon tool, you can also contact 211 for vaccine registration information. Text ORCOVID to 898211 (English and Spanish only), email ORCOVID@211info.org or call 211 or 1-866-698-6155 (toll-free from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily TTY: call 711 then dial 1-866-698-6155).

All clinics are by appointment only, no walk-ins are accepted.

For the most current vaccine information, visit the state's COVID-19 vaccine website, covidvaccine.oregon.gov.

Statewide Guidance on Mask, Face Coverings, and Face Shields

The Oregon Health Authority released updated face covering guidance, which states that masks, face coverings or face shields are required to be worn by all individuals at all times unless the individual:

• Is at their own residence.
• Is in their own personal vehicle, except when going through a drive-thru or if interacting with an individual outside the vehicle, such as at a gas station.
• Is under five (5) years of age; or is under two (2) years of age and using public transportation or in transportation hubs.
• Is eating or drinking.
• Is engaged in an activity that makes wearing a mask, face covering or face shield not feasible, such as when taking a shower.
• Is sleeping.
• Is in a private, individual workspace.
• Must remove the mask, face coverings or face shield briefly because the individual’s identity needs to be confirmed by visual comparison, such as at a bank or if interacting with law enforcement. If possible, individuals should limit speaking while the mask, face covering or face shield is off as speaking generates aerosols and droplets that can contain viruses.
• Is fully vaccinated, or is at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease and is with others who are fully vaccinated, in accordance with the following:
  • In private indoor or outdoor settings, individuals who are fully vaccinated and individuals who are not vaccinated but are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease, may visit without masks and without physical distancing. Individuals who have a medical condition that makes it hard to breathe or a disability that prevents the individual from wearing a mask, face covering or face shield can request an accommodation from a business, person responsible for an indoor or outdoor space open to the public, public or private workplace, private career school or public or private university to enable full and equal access to services, transportation and facilities open to the public.

To the extent Oregon OSHA has adopted rules governing workplaces that contain requirements for masks, face coverings or face shields, and those rules are more stringent than this guidance, workplaces must comply with Oregon OSHA rules instead of this guidance.

Previous Actions:

On March 8, 2020, Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Oregon. The Governor has subsequently extended Executive Order 20-03 and the COVID-19 state of emergency five times, each time finding that the virus continued to threaten public health and safety. On February 25, 2021, Governor Brown again extended the state of emergency for an additional 60 days, through May 2, 2021. 

On March 22, 2020, the City of Lake Oswego declared a local state of emergency as a result of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). Although the pandemic continues, the declaration is no longer in effect. The City continues to follow all state guidelines.

City Services Update

For specific service information, check Department pages.

Adult Community Center

• The Adult Community Center building is closed. All in-person programs and classes are canceled.
• Meals on Wheels service will continue.

Building and Planning Departments

• The Building and Planning Department, including the Permit Center, will be open by appointment on April 5. The department will remain closed to walk-in customers. Staff are available to assist permit customers via phone and email during regular Permit Center hours for each department.
• We encourage the use of electronic submittals:
  • Use electronic submittal through Accela or Email (as applicable) for all permit applications. 
  • If you need to deliver plans that cannot be sent electronically, use the dropbox at the south entrance to City Hall during business hours.
• For additional assistance, please contact department staff:
  • Lake Owego Building: permits@lakeoswego.city or 503-635-0390
  • Lake Oswego Planning: planning@lakeoswego.city or 503-635-0290

Boards, Commissions & Committees

• Some meetings of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees have resumed virtually.  Please check the online Events & Meeting calendar for updates:  www.lakeoswego.city
• In-person meetings are expected to resume on May 4, 2021.
• Annual Recruitment is underway, applications are available online.

Engineering & Construction

• The Engineering Department will be open by appointment on April 5. The department will remain closed to walk-in customers. Staff continue to be available to assist customers via phone and email 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.
• For additional assistance, please contact: engineering@lakeoswego.city or 503-635-0270.
• All infrastructure construction projects continue to proceed as planned, using social distancing best practices. Inspections of all work will be conducted as usual. 

Finance Department

• The Finance Department will be open by appointment on April 5. The department will remain closed to walk-in customers.  
• Passport Services remain closed for walk-in customers. This service will resume once City Hall is reopened to walk-in traffic.
• While this emergency is in place, the City will not send shut-off notices or shut off water for non-payment of unpaid water bills.

Library 

• Library hold pickup services are available 7 days a week: Mon-Thu 10-7, Fri-Sat 10-5, and Sun 1-5.  
• Limited access to the library building began on Monday, March 15, for indoor self-service holds pickup, limited displays and bundles for grab-and-go, and limited access to librarians. Public occupancy limit is currently 4 people with a time limit of 10 minutes - this limit is subject to change based on changes to the City's risk level. Outdoor service will remain available by request. 
• The Library is also loaning laptops and wifi hotspots, in addition to offering wireless printing services.
• Librarians are available by phone Mon‐Sat 10‐5 and Sun 1‐5.
• Remote book drop locations are open for returns: Luscher Farms, Yakima Building, Mountain Park, and West Waluga Park.
• Visit the Library webpage for more information, as well as access to online services such as digital collections, virtual events, and more..

Municipal Court

• The Municipal Court remains closed to walk-in customers, but is available for Virtual Court or by appointment only. Please call 503-635-0217 for specific questions.

Parks & Recreation

The following Parks & Recreation Facilities & Amenities are open:  

• Adult Community Center Programs:Meals on Wheels delivery continues & Lunch2Go continues on a drive-thru model. Virtual classes and programs are available, including the respite program, which continues virtually three days per week.
• Athletic Fields:  Organized play is permitted with a field reservation when following Oregon Health Authority (OHA) guidance.  Athletic field use for the general public is permitted when following OHA guidance. 
• Basketball Courts
• Christ Church Parish Parks & Recreation Annex:  Limited to OHA permitted activities only.
• Community Supported Agriculture:  Pickup continues with face coverings and physical distancing.  
• Dog Parks  (CDC guidelines for pets)
• Golf Course Driving Range (with safety modifications).  Front nine has reopened following storm closure. Back nine remains closed due to damage.
• Indoor Tennis Center: Reopened with COVID-19 safety protocols.
• Off Leash Dog Areas
• Parking lots
• Pickleball Courts at George Rogers Park with singles play or doubles play when from same household and wearing face coverings
• Picnic Shelter & Premier Park Reservations: 2021 reservations are now open for applications. Due to COVID-19, reservations may be approved for the date requested but may be canceled or altered based on OHA guidance.
• Playgrounds with six feet of physical distancing from others. Sandboxes remain closed.
• Quarry Bike Park
• Restrooms
• Tennis Courts at Westlake Park with singles play or doubles play when from same household and wearing face coverings.
• Water Sports Center permitted outdoor activities by Lake Oswego Community Rowing with additional safety protocols. 

The following are closed:

• Drinking fountains per Governor's order.
• Indoor Facilities remain closed to the general public (outside of OHA-approved class/activity offerings), including Adult Community Center, CCP, Golf Course Clubhouse & Luscher Farmhouse.
• Sandboxes remain closed per Governor's order.

Public Works & Utilities

• Our drinking water is safe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has found that “the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water.” We will continue to deliver safe drinking water to your tap throughout the COVID-19 emergency. It is not necessary to stock up on bottled water, our drinking water is of very high quality, is reliable and is a much better value than bottled water. 
• Maintenance Center services are available to the public via appointment by calling 503-635-0280.
• Water Treatment Plant remains closed to the public, but is available by appointment only. Currently, no tours are being allowed for public groups.