BEAVERTON CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 13, 2005

CALL TO ORDER:

The Regular Meeting of the Beaverton City Council was called to order by Mayor Rob Drake in the Forrest C. Soth City Council Chamber, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Beaverton, Oregon, on Monday, June 13, 2005 at 6:35 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Present were Mayor Drake, Couns. Catherine Arnold, Betty Bode, Dennis Doyle, Fred Ruby, and Cathy Stanton. Also present were City Attorney Alan Rappleyea, Finance Director Patrick O'Claire, Engineering Director Tom Ramisch, Operations/Maintenance Director Gary Brentano, Library Director Ed House, Human Resources Director Nancy Bates, Deputy Police Chief Chris Gibson, Planning Services Manager Hal Bergsma and City Recorder Sue Nelson.

PRESENTATIONS:

05110 Metro Corridors Study Findings

Planning Services Manager Hal Bergsma introduced Metro Project Manager Tim O'Brien and Research Analyst Becky Steckler from ECO Northwest, the primary contractor for this project. He said the purpose of the presentation was to discuss the findings of the recently completed Corridors Study of major streets in the region. He said the Study had two phases. Phase 1 was a general study of land use and transportation issues in national and regional transportation corridors. Phase 2 was a specific study of the Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Canyon Road Corridors to identify opportunities and constraints to achieving the type of corridor development envisioned by the Metro 2040 Growth Concept. He said these two corridors would be the subject of the presentation.

Metro Project Manager Tim O'Brien said Metro received a State Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) grant to study the relationship between transportation corridors and centers, including how they complement and compete with each other. He said they were seeking recommendations for ways to improve the performance of corridors and centers from land use and transportation perspectives. He reviewed the corridors in the region and said the findings from this Corridors Study could impact a large area. He said this Study was one component of a larger Metro effort focused on looking at efficiencies of land inside the Urban Growth Boundary. He said Ms. Steckler would present the findings of the Corridors Study.

Research Analyst Becky Steckler, ECO Northwest, thanked those who worked on this project. She presented a Power Point slide presentation about the Metro Corridors Project (in the record). She said there were over 400 miles of transportation corridors in this region and there was great diversity in the types of land use along the corridors. She reviewed how transportation corridors had developed in the past. She said the advantages of corridors were the availability of large land parcels and the proximity to major transportation facilities, which attracts large developments and specialty retailers such as auto sales and service.

Steckler reviewed the problems with corridors, stating they were unattractive with large parking lots, unattractive buildings and they were built for the automobile driver. She said when they studied the problems between corridors and centers, they found there was more retail square footage than surrounding neighborhoods could support. She said the corridors were drawing from a regional market that may compete with centers. She said nationally, the trends show that retailers want to be near major intersections, such as Highway 217. She said in the areas between the major intersections, there were pockets of disinvestment where business and property owners do not maintain their properties. She said these areas provided the opportunities for change.

Steckler said the Corridors Study found there was little policy at the regional or local levels regarding corridors. She said higher employment and residential density was desired in the corridors, and transportation improvements were needed to improve accessibility along corridors. She said they studied the Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Canyon Road Corridors because they had many of the characteristics seen in other corridors. She said the conclusions drawn from the Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway were:

-Retailers want to be at major intersections

-There might be opportunities to put different types of uses in between the major intersections, such as residential, office, lodging and institutional

-There were opportunities for streetscape changes such as sidewalks to provide for pedestrian use and improve street appearance

-Residential use could replace some retail, though existing streetscape is a barrier to residential

-Residential uses could be successful on corridors if the streetscape has street trees, sidewalks and street parking, and the residential buildings are massed appropriately for the size of street

Steckler said the Corridors Study's recommendations were studied at the state, regional and local level. She said the recommendations were placed into four categories: land use, transportation, design and streetscape. She said coordination and integration of all affected government agencies was important. She said the lack of funding was discussed. She said it would be difficult to implement centers if the higher concentration of retail was not removed from the corridors; other uses could be promoted for corridors, such as residential and institutional uses. She said they discussed the need to prioritize the areas that needed change as it was not possible to do all the corridors.

Steckler said the consultant's work was completed. She said it would be up to local jurisdictions, Metro and the State to decide which recommendations would make sense for them. She reviewed the recommendations they made at the local level:

-Review road design policies and public works s tandards to support streetscape changes for corridors

-Rezone neighborhood corridor segments to limit retail and allow alternate uses that increase land use value (to avoid Measure 37 claims)

-Implement transportation and street design strategies to support corridors

-Review currents codes for appropriate design guidelines and development s tandards for retail in corridors

-Provide incentives to encourage the redevelopment of corridors

Mayor Drake said at the Metro Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC) meeting he brought up the point that during the resurfacing of Canyon Road and Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway they had received comments from several people who questioned why ODOT did not improve bike lanes and sidewalks in the area. He asked about starting with pockets of redevelopment; where portions of the corridors might be improved.

Steckler said Metro looked at the difficulty of adding the bike lanes along Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway because of the width of the road. She said it was suggested the curbs be moved to provide the room for the bike lanes; these would be expensive propositions and funding was not available.

O'Brien said the Metro Council was interested in reviewing the corridors and prioritizing one corridor as a possible pilot project to get this project started.

Coun. Doyle referred to the Corridors Study's conclusion that "Transportation improvements can decrease congestion and increase mobility and access along Corridors" page 2 of the Metro Corridors Project handout (in the record). He asked for examples of how that might apply to Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.

Steckler said they did preliminary modeling, looking at vehicle trips for different uses. She said the retail had the highest number of vehicle trips, putting the greatest demand on the transportation corridors, compared to other proposed uses for infill such as residential or institutional.

Coun. Doyle asked if they were suggesting an improvement would be to increase the residential use along the corridor to decrease the vehicle trips.

Steckler said that was correct.

Coun. Doyle referred to item L5 on the Metro Corridors Project handout (in the record) and asked if there were any suggestions for how to provide incentives to encourage the redevelopment of corridors.

Steckler said the incentives used for the centers could be retooled for the corridors.

Coun. Doyle said he thought Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway had huge potential for these improvements.

Coun. Bode thanked them for the presentation. She referred to the types of vehicle trips and said there had to be a huge component that was plain transit; through traffic on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway that was headed west to Aloha or Hillsboro, that wanted to avoid Highway 26. She asked how behavior would be altered when they tried to alter the street use of Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.

Steckler said she thought that was an overall transportation system issue. She said it was probably a multi-pronged approach that involved making the public transportation system more efficient. She said traffic calming efforts, trees and crosswalks help slow traffic, which could result in less through traffic on neighborhood streets. She said this was an important question, though this Study was not intended to address that issue.

O’Brien said when they studied Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and the potential for streetscape changes, the traffic consultant brought up the lack of connections to other areas. He said that has to be considered when determining which areas should be part of this project and what would be the impact of such changes. He said neighborhood groups would need to be involved with the City to study the connection issue in depth.

Coun. Arnold said she thought it sounded like they were discussing corridors that would feed into regional or town centers.

Steckler said when considering funding options, one criterion could be the relationship of the corridor with the nearby center. She said there was more potential for change where land values were lower and there were higher vacancy rates. She said for anything to occur this would have to be an important priority with the local government. She said when they looked at all the corridors in the region, the most common use was residential. She said they did not think this should change.

Coun. Arnold said she was surprised to hear that they wanted corridors to have more residential use. She said she thought they were saying they wanted corridors to function differently so people will go into the centers from the corridors.

Steckler said that was the essence of their comments. She said in the corridors there was more retail than the surrounding neighborhood could support which implied they were stealing that market share from the centers. She said the type of infill used needs to be considered and it will be different for each city dependant on market conditions.

Coun. Arnold asked if they were encouraging conversion of use or relocation of current large development.

Steckler said they did not suggest moving auto sales and service; they found it might be more appropriate on a corridor than in a center. She said they made streetscape recommendations to improve bicycle and pedestrian traffic. She said it made sense to have large development near transportation facilities. She said they were concerned with deteriorating areas between the corridors, and replacing low-performing retail uses with a higher and better land use. She said residential use had the potential to be a higher and better land use. She said they were not recommending removing all retail in those areas.

O'Brien said Metro was interested in seeing if there was the potential for residential uses along the corridors. He said there were a number of issues regarding residential uses in these areas that have to be considered. He said it would not be possible to do this in all corridors.

Coun. Stanton confirmed only sections of Canyon Road and Beaverton Hillsdale Highway east of Highway 217 were being considered and that the 400 miles of corridors designed in the Portland metropolitan region were inside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). She asked what percentage the 400 miles of roadway was in comparison to other urban cities on the West Coast. She said she wanted to know as this Study was about changing the way people drive and asked if there was anyone from TriMet on this committee. She referred to Steckler's comments regarding crosswalks and said it was the City’s policy not to increase the number of crosswalks because they give pedestrians a false sense of security.

O’Brien said they did not calculate the percentage of roadways in the corridors in the region or how that compared with other urban areas.

Steckler said other regions do not categorize cities the way Oregon categorizes its cities, so an equal comparison could not be done. She said when it came to considering if there were too many corridors, they looked at the funding needed to implement these changes. She said it would not be appropriate to implement this on all the corridors due to the character of the corridors and a lack of funding. She said a TriMet representative was on the Technical Advisory Committee and on the case study. She said crosswalks were considered as part of the pedestrian facilities; it might not result in additional crosswalks in Beaverton or Washington County. She said they were ensuring there would be places where pedestrians could cross the corridors safely; they discussed a variety of crosswalks. She said their ultimate recommendation was not to require jurisdictions to do more, but to provide tools and incentives for using the tools.

Coun. Stanton asked about the Technical Advisory Committee membership noting Metro had 20% of the seats at the table. She asked what was meant when they said provide Functional Plan support, other than adding regulations.

O’Brien said the recommendation said "non-regulatory categories within the Functional Plan for corridor designations." He said there weren’t any additional regulations.

Mayor Drake said he thought Functional Plan support meant Metro might modify the Plan to be more definitive or provide a better explanation; not to add more regulations.

Coun. Stanton asked for a copy of the Power Point presentation. She pointed out that the houses on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Canyon Road pre-date the corridors; it was not a case of residential being located in the wrong place, the homes were there first. She said the corridors could not be slowed and changed to collectors to meet a Functional Plan requirement. She asked who would fund these roads for they did not belong to the City of Beaverton; funding would be a major issue.

O’Brien said regarding the corridors, this concerned land use designation from the 2040 Plan, not transportation designation. He said the transportation designation would not change. He said the funding issue was raised by everyone and was discussed to raise the point that if the cities wanted to do something there would be questions about priority that the region's leaders would have to decide.

Coun. Arnold said she was at the Metro Technical Advisory Committee meeting and she heard many comments that these were ideas for the cities to consider for the future.

Mayor Drake thanked O'Brien and Steckler for the presentation.

VISITOR COMMENT PERIOD:

Mark Tilson, unincorporated Portland, said he was at the meeting last week when the Save Cedar Mill spokesperson testified. He said he was only representing himself; he had lived in this area since 1989 and intended to stay. He said he was typical of the neighbors in that area. He said the neighborhood was perfectly scaled and livable with a balance of uses and scale they all wanted. He said putting Wal-Mart or an equivalent large commercial development in that location would deform the neighborhood. He said such a large development would make that area look like 185th Avenue. He asked the Council to consider livability.

COUNCIL ITEMS:

Coun. Bode said Beaverton was selected as one of the 30 All America Cities in the United States. She said the City was preparing its presentation for the final competition in Atlanta, Georgia on June 26, 2005. She said she hoped the City became one of the Top Ten All America Cities.

Mayor Drake said the Picnic in the Park scheduled for June 9, 2005, was moved from Schiffler Park to Fir Grove School due to weather conditions.

Coun. Bode commented that at last week's Picnic in the Park the Mayor threw out the first ball at the Little League game. She said she heard many positive comments about having the picnic under the cover of the building as it felt more like a group event. She said it was a great picnic.

Mayor Drake said he attended the State Parks and Recreation Board's monthly meeting with the Washington County Commission Chair Tom Brian and Commissioner Dick Schouten, and John Griffiths with Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. He said they were seeking a half million dollar grant from the State to help finish the purchase of the Mt Williams property. He said a decision should be made within 30 days.

Mayor Drake said on Saturday, June 18th, the City would host Flag Day with the Beaverton Elks Lodge to honor the American Flag. He said it would be at 1:00 p.m., at Griffith Park and he invited everyone to attend.

STAFF ITEMS:

Finance Director Patrick O’Claire said he distributed to Council a memorandum regarding the potential to refund the outs tanding callable portion of 1999 General Obligation Library Construction Bonds. He said it was a fast track issue and there would be two items in next week's Council packet regarding this issue. He said the interest cost savings would be $870,000 over the remaining life of the bonds; the savings will reduce the levy for debt service in the future.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Coun. Bode MOVED, SECONDED by Coun. Ruby, that the Consent Agenda be approved as follows:

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 6, 2005

05111 Liquor License: New Outlet - The Freshman Bakery & Café

Coun. Stanton said she had revisions to the June 6, 2005 minutes that she gave to the City Recorder.

Question called on the motion. Couns. Arnold, Bode, Doyle, Ruby and Stanton voting AYE, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously. (5:0)

WORK SESSION:

05112 Metropolitan Area Communications Commission Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Public, Educational and Government Access Programming Priorities

Coun. Stanton, City Council liaison to the Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (MACC), said this concerned the allocation of franchise fees for Public, Educational and Government (PEG) funding. She referred to page 9, and said previously the City gave a percentage of its revenue based on population for MACC operations and PEG funding. She said the MACC Budget Committee developed a new funding formula last year based on a set dollar amount and all 14 jurisdictions in the County will pay their portion of that dollar amount. She said in the future the total funding will be $500,000 plus the CPIU. She said the MACC agreement requires that all 14 jurisdictions agree to this amendment.

Coun. Doyle asked if Coun. Stanton was recommending that Council pass the resolution.

Coun. Stanton said that was her recommendation. She said the new name would be Tualatin Valley Community Television (TVCTV).

Coun. Doyle said it appeared the City would continue to provide one-sixth of the funding.

Coun. Stanton said that was correct. She said the City had one vote on the Board; however, the City had more programming opportunities than other cities. She said she was comfortable with this funding formula.

Coun. Bode asked if one of the jurisdictions did not approve the amendment, would that prevent the project from going forward.

Coun. Stanton said that was correct. She said the problem would have to be worked out with the jurisdiction that did not approve the agreement. She said one of the reasons the figures were low was that with the dissolution of Tualatin Valley Television (TVTV) half of the reserves, $500,000, came into the MACC Budget. She said MACC was using that money to help with this funding. She said TVCTV will expand its scope to do more community and public programs; that would mean MACC will offer fewer opportunities for citizens to learn how to be producers of television programs.

ACTION ITEM:

05113 A Resolution Approving a Modification to the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (Resolution No. 3818)

Coun. Bode MOVED, SECONDED by Coun. Ruby, that Council approves Agenda Bill 05113, A Resolution Approving a Modification to the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Metropolitan Area Communications Commission. (Resolution 3818)

Coun. Doyle said he would support the motion. He thanked the TVTV Board of Directors and personnel who made this a successful and excellent operation. He said it was sad TVTV had dissolved.

Mayor Drake said under the new agreement, the openness and flair that TVTV provided would be lost. He said Marci Hosier did a great job managing TVTV. He said there will still be public access, but it will be a different kind of access.

Coun. Stanton said for the public the resolution being considered had nothing to do with the issue of the dissolution of TVTV. She said this resolution only dealt with how MACC and TVCTV would be funded for the next fiscal year.

Question called on the motion. Couns. Arnold, Bode, Doyle, Ruby and Stanton voting AYE, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously. (5:0)

ORDINANCES:

Coun. Doyle MOVED, SECONDED by Coun. Ruby, that the rules be suspended, and that the ordinance embodied in Agenda Bill 05114, be read for the first time by title only at this meeting, and for the second time by title only at the next regular meeting of the Council. Couns. Arnold, Bode, Doyle, Ruby and Stanton voting AYE, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously. (5:0)

First Reading:

City Attorney Alan Rappleyea read the following ordinances for the first time by title only:

05114 An Ordinance Annexing One Parcel Located at 14615 SW Walker Road to the City of Beaverton: Annexation 2005-0005 (Ordinance No. 4357)

Second Reading:

City Attorney Alan Rappleyea read the following ordinances for the second time by title only:

05107 An Ordinance Adopting TA 2005-0003 to Amend Development Code Chapter 20 and 90 (Self Storage Text Amendment) (Ordinance No.4354)

05108 An Ordinance Annexing One Parcel Located at 7185 SW Oleson Road to the City of Beaverton: Annexation 2005-0004 (Ordinance No. 4355)

05109 An Ordinance Amending Chapter One of the Beaverton City Code by Adding a New Section Relating to the Service of Legal and Administrative Process (Ordinance No. 4356)

Coun. Ruby MOVED, SECONDED by Coun. Stanton, that the ordinances embodied in

Agenda Bills 05107, 05108 and 05109, now pass. Roll call vote. Couns. Arnold, Bode, Doyle, Ruby and Stanton voting AYE, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously. (5:0)

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Coun. Stanton MOVED, SECONDED by Coun. Doyle, that Council move into executive session in accordance with ORS 192.660(2)(h) to discuss the legal rights and duties of the governing body with regard to litigation or litigation likely to be filed. Couns. Arnold, Bode, Doyle, Ruby and Stanton voting AYE, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously. (5:0)

RECESS:

Mayor Drake called for a brief recess at 7:55 p.m. to setup for the Executive Session.

RECONVENE:

Mayor Drake reconvened the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

The executive session convened at 8:10 p.m.

The executive session adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

The regular meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m.

Coun. Stanton MOVED, SECONDED by Coun. Ruby that the City Attorney's Office move forward with what was discussed in Executive Session. Couns. Arnold, Bode, Doyle, Ruby and Stanton voting AYE, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously. (5:0)

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

APPROVAL:

Approved this 20th day of June, 2005.

__________________________________
Rob Drake, Mayor