July 2019

A Fond Farewell
This will be my last post as LO city manager. It's been an honor and pleasure to be able to go to work every day with people whose company I truly enjoy.

Sandy and I look forward to continuing to enjoy life in Lake Oswego. And when I hear the police or fire sirens, walk in the parks and shop at the Farmers Market, check out books in the library, take advantage of programs at the ACC, drive on newly-paved streets, turn on the faucet for a drink of good clean water...I'll be thinking of you.    --Scott

Introducing New Staff

Shawn Ishihara is our newest employee in the finance department, taking the place of Amanda Creek who now works in the fire department. Shawn was born and raised in Maui, and was actively involved in the management of their family business (a retail grocery store). She already had an Oregon connection, though: her son graduated from Linfield College and now works as an RN. She lives in Mountain Park, and she and her husband enjoy hiking. And they have a "small house dog" named Bella.

Kat Kluge has joined the administrative support staff in the planning & building department. She has worked there part time since last August, and was officially hired for her full-time position on May 9. Kat was born and raised in Boring and graduated from Sam Barlow High. After high school she worked in Seattle for a while, doing court reporter work for the national government. After living in other parts of the country, she returned to the Portland area four or five years ago. Kat lives in Gresham, and has 9 and 13 year old daughters. She and her family enjoy camping and hiking. The girls have a bunny and chickens.

June 2019

News

There is a lot going on around the city. Here are some highlights:

On May 21, the City Council awarded several key contracts. They include the construction contract for the Boones Ferry Road project. Project manager Crystal Shum reports that work will begin as early as mid-June. The Council also awarded a contract for summer paving work, but based on the recommendation of project manager Joel Komarek, decided to hold off on seal coating until next summer because bids came in too high.

In it's role as the redevelopment agency board, the Council also approved the first phase of the city hall project, which includes demolition of the two buildings east of city hall. Sid Sin is managing this project.

The team that managed the D Avenue project, led by Rob Amsberry, celebrated with a street party on May 22. The residents appreciate the difference it's made to the neighborhood. The Country Club-A Avenue project, managed by Dave Kudna, is on schedule and work should be completed by mid-July.

Many other road, water, and sewer projects are underway or about to begin; see the map at http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/projects?field_project_type_tid=462 for details.

After a Request for Qualifications process, three groups of companies were short-listed to submit proposals to design, build, finance, and operate a new, more compact sewage treatment plant in Foothills. Among other things, the RFP process will help us evaluate the financial feasibility of the project. If it doesn't pencil out, Portland will resume work on upgrading the existing plant. Anthony Hooper is heading up the project team for the overall redevelopment of Foothills.

We hope to have a revised development agreement for the North Anchor project on the June 18 Council agenda. The concept plan approved by the Council (LORA Board) includes a 134-room boutique hotel between First and State Streets, and ground floor retail with parking above on the west side of First Street. David Powell and Sid Sin are taking the lead on this project.

The $30 million parks bond measure was approved by voters on May 21. Ivan Anderholm is working with the Parks Board on initial recommendations to the City Council on specific projects that might be funded through the bond proceeds. An issue that is yet to be resolved is whether, and how much, for the city to contribute to the school district's pool replacement project. In a joint meeting with the Council, the school board committed $18 million toward a new and expanded pool at the Lakeridge Junior site.

On June 4, the City Council will consider a September annexation election for Southwood Park, a 300-home unincorporated area at the far northwest corner of the city. Scot Siegel and Paul Espe are taking the lead on this and other annexation opportunities.

Also on June 4 is a public hearing on a draft ordinance, recommended by the Planning Commission, to allow limited short term rentals (e.g., AirBnB and others) in residential zones.

A Council goal is to complete the pathway connection between Foothills and George Rogers Parks. We were able to purchase one of the three remaining properties, and are in the process of reselling it with the pathway easement attached. Ivan Anderholm and I have meetings scheduled with the owners of the last two properties in June to try to negotiate the purchase of easements.

A dispute with the design engineers caused a delay in the Iron Mountain Park project, but it is now back on track with work expected to begin this summer. Bruce Powers is managing this project.

At a June 18 study session, the City Council will consider exploring a partnership with Clackamas County and the Mountain Park HOA to provide gigabit fiber Internet service to Mountain Park residents. If the Council gives the go-ahead, the project will be managed by Anthony Hooper and Weston Pay.

Another Council goal is to create a diversity, equity, and inclusion task force. On May 21, the Council approved a process for recruiting task force members, as well as a scope of work that is focused on ways to get more diversity on city advisory boards, and in recruiting city staff. Megan Phelan is the staff lead for this project.

These projects are just the tip of the iceberg; my thanks to all of you who keep the city running while this work gets done.

Welcoming New Staff

David Lamb has joined LOPD as an officer. He comes to us with experience in law enforcement in California. David was born in southern California and graduated from Newberry Park HS in Ventura County. If anyone is interested in forming a staff softball team, you need to recruit him: before his law enforcement career, David played professional baseball for Tampa Bay, the Minnesota Twins, and the Mets. He lives in Villebois in Wilsonville, and in his free time enjoys working out at the gym, golf, and wine tasting. And he has a dog, a Labradoodle.

May 2019

Welcoming New Colleagues

Evan Lambka started work in February in public works, mostly specializing in utility locates. Evan was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, and graduated from high school in Naperville, Illinois. He lived in California (Bay area) until 2003. Their family eventually found their way to Lake Oswego, and his sons attended Lakeridge High. Evan lives near the Maintenance Center, and in his free time enjoys motorcycle touring on his big Suzuki. He has a mini longhair dachshund named Walter.

Thomas Benson has joined the engineering department as an engineering tech. He was born and raised in Olympia, and got an environmental science degree at the University of Arizona. Thomas lives in Tigard, and he and his girlfriend enjoy travel--to Mexico and eventually to Europe. He has a dog (a coonhound).

Charity Taylor has been working for us since the summer of 2018 as our Kincaid Intern, and this spring was hired full time as a management analyst. Her current assignment is in parks & recreation, doing a variety of projects and helping in the day-to-day operation of the department. Charity was born and raised in Portland, graduating from St. Mary's Academy, and the University of Portland, where she started out interested in chemistry but ended up with a degree in political science. She's currently working on a masters in public administration from Portland State. Charity has four brothers (some of whom attended LO High) and a sister. In her free time, Charity is a Zumba instructor and enjoys exploring restaurants. She lives in the Arbor Lodge neighborhood of Portland.

Erik Olson has joined our staff as a city planner, after a circuitous route to get here: after earning his masters degree in planning from Portland State, he spent four years as a planner for the City of New York. a somewhat bigger town than LO. Erik was born in Sacramento and graduated from high school in Tucson. He and Katie were married a year ago, and live in St. Johns. He enjoys biking, craft beer and "fermentation projects" (you'll have to ask him). He and Katie have two cats.

Trace Rew is our client services coordinator at the ACC. She was born in Missouri and moved to Oregon (next door to us in Multnomah Village); she graduated from Wilson High. Trace has had a variety of jobs, and especially likes working with old folks. She's been active in the Portland Women's Club and enjoys photography. She has two cats and a dog.

Cody SwarJtz has been working as an intern for LOPD, and was recently hired as a community service officer; his goal is to become a police officer. Cody was born in Pennsylvania and moved around a lot. He ended up graduating from high school in The Dalles, and attended Pioneer Pacific University in Wilsonville, where he now lives. In his free time Cody enjoys hanging out with friends, hiking, and family activities (his parents now live in Lebanon OR). Cody has cats; no dog. When asked how he became interested in law enforcement, he attributed it to a career day during his junior year in high school, when some officers talked about their jobs. A good reminder for all of us on the influence we can have in encouraging careers in public service.

Julie Kidoguchi has joined our library staff, coming from some fourteen years of experience working in libraries. Most recently (since 2010) she's worked for Beaverton's library; she lives near PCC (her husband is on the faculty there) and the commute to our library is much easier. Julie was born in Montana and graduated from Skyview High in Billings. She and her husband lived in Seattle for a while, and then moved to Portland in 2008. In her free time she enjoys spending time at the coast, and family activities (their 13-year-old daughter is a gymnast, and their son is studying film production at PCC and PSU). And they have a cat.

Brian Don is our new building official. Brian was born in Gresham, and graduated from high school in Goldendale WA, where is father was the building official (!). Brian has had extensive experience in the field, most recently as building official for La Grande and St. Helens. Brian lives in his son's house in Scapoose. In his free time, he enjoys working on vehicles, archery hunting, firearms, and gardening. No dogs (his wife is allergic to them), but a macaw and an African gray parrot (yes, they both talk).

Karen Galloway staffs the memory care program at the ACC. Karen was born in Colorado, and grew up mostly in Henderson, NV. She later worked for nonprofits in both Henderson and Grand Junction, CO. She "followed her children" to Portland, and has lived for the past five years on the edge of LO, by PCC. Karen is a yoga teacher and enjoys running, hiking and exploring, photography, and a variety of volunteer activities. As to pets, she is "in between dogs."

Special April 1 Edition

Age Restricted  Red Bull has announced plans for a gated, age-restricted development in Stafford. Residents will be limited to ages 19-39. The development's recreation center and pool will be open to the public; youth, seniors and veterans will be charged a 50% premium. Speculation is the US Supreme Court (average age: 88) will review the case, since they tend to only support discrimination when it benefits people like them.

Newton's Third Law  The Lake Oswego Neighbors Against Change group is circulating an initiative petition to ban children's tricycles, push bikes, and scooters on neighborhood streets. They apparently cause noise and congestion, and detract from neighborhood character.

Invasive Species  The resident deer population has embarked on an invasive species removal program. Noting the alarming proliferation of humans, the deer have requested an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of humans. They realize the problem can't be totally eradicated; six breeding pairs would be acceptable.

Patronizing the Poor  The opponents of congestion pricing have extended the argument by opposing the use of prices for cars and gasoline. Poor people use those things too, so they should be provided for free by the government and paid for through taxes. When asked what people will do when they are stuck in traffic in their government-issued Lada sedans, the response is, "Let them eat cake." Gluten-free, of course.

For Railfans  Speaking of congestion, Metro is planning a $500 trillion bond measure in 2020 to pay for a region-wide rail transit system. To encourage people to actually use this 200-year-old technology, there will be a rail stop at every home and business, with trains running every five minutes. Only one transfer will be required to go anywhere, but with all the stops, it will take two days to travel ten miles. The operating cost is estimated at $10,000 per ride; Metro is hoping for a federal subsidy via a rounding error in the Defense Department budget.

Pool in River City  Discussions continue over the school district's request that the city help them pay for their pool. On further analysis, staff discovered that it would be cheaper for the city to pay for teaching children, and let the school district pay for administration and sports.

Homeless in Lake Oswego  Still searching for a home, in 2019 the Parks & Rec department will be temporarily housed in a Goodwill drop-off bin in the Safeway parking lot.

Prime Time Entertainment  Alec Baldwin has jointed the crowded field running for president in 2020. According to his talent agent, "Alec has both the practice and experience to do the job." The major networks are in a bidding war for the rights to the debate series. Baldwin is seeking the nomination of the Entertainment Party, which by 2020 is expected to have enrolled more voters than those other two parties, whatever they're called.

March 2019

2019 City Council Goals

On February 19 the City Council adopted their goals for 2019. Here is their goal statement:

2019 City Council Goals

In recognition of the fact that many secondary goals are being pursued and that there are many ongoing plans of the City Council, the primary 2019 City Council goals (not in priority order) are:

Improve the city’s streets and pathways

This year – Complete the paving and pathway projects as identified in the Capital Improvement Plan. Seek regional partners and support for a Willamette Shoreline bike/ped trail that doesn’t threaten the loss of railroad easements.

Next two years – Acquire easements and construct the pathway connection between Foothills Park and George Rogers Park. Complete on-street and off-street pathways identified in CIP, transportation and parks plans, with emphasis on safe routes to schools and the most actively used pedestrian and bicycling corridors.

Long term – Complete the River-to-River (from George Rogers Park to the Tualatin River) pathway. Provide safe (walking/bicycling) routes to all schools. Complete on-street and off-street pathways identified in transportation and parks master plans. Continue to improve streets, bringing the PCI (pavement condition index) to 70.

Provide appropriate facilities for outdoor and indoor recreation and swimming

This year – Work with Lake Oswego School District on a comprehensive assessment of district and city fields, courts and gyms, school/community pool needs, outdoor/indoor recreation opportunities and the existing District/City intergovernmental agreement (IGA) regarding recreation facilities. Consider a city park bond measure that would provide funding for a community pool.

Support business investment in Lake Oswego

This year – promote Lake Oswego as a place to start or grow a business. Make a go/no-go decision on a new Foothills wastewater treatment plant as the first step in redevelopment of the area. Break ground on the North Anchor project.

Long term – work with private partners on the implementation of the Foothills Master Plan and the Southwest Employment Area plan.

Other 2019 City Council goals and work elements

• Appoint a task force on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Hire a city manager.
• Come to a decision on short term rentals.
• Consider strategies for sustainable Fire/EMS costs.
• Explore a "smart city" stategy.
• Update the city's Sustainability Action Plan to incorporate climate change goals.
• Seek legislation to eliminate the state's "Little Davis Bacon" mandate.
• Work with Clackamas County on the development of Metro housing bond projects in Lake Oswego.

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Introducing New Staff

Brodie Naive (pronounced "nave") has started her training in LOCOM as a 9-1-1 dispatcher. Brodie was born and raised in Beaverton, and graduated from Westview High. Her father had experience in law enforcement in Kauai, and Brodie studied Criminal Justice at PSU. She served as an intern with LOPD (Darryl Wrisley was her supervisor), and when she was introduced to our dispatchers, she decided it was the ideal career for her. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and hanging out with friends. She has a new house (in Beaverton) and a new puppy, plus three cats, a gecko, and a snake.

Chloe Busch is a new employee in Finance, often staffing the front counter, handling everything from water bill payments to passport applications. She was also born and raised in Beaverton, and graduated from Aloha High. But she is familiar with Lake Oswego: since 2017 she has worked in the Wells Fargo branch just up the street from city hall. Chloe lives in Beaverton and in her free time enjoys hiking, kayaking, and movies. Her dog is a silver lab.

Jeremy Quinby is one of our newest firefighters. Jeremy was born in Portland and raised in Newberg, graduating from Newberg High. He studied at Oregon State for a while, and played football for Pacific Lutheran. His wife Brittany is a teacher, and they have a 4-year-old daughter and a newborn (3 weeks old) son. They live between Newberg and Hillsboro on an acre, with two dogs and a cat. Jeremy enjoys hunting and fishing, and his family likes to vacation in warmer places.

Keith Youngblood is also a new firefighter. He was born in Sacramento, and his family moved to Oregon when he was five years old. He lived and went to school in Clatskanie, and played basketball for many of those years. He was introduced to the fire service in high school, where he served as a cadet with the Clatskanie Fire District, and was subsequently hired by the district. Keith and his wife Chatney live in Scappoose, have a 1-year-old son and are expecting a second child in August. They enjoy traveling, and Keith enjoys fly fishing. They have had two rescue boxers.

February 2019

Introducing New City Council Members

On January 2, Jackie Manz took the oath of office to continue on the City Council for another four years, and two new councilors, Daniel Nguyen and John Wendland, were sworn in. Here's some background information on our new council members, provided by Bonnie Hirshberger:

Daniel Nguyen (pronounced "win") is a restaurateur, businessman and community volunteer. Born to Vietnamese refugee parents and raised in the Pacific Northwest, he and his wife Katherine moved to Lake Oswego in 2010 with their two school-aged daughters.

Councilor Nguyen holds a BA in Business & Public Administration from the University of Puget Sound and an MBA from Marylhurst University. His educational and professional background includes economic development, construction administration, and hospitality management.

John Wendland graduated from Lake Oswego High School. He earned a BS in Commerce degree in Accounting and a Certificate of Retail Studies at the Retail Management Institute from Santa Clara University.

Councilor Wendland held various corporate and senior management positions prior to owning his own manufacturing business in Portland. He has volunteered in many capacities for our schools and served on the Lake Oswego School Board for eight years, two as Chair. He serves as Chair of non-profit organization Reading Results, served on his HOA board, and has been a LO Chamber member since 2006. John and his wife Lisa have two daughters, both graduates of Lake Oswego schools.

City Council Goals
At their January 12 retreat, the City Council discussed goals for 2019 and beyond. They will refine the goal statement at their February 5 meeting, and I'll include them in next month's newsletter.

Welcoming New Staff

Raphael Palacios has joined our parks maintenance staff, responsible for taking care of several of our parks. Raphael was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA, and worked for several years as a groundskeeper for the Santa Rosa Junior College. where he also took classes in horticulture. Even though his family is back in California, Raphael decided to strike out on his own and is glad to be part of our parks department. As a benefit to the department, he brings fluency in Spanish. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking. No pets, yet.

Stefan Broadus is our new assistant city engineer, helping to manage our various city construction projects. Stefan was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. He met his wife, Nicole, at the university; she's a registered nurse. They have a 6-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. They were attracted to Oregon by its natural beauty and opportunities for activities like hiking. Stefan was a surfer in Florida but hasn't tried it (with a wetsuit) in Oregon yet. They're enjoying urban life in Sellwood. They have two dogs, and Stefan reports that one isn't sure about Oregon weather.

Allison Arnold is a new library manager, working with the staff in reference and adult services. We were fortunate to hire her away from Tigard's library. Allison was born in the Houston area and moved around a lot growing up: San Francisco, Utah, and back to Texas where she graduated from high school. She then headed west to go to college at George Fox, and a masters degree at the University of Washington. Allison first did some social work, and then volunteered in a library and found it fulfilled her interest in both service and literature. She lives in the Red Fox area of Lake Oswego and has a 2-year-old son. Outside of work, Allison enjoys baking pies, traveling, and of course reading, especially historical fiction. She doesn't have a dog...but says she wants one!