As your City Councilor since 2020, I have a proven record of fiscal responsibility and bringing together diverse perspectives to collaboratively solve issues our community faces, from pandemic relief for residents and businesses to senior housing to preserving and renewing our public safety investments and modernizing our City Charter.

In 2023, the Tigard City Council and the City’s Leadership met to discuss and identify critical challenges our City faces and to develop goals and actions needed to address these challenges. Guided by the City’s 5 E’s - equity, environment, economy, engagement, and excellence and the City’s vision of becoming an equitable community that is walkable, healthy, and accessible for everyone, the City Council identified the following four goals that are key to achieving the City’s vision, and that drive both the City of Tigard’s investments and city team member’s work.

The City Council identified four goals for 2023-2025. These goals include:

• Reduce Homelessness: The City will continue actively addressing homelessness in the Tigard community. Focusing on livability for all our community is a top priority. The City will renew its focus on supporting outreach and wrap-around services through partners, making available transitional housing, and supporting the business community to offset impacts. 

  •  Adding a social service coordinator at the Library to build relationships with community members and partners and assist with de-escalating and resolving conflicts.

  • Adding a new Community Services Officer (CSO)

  • Managing the City-County Liaison position for city-level homelessness response - funded entirely by Washington County and shared with Tigard, Tualatin, and Sherwood.

  • Over the last five years, the City has:

    • Added nearly 600 new affordable homes over the last five years;

    • Prevented approximately 4,500 county-wide housing elections through tenant rent assistance and

    • Partnered with the Tigard Chamber of Commerce to establish the $250K Tigard Small Business Sustainability Fund to assist local businesses with safety and security improvements.

    • Invested $1M in the Family Promise hotel purchase creating Bridge to Home transitional housing for 75 families.

    • Appointed one patrol officer to focus on the needs of downtown Tigard, with one additional officer planned for 2025.

• Address Community’s Impact on the Climate: In 2023, the Council prioritized reducing the community’s impact on the climate and making the community resilient to the inequitable impacts of climate change. That will include strategies to mitigate the impact of carbon pollution on city operations, engage with homeowners and renters, and explore additional incentive programs for the community. 

  • Developing Heat Pump Cash Incentive Program.

  • Replacing gas-powered vehicles and equipment, where possible, citywide.

  • Continuing to expand and fortify the City’s tree canopy.

  • Evaluating the installation of a micro-grid at the Tigard Library, which will store energy and power the facility during energy outages.

  • Over the last five years, the City has:

    • Partnered with the Oregon Department of Energy and Earth Advantage to facilitate the adoption of energy-efficient heat pumps.

    • Partnered with PGE (Portland General Electric) Drive Change fund, an electric e-lending library at two multi-family affordable housing facilities.

    • Installed publically available electric vehicle charging stations at Public Works, the Burnham parking lot, and the Tigard Senior Center.

    • Developed the City’s first fleet electrification plan and purchased the City’s first electric truck and passenger vehicle with more vehicles ordered.

    • Engaging the community on River Terrace 2.0 Planning for a multi-modal, multi-use community that increases housing density and creating walkable access to shopping and other community needs.

• Modernize and Improve City Services: The Mayor and Council also set a goal of continuing to advance key initiatives that will modernize the City operations and improve the services it provides for the public. That includes making progress on the City Facilities Modernization Project to have facilities that are more resilient, safer, and cost-effective with taxpayer dollars for the future. It also includes continuing to implement a new citywide software platform that will modernize core business systems – including finance, purchasing, fixed asset, inventory, human resources, and payroll systems. These initiatives will result in more modern facilities and services to meet the growing needs of the community.  

  • Maintaining investments in Tigard Tyler

  • Investing in facilities modernization planning

  • Hiring two additional human resource teammates

  • Hiring two additional Public Works teammates

  • Upgrading the technical training coordinators to a permanent position

  • Over the last five years, the City has:

    • Successfully passed an updated City of Tigard Charter, which modernizes the city governing document and expands the City Council by two additional Councilors to better represent Tigard’s growing community. The Charter passed with an overwhelming 72% voter approval.

    • Installed the first inclusive playground in Oregon at Cook Family Park, inviting children of all ages and abilities to come play in Tigad

    • Launched the first phase of a city-wide software system to increase efficiencies. Beginning in the Fall of 2024, the new water utility billing system will improve the public interface and facilitate internal efficiencies.

    • Launched a community engagement process to obtain input on planning for park improvements at Steve Street Park and Bagan Park.

    • Purchased property with the goal of building a new policy and public works facilities to meet the needs of a growing community to keep our community safe.

• Enhance Community Safety and Accessibility: The City’s current budget provides critical community safety services and investments, including additional hiring, specialized training in crisis intervention and de-escalation for Tigard Police officers, and safe routes to school improvements. In 2023 the Council prioritized additional community safety actions, including pedestrian safety and additional funding for law enforcement hiring, training, and accountability. 

  • Implemented Safe Routes to School on Locust Street sidewalks, improving walkability and biking accessibility.

  • Planned Safe Routes to School for Templeton Elementary andTwality Middle School. These streets and sidewalk enhancements are funded by a $2M grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation.

  • Successfully passed the Public Safety Levy Renewal with an overwhelming 78% voter approval.