[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506813,"mediaKeyId","5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5","parentId",5550576,"title","Lake Oswego council authorizes execution of WIFIA loan for new wastewater plant; vote 5-0","audioSeconds",623,"startMs",2663000,"endMs",3286000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5&start=2663&end=3286","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506813/Lake-Oswego-City/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Lake-Oswego-council-authorizes-execution-of-WIFIA-loan-for-new-wastewater-plant-vote-5-0","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506813-0c51f134bda22225027a6fa69cd95653/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182023&Signature=JDh6M4Axa3oTn-wALwO30XJNWj9pqcTWzEoT~bwflGCzF7m4nyuU7osAaAdt74Nh3BByR8r~cNIUo36HLHS88w47COwmhQFydKWadNMS~1qPFZIeytlBU5B5ZBtiHT8WZrxa~sJFlS32pGG4nU1qgR~plLu8UegSMaTfm0rouJXyHuuoYl8jK6Pqtsni41SJ0CgZMhF2aePKjLx0-TMdtC336a~2MAhRdOPnAovyKmZbSe23kqznDCgYRSPtL6RH4nIisPXVE466~fu13cZJOf9rM51JtKWeKrfNYFSWHX1WXxLA4ncmi2RHZEtlWEXkzbvRUQKFD7KkX2MQz-~fWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lake Oswego, OR","date","2025-08-06T12:49:40Z","article","Lake Oswego's City Council on Aug. 5 unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to execute a WIFIA loan agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the new wastewater treatment facility in an amount not to exceed $123,480,000.

City Director of Special Projects Stefan Broadus, joined by Finance Director Sean Cross, presented the funding plan and timeline. Broadus said the WIFIA loan functions like a line of credit and that council authorization would permit the city to execute the loan agreement; draws would follow later when needed. \"Authorizing this loan agreement does not commit to the debt in full or in part. We can pull from this loan when we need to,\" Broadus said.

Why it matters: staff told the council the WIFIA structure provides deferred principal payments and flexible draw timing that support rate stability. Broadus said the city has set an affordability threshold of a maximum 3.9% annual sewer utility rate increase, which equals about $3.50 per month on the current median monthly sewer bill of $89.72. Staff presented an alternative funding scenario that, without WIFIA and relying instead on municipal bonds, would require an immediate and much larger rate increase—roughly a 35% increase on current estimates, or about $31.40 per month on the median bill.

Details and next steps: Broadus outlined a multi-source funding plan including utility revenues, payments from the City of Portland, system development charges, municipal bonds and the WIFIA loan. He said the city submitted its application as the loan borrower after earlier project work with a private partner, and that the EPA provided a draft loan agreement in June. If authorized by council, Broadus said the city planned to execute the loan agreement later in August (staff gave Aug. 26 as the current target date), issue a request for proposals for construction work this fall, begin draws on the WIFIA loan in mid-2026 once early permits and early work were underway, issue supplemental municipal bonds in 2027, and complete construction in late 2028.

Broadus and Cross described other WIFIA benefits: a federal permitting liaison to help coordinate environmental and archaeological permitting; the option to defer principal payments for up to five years after substantial completion; and no prepayment/refinancing penalties. Cross summarized the loan's likely interest structure as an amount tied to the 30-year U.S. Treasury rate when draws begin, with the city able to elect the day to begin draws to lock in that rate.

Council discussion and motion: Councilors questioned how draw timing and construction delays affect repayment timing; staff said the repayment schedule is tied to the date of substantial completion and agreed contract provisions would discourage late construction. Councilor Gordon spoke in support of spreading the cost over time to keep utility rates stable. Councilor Windland moved adoption of Resolution 25-37 authorizing execution and delivery of the WIFIA loan agreement in an amount not to exceed $123,480,000; Councilor Burdick seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

What the action does and what it doesn't do: The council vote authorized execution of the loan agreement; staff emphasized execution does not obligate immediate draws and that the loan will be drawn over time as construction milestones are met. Staff said further council approvals will be required for the construction contract and for supplemental bonds.

Speakers and evidence: The presentation and discussion were led by Stefan Broadus, director of special projects, and Sean Cross, finance director. The council vote was recorded as unanimous (5-0).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 5 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Lake Oswego's City Council on Aug. 5 unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to execute a WIFIA loan agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the new wastewater treatment facility in an amount not to exceed $123,480,000.","taxTitle","Lake Oswego City, Clackamas County, Oregon","taxId",51840,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506793,"Resident urges council to revisit fair housing and questions advertising for Lake Grove project",134,2506000,2640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5&start=2506&end=2640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5/thumbnail_2506000.jpg","/articles/6506793/Lake-Oswego-City/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Resident-urges-council-to-revisit-fair-housing-and-questions-advertising-for-Lake-Grove-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506793-2de2bdf63f4f5f0a59b2765548b57159/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182023&Signature=lEtKi1mUpFW6ImMYURUJW74IfBG5MKuodOhVHUI8ic7oHBghgNmSUa5Z5BRSdGHYWZAFZzOKebomvZk9YuJimZHEG-KRVT6ZKtxNa5qYg7A0y5wLLjffUlMU-kUuQplAGBkCfnEwpOpN~UjYslrzCimMmsbQoCew2uxfpgBDhR9WHdBW063rafUOAyJZTu5ELfEdYH6bLJF6M6kSAtQP8JRzNYtV-OUirBxTG9XXWLnxq97R-mls2CXRNu-jQJ6pT6UaphkTie9fLPpSxWkmlqFTLPKCV5A~McbPLGKHKWg7N0U9M5b9ghPj9QUp1F4tpI5Ls~HCRYqbXqMOZD9GTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Diane Cassidy of Wren Street provided public comment during the Aug. 5 meeting expressing concerns about a Lake Grove project she identified as \"El Nido.\" She said advertising for the project described it as for \"families and people of color,\" and she told the council that type of preference is discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act.

Cassidy described her background in rental housing and housing authority familiarity and said she reviewed recent federal changes to the rule known as \"affirmatively furthering fair housing.\" \"The affirmatively furthering fair housing law, rule has changed. As of April, it has reverted back to its 1994 meaning, which is nothing more or less than the Fair Housing Act itself, which is nondiscrimination,\" Cassidy said during public comment. She added, \"You cannot use disparate impact,\" and said she wanted the council to consider this as it discusses updates to the city's comprehensive plan and fair-housing policy.

The mayor thanked Cassidy for her comments and said staff had received her materials. No council action or response beyond acknowledging receipt was recorded during the meeting.

Note: Cassidy's remarks were public comment and represent her interpretation of federal rules; the council did not take any immediate action on the matter at this meeting.","During public comment Diane Cassidy said she opposes advertised preferences for certain groups in a Lake Grove housing project and told council she believes recent federal guidance on \"affirmatively furthering fair housing\" has reverted to a nondiscrimination-only standard.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506798,"Council hears kickoff for tree regulation update aligned with urban and community forestry plan",2005,9485000,11490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5&start=9485&end=11490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5/thumbnail_9485000.jpg","/articles/6506798/Lake-Oswego-City/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Council-hears-kickoff-for-tree-regulation-update-aligned-with-urban-and-community-forestry-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506798-ae522e399659e9e3da9fa1c7ff45a570/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182023&Signature=bFoh~w8kD7wSoW6sZjvQf2HvmuVO-QyDXioVqs-UZpgO5JExM8bc3ShoxCObBZ4Vs~OrcQLPB11wHnhJuICn0XQeaHzBQohi9ALcplBAX6t5mBCdElrTkaf4cEYSvexnTHR1Lq84G3nHQmIU29jG3h-liaYJlr11WV8AniXEZXFH5Sg9AGuMrkp-PL0ZrJCjO~54M2jAS4~~s9jLe8x~2AFThnzJ4mVHwZPyiSVIhwKlPOAeiXZoVfD0njikvcWXwd6TPu5Piltl4uzbLbALjHtHlKMoYA9xEWN5tzfspU4-mfC02NPPHPI2h9RZbAIuOE2i9o1BCktzkBgXfpOcRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and consultants presented the kickoff for a tree regulation update project the council placed on its 2025 work program. The update follows the city's June 2024 Urban and Community Forestry Plan (UCFP) and will focus on targeted amendments to the Community Development Code to clarify permit standards, improve mitigation approaches, and support long-term urban forest sustainability.

Project scope and purpose: Community Development Director Jessica Numanalou and Cascadia Partners consultant Sachi Arakawa described a roughly yearlong effort to (1) create clear, objective standards where state housing law requires them; (2) align permitting between development and nondevelopment tree removals; (3) design incentives for preservation; (4) set soil-volume standards for street trees and parking lots; (5) review mitigation rules and require large mitigation trees where feasible; and (6) evaluate wildfire-safe landscaping options and other topics raised in the UCFP.

Engagement and schedule: The project will include a best-practices review, a stakeholder tree task force, community focus groups, at least one public open house, and multiple council briefings. The consultant described code-concept alternatives and said draft code amendments would be reviewed by advisory boards, planning commission, and council before final action.

Council feedback: Council members highlighted street-tree planting and canopy preservation, expressed interest in options to balance property rights and tree protections, and raised wildfire risk and hazard-tree removal as subjects to address. Council members asked staff to consider costs and housing production implications when crafting mitigation requirements and to provide examples of clear-and-objective standards used elsewhere. The consultant said the team will include peer-city models and recommended practices from around the region.

Next steps: Staff will form the tree task force and begin engagement with stakeholders. The council liaison to the project was identified and staff will return with code concepts, draft amendments and public outreach plans over the coming year.","Staff and consultants introduced a yearlong project to revise Lake Oswego's tree-related development code to align with the recently adopted Urban and Community Forestry Plan. The scope includes clear-and-objective standards, mitigation options, street-tree guidance, and public outreach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506803,"Council reduces tree restoration fees, changes mitigation ratio for two annexations; tentative ordinance approvals 5-0",1422,8048000,9470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5&start=8048&end=9470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5/thumbnail_8048000.jpg","/articles/6506803/Lake-Oswego-City/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Council-reduces-tree-restoration-fees-changes-mitigation-ratio-for-two-annexations-tentative-ordinance-approvals-5-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506803-25b89f3b546542d8e48e9e9f1516065c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182023&Signature=RMNX0ZgGjMqA-ULHlahQlSwRdOYTuN1EK9LKAjt0ff3iL3FIZ-rJYhY6P1ZM5K93-DqP7B70qsruyMN1XyG731~q0VPoyi2SLV4QLJlkANtRr~fPSxrZhNjw1uunsigGk2DzLyoIlQ3gBmEXvQJjr6tmYGg3G3nKvuEM~BmxP1BhqrAwop21g7pPBhC7ogxrLXy-9d0R5G6N-Zx8Sj5hg7wb6Egk-dxU4ozbODhFl6MoT2SKjgb9eMKh9CwYq-6nSgkY79NFdIoCy4xBvem7D05jhVfv3kHyL-mEILVvJFipaFxRQEmgY8DpYksIaraan7T4sJGzqqOiNzxQCruZnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Oswego City Council on Aug. 5 reconsidered conditions it had imposed on two recent annexation approvals after staff calculated tree restoration fees that council members described as disproportionately large for small residential lots.

Background: At a prior hearing the council approved two annexations (Kenny Street and a Lakeview Boulevard site) and applied tree-related conditions including a tree restoration fee and an enhanced mitigation requirement. Staff later calculated the restoration-fee amounts at $37,860 for the Kenny Street annexation and $26,696 for the Lakeview Boulevard annexation. Staff told the council these amounts derived from the mitigation ratio and replacement calculations in the city's tree regulations and noted the properties likely would have met county Type 2 removal criteria had the applicants applied under county jurisdiction at the time of removal.

Applicants' testimony: Jesse Davis, representing the Kenny Street property, told the council the tree removals occurred while the property was under Clackamas County jurisdiction and said the family had not intended to avoid city rules. He described a smaller-scale family development plan and asked for mitigation proportional to the parcel size. Matt Williams, representing the Lakeview Boulevard property, said the homeowners had removed trees after receiving advice from tree contractors and PGE; he said the family had not been told to contact Lake Oswego before removal and asked the council to consider the financial burden on a small homeowner.

Council response and action: Staff presented options to reduce the calculated restoration fees: reduce by one-half, reduce by two-thirds, or waive entirely. Staff recommended a two-thirds reduction to address equity concerns. Council members said they wanted to be welcoming to homeowners while also preserving the integrity of the code and discouraging deliberate pre-annexation clear-cutting.

The council settled on a compromise: reduce the tree restoration fees to 25% of the originally calculated amounts and change the mitigation requirement to a 1-to-1 ratio (instead of 3-to-1) for both annexation approvals. Council voted 5-0 to enact Ordinance 2958 and Ordinance 2961 with those amendments as tentative approvals and directed staff to return on Sept. 2, 2025 with findings and final ordinance language.

What this means for the applicants: Under the amended conditions the applicants will pay a reduced restoration fee (25% of the previously calculated fee) and will be required to mitigate at a 1:1 ratio; staff also noted a $172 per-tree fee applies if replacement trees cannot fit on the property and must be funded through the city's tree fund.

Speakers: Staff presenter Jesse Espie summarized fee calculations and options; applicants Jesse Davis and Matt Williams spoke in support of reduced fees. Councilors expressed sympathy for small homeowners while balancing program integrity.","After reconsideration, the council cut tree restoration fees and changed mitigation from 3:1 to 1:1 for two annexation cases (ordinances 2958 and 2961) where prior tree removals occurred under county jurisdiction. Council voted 5-0 on tentative approvals and directed staff to return with final findings.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506808,"Council directs staff to revise Lake Oswego '20 is Plenty' ordinance after public hearing; motion passes 4-1",1496,3300000,4796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5&start=3300&end=4796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5550576-d3ab56ea9a322f8e98aa2fb601ce64d5/thumbnail_3300000.jpg","/articles/6506808/Lake-Oswego-City/Clackamas-County/Oregon/Council-directs-staff-to-revise-Lake-Oswego-20-is-Plenty-ordinance-after-public-hearing-motion-passes-4-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506808-fd7db047bb24b2774406c68d0ecf273d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182023&Signature=GpKg3mESRjiV6Q6Vl8nzo66BtRVkz8rw4MENZWBRAXDX64KOj7lgVpsA0QalT6bLGkv5VROVzK9EFhGyAfsV-AzK-WCIvMI9Zqin2A1WItRr~QpaTOnIWyeEqOPUyHvqciSqtnX5Rj6IvzpB3Ct1H3ihVu9UbKKgEEMS78AiXHUEW0UIubqM-7up0xUotm7ZFCSVJxaT9aYvHhCNaQuxsrPV74Vnu1TQJszVNUnw8C2iV3hcjwCF1wvfn1Z56el2zO7Wb-cMxTXvgXaYqVNLO3KGe8X~qZxNCPC5J1pASq43y~fmXpgqome9SyEpGQTrQWnVg-a6E1h~P8947g5U0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Oswego City Council on Aug. 5 held a public hearing on Ordinance 2966, a proposal to implement a \"20 is plenty\" speed limit program that would lower the statutory speed limit on many local residential streets and eligible neighborhood collectors by five miles per hour.

City Engineer and Public Works Director Erica Rooney and Assistant City Engineer and traffic engineer Will Farley gave the staff presentation and described the scope and implementation strategy. Farley said the city has about 190 miles of roads under its jurisdiction, roughly 135 miles classified as local streets and about 20 miles as neighborhood collectors. He recommended a policy that would lower speeds to 20 mph on local streets and some neighborhood collectors that meet specific criteria (operating like local streets, under city jurisdiction, average daily traffic under 2,000 vehicles, and an 85th-percentile speed under 30 mph).

Farley told the council the program would be phased: replacing existing 25-mph signs on local streets (about 135 signs, procurement and installation up to six months), signing neighborhood collectors (approximately 230 signs, up to 12 months for posts and utility locates), and conducting education and outreach this fall.

Public testimony included two residents who urged caution. Charlotte McWilliams urged the council to review results from other cities and to check whether lowering posted limits changed driver behavior in practice. Matt Williams, a Lakeview Boulevard resident, said removing vegetation at his driveway improved sight lines but also increased vehicle speeds.

Council discussion: Council members emphasized pedestrian safety and the need for complementary tools such as infrastructure changes and enforcement. Councilor Afghan asked whether the city must meet county criteria for collector roads; staff said cities have a separate statutory option to reduce speed limits in residence districts without an ODOT speed study, but county roads may require different criteria. Councilor Corrigan and the mayor said the city is increasing residential density and must plan for safer walking conditions; Councilor Verdi and others emphasized consistency across segments and the difficulty of signing a patchwork of different limits where a road shifts between city and county jurisdiction.

Action taken: Rather than adopting Ordinance 2966 as presented, the council directed staff to amend the ordinance to reflect the council's discussion (including the policy criteria for neighborhood collectors and the desire for consistent signage) and bring it back at a future meeting. Mayor Buck moved to direct staff to prepare a revised ordinance; Councilor Corrigan seconded. The motion carried 4-1.

Outcome and next steps: Staff will prepare amendments to the ordinance and return to the council with revised language and implementing details. Council members said they expect a significant public outreach and education component and noted that signs alone were not expected to solve speeding without accompanying infrastructure, enforcement and education.

Speakers: Assistant City Engineer Will Farley led the technical presentation; Public Works Director Erica Rooney participated in the discussion. Several council members spoke at length and the mayor framed the direction to staff.","After a public hearing and staff presentation on an ordinance to lower residential and eligible neighborhood collector speed limits to 20 mph, the council directed staff to amend and return an ordinance that reflects the discussion. Council's direction was adopted 4-1; the council did not adopt the ordinance outright at this meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake Oswego council authorizes execution of WIFIA loan for new wastewater plant; vote 5-0

Resident urges council to revisit fair housing and questions advertising for Lake Grove project

Council hears kickoff for tree regulation update aligned with urban and community forestry plan

Council reduces tree restoration fees, changes mitigation ratio for two annexations; tentative ordinance approvals 5-0

Council directs staff to revise Lake Oswego '20 is Plenty' ordinance after public hearing; motion passes 4-1