Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting

August 25th, 2026, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting. Thank you for finding us this evening. I want to explain that the reason we're not meeting in the auditorium is because the HVAC system has not been working, and we have found our last few meetings that it gets rather warm, especially in the evening, and it's very uncomfortable in there. As such, We're prepared on those hot days to move into this room because the HVAC system has a part that needs to be manufactured and it's going to be at least seven weeks before it's here and installed. So thank you very much to our staff as

Here. Thank you. Would everyone who is able to stand please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Next up, we have our first public communication session for this evening, which will last a total of 10 minutes maximum. This is an opportunity for members of our community to speak to the board about any topic they wish for up to two minutes an individual. Clerk Moss, who do we have this evening?

Good evening and welcome and welcome back.

Thank you. Thank you for joining us this evening. And on behalf of the board, let me just say that you are invited to join in any of what is now called our SPARC meetings. And I can't remember what the acronym stands for at this moment, but there are four of them. And it would be a good place to start for now. But thank you for bringing your suggestion forward. Thank you. Thank you.

Mr. Feek? You've been called, Mr. Feek. Come on up.

Thank you very much. And that concludes our first public comment opportunity for this evening's meeting. Next we'll move on to public hearings. And before we have the first one, I need to read a statement. Because the next statement refers to code related to our fees, I need to read this as follows. As public officials serving Washington County, and subject to Oregon government ethics law, we as individual commissioners are prohibited from using or attempting to use our positions as elected officials to obtain or avoid financial impacts for ourselves, our relatives, members of our households,

THANK YOU. I HAVE AN ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE CONFLICT ARISES BECAUSE THE PROPOSED Vehicle registration fee would apply to me and my relatives who own vehicles registered in Washington County. Because this is an actual conflict of interest, I'm recusing myself from any discussion of this matter pursuant to ORS 244.120 subsection 2BB. If my vote is necessary to meet a requirement of minimum number of votes to take an action, I will vote on the proposed ordinance.

Commissioner Treese. I HAVE AN ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE CONFLICT ARISES BECAUSE THE PROPOSED VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE WOULD APPLY TO ME AND MY RELATIVES WHO OWN VEHICLES REGISTERED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. BECAUSE THIS IS AN ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST, I AM RECUSING MYSELF FROM ANY DISCUSSION OF THIS MATTER. 120 sub 2 sub B sub B. If my vote is necessary to meet a requirement of minimum number of votes to take action, I will vote on the proposed ordinance.

I have an actual conflict of interest. The conflict arises because the proposed vehicle registration fee would apply to me and my relatives who own vehicles registered in Washington County. Because this is an actual conflict of interest, I am recusing myself from any discussion of this matter. PURSUANT TO ORS 244.120, SUB 2, SUB B, SUB B, IF MY VOTE IS NECESSARY TO MEET A REQUIREMENT OF MINIMUM NUMBER OF VOTES TO TAKE ACTION, I WILL VOTE ON THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE.

COMMISSIONER PYE. I AM NOT DECLARING AN ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON THIS MATTER. I HAVE REQUESTED EXPEDITED WRITTEN GUIDANCE FROM THE OREGON Oregon Government Ethics Commission. In the meantime, I am relying in good faith on the Commission's June 12, 2026 advisory opinion regarding the City of Beaverton's transportation fee and its application of the class exception to a generally applicable fee. I have provided the Board with my written notice explaining my position and I asked the board clerk to be included for the record. Unless I receive guidance to the contrary from the Et

Thank you, Commissioner Fai. I have an actual conflict, please, ladies and gentlemen, we do not allow interference in our meetings and that includes noise making. I have an actual conflict of interest The conflict arises because the proposed vehicle registration fee applies to me and my relatives who own vehicles registered in Washington County. Because this is an actual conflict of interest, I am recusing myself from any discussion of this matter. Pursuant to ORS 244.120 sub 2 sub b sub b, If my vote is necessary to meet a requirement of minimum number of votes to take action, I will vote on

Oh, wait a minute. I just need to find my notes here.

Yes, so at this juncture, I need to ask for a motion to... Make the second reading of ordinance number 917 by title only. Second. We have a motion and a second. Clerk Moss, could you please take the roll?

Yes. We need to stop after three affirmative votes, so... Sorry about that. I should not have voted at this juncture since it was not the unanimous vote. Do we have a motion to read the ordinance fully?

Thank you, Ms. Duke-Reason. Point of information, Chair. Yes, Commissioner Fai.

Courtney, this question is to you. What does our Rules of Procedure say about the order of voting? Since the Chair said on the record that we're trying to get to three votes, could we do it alphabetical order?

So I would recommend, I don't know, I've been called multiple times first, so I don't know, Board Clerk, if you could speak to your, what's your process on when you're going to call voting?

I would like you and Ms. Duke-Dreesen to confer. And the reason for my doing so is because our board clerk is a county employee. And like with any county employee, asked a pointed question that is not part of a board presentation, I want to make sure that that county employee has the best available legal advice. Thank you for backing me up. Ms. Angie, our County Administrative Officer. And for those of you who wish to testify as part of this public hearing, we will be following our rules of procedure for public hearings. Ms. Dresen, would you like to answer the question, or would you like Cler

OKAY. SO NEXT, WILL WE HAVE THE STAFF PRESENTATION FROM OUR FIRST READING OR IS THIS FOR PRESENTATION TONIGHT? THIS IS THE PUBLIC HEARING, CHAIR HERRINGTON. BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING. STAFF ARE PREPARED FOR A PRESENTATION. OKAY. THEN COME ON UP, STAFF. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO CHECK.

And with that, at this juncture, I will open a public hearing and ask Clerk Moss if we have anyone who wishes to testify for up to two minutes, an individual.

Thank you, Mr. Snow. Public hearings is not an opportunity for DIALOGUE AND ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. I WILL CONTRIBUTE, HOWEVER, THAT I BELIEVE THE PRESENTATION ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS. WHO'S NEXT? CLERK MOSS? MR. FEEK?

NEW SPEAKERS. NEW SPEAKERS. NEW SPEAKERS. NEW SPEAKERS limited to VRF, and what you're talking about is irrelevant to the vehicle registration fee.

Thank you, Mr. Feig. Clerk Moss, who's next?

Thank you, Clerk Moss. And with that, before I ask for a motion, I need to ask each member for individual disclosure. I'll, once again, start from my left to my right. Thank you. I do thank you, Vice Chair Willey. And with that, I'll close the public hearing. And now I'll ask for the individual disclosure, once again, going from left to right.

I have an actual conflict of interest. The conflict arises because the proposed vehicle registration fee would apply to me and my relatives who own vehicles registered in Washington County. Because this is an actual conflict of interest, I'm recusing myself from any discussion of this matter pursuant to ORS 244.120 sub 2BB. If my vote is necessary to meet a required minimum number of votes to take action, I will vote. on the proposed ordinance. And then I'm also going to add this time that I am extremely disappointed about where we've ended up as a state with opinions and direction from the Et

That was Commissioner Jason Snyder. Now Commissioner Pam Treese.

I have an actual conflict of interest. The conflict arises because the proposed vehicle registration fee would apply to me and my relatives who own vehicles registered in Washington County. Because this is an actual conflict of interest, I am recusing myself from any discussion of this matter pursuant to ORS 244.120 sub 2 sub b sub b. If my vote is necessary to meet a requirement of a minimum number of votes to take action, I will vote on the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Pai.

For the record, I am not declaring an actual or potential conflict of interest on this matter. I have requested expedited written guidance from the Oregon government from Oregon Government Ethics Commission. In the meantime, I am relying in good faith on the commission's June 12, 2026 advisory opinion regarding the City of Beaverton transportation fee and its application of the class exemption to a generally applicable fee. I have provided the board with my written notice explaining my position, and I ask that my letter be included in the record Unless I receive guidance to the contrary from t

Vice Chair Willey. I have an actual conflict of interest. The conflict arises because the proposed vehicle registration fee would apply to me and my relatives who own vehicles registered in Washington County. Because this is an actual conflict of interest, I am recusing myself from any discussion of this matter pursuant to ORS 244 If my vote is necessary to meet a requirement of a minimum number of votes to take action, I will vote on the proposed ordinance.

Thank you. This is Chair Catherine Harrington. I have an actual conflict of interest. The conflict arises because the proposed vehicle registration fee applies to me and my relatives who own vehicles registered in Washington County. Because this is an actual conflict of interest, I am recusing myself from any discussion of this matter pursuant to ORS 244. If my vote is necessary to meet a requirement of minimum number of votes to take action, I will vote on this proposed ordinance. I do have a question. County Council Duke-Dreesen, Commissioner Fai has said that she has provided the notice to

Appreciate that. Okay. Now we've done the necessary disclosures. So at this juncture, I would ask for a motion and a second to adopt ordinance number 917. So move. Do we have a second?

We have a motion and a second. Clerk Moss, could you take the required votes and only those required votes?

Yes, I wish I could say more, but I can't.

And I don't get to vote. The ordinance passes three to one.

With one non-vote. Yes, we will reflect in the minutes the conflict in a minimum vote. OK, thank you. And at this juncture, here it is, the agenda. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ORDINANCE NUMBER 915. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO READ ORDINANCE NUMBER 915 BY TITLE ONLY. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER.

NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. NEW SPEAKER. all the actual or perceived conflict of interest does not apply. So now I'll turn it over to May I read it by title only?

NEW SPEAKER, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION? I HAVE ONE, AND I'M LOOKING BACK AT OUR AUGUST 11TH WORK SESSION, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE CLARITY ON OUR NEW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM. I just can't remember what it's called, but I know it has a new name. SPARC is the acronym, but I don't remember what SPARC stands for.

I'll announce that these are new community groups that will be launched in September and October. So the one for the District 1 area will be held on the first Thursday of the month, September 3rd. The District 3 meeting will follow on September 17th, so the third Thursday. The District 2 meeting will be held on the second Thursday of the month of October, so October 8th. And the District 4 meeting will be held on the fourth Tuesday, excuse me, Thursday, which will be October 22nd. And they're called?

That was quick. Strengthening participation and reaching community. Communities, plural.

Yeah, you ended it with program, and I thought there's no P in there. It is a program.

Strengthening participation and reaching communities. S-P-A-R-C. Spark. Okay. You can find out more about the logistics of those on the county calendar. Are there any other questions other than that? Okay. Seeing none, I would like to open the public hearing. Clerk Moss, do we have anyone who wishes to testify?

YOU'LL GIVE A COPY TO THE CLERK. THAT'S FROM THE GROUP. NOW YOU'LL GET TWO MINUTES AS AN INDIVIDUAL. WE'LL RESET THE CLOCK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PREPARING THAT.

Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Mantel. Clark Moss, do we have anyone else?

Thank you. And with that, I'll close tonight's public hearing and ask for a motion to adopt ordinance number 915. We have a motion and a second. First, are there any comments from any commissioners?

I would like to just briefly acknowledge that I think this is the most deliberated topic that we've had since I joined the commission 18 months ago. I think we've done A LOT OF ROBUST WORK ON IT AND I DON'T PLAN TO REDELIBERATE ALL OF THAT TONIGHT BUT I DID WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? NEW SPEAKER THANK YOU. I WILL COMMENT THAT WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS TOPIC WITH A LOT OF CARE AND THOUGHTFULNESS. AND IN NO WAY HAVE WE BEEN We have thanked the many volunteers who have participated in the CCI as well as the CPO programs, and nothing about what we have adopted in this process by resolution or by ordinance is in any way diminishing the value of our community members who have given us much time and energy for the betterment of our community. But we are in a situation where we needed to modernize the program and make sure it was delivering

Yes. The motion passes unanimously 5-0. Next, I'll move on to the action agenda and ask for a motion to adopt the findings for ordinance number 915 and authorize the chair to sign the resolution in order memorializing this action.

I move to adopt the findings for ordinance number 915.

Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, please vote by raising your hand or saying aye. Thank you. Commissioners, any opposed? The motion carries unanimously 5-0. That brings us to our second public comment period for this evening's meeting. Clerk, this is an opportunity for members of our community to provide comment for up to five minutes an individual. for 30 minutes maximum. Clerk Moss, do we have anyone who wishes to do so?

Welcome, Ms. Grazer. Are you here? Online?

Thank you. Clerk Moss, who do we have next?

Are you turning the clock back? They will, ma'am. Okay, fortunately, as I said, I was waiting for that. We've had to move so different room back these my until they reset clock correctly. We're in a different room. So the logistics are a little more complicated. I'm sorry for the complication.

It was necessary because people were not following the rules of procedure, which are posted regarding tonight's meeting.

It's to you, Chair Harrington. I'm asking County Council.

I would like to continue with public comment per rules of procedure.

But Chair, there's a point of inquiry here. So what's the rule, Robert's rule procedure on this?

We don't usually follow Robert's rules during the public comment period. We follow the rules of procedure, which has been adopted by the board.

Yeah, but we're in a regular meeting. We're following that. The point of inquiry I had for the chair is I was going to ask her understanding of the rules of procedure, but snapping. What does that say? How's that an interpretation of a disruption?

Clerk Moss, could you please restate the name of the person who is before us now? Yes, you have Pam Code before you. Thank you, Ms. May I bring this? Yes. Thank you. Please go ahead. We're getting your material. Please go ahead. Please go ahead. You're prolonging our meeting. We're only going to allow 30 minutes total for this section.

Thank you, Ms. Cook. Clerk Moss, who else do we have?

Thank you. Clerk Moss, who's the last person?

Thank you, Ms. Bruce. For the public, I'll say that we are following the requirements for ADA access. So, we are fulfilling our state and federal requirements. And as you mentioned here, WE ARE IN A SITUATION OF FINDING THAT REAL TIME CAPTIONING DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME QUALITY OF CAPTURE AS OUR CURRENT PROCESS IS. COMMISSIONER TREES DID BRING THIS FORWARD FOR THE COUNTY TO LOOK AT. We are staying the course with the best system that we have to date. So thank you very much. I just wanted to assure you that your comments had been processed accordingly. Thank you. And that's it for our second publ