City Council Approves $100,000 in Funding to Support Community Enhancement Programs
WILSONVILLE, Ore. — At the May 19, 2025, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council approved nearly $100,000 in allocations recommended by the Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Committee from funds provided by Metro to offset the impacts of the waste processing plant in Wilsonville operated by Republic Services.
Five applicants were awarded funding, including social services non-profits Heart of the City ($41,905 to support building safety enhancements) and Wilsonville Community Sharing ($11,350 to fund their upcoming relocation to the Vuela building).
During Mayor’s Business, Mayor Shawn O’Neil read proclamations commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Wilsonville Rotary; National Public Works Week, May 18-24; and Pride Month, in June.
Mayor O’Neil invited residents to attend a public celebration of new Boeckman Dip Bridge, which takes place today on Boeckman Road just east of the bridge. Tomorrow, Boeckman Road is reopening to thru traffic following a year-long closure to accommodate the construction of the bridge and a new roundabout at Canyon Creek Rd.
Additionally, the Council approved 15 appointments to the City’s Boards of Commissions, as recommended by Mayor O’Neil. (R = reappointment of an existing board member).
- Deborah Zundel (R), Susan Schenk (R), and Douglas Parker were appointed to three-year terms on the City’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Commission (through 6/30/28).
- Mina Lemke was appointed to a three-year term on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (through 12/31/2027).
- Rick Wallace and Wilnise Jasmin were appointed to two-year terms on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (through 12/31/2026).
- Theodore Russell was appointed to a three-year term on the Kitakata Sister City Advisory Board (through 12/31/2027).
- Wendy Hall was appointed to a two-year term on the Kitakata Sister City Advisory Board (through 12/31/2026).
- Richard Spence (R) was appointed to four-year term on the Library Board (through 6/30/29).
- Sarah Ebersole was appointed to a one-year term on the Library Board (through 6/30/26).
- John West and Kristi Corno were appointed to three-year terms on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (through 6/30/28).
- Elizabeth Crawford (R) and Brandon Roben (R) were appointed to three-year terms on the Tourism Promotion Committee. (through 6/30/28).
- Gus Castaneda was appointed to a one-year term on the Tourism Promotion Committee (through 6/30/26).
During the work session held prior to the meeting, Legal staff received the Council’s approval to pursue a pilot program in partnership with the Mental Health Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) that provides Wilsonville with a mental health and addiction peer support specialist to aide residents in recovery from addiction. This position is to be funded with $130,000 in funds allocated to the City from a federal opioid settlement, supporting the Council’s goal to enhance the City’s public health and safety.
The City Council directed Human Resources staff to engage an executive search firm in the recruitment to locate and hire Wilsonville’s next City Manager. This process, which could take up to six months, is necessary to identify a successor to Bryan Cosgrove, who is retiring in December.
Planning staff shared information and regulatory context regarding the future Basalt Creek Industrial Area in advance of upcoming work to begin shaping the City’s vision and preferred long-term use for this undeveloped area. As the project progresses, the Council’s input will help shape the development of a Master Plan, Code amendments, economic development strategies, and infrastructure funding plans to be considered for adoption late this year.
During City Manager’s Business, Bryan Cosgrove recognized the City’s outgoing Public and Governmental Affairs Director, Mark Ottenad, who is retiring this month after more than 17 years. Cosgrove acknowledged Ottenad’s legislative advocacy and his work to develop the City’s first Economic Development Plan, its Tourism Promotion Plan and its Arts, Culture, and Heritage Plan, among his many contributions.
During Legal Business, the Council adopted a motion permitting the City Attorney to engage in affirmative litigation on behalf of the City to protect its ability to continue receiving federal transit funding.
The next meeting of the City Council takes place on Monday, June 3, at 7 pm. A work session is scheduled to precede the meeting. The meeting and the work session are open to the public.
Community members can watch all City Council meetings on cable (Xfinity Ch. 30, Ziply Ch. 32) or online via the City’s YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
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