Jane Davies ~ 503-816-7084

Tigard Set to Begin Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:54:47 +0000

The Tigard Police Department will once again participate in a nationwide traffic safety campaign to enforce Oregon seat belt laws. The program starts May 21 and continues to June 3. The 2-week long blitz is a multi-jurisdictional approach to help ensure motorists respect, obey and understand the importance of using seat belts and child safety seats. Tigard Police officers will be focusing on enforcement at various times and days. This effort is made possible through dedicated federal funding providing overtime opportunities to carry out the program. Officers will be focusing on overall seatbelt compliance and speed violations.

Recent statistics indicated that Tigard motorists demonstrated nearly 97% compliance regarding passenger vehicle safety belt usage for front-seated occupants. The national average is just over 80%. While these figures are encouraging, it should also be noted that the lack of safety belt use was a major factor in half of all motor vehicle fatalities in Oregon during recent years.

Also in conjunction with the safety campaign, Tigard Police will also be enforcing the laws surrounding the use of proper passenger restraints for children. Information regarding guidelines and correct usage for child safety seats can be found at http://www.actsoregon.org

Tualatin River Bird Festival

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:35:08 +0000

FRI-SUN, MAY 18-20. Celebrate wildlife and wild places during this annual festival. Guided bird and habitat walks, hands-on conservation activities geared toward kids, live bird shows, music, storytelling and food. Build a bat house, birdhouse or bee board. Go canoeing with the Tualatin Riverkeepers (in Tigard; pre-registration required). Explore exhibits and products promoting wildlife and greenspaces. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Center, 19255 S.W. Pacific Highway, Sherwood; many activities free, some require online registration (see website); http://tualatinriverbirdfestival.org or 503-625-5944, ext. 227

Tigard – Washington County 2035 TSP Project Website Updated

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:09:49 +0000

Washington County

FYI on road projects. TSP is the acronym for Transportation System Plan

The 2035 TSP Project Website has been updated with information about upcoming events.

Tigard – Washington County Board Seeks Candidates – May 2012

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:41:11 +0000

Monday, May 07, 2012

Sponsored by: Board of Commissioners

Boards, committees and commissions advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters of interest to people who live and work in Washington County.

Committees themselves do not pass ordinances or establish policy; their purpose is to study issues and make recommendations. Commission members are volunteers appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. In many cases, members must be residents of Washington County. Serving on an appointed board or commission is a great way for Washington County residents to participate in decisions that affect them and to learn more about how local government works.Per Board of Commissioner procedures, nominations will be solicited for these committees for a six-week period or until the positions are filled. The County Administrative Office will solicit applications from qualified individuals. Staff will keep the Commissioners apprised of applications received and of approaching deadlines.

As specified in the revised “Recruitment, Selection & Appointment Process,” there will be an opportunity for the Board to discuss appointments at a work session prior to scheduling any formal action.

Aging and Veterans Services Advisory Council – 4 vacancies

Description: Planning for future services and reviewing current programs are two key roles for these 17 volunteers. Their community ties and personal or professional familiarity with issues facing seniors and veterans make them an invaluable resource for Washington County Disability, Aging & Veteran Services and the Board of Commissioners. The Council advises the department on policy, programs, and actions affecting the delivery of services and generally serves as an advocate for veterans and the elderly.

No. of Members: 17
Term Length: 2 years
Staff Contact: Janet Long (503) 640-3489

Audit Committee (AC) – 2 vacancies

Description: Independent oversight is critical to the effectiveness of financial statement audits. The Audit Committee monitors audits of the County’s finances, in the belief that access to knowledgeable individuals help prevent an excessive reliance on the expertise of the external auditor.

Members: 3
Length of Term: 2 years
Staff Contact: Mary Gruss (503) 846-8606

oard of Property Tax Appeals (BPTA) – 5 vacancies

Description: The Board of Property Tax Appeals was established by state law to consider taxpayer petitions challenging assessed value determined by the County Assessor, review the annual Ratio Study and recommend valuation adjustments, and examine the assessment roll for needed corrections. The Board also considers requests to excuse penalties assessed for the late filing of real and personal property returns.

Members: 6
Length of Term: 1 year
Staff Contact: Joe Nelson (503) 846-8871

Budget Committee (BC) – 2 vacancies
Description: Reviews the proposed County budget submitted by the budget officer each fiscal year.

Members: 5
Length of Term: 3 years
Staff Contact: Mary Gruss (503) 846-8606

Commission on Children and Families (CCF) – 2 vacancies
Description: The Washington County Commission on Children and Families is part of a statewide network of commissions. The State Commission sets broad policy direction and determines county allocations. Each local county commission on children and families must, by statute, unite diverse community partners in the creation of a comprehensive plan for children and families. In addition to recommending funding for key services for children and families, the Commission administers a small grants fund to support the development of assets in the community.
Members: 15
Length of Term: 4 years
Staff Contact: Diana Stotz (503) 846-4539

Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District Budget Committee (ESPDBC) – 2 vacancies
Description: Reviews the proposed budget developed for the Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District in unincorporated Washington County. Members: 5
Length of Term: 3 years
Staff Contact: Mary Gruss (503) 846-8606

Farm Board of Review (FARM) – 1 vacancy
Description:The Farm Board of Review is an advisory panel to the County Assessor. The Board meets once each year to inform the assessor regarding farm land rents and other information pertaining to the valuation of farmland for property taxation as provided by Oregon law.
Members: 2
Length of Term: 2 years
Staff Contact: Steve Harris (503) 846-8826

Metzger Park Advisory Board (MPAB) – 4 vacancies
Description: Maintains a proud tradition of overseeing the only park in the County supported through a Local Improvement District. The Board plans and helps with park maintenance needs, deals with the administrative issues involved in running an active urban park.

Members: 9 who own property within the Metzger Park Local Improvement District
Length of Term: 3 years
Staff Contact: Candice Musso (503) 359-5732

Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) – 3 vacancies
Description: Provides advice on the maintenance, operations, and capital development needs of County parks, including Scoggins Valley Park/Henry Hagg Lake.
Members: 9
Length of Term: 3 years
Staff Contact: Candice Musso (503) 359-5732

Planning Commission (PC) – 4 vacancies
Description:These nine appointed volunteers advise the Board of County Commissioners on land use and transportation planning issues. They conduct public hearings, make final decisions on some changes to land use plans, and convey recommendations to the Board on comprehensive plan and community development ordinances.
Members: 9
Length of Term: 4 years
Staff Contact: Paul Schaefer (503) 846-3519

Urban Roads Maintenance District Budget Committee (URMDBC) – 2 vacancies
Description: Reviews the proposed budget developed for the Urban Roads Maintenance District in unincorporated Washington County. Members: 5
Length of Term: 3 years
Staff Contact: Mary Gruss (503) 846-8606

The application deadline is May 29, 2012 or open until all vacancies are filled. Applications may be obtained by visiting the Boards and Commissions website.

Contact:

Ana Noyola, Sr. Administrative Specialist

(503) 846-2940
ana_noyola@co.washington.or.us

Tigard – Public Works Fair @ Washington Square

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:17 +0000

Fair at the square

Join us at Washington Square Mall the weekend of May 19 and 20 for the Public Works Fair. We’ll have an informational booth with tips and tools for your watershed-friendly lifestyle. Handouts will include safe grease disposal, natural gardening and River Ranger giveaways for the kids. We’ll celebrate with Washington County’s Department of Land Use and Transportation, Joint Water Commission and ODOT.

The Public Works Fair kicks off National Public Works Week May 15-21. The celebration salutes the people who plan for, build and maintain some of our country’s most valued infrastructure—roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems and treatment facilities.

Join the Cycle

From the rain to the river to the faucet at home, our water moves in one big cycle. Help us keep it clean by doing your part at home, in your yard and in the community. Look for our ‘Join the Cycle’ messages on bus backs, TV commercials, online and in newspapers. Explore our new Join the Cycle webpages and follow these simple behaviors to help protect our community:

Do the Doody and pick up after your pet
Freeze the Grease after cooking at home
Can the Wipes instead of flushing them down the toilet

I’m a weed watcher

Help detect and control invasive species. Keep fast-growing invaders, like spurge laurel, from smothering our native plants and wildlife. Clean Water Services and Partners for a Weed-Free Tualatin Basin invite you to report the worst and newest invaders in the area to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline. Attend a free workshop May 10 in Forest Grove or June 5 in Tualatin to help identify invasive plants and keep them at bay. Check out our new invasive species webpage for more information.

May 2012

In This Issue
Fair at the Square
Join the Cycle
I’m a weed watcher

Quick Links

Visit our website
Native plant finder
Join the Cycle

Did you know?

According to an OSU Sea Grant report, it costs about $125 million a year to control 21 species of noxious weeds in Oregon. Oregon it is estimated that 21 species of noxious weeds cost $125 million a year to contro

Clean Water Services | 2550 SW Hillsboro Highway | Hillsboro, OR 97123

(503) 681-3600 | www.cleanwaterservices.org

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Tigard Area – Weekly Real Estate Statistics

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:17:21 +0000

BEAVERTON HILLSBORO LAKE_OSWEGO OREGON_CITY PORTLAND SHERWOOD TIGARD TUALATIN WILSONVILLE

Complete Statistics datasheet

These weekly market reports are a true snapshot of what is going on with our Real Estate market conditions. This week I have added a more in-depth report.

Please let me know if you would like a more in-depth report for a specific area. I can also get you condo reports.

Tigard – Summer Creek Park Property Master Plan Meeting

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:59:57 +0000

The city is moving forward with the master planning process for one of its newest community parks—the Summer Creek park property. An initial community meeting was held on March 28. A second meeting is planned for May 17, 2012, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Tigard Public Works Building, 8777 SW Burnham St., Tigard. The public is invited to share their ideas for the park.

Possible park improvements include the upgrade and re-configuration of existing sports fields and the construction of a restroom, interpretive shelter, natural play area and trails. The majority of the park will remain as open space; a significant portion of this open space will undergo restoration.

Tigard acquired the Summer Creek property a little over one year ago, adding 48 acres to its inventory of park land and open space. The property lies to the north of Fowler Middle School and consists of mature forests, wetlands and open space.

In November 2010, Tigard voters passed a $17 million park and open space bond measure. In addition to grants and contributions, money from the bond was used to purchase the property and will be used to fund park improvements.

Tualatin Valley Community Band Concert

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:53:57 +0000

The Tualatin Valley Community Band will have a free concert this weekend. The concert, “Mother’s Day at Oswego Hills Winery!”, will start at 2 PM on Sunday, May 13, at the Oswego Hills Winery, 450 S Rosemont Road, West Linn, Oregon. Your GPS will show you this is just a few miles north of the Stafford Road exit from I-205.

This would be a great place to bring Mom after your early brunch. The concert will include a broad variety of musical selections:

“The Symphonic Gershwin,” Arr. Warren Barker
“Hymn to the Fallen,” John Williams
“The Good Old USA,” Arr. James Christensen
“Burlesco for Band,” Timothy Broege
“Pie in the Face Polka,” Henry Mancini
“Sag Harbor Sunset,” Robert Sheldon
“Western Dance,” Clare Grundman
“Blue and Green Music,” Samuel Hazo
“Kicking Up Country,” Larry Neeck
“Stars and Stripes Forever,” John Philip Sousa

The concert will be on the lawn at the winery, so bring a folding chair or a blanket.

Tigard – Tripping Through Oregon

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:46:59 +0000

The Tigard Public Library will host a program, “Tripping Through Oregon,” on Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. Carole Astley from Travel Oregon will narrate a visual excursion through Oregon, highlighting favorite tourism spots in each of the state’s seven regions.

She will explore the natural beauty in a wealth of diverse climates, cultures and recreational opportunities. By the end of this presentation, participants will have more ideas for Oregon vacations than they have vacation days! Everyone will receive a list of more than 300 favorite spots in Oregon.

The program will be held in the George and Yvonne Burgess Community Room. For information, please call the Library at 503-718-2517 or visit the Library’s website at www.tigard-or.gov/library and click on Programs & Classes.

Tigard – May is National Bike Month

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:54:47 +0000

There’s no better time to jump on your bike. Riding your bike for work, errands and recreation is a great way to get to your destination, plus get your exercise too.

Here are a few tips to help get you—and your friends and family—rolling

Get a tune-up at your local bike shop.

Before heading out, perform a safety check.

Wear a helmet and bright clothing. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance has tips for safe riding.

If it’s been a while, build up with short trips and ride at an easy pace.

If you’re packing clothes, try rolling them to reduce wrinkles.

Lock your bike securely!