Candidates for City Council

Six individuals have qualified to run for City Council, by collecting the signatures of 20 registered voters. The following names will appear on the Nov 8th ballot:

  • Councilor Janice “Susie: Lahsene

  • Doug McLean

  • Arne Nyberg

  • Brenda Ruble

  • Jeff Williams

  • Mayor Walter Williams

Voters will be asked to cast three votes. The candidates receiving the highest and second highest numbers of votes will receive four year terms and the candidate receiving the third highest number of votes will receive a two-year term.

Weigh in on New Signage for the Boat Ramp

COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING NEW SIGNAGE FOR THE BOAT RAMP

Would you like to weigh in? If you have thoughts concerning what that signage should say, or how it should be worded, please send your comments to the city manager: manager@cityofrivergrove.com.

Be sure to see Council President Pierce’s proposed new hours for the boat ramp. You can find these posted on our city website: www.cityofrivergrove.org.

No Councilors have proposed the closing of the boat ramp. Some boaters have contacted the city, apparently having heard this fallacy. However, I will reiterate that this has not been discussed and is not a proposal that the Council is open to discussing. In fact, this summer, Council explored the possibility of developing two other water access points for greater use of the river.

Clackamas County Cooling Centers

The hottest stretch of summer is likely next week (July 25-29).

We’ve identified multiple cooling centers throughout the county for members of the public. These centers are open when temperatures are dangerously warm. Residents who do not have access to cool places are encouraged to visit a center to avoid the heat and relax.

For the complete list of cooling centers, visit: https://www.clackamas.us/relief

For a central number to get information about shelters, transportation or other resources, call 211.

To sign up for text alerts for critical, emergency announcements from the county, opt-in to Public Alerts. 

Would you like to run for City Council?

Three of our City Councilors have terms that expire at our January Council meeting. All three—Mayor Williams, Council President Pierce, and Councilor Lahsene—have expressed a desire to run again. Others are welcome to throw their hat into the ring, but only the top three vote-getters will serve on Council.

On July 31st, I will send out links to those who have indicated they wish to run, telling them how to obtain the necessary documents to complete. After filling out the documents and bringing them to me to sign each one, you will need to obtain 30 unique signatures of voters and have them verified at the Clackamas County Elections Department in Oregon City.

If you haven’t done so already, please notify me (manager@cityofrivergrove.com) if you intend to run for election this year and I will send you the complete instructions on July 31st.

Boat Ramp Suggested Rules

Welcome to the Stark Community Boat Ramp! To make your visit more enjoyable and safer, please comply with the following regulations:

  • This Ramp has limited capacity. If crowding occurs, please use the nearby parks with river access, exit points, and restroom facilities:
    Brown’s Ferry Park or Tualatin Community Park

  • This Ramp is intended for small vessels, such as kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. All other uses on the ramp, such as swimming, fishing, wading, etc. MUST give way to launching and retrieving vessels.

  • Only ONE group at a time is permitted to launch or retrieve boats.

  • Be aware that there is no Lifeguard on duty, and there are no public restrooms.

  • Be aware of water quality, temperature, and flow. Please use lifejackets.

  • Please adhere to the following safety regulations:

    • No parking on the ramp or on yellow street curbs

    • No blocking traffic, mailboxes, or driveways

    • No loud noises or portable speakers

    • No chairs, tables, fires, or cooking on the ramp

    • No smoking, vaping, alcohol, or fireworks

    • No personal watercraft or towed water sports equipment

Thank you for making our Stark Community Boat Ramp a safe and enjoyable area! 

Thank you, Jacob McKay... Congrats Andrew Herbert & Stella Radkevitch

Thank you, Jacob McKay...

...for serving more than one term on the Planning Commission. Jacob recently left Rivergrove for a home on the Willamette River and we hope he has a pleasant summer enjoying his new home.

Congratulations Andrew Herbert and Stella Radkevitch

We welcome Andrew Herbert as the new chair of the Planning Commission and Stella Radkevitch as vice-chair. The Planning Commission is in excellent hands!

Thank you, Budget Committee

Our Budget Committee met on May 25th and June 9th, 2022, to approve a budget, which went to City Council for adoption. City Council adopted the budget on June 13th. Immediately after, the City received notice that PGE had raised its rates by over 30%. So on June 27th, Council met again to revise the budget to accommodate this increase. The revised budget will be available for viewing on the City’s website the week of July 5th.

Our Budget Committee members for 2022 were:

Arne Nyberg, Chair; Mayor Walt Williams, Council President Dave Pierce, Councilor Bill Tuttle, Councilor Susie Lahsene, Councilor Chris Barhyte, Doug McLean, Carolyn Bahrman, Norm Donohoe, and Michael Salch.

Playground at Heritage Park: Update

Under a strict deadline to save the play structure, Mayor Williams and a group of Rivergrove volunteers dismantled the play structures at River Grove School and removed them to (free) storage.

That left 39 poles, plus the bases of 7 picnic tables. When the mayor turned to Council to approve $11,700 from the $82,000 Coronavirus grant, to hire a contractor to remove the remaining pieces, three Councilors refused (Pierce, Tuttle, and Barhyte), asking for proof that the bid for installation would not be excessive. At a second meeting, Mayor Williams showed Council 2 bids, showing that the installation of the two structures would cost $28,000 - $30,000. The same three Councilors again voted to oppose. Although time is running very short, Mayor Williams continues to be hopeful that he will be able to find a way to remove the table bases and poles. They would be moved to safe storage until the City and citizens decide formally whether they want the play structures in their parks. If he cannot find a way, the remaining parts would be demolished next week.

Results of the Survey to date:

Total number of responses: 81, No: 11, Maybe: 2: Yes: 68

Celebrate Fourth of July Safely

In 2022, you can use legal fireworks in Clackamas County as part of your Fourth of July celebrations. We ask that you please use fireworks in a safe manner.  

Although fireworks are allowed this year, skipping them can limit the risk of fire and injury to your community. Here are some fun ways to enjoy the holiday without fireworks to protect our community from the dangers of fires.

  • Have a picnic

  • Check out a 4th of July parade

  • Watch a rodeo

  • Visit a park or a forest

  • Head to the movies

  • Take a swim in a community pool

  • Pick lavender

  • Plan an outdoor movie night

  • Use glow sticks, bubbles, or bang on pots and pans instead of fireworks

If you do use fireworks, please follow safety tips from Clackamas Fire and the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office. 

Clackamas Fire recommends celebrating responsibly with these fireworks safety tips:

  • Use only legal fireworks

  • Never allow children to ignite fireworks

  • Keep a bucket of water or hose handy

  • Keep a distance from the fireworks

  • Never try to re-light or pick up a “dud”

  • Use fireworks outdoors

Remember, fireworks use is not allowed at county and NCPRD parks and in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Please check with your city and other recreation areas for fireworks rules. 

And, if you’re heading out to a park or natural area, have a plan-b in case areas are full. Thank you for doing your part to protect your community from devastating fires.

Via https://www.clackamas.us/news/2022-06-29/celebrate-fourth-of-july-safely-in-clackamas-county

Cooling Centers and Staying Safe During Extreme Heat

Via Clackamas County Disaster Management:

With temperatures predicted to reach the 90s this weekend, it is important to take care of yourself. Clackamas County Social Services has compiled a list of tips and information you should know. We also encourage you to sign up to receive Public Alerts. If you need assistance with exploring other resources or services, please connect with an Information and Referral Specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection: 503-650-5622 or clackamasadrc@clackamas.us. They are available Monday-Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

 

Cooling Centers

The county has put together a list of cooling centers throughout the county.

 

Tips for Staying Safe and Cool in Extreme Heat 

 

When it is hot, you should:

  • Drink water and bring extra bottles for yourself and others.

  • Take care of yourself

  • Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you are thirsty. Talk to your doctor first if you are on water pills.

  • Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.

  • Take a cool shower or bath.

  • Use air conditioning or a fan. If you need access to an air conditioner, air purifier, or other items to support your health, go to Health Share of Oregon's website.

  • Don’t use a fan to blow extremely hot air on yourself, use it to create cross-ventilation.

  • Wear lightweight and loose clothing.

  • Avoid using your stove or oven.

  • Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

  • Avoid eating raw oysters and undercooked shellfish. The warm weather is affecting shellfish in the Pacific Northwest resulting in multiple confirmed cases of vibriosis. Eating raw oysters and other undercooked seafood can increase the chance you will get sick with vibriosis because Vibrio bacteria thrive in coastal waters where oysters are harvested. Learn more on the CDC's website.

 

Take care of those around you

  • Check in on older adults and vulnerable neighbors during warm weather — twice a day is best.

  • Never leave a person, child, or pet in a hot car.

  • Check regularly on how babies and toddlers, older adults, people taking mental health medications, and people with heart disease or high blood pressure are doing.

  • Share a fan.

  • Invite a friend to a splash pad, movie, mall, or museum.

 

If you must be out in the heat

  • Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

  • Rest often in shady areas.

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat

  • Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels) and reapply as directed.

  • Consider packing a couple of extra bottles of water, these could be used for you and your family or anyone you see that looks like they could use a cool drink of water.

  • Know that the heat index (what the temperature feels like when humidity is involved) plays a role. When sweat isn't able to evaporate from the body due to high humidity, the body has difficulty regulating its temperature and cooling itself off. The result? heat stroke, cramps, and exhaustion are all likely to happen. Below is a chart from the National Weather Service indicating the levels of the heat index.

 

If you have a pet

 

Cooling down at county parks

  • When temperatures rise in the summer, people flock to Clackamas County parks seeking relief from the heat. County parks such as Metzler, Feyrer, Eagle Fern, Barton, Wagonwheel, and Knights Bridge are great places for county residents to stay cool and enjoy outdoor and water-based recreation activities.

  • Be sure to remember that parking facilities at our parks can quickly fill up on hot summer days, particularly at popular park facilities along the Clackamas River. Some parks have reduced parking capacity this summer due to the need for social distancing. Barton Park in the Boring area and the Carver Boat Ramp on Springwater Road often reach full capacity in the summer months, especially on hot weekend days. When this happens, county parks staff will close the area for a few hours or the rest of the day to help ensure the safety of all visitors. People may want to take alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion near these parks.

  • The county encourages residents to visit other nearby county parks where less congestion occurs, such as Eagle Fern Park and Metzler Park. They both have areas to cool off in the creek and offer features such as picnicking, hiking, and more.

  • Staying safe while near water is critical. Tips include:

  • Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water.

  • Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, including four-sided fencing.

  • Learn swimming and water survival skills.

  • Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life Jackets.

  • Always swim in a lifeguarded area.

  • Always swim with a buddy.

  • Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including certain prescription medications) before or while swimming, diving, or supervising swimmers.

  • Find out more information about Clackamas County parks.

Thank you, Kellen Russell... Welcome, Andrew Herbert & Sayim Mayan!

Thank you, Kellen Russell...

...for serving faithfully as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission for the past three-plus years. It was a pleasure to have you on the Commission, Kellen, and hope you’ll return one day soon.

Welcome, Andrew Herbert and Sayim Mayan!

Both Andrew and Sayim were recent applicants before the Planning Commission. Now we’re pleased to have them sitting on the other side of the table (figuratively, of course, since we meet via Zoom). Welcome to both of you gentlemen.

A Playground for Heritage Park

When Heritage Park was purchased in 2011, a grant from the Oregon Lottery Commission was obtained to pay for the cost of the land. As a requirement of that grant, the City was asked to design a park plan, showing future plantings and amenities. It was suggested to us that a playground or play structure on the plan would be of help in obtaining the grant, so that is what the plan showed.

Fast forward twelve years and the City still has not had the funds to provide the play structure. (The one in our other park cost over $30,000!)

However, good fortune smiled on Rivergrove when the Lake Oswego School District offered us--free of charge--the beautiful play structure from River Grove Elementary, the school that is being torn down and rebuilt. All that’s required is for Rivergrove to fund the play structure's disassembly, transportation, and reassembly. And as it happens, we now have over $82,000 in grant money that will easily cover those expenses and others.

This play structure, built by the same company as our original play structure, is newer than the one in Lloyd Minor Park. Council and the Planning Commission were unanimously in favor of acceptance of this gift.

Budget Meeting May 25 & Proposed Budget PDF

On Wednesday, May 25, 2022 (and again in mid-June), the City of Rivergrove Budget Committee, composed of City Council and citizen volunteers, will meet via ZOOM to consider the following proposed budget. Upon their approval, the budget will be sent to Council for adoption.

View Proposed Budget (PDF)

ZOOM INVITATION TO THE BUDGET MEETING MAY 25TH

Topic: Rivergrove Budget Committee Meeting May 25, 2022
Time: May 25, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86325842548?pwd=RUV6VvBTT9IQ-2LKgFmaELZI3qe7fQ.1

Meeting ID: 863 2584 2548
Passcode: 148287

Complete a survey to help shape tolling on I-5 and I-205

Share your voice! Complete a survey to help shape tolling on I-5 and I-205

Public input will help us design a system that benefits communities, including those experiencing low incomes.  

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) invites community feedback to guide how congestion pricing could work in the region and advance equity, including developing a toll discount or credit for people experiencing low incomes.

“We know congestion pricing will be a big change for the region, and to make this project work, we need to hear from the community,” said Lucinda Broussard, ODOT Toll Program Director. “We’re testing some ideas like establishing transit credits for people experiencing low incomes, and potential toll discounts for other vehicle types and invite feedback to create equitable solutions.” 

Your input will help:

  • Shape congestion pricing on I-5 and I-205 by sharing feedback on trade-offs of potential concepts for the Regional Mobility Pricing Project.

  • Design a toll discount or credit for people experiencing low incomes and potential toll discounts or credits for select types of vehicles or users.

  • Address transportation-related barriers for historically excluded and underserved communities and respond to community needs.

Complete the online survey by May 16, 2022. Versions are also available in Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese here.

Call for Volunteers: Budget Committee & Planning Commission

Call for Budget Committee Volunteers! Would you like to serve a term on the Rivergrove Budget Committee, which meets usually only twice a year, in May and June? Term is three years in length. Learning how Rivergrove’s income is derived and what expenditures are anticipated can be fascinating. Please contact the city manager if you are interested: manager@cityofrivergrove.com

The Planning Commission is searching for a volunteer to fill an empty seat. Meetings are held once a month on the first Monday evening. The Planning Commission works with Staff Planner Kirk Fatland to approve land use applications for new homes, additions, docks, etc.

If you have an evening a month to spare and would find this interesting, please contact the City Manager: manager@cityofrivergrove.com. No special experience is required but an interest in planning is helpful.

The Nation’s 150th Arbor Day is Rivergrove’s 5th!

The Nation’s 150th Arbor Day
is Rivergrove’s 5th

Let’s Celebrate!!

On Saturday, April 30th, we’ll meet in Lloyd Minor Park—Rain or Shine—at 1 pm to hear Mayor Williams read the Arbor Day Proclamation and start the celebrations. For those who don’t know, Lloyd Minor Park is on Dogwood Ave. between Marlin and Tualamere.

Our friend Jennifer Crock will have dug all the holes with her Koboda tractor so planting will be very easy--children will love to help fill in the holes!

Leaf Prints for Children! Supervised activity for children, young and old.

Cookies, Bottled Water and Coffee will be served.

Then on Sunday, May 1st, from 10 am to 4 pm) the celebration continues with an Open Garden at Charlene and Bill Tuttle’s home, 5710 Childs, near Benfield. This magnificent 2-acre garden is always a treat to visit. Again, the garden will be open rain or shine.

With thanks to Oregon Community Trees for the splendid grant to help Rivergrove’s urban forest. The funds were used to provide trees for our arbor day celebration, a long hose to water them and a supply of tree-watering bags that will help our dedicated crew of tree waterers. If you and your family would like to water, Please let us know! manager@cityofrivergrove.com

Trench Repair on Childs Road West of 65th

On Friday 4/1/22 work to repair the failed 2.5 ft trench on Childs Road West of 65th Street begins. This portion of Childs is owned by the City of Rivergrove but both Rivergrove and Tualatin residents from the adjacent apartments rely on Childs for access to the home. For this reason, the City of Tualatin's contractor will do the work funded by the City of Rivergrove. Our thanks to the City of Tualatin for assisting us with this repair.

Join a Special Committee to Revise the City Land Use Code

Hello Rivergrove Neighbor:

Are you interested in helping our small, but amazing, city revamp our development code?

If so, we would love to have you apply to be a part of the committee to do just that. The City’s volunteer Planning Commission will be selecting a group to review, revise and then report on a third draft of the City Land Use Code. This will be the first major update since 1989! See https://www.cityofrivergrove.org/ for more information.

In order to be considered, all you have to do is send an email to: PC@cityofrivergrove.com

We have just a 3-question application for you to fill out.

The Committee will be selected at the April 4th Planning Commission Meeting (via ZOOM at 7 pm.) We encourage all our neighbors to participate in Planning Commission meetings on the first Monday of each month. (More information available in the monthly Rivergrove Report newsletters.) This is a great way to make your voice heard and help shape this City of just over 550 residents.

Thank you.
The Rivergrove Planning Commission
PC@cityofrivergrove.com