City Forwards Ballot Measure to Electorate; Council Adopts New Emergency Operations Plan
January 6, 2026 — At the January 5, 2026, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, City Manager Bryan Cosgrove notified the Council that the City has filed an initiative petition (ID# 2025-01i) that refers a ballot measure to registered Wilsonville voters in the upcoming May election. If successful, the measure would amend the City’s charter to require the City to receive voter approval for urban renewal plans. The Council said it does not intend to draft a competing measure.
On Dec. 15, the initiative petition was filed and accepted by the City. On Dec. 31, after City staff discovered language in the City’s code and Oregon statute that invalidated signatures submitted more than 180 days after circulation approval is granted, the City’s election official notified petition organizers by e-mail that the petition was no longer valid.
“The petitioners met the deadlines we all believed were applicable until last week,” said Cosgrove, elaborating earlier today on last night’s action. “While my staff did exactly what it should be doing to comply with applicable state and local statutes, I can’t in good faith penalize our residents for following guidance that we provided.
“Given these unique circumstances and the importance of maintaining the public’s trust, I have instructed staff to rescind the letter voiding the petition and to consider it filed. We’ll take this opportunity to update our initiative procedures to ensure state and local election regulations are clearly articulated prior to the signature gathering process.”
City Council adopted a new Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). This all-hazards plan outlines how the City organizes and operates during unplanned incidents and defines how the City, regional agencies, and community organizations align efforts and coordinate resources with federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental partners. The EOP is informed by the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the Incident Command System (ICS), and guidance from the State of Oregon, Clackamas County, and Washington County.
To advance the Brown Road Improvements Project, the Council and the Urban Renewal Agency each adopted an amended contract with Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc. (HHPR) that funds additional engineering consulting services, including property acquisition support and construction engineering services.
The Council ratified liaison assignments to ensure that its membership is represented on the many regional and intergovernmental committees on which it represents the City’s interests.
During Legal Business, the Council adopted a motion to authorize the City’s intervention in ongoing proceedings with the Land Use Board of Appeals with regard to a Marion County land use application at a property near the Aurora Airport.
At the work session held prior to the meeting, Economic Development and Planning staff sought the Council’s feedback on an Infrastructure Funding Analysis drafted to facilitate future development in the Basalt Creek Planning Area. The analysis provides structured, data-driven models for evaluating how necessary public infrastructure could be funded over time to support future industrial development.
Because City offices are closed on Jan. 19 for the Martin Luther King Day holiday, the next regular meeting of the Wilsonville City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7 pm. A work session is scheduled to take place at 5 pm. Both 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: wilsonvilleoregon.gov/WilsonvilleTV.
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