Category Archives: Community Involvement

WashCo News April 2024

washington county boards

The recently announced opening on the Planning Commission (PC) was the result of the resignation of Stacy Milliman who is moving out of Washington County. She was one of two Commissioners appointed by Nafisa Fai, Washington County Board of Commissioners (BCC) member representing District 1. Commissioner Fai will nominate a replacement who will be confirmed by a vote of the BCC at an upcoming meeting.

CPO 1 March News

• CPO 1 March Program
• CPO 7 meeting
• Development Applications
• Neighborhood Meetings
• Peterkort Starbucks Phasing
• Washington County Advisory
Council on Racial Equity
• February Meeting Notes

CPO News February 2024

cpo 7 map

• February CPO 1 meeting: All things library
• CPO 7 meeting: Middle Housing 
• Development Applications
• Neighborhood Meetings
• January Meeting Notes

CPO News October 2023

• October CPO 1 meeting: Domestic Extremism in our county; WCSO and scanners
• Future of the CPO/CCI system: BCC to hear latest OEICE proposal
• Neighborhood Meetings
9400 SW Taylor Street
• Development Applications
Malia Lane two-parcel partition
Mountain View Ridge
• Proposed Plan Amendment:
Commons at Sylvan Highlands
expansion
• CPO1 September meeting notes

Wetlands, trees, and community participation are under new legal threat

The annual housing production goal of 36,000 additional housing units at all levels of affordability across the state represents an 80% increase over current construction trends.

CPO News September 2023

• CPO 1 September Meeting: Water update
• Neighborhood meetings: Peterkort

Community News September 2023

• Master Recycler Class
• Beaverton’s Boards and Commissions Applications
• Christ UMC 60th Birthday
• Cedar Mill Community Club updates
• Musical Playground
• Cedar Mill Preschool
• Loaner life jackets sponsored by NSF-NW
• Tualatin Valley Creates
• Viva Village News
• Modern Square Dance Lessons
• Community Partners for Affordable Housing is Celebrating 30 Years!
• Misinformation, Fake News and Political Propaganda
• Golden Anniversary

August 2023 Road News

• Thompson Road realignment approved
• Pedestrian and Biking Improvement Projects Online Open House
• Metro survey on regional transportation policies, strategies, and investment priorities
• Cornell road work mostly completed!
• Oregon 217 Auxiliary Lanes Project continues

CMN Community Calendar

Cindy Schaufenbuel has been faithfully updating our Community Calendar since 2019. She and her family are moving to the Seattle area soon, so it’s time to recruit a new helper.

July 2023 Road News

• Thompson Road improvements may face delay from county budget shortfall
• Pedestrian and Biking Improvement Projects online open house
• Cornell Road sidewalk grating to be removed

CPO News July 2023

bonnie hays

• July CPO Meeting
• Cedar Grove meeting room available
• Future of the CPO system
• Neighborhood meetings
• Development Applications
• June CPO 1 meeting

Community Club news

Our first meeting was on May 17, in-person at the Cedar Mill library and via zoom. Virginia Bruce began with an introduction to current and proposed events and projects, plus her enthusiastic in-depth vision of what the club’s structure could eventually be. The meeting was a terrific start with people attending providing ideas about what we are interested in organizing.

CPO 1 News June 2023

• June meeting
• Dale Street Development
• Washington County and the State SNR Abatement Order
• Future of the CPO system
• Development Proposals
• CPO 1 May 2023 Meeting Notes
• Westside Multimodal Improvements Study
• Volunteering at BSD Schools, and District Update

Cedar Mill Community Club kickoff meeting

independence day celebration

We created the Cedar Mill Community Club to capture the community spirit around our Holiday Tree. Now it’s time to see what we can do going forward to make Cedar Mill an even more welcoming, exciting, and neighborly place. Initially the group got going on Facebook, but we know a lot of our potential participants don’t use that, so we’re calling a meeting!

CPO News May 2023

rainmont building

• May meeting
• Future of the CPO system
• Neighborhood Meetings
• Development applications
• April meeting notes

­­­CPO News April 2023

• April CPO1 meeting
• CPO 7 Special Event
• March meeting notes
• LUT Transportation Improvement Project Update
• Recycling Basics, Food Waste Reduction and More

Recycling News March 2023

• SHS Climate Change Club Recycling Drive
• PlanetCon rescheduled!
• ReStore offers more donation options

Transit News February 2023

bus service changes map

• 2023-24 TriMet service changes
• Share feedback on major transit proposals

Street Tree Inventory: get involved!

treekeeper in orange vest holding measuring equipment

Treekeepers of Washington County has begun to inventory street trees in urban unincorporated Washington County. Street trees are those that grow in the public right-of-way, in boulevard medians, and along streets without sidewalks and curbs.

The Nature of Cedar Mill

• Wetland Cleanup at Cedar Mill
• WashCo quarantine to slow the emerald ash borer
• Treekeepers of Washington County events
• Newts on the move

Cedar Mill Holiday Tree

In early November, Chris Mattocks asked if there was going to be a community tree in Cedar Mill on the Cedar Mill News Group Facebook page. A small and energetic group coalesced around the idea, and with the aid of Ken Findley and his Milltowner Center crew, it became a reality!

CPO News December 2022

December meeting: Beaverton Education Foundation; State Senator Elizabeth Steiner

Neighborhood Streets Program: A county program needing reform

neighborhood program

Urban unincorporated Washington County—for example Aloha, Bethany and Cedar Mill—are expanding rapidly. And for many neighborhoods that can mean streets suddenly change from being local roads to major traffic collectors. The result is often an increase in speeding and traffic accidents. It makes other road users, like cyclists and pedestrians, feel unsafe. In my neighborhood in North Bethany, Joss/Brugger Avenue was intended to be a neighborhood street but, due to delayed development of new larger streets around us, Joss has become a permanent traffic collector.

Community News November 2022

wetland

• A concert in honor of BSO Conductor Travis Hatton
• Beaverton Community Band Fall Concert
• SHS Bottle & Can Drive
• Volunteer for the Wetlands Conservancy cleanup in Cedar Mill
• Treekeepers’ Fall Color photo contest deadline extended
• NW Restart presents NW Creations Night Market
• County offers in-home vaccinations
• Family Caregiver Conference
• Chess4Girls PDX!
• MAX Blue Line disruption
• November Viva Village events
• Cedar Mill Scouts meet weekly
• Prevent flooding during the rainy season
• Tualatin Valley Creates networking event
• Put a Lid on Cooking Fires

CPO News October 2022

registration

• October CPO 1 meeting agenda: Election Forum!
• Neighborhood Meetings
• September 2022 Meeting Summary

CPO News September 2022

housing

September meeting agenda: Recycle+ How-to; WashCo Housing

WashCo News

hazards

• Redesigned county website debuting in September
• Budget-focused Town Hall meeting
• We want your feedback to make our community safer!

August 8 update

• Commissioner Districts Survey
• Neighborhood meeting for 9495 SW Taylor St
• Paving schedules
• Fall Care Fair for afterschool programs
• Flea Market at the Skyline Grange
• WashCo Bikes Repair Clinic
• Storytimes in different languages
• Water District proposes rate hike, offers listening sessions
• Fall Native Plant Sale at THPRD Nature Center
• James Recycling Event at Columbia Sportswear

Work with us to bring The News to Cedar Mill!

We’re looking for a new Managing Editor! The job involves compiling the raw material we receive each month from all our sources, posting it in our Google Docs space, assigning it to our team of volunteer editors, and proofreading their work before it gets to me.

CPO 1 News August 2022

• Neighborhood meetings
• Development applications
• Gas station next to a wetland
• Cedar Hills Apartments
• Leahy Estates appeal is denied
• CPO 1 July meeting notes

Terra Nova students learn science through farming

Terra Nova students

Students, teachers, and local farmer/county commissioner Greg Malinowski had worked over the years to create three acres of fertile soil from hard playground.

CPO News

saltzman proposed alignments map

After updates from our service providers, a TriMet spokesperson will attend to explain the elimination of Line 50, the only bus that served Cedar Mill and Bonny Slope; give us an update on the Last Mile effort (how to get people from their homes to the Transit Center); and provide any other details on how the agency can help us take advantage of public transit.

Washington County News June 2022

• Hauler recycling plan set to begin in July
• Virtual Town Hall: Needs of Older Adults
• Board will address Significant Natural Resources regulations
• Short-term rental requirements and license process
• Commercial food scraps collection services

CPO News May 2022

thompson road map

• May Meeting: Ballot Measures, Cedar Hills development
• CPO 1 appeals the Thompson Crossing development approval, Biggi sues the county
• CPO 1 April Meeting Summary

Garden News May 2022

kids eating veggies

• Volunteer to learn vegetable gardening
• Gardening for Healthier Watersheds
• Propagation by Stem Cuttings
• Meet the Mason Bees!
• TSWCD Spring Workshops

Adopt One Block

picking up litter

Does it bother you to see trash and discarded items littering your neighborhood? Would you like to feel empowered and prepared to do something about it? There’s a group for that!

Washington County CAN!

Washington County-CAN logo

Washington County Citizen Action Network (WC CAN) is a coalition of grassroots advocates (individuals and groups) dedicated to improving quality of life in Washington County by promoting healthy and sustainable communities, social and economic justice, and open and responsive government.

CPO News April 2022

• April meeting: Candidate Forum
• Land use and your CPO
• Neighborhood meetings
• Development applications
• CPO March Meeting Summary

Park News April 2022

pole

• Register for summer programs
• Westside Trail pedestrian bridge update
• Sentinel Plaza transitions to WashCo Parks/Beaverton
• Volunteer While You Enjoy the Spring Weather!

BSD planning and the upcoming Bond Measure

• About the bond
• Community discourse
• Related issues
• Calculate your tax impact

CPO News March 2022

cornell project map

• March CPO 1 meeting
• Neighborhood meetings
• Development applications
• February CPO 1 meeting summary

Park News March 2022

• Swim Instructor shortage limits Spring swim classes
• Volunteer in the parks

CPO 1 February: Recycling: Beyond the Bin?

recycling

• CPO 1 February meeting: Recycling: Beyond the Bin?
• Neighborhood Meetings
• Development applications
• Saltzman Retirement Housing Public Hearing
• CPO 1 January Meeting Summary

Legislative News February 2022

OLIS

• Legislative Town Hall
• OLIS: Tracking Legislation & Viewing Committee Meetings
• Testify in Committee Hearings

CPO News January 2022

Preliminary lot plan for Bonny Slope Estates

• CPO 1 January meeting
• Neighborhood meetings
• Future of the CPO program discussed with Commissioners
• CPO 1 December meeting

Washington County Boards and Commissions Vacancies Winter 2022

washington county boards

Various boards, committees, and commissions advise the Board of Commissioners (BCC) on matters of interest to people who live and work in Washington County. Commission members are volunteers appointed by the BCC. Committees themselves do not pass ordinances to establish policy; their purpose is to study issues and make recommendations.

CPO 1 News December 2021

fuel tank map

• December meeting: Why our water rates must go up
• CCI requests Planning Commission changes
• Development Applications: West Union gas station; Leahy Estates
• Neighborhood Meeting online rules
• CPO 1 November Meeting Notes

A Short History of the Thompson-Saltzman Road Intersection

old thompson map

The corner of NW Thompson Road and NW Saltzman Road historically had a curious offset configuration, probably due to quarter section allotments when the property was homesteaded by the family of Laurence Lehman and other early settlers. In the course of time, it became necessary to upgrade the disjointed four-way stop to be safely aligned and controlled by traffic lights.

Road News November 2021

• Kenny Terrace/Thompson Road realignment
• Saltzman update

CPO 1 News November 2021

milestone timeline

• CPO 1 November 9 meeting
• Neighborhood Meetings
• Development applications
• CPO 1 October meeting notes

Washington County News November 2021

metro a1

• Commissioner District reapportionment
• Metro redistricting
• WashCo Town Hall

CPO 1 News

• October meeting
• September meeting notes

Join an advisory board, represent your community!

WashCo logo

• Washington County Boards and Commissions
• Beaverton Advisory Boards
• THPRD Advisory Committees

Love trees? Be a Treekeeper!

treekeepers logo

It’s easy to appreciate trees when they are in the glory of their fall colors, but at Treekeepers of Washington County we celebrate trees all year around. Besides being beautiful, trees provide environmental, economic, and social benefits—including fighting climate change—by absorbing carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants, storing the carbon, and emitting pure oxygen.

Public Safety News October 2021

Neighborhood watch kids

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office continues to build connections and empower community members to create friendly and safe neighborhoods. How? Through deliberate efforts to expand the Neighborhood Watch Program—though it’s not your parent’s neighborhood watch from the 70’s!

CPO News September 2021

• CPO Meeting
• Neighborhood Meetings

Redistricting: A Rep of our own?

Redistricting map B

On September 3, maps proposed by the legislative committees were published. All three maps split Cedar Mill into two or more Representative Districts. Public participation is vital in making our needs known to the legislators!

Community News September 2021

• Cedar Hills Ready! “Ready-Set-Go! Family Emergency Plan Workshop”
• Bethany Village Oktoberfest
• It’s “Steptember!”
• I Am My Story Live
• WashCo Forum resumes
• Viva Village September Calendar
• TVF&R will never forget 9-11 and embraces emergency response changes 20 years later
• Ask WSCO: What is Elder Safe?
• Tualatin Valley Creates in-person networking event for emerging artists
• Sunset HS marching band can & bottle drive
• Beaverton Welcoming Week is September 10-19
• Inside WashCo Radio
• DAVS Seeking Passionate Volunteers
• ACMA PTO Fundraising at Red Robin

Legislative News September 2021

town hall logo

• Redistricting Town Hall with Rep. Maxine Dexter
• Redistricting Special Session Constituent Check-In with Rep. Maxine Dexter
• Testify on Congressional Redistricting
• Telephone Town Hall with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici
• Beaverton Virtual Special Election Voters’ Forum

WashCo News August 2021

• BCC gives green light to develop comprehensive substance use treatment center
• What is Middle Housing?

CPO News August 2021

• No meeting in August
• Neighborhood Meetings

Legislative update

* Virtual Town Hall with Senator Steiner Hayward, Representative Dexter, and Representative Helm
* Session wrap from Representative Dexter
* Forest Park Walks
* Morning Coffee

Defending and improving postal service

The 2020 election was proof that voting by mail is safe and efficient. We here in Oregon just sailed through—mailing our ballots in, as usual, with no lies about voting fraud. A recent Pew Research Center survey shows an overwhelming 91 percent of respondents have a favorable view of United States Postal Service (USPS), higher than any other federal agency.

CPO 1 News June 2021

Cedar Mill Creek

• CPO 1 June meeting
Clean Water Services • Sheriff •
USPS
• CPO 1 May Meeting summary

Road News

• Intelligent Transportation Systems Open House
• Which bike/ped projects are important to you?

May Special Election Results

Ballot box

The most recent election was held on May 18. Several positions were filled through this election in the Cedar Mill region and beyond.

CPO News May 2021

• CPO 1 May meeting
• Comment on Long Range Planning Draft Work Plan
• New online system provides easier access to Board of County Commissioners information
• Neighborhood Meetings
• Land Use actions
• April CPO 1 Summary

Meet Jess Fong

climate club posing

We have been publicizing recycling events at Sunset High School for several months, and we got curious to learn more about one of the students behind this great community service.

Community News May 2021

• Young Women Have A Chance to Explore a Career as a Firefighter with TVF&R
• Hiring wildland firefighters
• Cedar Hills Ready presents: How to Win Friends and Survive a Disaster: 9 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness
• Ask the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO)
• Power Curve for Women still has openings
• The Arts & Culture Leadership Incubator Digital Showcase
• Fundraiser for “The Halloween Guy” of Vista Cornell
• Washington County Public Affairs Forum
• PCC Music
• Search & Rescue Team opportunity
• Let’s Talk Transportation
• Writer’s Mill
• Acceptance Challenge
• Viva Village
• Washington County DAVS offers support programs for veterans

Community News April 2021

waco kids family

• Cedar Hills Ready! “What’s cooking? Food storage & prep for a disaster”
• Finding Your Primary Police Responder
• SHS Climate Change Club Recycling Drive!
• Washington County Public Affairs Forum
• State of the County 2021
• Inside WashCo Radio
• Beaverton Symphony Orchestra Spring Strings Concert
• Washington County Parks’ Earth Month Art Contest
• Rachel Carson Action Project on Recycling
• Viva Village
• Washington County Kids offers tips and tools for parents/guardians of children K-8
• SAMBA Cans and Bottles Drive
• STS Foundation is looking for volunteer hosts
• Writers’ Mill Zoom meeting
• Washington County Wood Stove Exchange’s (WSE) old stove turn in event
• Oregon libraries offer civics online workshops for adults
• Washington County April Earth Month Events
• The Immigrant Story
• ACMA Fundraising
• iNaturalist Offers Opportunities for Community Science
• TVF&R Hiring Paramedics & Firefighters to Join its Ranks

CPO News March 2021

catlin gabel east campus plan

• CPO 1 March Meeting: Water When We Need It?!
• CPO 7 looks at bike-ped safety
• Middle Housing is coming to Washington County
• CPO 1 February meeting recap
• Public hearing on Catlin Gabel new middle school
• Cornell Farm new building
• New Touchmark building approved

CPO 1 News February 2021

The new building replaces an existing greenhouse.

• February 9 meeting
• CPO 1 January Meeting Summary
• Cornell Farm Neighborhood Meeting
• Peterkort subdivision time extension requested
• Touchmark addition Development Review
• NW 113th partition and access review

2021 County boards and committees openings

Washington County Logo

• Aging and Veteran Services Advisory Council
• Behavioral Health Council
• Civil Service Commission
• Developmental Disabilities Council
• Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District (ESPD) Advisory Committee
• Housing Advisory Committee (HAC)
• orth Bethany County Service District for Roads Budget Committee
• Park and Recreation Advisory Board
• Public Health Advisory Council
• Solid Waste Advisory Committee
• Washington County and SDL No.1 Budget Committee
• Washington County Salary Commission

Community News January 2021

heritage quilt barn

• Christmas Tree recycling
• THPRD January news
• Housing Providers Needed for Beaverton Metro HomeShare Program
• Westview Red Cross Blood Drive
• Washington County Forum
• Viva Village January activities
• Clean Water Services Rate and Utility Bill Support
• Library Events
• Board of Commissioners seeking volunteers to serve on new Salary Commission
• The Big One? How to Become Earthquake Safe in Your Home
• SAMBA Can/Bottle Drive
• Tualatin Valley Creates
• Helping Farmers, Ranchers, and Foresters Plan for Business Transition
• Tips to Carry You Safely into 2021
• The value of reporting
• ACMA Dining Fundraisers
• Book Review: “Swedes in Oregon”