City Council Work Session 03/17/2026

The City Council Work Session for the City of Milwaukie, Oregon, held on March 17, 2026, focused primarily on updates and discussions related to housing affordability, utility rates, and placemaking initiatives. Key procurement-related topics included the ongoing evaluation and potential adjustments to utility fee structures, including water, wastewater, and stormwater fees, with recommendations for rate increases in upcoming fiscal years. The council discussed streamlining utility billing processes to reduce costs and improve efficiency, as well as the potential for new tiers in water rate structures to better support low-income residents. Additionally, the council reviewed capital improvement program adjustments, scaling down the budget from $125 million to about $80 million to better align with project feasibility and funding. On housing, the council highlighted partnerships with organizations like Related Northwest for state grants and discussed strategies such as land banking and revolving loan funds to support affordable housing development. The session also covered placemaking efforts aimed at enhancing community identity and neighborhood hubs through programs like community placemaking grants, intersection painting, and beautification projects, with considerations for future expenditures and funding sources. No formal votes or contract awards were recorded in the transcript, but several action items and upcoming presentations related to utility rates and housing strategies were noted for future council consideration.