City Council Regular Session 5/20/2025

The City Council Regular Session of Milwaukie, Oregon, held on May 20, 2025, included extensive discussions on several procurement and development-related topics. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the redevelopment of a city-owned parking lot near historic city hall, with Metro's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) program presenting potential affordable housing and community space projects. Council members emphasized the importance of affordable housing, community gathering spaces, and preserving existing community events during redevelopment. The TOD program highlighted its history of supporting over 11,000 residential units and over a million square feet of commercial space, with a focus on affordable housing near transit. The council discussed the challenges of funding, parking, and construction impacts, with a consensus to proceed cautiously and prioritize community engagement. Additionally, the council reviewed proposed amendments to the natural resource code related to water quality and habitat conservation areas, aiming to balance environmental protection with housing development needs. The meeting also addressed council budget reviews, including education and training expenditures, and debated a potential sustainable food procurement policy for council events, with no immediate policy changes adopted. A letter concerning budget cuts to the Milwaukee Community Center was also discussed and prepared for submission. The meeting concluded with motions to approve consent items and adjournment.