September 1 - City Council Meeting

The City Council of Lake Oswego held a meeting on September 1, 2026, where a significant portion of the discussion focused on the procurement and financing of a new wastewater treatment plant. The council received detailed updates from project managers and engineers regarding the design, build, operate, and maintain (DBOM) contract with Jacobs, including the technical specifications, cost elements, and financing strategies. The total construction cost was estimated at approximately $370 million with an initial annual operation and maintenance cost of about $6.5 million. The council discussed financing options, including a 10-year contract term to minimize risk and the use of a WHIFA loan from the EPA. Two rate increase options were presented to fund the project, with council members expressing concerns about affordability and the impact on residents, especially those on fixed incomes. The council also addressed community outreach plans and emphasized the importance of odor control and environmental considerations. Additionally, the meeting included a study session on establishing a tree retention deficit fee as part of new tree regulations, with council members debating fee levels to balance development costs and tree preservation. The council showed support for a sliding scale fee approach and exemptions for affordable housing. No votes on contract awards were recorded, but the council planned to seek contract approval and rate adjustments in an upcoming special session.