City Council Work Session - 09/15/2026

The City Council Work Session of Milwaukie, Oregon, held on September 15, 2026, focused primarily on two procurement-related topics. First, the council discussed potential zoning code amendments to restrict or regulate mini storage facilities and data centers, considering moratoriums or conditional use permits to address concerns about low job creation and land use. Second, the council reviewed the development of a revolving loan fund program aimed at supporting affordable homeownership, particularly for first-time buyers and residents at or below 80-100% Area Median Income (AMI). They considered partnering with organizations like Dev Northwest and NOAA, discussed program parameters including residency requirements, loan amounts, and income eligibility, and agreed to proceed with issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a program administrator with an initial funding allocation of approximately $300,000 from the city's Construction Excise Tax (CET) funds. Additionally, the council engaged in an extensive discussion on the solid waste franchise system, reviewing the current ten-year rolling franchise agreements with three haulers, the capital investment needs for waste collection trucks, and the timing for renegotiating franchise agreements. They expressed interest in moving forward with staff developing recommendations for a new franchise agreement, potentially with a seven-year rolling term, and considered forming a subcommittee to assist in this process. No formal votes were recorded during the session, but there was clear consensus to advance the revolving loan fund program and to begin work on the waste franchise agreement renewal.