I was elected to the Troutdale City Council in 2002, re-elected in 2006.  The position is a volunteer (not for pay) job requiring a large time
commitment by each member of the Council.   Individual council member positions on issues are not always the same.  That's the beauty of 7
minds coming together with different backgrounds and opinions to reach a mutual agreement.  (We don't always agree on issues, but the majority
rules).

As your city councilor, responsiveness to my neighbors is my first and foremost responsibility (listening to comments, complaints or suggestions,
discerning truth from special interest, and helping to provide information and resources when you need them.  The council monitors city spending in
our budget process, and we are all keen on good customer service.

Our location along a major highway and at the edge of a large region makes balancing livability, jobs and safe transportation thought our
neighborhoods a challenge.  My initial concern is primarily my neighbors, then the region.  I approach city council issues with thoughtful
consideration and study.  Communication and information sharing with councilors from nearby jurisdictions helps me understand issues beyond
the home front.

I'm an avid supporter of private property rights.  I'm not a supporter of high density/small lots.  Troutdale exceeded the metro density requirements,
many years early.   At my urging, a council workshop was held in October, 2006, for education and information on current density and policies.  It is
my hope that neighbors and visitors will not come to think of Troutdale as "houses made of ticky-tacky and they all look just the same."  (You may
recall the song).  More houses, smaller spaces mean more public services (police and fire) at increasing cost to the city's general fund, and that
means more taxes paid by us.

I'm concerned about what our area will look like in the future.  What are we leaving our children?

I also work for what I feel is important to all of you (the same is important to me):  Livability, living wage jobs, regional cooperation, our pocket books
(yours and mine), listening to you and encouraging your involvement in making decisions for the future of our area.

Watch your Council on TV 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month usually on Channel 30, but sometimes 11, 21 or 22
If you are curious about council agendas, they are available to the public at the city's website.

My "grin" moments:

  • Voted no to "taking" land from private property owner for green space (City Council authorized property purchase)
  • Neighborhood Ordinance
  • 3 Cities Fire Committee - 2005 - to current
  • Comment Box on City Web Site 2006
  • City email for councilors 2007
  • Density Workshop to determined that Troutdale has exceeded Metro requirements, council will consider ways to slow down that trend while
    working within state law 10/2006 and ongoing
  • Larch Mt. Artisans recognized as Community Event 2004
  • Work Trucks off public streets and onto private parking areas 2004
  • Police Officer of the Year, Tradition of Annual Gift Certificate from Council, 2004
  • Retention of the 242nd connector, important for the future of regional transportation.
  • Supported our "Gateway" to the gorge, a new monument to be placed on the east side of 257th & East Historic Columbia River Hwy.  Please
    support the Troutdale Historical Society's fund raising efforts.
  • Sunrise Park opposed road through the park.
  • Buxton Road:  removed widening for more traffic from master transportation plan.
  • Cascade River District Economic Development Study:  supported (Partnership with the Port of Portland and other area cities to determine
    best jobs, identify development obstacles, water and sewer lines, zoning for the Reynolds/Alcoa Property).
  • Economic Development Position for local area.  Proposal from West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce.  Council agreed to budget
    funds to be used for this position, ONLY when funds are approved from all of several other sources.
  • Sedona Park/Tyson Condo Development.  A plan approved by Planning Commission for 19 condos was appealed by Sedona Park
    residents:  the plan granted ingress/egress through the "one-way-in/one-way-out" Sedona neighborhood which has narrow streets, small
    lots, and no play area for children.  City Council did not deny the condo development, but did add a condition of access only to/from 257th.  I
    supported this decision, and worked closely with the Sedona Park residents to understand their concerns.  Builder of Tyson condos
    appealed to LUBA, settlement resulted in access through Sedona, 9 single family homes, plus the City had to give $300,000 to Builder for
    the smaller density housing.
  • Alcohol ban in city parks 2006
  • Approved Annexation of Reynolds/Alcoa Property
  • Access negotiations through the Outlet Mall are still underway.  I'm hoping for a 2007 Christmas present:  a signed access agreement.
  • Enterprise Zone July 2007.  An council training session of enterprise zones was planned at the time Fed-Ex announced their plan to apply
    purchase property from The Port, and their interest in an approved enterprise zone.  Several of us on the city councilor were unaware of
    interest by Fed-Ex, apparently our Mayor knew early on of the interest.  The majority of the council approved an enterprise zone only on the
    Reynolds/Alcoa property NOT all pieces of industrial land in the city, as presented and requested in the city proposal.  My thinking:  When The
    Port of Portland completes its purchase of the Reynolds/Alcoa property, tax stops coming to Troutdale's general fund.  That's right, The Port
    does not pay property taxes.  Fed-Ex will purchase the property from The Port, there will be a 3 year tax abatement as they build and start up
    (that means taxes will be coming into the general fund in 3 years from Fed-Ex).  It is uncertain when, or if, The Port's development will bring
    taxes to the City's General Fund.

I had my concerns with:
  • Urban renewal:  The property subject to re-development is landlocked and behind the old sewer treatment plant.  All council members
    agreed to the redevelopment, we just didn't agree on the plans.  Two plans were considered, I supported a clearer plan, less expensive for
    taxpayers.   The majority of the council members disagreed with my choice of plans, but we all agreed to let the voters decide.
  • Morgan Meadows (high density development across from Reynolds High School).  I did not support this density while sitting on the Planning
    Commission.  An appeal to the "then seated Council" gave a green light to this development.
  • Mayor's "stipend".  Councilors know when we seek this office, it is a volunteer position.  We all can, however, have our expenses
    reimbursed.  I voted "no" for a Mayor's stipend, based on theory not a personal statement regarding the value of our Mayor.
  • Intermodal Rail/Union Pacific:  Early in discussions I spoke with a representative from Union Pacific that engineers intermodal sites around
    the country.  He told me Union Pacific wanted a North/South NOT East/West Intermodal location, so I put little energy into this issue.   
    However, the subject did provide some campaign rhetoric and grandstanding for some of the Mayorial candidates during the 2004
    campaign.
  • NASCAR:  Many area supporters loved the idea of such a huge tourist attraction in our area.  NASCAR would have required taxpayer dollars
    for development.  No NASCAR presentations or appearances before the city council.  No information about traffic, jobs, or sound impacts
    was provided.  I felt we had fan based support, not local support, no serious interest from the folks sponsoring NASCAR.  Similar to the
    Intermodal Rail/Union Pacific issue:  I didn't waste time on an issue without a serious interest for development.  

Other City Volunteer Activity.  I proudly welcome guests to our area, but I love to see my neighbors enjoying the benefits of living at the edge of the
Columbia Gorge.  A working knowledge of helping out with local events has been helpful in updating park fees, rules for management of area
events, and excluding alcohol usage in local parks.  Involvement:

  • 2005 SummerFest  "Celebrate Community" Committee Chairman
  • 2006 Troutdale Bite & Bluegrass (helped organize, webmaster, volunteer)
  • 2007 Troutdale Bite & Bluegrass:  volunteer, webmaster, vendor coordinator
  • 1997-2007 - Troutdale Chamber of Commerce now West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce (currently serve of B of Directors)
  • Regularly attend East Metro Economic Alliance (excellent forum for understanding of many local issues)
  • Monthly Intergovernmental informal meetings with area councilors from 5 cities (Wood Village, Fairview, Damascus, Gresham, Troutdale)

Previous City Service:

  • Troutdale Planning Commission
  • Troutdale Budget Committee

Revised 9/9/07
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Barbara Kyle
Troutdale City Councilor
Personal Remarks - ongoing
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