Staff Connections: February 2023

City of Hillsboro, Oregon sent this bulletin at 02/13/2023 01:12 PM PST

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Staff Connections
February 2023

Celebrate Black History Month

Celebrate and honor the accomplishments and history of Black Oregonians through your support of local arts, culture, music, and businesses featured on the City webpage.

WATCH: Hillsboro's 2023 State of the City

In this annual community update, Mayor Callaway and the City Council highlighted:

Affordable housing & houselessness
Economic development
Equity & inclusion
Livability & sustainability
Public safety
and much more

WATCH: Homelessness in Hillsboro Presentations

Watch the presentation videos and view the PowerPoints from the City's Homelessness Listen & Learn events held on January 28. Topics inlcude:

Local Responses & Solutions
Camping Legislation in Hillsboro and Oregon
Common Myths About Homelessness

Library

Meet Yannette Ayala, Student Success Librarian

Get to know Librarian Yannette Ayala! Did you know...Yannette was formerly a teacher in the Hillsboro School District?

Bilingual Storytime Launches at Shute Park

The new Bilingual Inclusive Storytime — in partnership with Portland State University’s College of Education — successfully launched at Shute Park Library.

The program is a spinoff of the Inclusive Storytime at Brookwood Library.

Tax Assistance at Brookwood Library

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program is offered at Brookwood Library on Mondays and Tuesdays through April 18.

AARP staff offer free assistance to taxpayers 50 or older and /or with low- to moderate-income prepare and file their taxes.

Women's History Month Art Display

The '50 Women Over 50' art show is now on display at Brookwood Library. A reception will be held on Thursday, March 9 as part of Women's History Month celebrations.

Parks & Recreation

Community Conversations: Cultural Arts District

Hillsboro's Cultural Arts District is the focus of the latest episode of Community Conversations, featuring Mayor Callaway's discussion with:

Bridie Harrington, Cultural Arts District Manager, City of Hillsboro
Raziah Roushan, Executive Director, Tualatin Valley Creates
Salvador Mayoral IV, Public Art Program Manager, Regional Arts & Culture Council

Bridge of Land & Sky Nearing Completion

Bridge of Land & Sky panels have been installed along the Brookwood Parkway overpass above Highway 26. Lighting and electrical work is being finalized, and a dedication event and celebration is being planned for this spring.

Shute Park Public Art Location

The Parks & Recreation Commission has approved the location for new public art at Shute Park: The flower bed between the library, playground, and grass field.

A committee is being formed to select an artist to design something that is sculptural, serves as a gathering space, and is functional art. Those themes were identified through community feedback.

Cultural Resource Management Presentation

Chris Bailey from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde gave a presentation to staff from multiple departments about development-based Cultural Resource Management procedures and best practices in the event of finding artifacts during development.

Police

Chief Coleman's Message to the Community

Chief Coleman issued a message to the community following the video release of the beating of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis Police Officers.

Community Advisory Group Updates

The Police Community Advisory Group released their 3rd and 4th quarter updates from 2022.

Economic & Community Development

City Staff Spoke in Washington, DC

Workforce Development Manager Kristi Wilson, along with education and industry partners, spoke at the National Governors Association Symposium in Washington, DC last week.

The session highlighted Oregon’s landmark Future Ready Oregon program — a $200 million legislative investment in workforce development.

Hillsboro Will Soon Launch a Brownfields Initiative

The City of Hillsboro is working with property owners, developers, and realtors to support economic growth and a healthier environment in the Downtown Urban Renewal District.

Hillsboro’s Brownfields Initiative will help properties in the area that have been negatively impacted by known or suspected contamination.

Brookwood Library Bus Service to Remain in 2023

TriMet is moving forward with their Forward Together Service Plan, which would add new lines and expand transit service to many Hillsboro areas.

The proposal also calls for the elimination of Bus lines 46 and 47, which currently provide service to the Brookwood Library.
TriMet has agreed to not move forward with the elimination of service to the Brookwood Library this service year and is working with City staff to find a solution that provides more access for our community members.

Water

Year-Round Water Flushing Begins

The Water Department has begun the new year-round unidirectional flushing (UDF) program.

UDF involves flushing water mains through fire hydrants. This process helps maintain water quality and improve the carrying capacity of water mains.
Flushing will also prepare Hillsboro’s water system for the integration of the Willamette Water Supply System in 2026.

Efficiency Rebates Help Customers

To promote efficient water use and to assist customers in achieving reductions in water consumption, the Water Department offers rebates year-round.

From July to December 2022, $17,192 in rebates were provided to residential customers, including:
- $5,246 for smart water meter devices
- $6,900 for high-efficiency toilets
- $1,700 for washing machines
- $3,346 in irrigation controllers

Public Works

Shute Road Multi-Use Path Open House

The Shute Road Multi-Use Path Open House is now on Engage Hillsboro. The project will improve the west side of NE Shute Road between NE Cornell Road and NE Brookwood Parkway.

City Manager's Office

Mayor Callaway Featured on KOIN TV

Mayor Callaway appeared on KOIN-TV's 'Mayor Mondays' segment with questions about Junior Achivement's plans for Hillsboro, support for the semiconductor industry, and Hillsboro's place in national livability rankings.