City Council Recap, May 19, 2025

Overview 

The Newberg City Council met at 6 p.m., May 19th, to discuss proposed community building and town beautification efforts, changes to the city’s municipal codes, a rate increase for Newberg’s waste management, and the future of the city’s investment portfolio. 

In Attendance: 

• Mayor Bill Rosacker
• Councilor Mike McBride
• Councilor Robyn Wheatley
• Councilor Elise Yarnell-Hollamon (7:01 p.m.)
• Councilor Peggy Kilburg
• Councilor Jeri Turgesen

Absent: 

• Councilor Derek Carmon

City Manager’s Report

City Manager Will Worthy presented a statistical report covering the months of March and April. Notably, he shared that the city has reached a four-year record for public records requests already in May, and the city’s community engagement submissions through the website, as well as social media engagement, are steadily climbing. Traffic stops have increased this month, as well as citations and warnings. He emphasized that the budget has remained balanced. 

Public Comments

A Newberg citizen submitted a public comment addressing issues on Industrial Parkway surrounding an approved bypass trail through the area due to the danger of having a walking trail in that environment. He also expressed frustration over abandoned vehicles and parking problems in the area, stressing ecological impacts, and threatening to relocate his business if the issue is not promptly addressed. Mayor Rosacker agreed to research the complaint further and address it at the next council meeting. 

Building Community Through Street Painting

Newberg resident David Heddy proposed a pilot street art project, asserting, “community building creates common work.” The proposed community art project, painted directly onto the pavement, planned and executed by neighbors, will pull the community closer together. His proposed location is the Jodi Court cul-de-sac. Council members raised concerns about maintenance, tools, and other potential issues. However, the council was in support of the community art project, and a motion to explore the concept unanimously. 

Dangerous Building Code

City of Newberg Code Compliance Officer Neal Winters presented proposed changes to the municipal code regarding dangerous buildings. These changes would empower the city to take action on buildings that endanger the public, expanding on existing codes to create a more rigorous inspection, notification, and enforcement process. Winters argued these changes would allow the city to abate public nuisances in a more efficient manner, with less strain on city resources. These changes, ordinance 2025-2934, were adopted unanimously. 

Waste Management Request for Rate Increase

Representatives from Newberg Waste Management presented a request for a 8.6% rate increase, which they claimed is necessary to maintain a 10% rate of return, citing increased direct and indirect costs, which lowered their rate of return in 2024. For Waste Management’s 6,731 Newberg residential customers, this increase would move average service costs from $23.83 to $25.88 per month.

This proposal was debated by the council, but passed four in favor and two against, with councilor McBride and Kilburg voting against. 

Resolution Approving the City’s Investment Portfolio 

Financial manager Kady Strode explained that the City invested $19.5 million into US Treasury Stock which will mature May 31, 2025 at a par value of $21,000,000 yielding $1.4 million in net investments over that 3-year period. The City expressed desire to reinvest these funds into the same investment vehicle but on staggered maturity dates which will yield approximately $1.6 million over the next three fiscal years. This money could be used for the water plan, debt reduction, or general planning. The motion passed unanimously. 

The public meeting lasted approximately two hours before the council adjourned to executive session.