Full City Council Meeting Video

Overview

The Newberg City Council discussed updates on city operations, including paving projects and water usage. They approved the Economic Opportunities Analysis and updated vacation rental regulations with new transfer provisions. The council also agreed to solicit applications for an urban growth boundary expansion under Senate Bill 1537 to support affordable housing. Additionally, they approved a study on the city’s sewer system and made changes to council meeting rules.

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Attendance

  • Mayor Bill Rosacker
  • Councilor Jeri Turgesen 
  • Councilor Mike McBride
  • Councilor Elise Yarnell Hollamon
  • Councilor Derek Carmon
  • Councilor Robyn Wheatley

Absent

  • Councilor Peggy Kilburg

City Manager’s Report, July 2025

City Manager Will Worthey provided an overview of city operations for July 2025. Paving projects around the city are nearly complete, with the final work expected in early August. The city was awarded $225,000 to equip two Newberg Department of Public Safety trucks with drone-carrying capabilities. The Austin Meeting Room floor at the Newberg Public Library has been repaired. Worthey noted water usage is approximately 12% higher than the previous five-year average, nearing the city’s maximum capacity of 5.5 million gallons. Last month, the city used about 4 million gallons.

Public Comment

Sonda Martin, Newberg Resident

Newberg resident Sonda Martin addressed the council to object to the approval of CET funds awarded to the SPARK Newberg program, arguing it did not meet the threshold for approval. She expressed concerns about conflicts of interest, including Mayor Rosacker’s connection to the project and Providence’s involvement on the board and potentially as the land seller. Martin questioned whether the program’s goal was to help individuals build wealth or to create affordable housing, the original intent for CET funds. She also said the program’s financial constraints were unclear and that individuals with limited income and time likely could not afford a median-priced home in Newberg. She requested the council rescind the award and reconsider the decision.

Economic Opportunities Analysis

The council adopted the city’s Economic Opportunities Analysis, a study projecting employment growth and land needs over the next 20 years. One resident noted the analysis contained outdated land classifications due to zoning changes since its 2021 completion, but council members agreed the document remains a useful “snapshot in time,” especially for assessing industrial land needs. Staff said updated data would be used if the city pursues an urban growth boundary expansion. Ordinance 2025-2936 passed 5-1, with Councilor McBride opposed and Councilor Kilburg absent.

Vacation Rental Home Regulations

The council approved updates to vacation rental home regulations, including a “one-time bump” allowing conditional use permits issued before Sept. 3, 2025, to transfer once to a new property owner. The vote followed a continuation of the July 7 public hearing, where residents raised concerns about neighborhood livability, density caps, and the city’s shift from conditional use to special use permits. Robert Soppe, reading testimony from Kurt Johnson, criticized the number of rentals left empty for parts of the year. Sonda Martin warned about potential overconcentration in certain neighborhoods. City Attorney James called the “one-time bump” a policy decision rather than a legal matter. Council agreed to revisit density caps within a year. Ordinance 2025-2935 passed 5-1, with Councilor Carmon opposed.

Update and Direction on SB 1537 Urban Growth Boundary

The council unanimously agreed to begin soliciting applications for urban growth boundary expansion sites under Senate Bill 1537. Passed in 2024, SB 1537 addresses Oregon’s housing shortage by funding infrastructure and land acquisition for affordable housing, streamlining development rules, and creating the Housing Accountability and Production Office to ensure compliance. It allows cities a one-time, limited urban growth boundary expansion through 2026 if at least 30% of new housing is affordable and certain land-use criteria are met.

Planner James Dingwall said several property owners expressed interest, with parcels ranging from 5 to more than 80 acres. Public testimony included Brian Bellairs, owner of 60 acres on Corral Creek suitable for affordable housing, and Mike Connors, an attorney with Hathaway Lawson representing owners of 80 acres near Providence Newberg Medical Center, who spoke in favor of the bill. Staff confirmed the city is eligible for the one-time expansion through 2026.

Motion to Approve the Inflow and Infiltration Study 

The council unanimously approved a $167,355 contract with Keller Associates to conduct the city’s next inflow and infiltration study. The project will update CCTV inspections of sanitary lines, set targets for future repairs, and recommend the next round of lateral replacements. The project is already budgeted.

Council Rules Discussion

The council supported several changes to its rules, including requiring written explanations when agenda items are denied, allowing multiple parties to request work sessions, and setting a 10 p.m. meeting end time unless extended by vote.

A proposed ban on cell phone use during meetings was rejected, with members citing personal and professional needs. The council reviewed new scripts to guide meeting procedures and voted unanimously to send the draft rules, with amendments, for legal review.