Sherwood City Council Recap | Jan. 20, 2026
City council talks roadway jurisdiction, building codes, potential public safety levy
SHERWOOD, Ore. — The Sherwood City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 20 for its regularly scheduled meeting following a work session. There was no public comment.
Mayor Tim Rosener, Council President Kim Young, and Councilors Keith Mays, Dan Standke, Taylor Giles, Doug Scott, and Renee Brouse were all present.
The council discussed a possible future public safety levy, building code updates, and roadway jurisdiction changes. They also met in an executive session concerning legal consultations with Ryan Adams, the city attorney.
Consent Agenda: Roadway Jurisdiction
In the consent agenda, council unanimously approved transferring jurisdiction of Southwest Baler Way and Southwest Haide Road, and amended the employee handbook.
Both of the roadways were under the jurisdiction of Washington County, but now the council has initiated actions to have Sherwood take over responsibility of the small portions of the roads that are inside city limits.
This means the city will operate and maintain the public streets and alleys. The transfer is expected to be completed within two to four months.
As for the employee handbook, the amendment includes city-provided food and beverages as part of the official compensation package.
This comes after a May 9, 2025 advisory from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission that states city-provided meals are an ethics violation if consumed by public officials, unless open to the public. This meant that at meetings, celebrations, potlucks, volunteer appreciation lunches, conferences, team-building activities, retreats, retirement parties, and events no public employee would be able to eat or drink without being in violation of Oregon’s ethics law.
The change means that city-provided food and drinks now count as official compensation for employees, so they can partake. It does not apply to food, lodging, transportation, or other related costs to expenses covered under reimbursement policy.
Work Session: Possible Public Safety Levy
The council discussed one item in its work session ahead of the regular city council meeting, which concerned a potential public safety levy presented by Ty Hanlon, Chief of the Sherwood Police Department.
The fact-finding levy analysis was presented by Piper Sandler investment banking company Director David Williams and Vice President Brendan Watkins. Levies affect property taxes across all zoning, and are decided upon by the voters.
City officials said a levy is one of multiple possible options the city can consider to fund the future of the police department with more officers as the city grows long-term. Alternatively, the city could cut services across the general fund, or try to keep them the same.
Council members said they would consider more about long-term planning of the general fund at their upcoming goal-setting meeting.
Public Hearing: Building Code
Every three years, the State of Oregon adopts updated editions of the National Model Codes to incorporate into the State Building Codes. Then, the City of Sherwood adopts ordinances to stay in compliance.
The public hearing was intended to receive public testimony on the topic. Generally, two hearings are held before the council makes a decision. There was no public comment. The next hearing is scheduled for February 3.
The implementation of the specialty codes are staggered, becoming effective October 1 with a six-month phase-in period and becoming mandatory on April 1, 2027. These are minimum safety standards, not quality or design standards.
The council heard the first reading of Ordinance 2026-001 to update the code to state standards.
The main change includes adding city permits for building activity including retaining walls, fences, exterior tanks, telecommunication towers, flagpoles, signs, and other minor permits that were removed from the state standards.
“The state sometimes removes items from their purview, but allows local jurisdiction to adopt those in their code,” said Jared Bradbury, city building official. “So we want to do it for retaining walls, fences, and things for the safety of your home.”
There is no expected fiscal impact to the city.
Bibliography
https://www.sherwoodoregon.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/01.20.2026-City-Council-Mtg-Packet.pdf
