Independence, OR

Traffic Safety Commission

The Traffic Safety Commission will review traffic data and vehicular incident reports covering the period from June 1 to September 30, 2026. The meeting includes a public comment period and the approval of previous meeting minutes.

• Traffic data report: June 1 to September 30, 2026
• Vehicular incidents report: June to September 2026
• Approval of June 17, 2026 meeting minutes

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Planning Commission

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Planning Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Historic Preservation Commission

Parks Board

City Council

Library Board

Library Board

Planning Commission

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Planning Commission

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Planning Commission

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Planning Commission

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Planning Commission

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Planning Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Historic Preservation Commission

Parks Board

City Council

Library Board

Library Board

Planning Commission

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Historic Preservation Commission

City Council

City Council

Museum Advisory Board

Parks Board

Library Board

Library Board

City Council

Library Board

Parks Board

The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate. No specific topics, projects, or decisions are listed for discussion.

Museum Advisory Board

The Museum Advisory Board meeting scheduled for October 14, 2026, has been canceled. The next meeting is rescheduled for November 18, 2026.

City Council

The City Council will discuss the establishment of two commissions for the Monmouth-Independence Trolley. The body is also reviewing a liquor license ownership change and an intergovernmental agreement.

• Liquor License Application, Change of Ownership: Grocery Outlet
• Intergovernmental Agreement, Monmouth-Independence Trolley
• Proposed Ordinance #1642: Establishing Monmouth-Independence Trolley Operations and Advisory Commissions

Historic Preservation Commission

The regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission scheduled for October 12, 2026, has been canceled.

General

The Library Board is scheduled for a private event. The agenda states that while a quorum may be present, no decisions will be made.

• Private social function

Planning Commission

The City of Independence Planning Commission's meeting scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM has been canceled. No agenda items were taken up. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

• October 5, 2026 Planning Commission meeting canceled
• Next regular meeting set for Monday, November 2, 2026

Library Board

Library Board

The Independence Library Board will hold its regular meeting, including electing a chair, receiving a director's report, and discussing a November ballot measure under new business. The agenda is largely routine, with the ballot measure discussion being the only substantive item.

• Election of Chair
• Board Orientation
• Director's Report
• Discussion of November Ballot Measure

City Council

The Independence City Council will hold a public hearing and consider two resolutions to declare the museum building at 281 S. Second St. surplus property and authorize its sale. The agenda also includes routine items such as approval of prior meeting minutes, reports from the mayor and city manager, and general information updates.

• Resolution 26-1663: Declare museum building at 281 S. Second St. surplus property and eligible for sale
• Public hearing on proposed sale of museum building at 281 S. Second St.
• Resolution 26-1664: Concerning the sale of the museum building at 281 S. Second St.

The City Council declared the museum building surplus property and approved its sale for $750,000. Net proceeds of approximately $424,000 will be used to rebuild the General Fund contingency reserves.

• Approved minutes from 09/08/2026 meetings as amended (5-0-0)
• Approved Resolution 26-1663 declaring museum building at 281 S. Second St. as surplus property (4-1-0)
• Approved Resolution 26-1664 accepting the offer to purchase the museum building and authorizing the City Manager to finalize the sale (4-1-0)

City Council

This is a procedural work session with no public comment. The only substantive item is a report on serial meetings by Goebel. No decisions or discussions of policy, budget, or zoning are on the agenda.

• Report on serial meetings (Goebel)

The meeting consisted of a presentation by City Attorney Gregory Goebel regarding serial meetings and public meetings law. No substantive legislative decisions were made.

Parks Board

The Parks Board meeting scheduled for September 17, 2026, has been canceled because a quorum was not available. The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2026.

Historic Preservation Commission

The Independence Historic Preservation Commission is holding a regular meeting that includes approval of prior minutes and public comment. The main substantive item is a discussion of the application review process under New Business. No votes on specific projects are listed on this agenda.

• Discussion: Application Review Process
• Approval of minutes from the 08/10/2026 regular meeting
• Public comment period for visitors

Planning Commission

The Independence Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting with public comment, reports, and discussion items. The main new business items are discussions on an Administrative Code Update and Building Height Limits in Residential Zones. No formal decisions or public hearings are listed on this agenda.

• Discussion: Administrative Code Update
• Discussion: Building Height Limits in Residential Zones
• Approval of minutes from 08/03/2026 regular meeting

Museum Advisory Board

The Independence Museum Advisory Board is holding a regular meeting with updates on the museum building's current status and concerns raised by citizens about community services. The agenda includes routine items like minutes approval and public comment, with no major decisions or proposals listed.

• Update on the museum building and current status
• Update on concerned citizens for community services
• Approval of minutes from the 08/12/2026 regular meeting

City Council

The Independence City Council will hold its regular meeting on September 8, 2026, with several action items on the agenda. These include a Pacific Power LED streetlight conversion, budget amendments for fiscal 2026-27, and two Regional Infrastructure Fund grant resolutions (one for wetlands, one for Habitat for Humanity). The council will also consider an agreement for municipal judge services, a volunteer policy and recreational immunity resolution, and may hold an executive session on real estate negotiations.

• Pacific Power LED streetlight conversion
• Resolution 26-1660: Budget amendments for fiscal 2026-27
• Resolution 26-1659: Regional Infrastructure Fund grant for wetlands
• Resolution 26-1662: Regional Infrastructure Fund grant for Habitat for Humanity
• Agreement for municipal judge services

The Independence City Council approved the Pacific Power LED streetlight conversion project (5-0), authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement and transfer $85,841 from Transportation Fund contingency. Council also approved Resolution 26-1660 for the budget amendment (5-0), Resolution 26-1659 to apply for a Regional Infrastructure Fund grant for a wetland feasibility study (4-1), and Resolution 26-1662 for a Regional Infrastructure Fund grant supporting Habitat for Humanity's 10-unit townhome development (5-0). The Council approved an updated Municipal Judge Agreement increasing monthly compensation from $750 to $1,000 with a one-time $3,000 payment (4-1), adopted Resolution 26-1661 on recreational immunity (5-0), and authorized submission of the League of Oregon Cities Legislative Priority Ballot (5-0).

• Approved Pacific Power LED streetlight conversion project (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 26-1660 budget amendment transferring $85,841 (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 26-1659 Regional Infrastructure Fund grant application for wetland study (4-1)
• Approved Resolution 26-1662 Regional Infrastructure Fund grant application for Habitat for Humanity (5-0)
• Approved Municipal Judge Agreement with increased compensation (4-1)
• Adopted Resolution 26-1661 on recreational immunity (5-0)
• Authorized submission of League of Oregon Cities Legislative Priority Ballot (5-0)
• Approved minutes from 8/11/2026 and 8/25/2026 meetings (5-0)

City Council

The Independence City Council is holding a work session with reports on special districts and the League of Oregon Cities legislative priorities. No formal decisions are scheduled; it is a discussion-only meeting.

• Special districts report (Goebel)
• League of Oregon Cities legislative priorities (West)

The City Council held a work session with no formal votes or decisions. They discussed the citizen-led process for forming a special district, focusing on a potential library district, and reviewed the League of Oregon Cities' 2027-2028 legislative priorities, narrowing the list to five topics. The meeting was informational only.

• No formal decisions or votes taken during work session
• Discussed special district formation process, including potential library district
• Narrowed LOC legislative priorities to Infrastructure Funding, Public Meetings Law Clarity, Land Availability and Land Use Streamlining, Strengthening Economic and Workforce Development, and Ratepayer Assistance

City Council

This is a work session with no public comment or decisions. The council will receive reports on grants, an explanation of how urban renewal areas work, and a finance update.

• Grants Report presented by Irvine
• Presentation on how a URA (Urban Renewal Area) works
• Finance Update by Carey

The City Council held a work session with no formal votes or decisions. Staff presented updates on grant applications, urban renewal finances, and the financial impact of the delayed Community Services and Parks Fee. Council discussed options but took no action.

• No formal decisions or votes taken during work session

Library Board

The August 24, 2026 meeting of the Independence Library Board has been canceled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 28, 2026. No business items are on the agenda.

• Meeting canceled

Parks Board

The Independence Parks Board will hold its regular meeting, including approval of minutes from February 19, 2026, and an introduction of Public Works Director Dustin Lueckenotte. The main substantive item is an update on park closures under New Business. The agenda is otherwise routine, with no other decisions or discussions listed.

• Park Closure Update (New Business)
• Introduction of Public Works Director Dustin Lueckenotte
• Approval of minutes from 02/19/2026 regular meeting

Museum Advisory Board

The Museum Advisory Board will hold a regular meeting with items including a tribute to Marilyn Morton, approval of prior minutes, and staff reports. New business includes a discussion on the referendum process and board responsibilities. The meeting is open to the public in person or via Zoom.

• Tribute to Marilyn Morton
• Discussion on Referendum Process
• Board Responsibilities Discussion
• HMS Update

City Council

The Independence City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed closure of the City of Independence Library (West), followed by an executive session on real property negotiations and potential action. The council will also consider a proclamation honoring the late Councilor Marilyn Morton and hear a presentation from the Independence Downtown Association.

• Public hearing on proposed closure of City of Independence Library (West)
• Executive session on real property negotiations (ORS 192.660(2)(e))
• Potential action from executive session on real estate negotiation (West)
• Proclamation honoring life, service, and legacy of Councilor Marilyn Morton
• Presentation by Cindy Wilson, Independence Downtown Association President

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission will hold a regular meeting with routine items including approval of previous minutes and public comment. The main item is a discussion of the application review process under new business. No votes or decisions are scheduled.

• Discussion of application review process

The commission approved the minutes from the July 13, 2026, meeting. A discussion regarding the application review process was carried over to the next meeting.

• Approved July 13, 2026, minutes (4-0-0)
• Carried application review process discussion over to next meeting (4-0-0)

Community Services & Parks Sustainability Committee

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing regarding park and open space dedication requirements. The body will also discuss potential changes to building height requirements and recent legislation.

• Public hearing: Park and Open Space Dedication Requirements
• Discussion: Potential changes to building height requirements
• Discussion: Recent legislation

The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of LA 2026-04 to the City Council. This item involves revisions to park and open space dedication requirements for new subdivisions and multi-unit developments. The Commission also discussed potential changes to building height requirements but requested more data for further review.

• Approved June 15, 2026, and July 6, 2026, meeting minutes (7-0-0)
• Recommended approval of LA 2026-04 to City Council (7-0-0)
• Requested additional building height examples for next meeting

General

This agenda is purely ceremonial: the City is hosting a retirement event for Jeff Kennedy. No decisions will be made, though a quorum of the City Council may be present.

City Council

The City Council is holding a work session to receive a report regarding the potential closure of the library, museum, and parks. No public comments are accepted during this session.

• Update on potential closure of library, museum, and parks

The City Council held a work session to review a draft contingency plan for closing the library, Heritage Museum, and parks if a referendum on the Community Services and Parks fee qualifies for the ballot. No closure decisions were made; the session focused on statutory, operational, and financial requirements. Council requested additional cost and timeline information and continued public communication.

• Reviewed draft operational closure checklist for library, museum, and parks (no vote)
• Discussed statutory process for library closure under Oregon law
• Requested additional information on costs of keeping parks open for scheduled activities
• Requested additional financial information and clarification on closure timelines

Library Board

The Independence Library Board meeting scheduled for July 27, 2026, has been canceled. The next regular meeting is set for September 28, 2026.

• Meeting canceled
• Next meeting scheduled for September 28, 2026

Parks Board

The Parks Board meeting scheduled for July 16, 2026, has been canceled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2026.

City Council

The Independence City Council will hold two public hearings: one on proposed revisions to the Development Code (Ordinance 1638) based on the Housing Production Strategy, and another on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The council will also consider a liquor license ownership change for Mendi's Pizza, review third-quarter financials, and make board and commission appointments. An executive session is scheduled for real property negotiations, with potential action afterward.

• Public hearing on CDBG Grant Funding (Irvine)
• Public hearing on Ordinance 1638 – revisions to the Independence Development Code to implement Housing Production Strategy recommendations
• Liquor license application, change of ownership for Mendi's Pizza (Gilbert)
• Q3 Financials (Carey)
• Executive session for real property negotiations, with potential action (West)

The City Council adopted Ordinance 1638, which revises the Independence Development Code to implement recommendations from the Housing Production Strategy, including allowing a wider variety of housing types and reducing minimum lot sizes. The Council also approved a liquor license ownership change for Mendi's Pizza, held a public hearing on a CDBG grant partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and directed the city manager to proceed with real estate sale negotiations after an executive session.

• Adopted Ordinance 1638 to revise the Development Code for housing production (5-0)
• Approved liquor license ownership change for Mendi's Pizza (5-0)
• Directed city manager to proceed with real estate sale negotiations (5-0)
• Approved minutes of the 06/23/2026 regular meeting (5-0)
• Appointed Lorraine Sorenson and Nathan Christensen to the Library Board
• Appointed Patrick Fugeman to the Ad Hoc Community Services and Parks Sustainability Committee

Historic Preservation Commission

The Independence Historic Preservation Commission will discuss and receive training about project review procedures within the Independence Historic District. The meeting also includes approval of minutes from previous meetings and opportunities for public comment.

• Training on project review in the Independence Historic District

The commission held a training session on recent state land use law changes affecting project review in the Independence Historic District, including increased permit complexity, reduced public input, and mandatory adjustments for housing projects. No substantive decisions were made; the commission only approved the previous meeting minutes and adjourned.

• Approved minutes for 03/26/2026 and 04/23/2026 (6-0)
• Adjourned meeting (6-0)