April News in Full Bloom!

Welcome to the April edition of the City of Beaverton's monthly eNewsletter! Here you will find the latest on city news and topics you need to know. Keep reading for a message from your City Manager, learn how we are celebrating Arbor Day, and how you can participate in our Climate Action Plan update.

City Manager's Message

Spring is such a great reminder of how Beaverton is a city that thrives on community collaboration, especially its efforts to create a sustainable and climate-friendly future. 

Recent work has centered on updating the Beaverton Climate Action Plan to guide the community in responding to our changing climate and reducing our carbon emissions. We’re encouraging households, schools, and businesses to participate in a community survey that will inform our climate action plan update.

Other examples include the city’s commitment to expanding its tree canopy. Programs like the Tree Code Audit Project invite residents to preserve and plant trees, fostering biodiversity and creating greener neighborhoods.

Water quality remains a shared priority — our work on the North Transmission Line Intertie project will enhance our water infrastructure reliability and resiliency, ensuring sustainable water for all. We’re also proud of our partnership with Willamette Water Supply System that expands our water supply, while supporting planned growth while safeguarding the region's water resources. 

By coming together, the people of Beaverton ensure a city that not only embraces sustainability but nurtures a collective lifestyle dedicated to protecting the planet for generations to come. Read on to learn more about exciting ways to get involved that will have a lasting impact such as neighborhood grants to support a community project or event, tree plantings, and more!

Jenny Haruyama, City Manager

Upcoming Events

What’s happening in your city this month?

City Council and Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency Meetings

April 15: 6 p.m. City Council

April 22: 6 p.m. City Council, followed by Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency

Neighborhood Association Committee Meetings

April 10: 6:30 p.m. Highland

April 16: 7 p.m. West Beaverton

April 17: 7 p.m. South Beaverton

7 p.m. West Slope

Boards And Commissions Meetings

April 21: 6 p.m. Climate Action Task Force

6:30 p.m. Housing Technical Advisory Group

April 28: 6:30 p.m. Beaverton Committee for Community Involvement

Events and meetings listed are subject to change.

Find Agendas, Location Information, and the Latest Details

Sign up for Text or E-mail Meeting Notifications

Take the Climate Action Plan Survey

In 2019, the city adopted its first climate action plan to outline the actions the city and our local partners can take to reduce local emissions and prepare for climate change impacts. Now, we’re proceeding with an update of our climate action plan to create a clear, measurable path forward that reflects current community priorities for the benefit of all of Beaverton.

We’re asking for your input to help us understand community priorities as we create this new guide for how the city will take action. In thanks, participants can choose to enter a giveaway for prizes from local businesses in Beaverton.

Take the Survey

Celebrating Arbor Day 

Thanks to community volunteers and the nonprofit organization Friends of Trees, roughly 160 trees will be planted along public paths and streets throughout Beaverton this spring.  

The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Beaverton as a Tree City USA for the last 31 years. Beaverton has also received the Tree City Growth Award for the past 21 years and earned recognition as one of 200 Tree Cities of the World in 22 countries for six straight years.

Learn More About Beaverton’s Trees and Get Tree Tips

Stay Up to Date on Beaverton's Budget

Development of the next fiscal year budget is underway and interested community members are encouraged to stay engaged. 

Upcoming Budget Dates:

• Monday, May 5 (Budget Committee Meeting)
• Monday May 19 (Budget Committee Meeting)
• Tuesday, June 3 (City Council Meeting and Public Hearing)

“The City Council has identified Financial Recovery as our top priority for the coming year, focusing on strategies to bolster the city’s fiscal health, while maintaining quality essential and important services,” said City Manager Jenny Haruyama.

Click the link below to find the latest details, including chances to learn more about how our budget works and ways to attend upcoming budget meetings.

Learn More

Healthy Recycling Reminders

In the spirit of the season, we also want to share some healthy recycling reminders. Sometimes, being a good recycler is not about recycling everything, but rather recycling correctly. We all have a desire to recycle as much as possible, but some items don’t belong in our recycling carts and should be placed in the trash. Instead, we should learn to love our bins by recycling correctly. 

Avoid these common offenders:

• Paper hot drink cups (they may be a hot date, but no long-term potential)
• Plastic bags (they’re just too clingy)
• Take-out food containers (easy to fall for on a busy week)

Learn More

Save the Date for Bike Beaverton

Bike Beaverton is Sunday, May 4 from 1-3 p.m. (rain or shine!) at Beaverton City Park — a perfect opportunity to meet your neighbors, enjoy a leisurely bike ride, and celebrate our city’s cycling community.

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, this family-friendly event welcomes riders of all skill levels to come together for an afternoon of biking fun. Featured activities include a Bike Safety Rodeo Obstacle Course with the Beaverton Police Department’s Bike Team, a Community Tabling Fair, and Community Bike Ride brought to you by the city’s Bicycle Advisory Committee.

Find Event Details, Including Items to Bring, and Updates

Public Service Recognition Week

We’d like to share a special shout out to public employees past and present as we recognize Public Service Recognition Week happening May 4-10 this year.

This week celebrates the many people who provide services within the community — from roads and emergency response to water, development, library, and so much more.

Neighborhood Corner

Neighborhood Association Committee Spotlight 

Welcome to the Neighborhood Association Committee Member Spotlight. Each month, we highlight a different Neighborhood Association Committee member to celebrate them.

This month, Konnette Etheredge, a Highland Neighborhood Association Committee board member, honors Adam Gretzinger who recently passed away after seven years of service to the Neighborhood Association Committee

Adam, Dog Lover and Hoofer Extraordinaire

The last time I saw Adam Gretzinger he was hacking away at a stubborn patch of black berries near the neighborhood middle school. I walk my dog past this patch often and each time I recall how much energy he had put into this seemingly hopeless task. This was just a few days before he passed, an event which is still very hard to comprehend. So, when it was time for the resident spotlight article, friends of the neighborhood said let’s spotlight Adam. We will try to do him justice but frankly I’m not sure there is a big enough spotlight!

I met Adam at a Highland Neighborhood meeting. This was before the pandemic and residents were attending in person at the middle school library. Our past president, John Dugger, led us through a planning session for the 2015-2016 Highland Neighborhood Association Committee activities. John would soon be moving to central Beaverton and assuming a city council position. Who to fill his shoes but Adam. And so, he did for the next seven years through the many problems, big and small, that neighborhood programs experience. I had the honor of serving on the Highland Neighborhood Association Committee board with him for that time.

During that time, he elevated our vision of what neighborhood programs could look like. For Adam the next project was his favorite and the neighborhood program the most important. He worked by supporting and sometimes challenging his board members to bring many projects to fruition. He worked hard to make our meeting conversations meaningful and informative for our residents. Significantly, during his tenure, the Highland Neighborhood Association Committee received national recognition as a neighborhood program. If I were thinking of three words with which to describe Adam, I would have to say he was intelligent, community-oriented, and dedicated. Ok, one more word is needed, he was progressive. He worked to make the world a better place for everyone. Finally, we were asked for a fun fact about Adam. Two came to mind; this serious-minded guy loved his three dogs, and he loved to dance. -Konnette Etheredge, Highland Neighborhood Association Committee chair. 

Thank you, Konnette, for sharing your memories of Adam. 

Neighborhood Matching Grants Available 

Could having a block party or other special event in your neighborhood bring people together to discuss neighborhood issues, concerns, achievements, or successes? 

Do you know of a great place to put a neighborhood welcome sign? Would you like to organize a concert in your local park? Are there public areas of your neighborhood that could use trees or other landscaping improvements? If you are willing to put in the work, your ideas could become a reality through the Neighborhood Matching Grant Fund.

The Neighborhood Matching Grant program supports efforts to improve and enhance community spaces and cultivates opportunities for neighbors to host community-building events or improvements.

Learn More

News You Can Use

Get Involved in Beaverton with These Volunteer Opportunities 

Being involved in our city is one of the best ways to create positive change and build community. If you are looking for ways to connect with your community and make a difference, the city offers a variety of volunteer opportunities that fit different interests, skills, and availability. If you would like to bring new ideas and feedback to your neighborhood, you could join your Neighborhood Association Committee or if you want to help shape Beaverton’s future, you could serve on a city board or commission. Whatever you are passionate about, there is a place for you to get involved.

Learn More

Stop by the Murray Scholls Expansion 10th Anniversary Celebration 

It's been ten years since we expanded the Murray Scholls branch and added the Reser Family Children's Room. Join us on Friday, April 11 to celebrate! All ages welcome. We'll hold a special storytime at 10 a.m. — featuring books, action songs, rhymes, and a fun craft to celebrate our library and the number 10. Desserts will be provided all day (while supplies last). April 6 through 12 is National Library Week — it’s a great time to celebrate your library!

Learn More

Check out The Library Show

Join us on Friday, April 18 for a special after-hours debut of The Library Show, our first-ever performance/talk show featuring guest performers, including slam poet Alex Dang; performance artist Travis Abels; and author, journalist, and storyteller Brianna Wheeler. It's sure to be a fun-filled evening with an audience raffle and maybe some other surprises in store. Seating limited to 150. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Learn More

Stop by the Book and Media Sale

Shop thousands of vintage and current books, videos, compact discs, and more during the Book and Media Sale at the Beaverton City Library Main first floor conference rooms. Proceeds benefit the library.

• Members and Teachers Night: Wednesday, April 23: 2:30-6:30 p.m. Be or become a Friends of the Beaverton City Library member or show teacher identification for entry.
• Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26: 10 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.
• Bag Sale: Sunday, April 27: Noon through 5:30 p.m. Bring your own bag or use ours and fill for $10.

Learn More

It's Food Waste Prevention Week! 

We’re cranking up the volume on food waste awareness with Food Waste Prevention Week 2025! Take the Eat or Toss Quiz and learn simple ways to reduce food waste and save money.

Email us at CityRecycling@BeavertonOregon.gov for your free food waste prevention kit while supplies last.

Take the Eat or Toss Quiz and Find More Tips

Keep Your Food Fresh and Waste-Free!

Freeze bread, berries, and veggies before they spoil, and store leafy greens with a paper towel to keep them crisp. Small tips, big impact — on your wallet and the planet!

Get More Storage Tips

Remix Leftovers into Something Unforgettable

Use up those bits of veggies, bread, and cheese to create a flavor remix that’s sure to please a crowd. No fondue pot? No problem. Use those leftover cheeses to make a delicious grilled cheese!

Opportunities Available for Artists and Arts Organizations 

Whether you're a musician, poet, dancer, puppeteer, writer, athlete, teaching artist, storyteller, or a member of an arts organization, there’s an opportunity for you.

Learn More

From our Friends at the Oregon Department of Transportation

We’re in the fourth and final year of construction on OR 217, and paving season is quickly approaching! When the weather warms up, the contractor plans to add the final layer of pavement and striping on the new auxiliary lanes. In order to pave, we need several weekend closures of OR 217, one direction at a time. Stay tuned to our website and email updates for more details about these impacts as they get scheduled.

Once paving work finishes this summer, the new auxiliary lanes may still be needed for contractor access and/or worker safety but we're asking the contractor to make them available for use as soon as it is safe to do so.

The project remains on track for completion by the end of the year. Thank you for your continued patience as we bring these improvements to the finish line!

Have questions or concerns? Email hwy217@odot.oregon.gov or call 503-265-8704.

Sign up for Email Updates to Get Advance Notification of Major Traffic Impacts

Thanks for spending a little time with us this month! We’ll be back next month with more updates and news you can use. Stay connected! Stop by our homepage or follow us on social media to learn more about upcoming events and happenings.

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