Our Town: Assistant City Manager | New Neighborhoods | Grants | Disaster Preparedness

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Dan Weinheimer Hired as Assistant City Manager

City Manager Jenny Haruyama has hired Dan Weinheimer as the city’s new assistant city manager. This position reports directly to the city manager and will oversee Finance, Public Works, Facilities, and Environmental Services.

Weinheimer began his service with the city in January 2022 as the interim city services and engagement director, with oversight for the Cultural Inclusion, Recycling, Facilities, Neighborhood and Public Involvement, Community Services, Marketing, Arts, Events, and Mediation programs.

In August, he assumed a newly created interim assistant city manager role leading Finance and Public Works teams, Environmental Programs, and Facilities.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my service to the community members and staff of Beaverton,” said Weinheimer. “The city team is so talented, and this is a pivotal moment at the city. I am grateful for the chance to contribute my experience and ideas as we continue to do important work in service to the community.

Cooper Mountain: Setting the Course for New Neighborhoods

Head over to the Cooper Mountain Community Plan website to review and comment on specific goals and policies that will guide city actions, development rules, and implementation for Cooper Mountain. That and other updates are available at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/CooperMountain.

The goals and policies express desired outcomes for the area regarding things like creating new equitable neighborhoods, protecting natural resources, and connecting people to nature, parks, and other destinations in Cooper Mountain. The desired outcomes are based on the Cooper Mountain preferred approach developed last year.

The goals and policies also are important because the city’s development rules must be consistent with the goals and policies in the Community Plan. Development rules determine for each property things like what uses are allowed, how many homes can be built, building size and bulk, and how many trees must be planted.

The website is also where you can review project documents, sign up for project updates, and learn about ways to stay involved.

For more information, contact Rob Zoeller in  the Community Development Department at rzoeller@BeavertonOregon.gov.

The Be 2 Weeks Ready Disaster Preparedness Program is Coming to Beaverton in March

Be 2 Weeks Ready is a self-directed activity-based public education program designed to create a population more prepared for and resilient to natural and man-made disasters.

The goal is for households and neighborhoods to have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks, if not longer, in the event of a disaster or other emergency.

Be 2 Weeks Ready is:

• More about a process for learning what your household needs are, rather than a prescription of what to get.
• A self-sustaining program with trained volunteers who will help continue to educate the community.
• For the entire community, including households, neighborhoods, organizations, and affinity groups.
• Currently available in Spanish, Russian, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Be 2 Weeks Ready will be available in Beaverton in March through Beaverton Emergency Management’s Preparedness Outreach and Public Education program. A resilient community is a benefit to all of us.

For more information or to request a Be 2 Weeks Ready Getting Started presentation for your neighborhood, HOA, organization, or affinity group, email preparedness@BeavertonOregon.gov.

Building Improvement Grants Now Available

Earlier this year, the city re-launched the  Storefront and Tenant Improvement  Programs as the new Building Improvement Program. This new program was created in alignment with the new Downtown Equity Strategy.

Aspects of the Building  Improvement Program that are now in  effect include:

• New grant levels:
• 75 percent match on project expenses up to $75,000 for small businesses with less than 25 employees
• 50 percent match on project expenses up to $50,000 for property owners/landlords, and businesses with more than 25 employees
• New eligibility criteria to increase funding access. This includes interior renovation funding for many new types of businesses, as well as restaurants.
• Faster access to funding. Grantees no longer need to be “reimbursed” for expenses.
• A new “Maintenance Grant” type to help fund maintenance of key building systems, including seismic retrofits and structural reinforcement; electrical, HVAC, and plumbing improvements; accessibility infrastructure; window and door upgrades or repair; siding repair; structural awning or sign repair; and roofing repair.
• A new Displacement Risk Assessment to determine whether projects could negatively affect tenants and require action to reduce that risk, when applicable.

More changes are coming this year! They include new boundaries to offer grants in portions of SW Allen Boulevard and a much larger portion of the downtown area.

Learn more, see eligibility criteria and maps, and contact staff at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/ImprovementGrants.

For more information, contact Katie Keaotamai of the Community Development Department at kkeaotamai@BeavertonOregon.gov.