Tigard parking regulations updated
State law prohibits parking in alternative-fuel vehicle spaces if a vehicle is not in the process of being refueled. The City Council on Feb. 11 voted unanimously to update the Tigard Municipal Code to include a similar restriction. The change will allow community service officers, who do most of Tigard’s parking enforcement, to issue citations for refueling space violations, Police Commander James McDonald told the council. Community Service Officers, who are non-sworn members of the Police Department, are authorized to issue citations for violations of the municipal code, he said, but only sworn officers can cite people for violating state statutes.
Red-light cameras turned off
The city turned off traffic-enforcement cameras at three SW Pacific Highway intersections – Hall Boulevard, 72nd Avenue and Durham Road – in late February. The cameras will be reactivated once ODOT construction permit standards are met and that agency completes a final inspection, according to the city. In the meantime, no red-light camera citations will be issued.
Couple sentenced in murder of Tigard High grad
Portland gang member Regis Kindred, 30, was sentenced Feb. 20 to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the 2019 death of Alex Gradin, who graduated from Tigard High School in 2016, according to media reports. Kailee Von Foster, Kindred’s 29-year-old wife who acted as the getaway driver, was sentenced to 6 years, 3 months in prison. Gardin, who had played football at Tigard High, was shot to death May 4 near the University of Oregon campus in Eugene. In a case of mistaken identity, Kindred believed that Gardin was a member of a rival gang. Gardin had no gang affiliation. Kindred and Von Foster were arrested in Portland following months of investigation. Gardin, 21, had moved to Eugene to work and attend Lane Community College, according to his obituary.
New Public Art Approved
The City Council on Feb. 4 approved a resolution supporting the placement of two murals on the 99W overpass along the Tigard Heritage Trail. The murals, which will be funded by a National Endowment for the Arts grant, will be completed by June 15, according to the city.
Ballot Title Moves Forward
During the Feb. 4 City Council meeting, City Manager Marty Wine reported that the ballot title for a public safety levy had passed the challenge period. It will now be submitted to Washington County Elections to be added to the May ballot. If passed, the levy would add about $81 to the typical Tigard household’s property tax bill. The city says the money would be used to pay for new patrol officers, a school resource officer and police training.
