Res. 2258 - Referral to Electors Advisory Question on implementing 20 mph spead zones on local streets COUNCIL BILL NO. 3297
RESOLUTION NO. 2258
A RESOLUTION APPROVING REFERRAL TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF WOODBURN
AN ADVISORY QUESTION ON WHETHER THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD CONSIDER
PASSING LEGISLATION TO IMPLEMENT 20-MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONES ON LOCAL
STREETS IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; ADOPTING A BALLOT TITLE AND EXPLANATORY
STATEMENT; AND AUTHORIZING ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THIS
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, during the City Council's 2025/26 goal-setting session, one of the
priorities of the Council was to "Develop and implement a strategy to improve
traffic safety and reduce neighborhood speeding"; and
WHEREAS, under Oregon law, cities may designate by ordinance a speed
for a roadway under the jurisdiction of the city that is 20 miles-per-hour when
that roadway is located in a "residence district," is not an arterial highway, and
is signed appropriately; and
WHEREAS, prior to adopting any ordinance that would lower speed limits
on eligible roadways in residential areas, the City Council desires to understand
voter attitudes on the question first; and
WHEREAS, the City Council may refer to the electors of Woodburn an
"advisory question," which is a non-binding referral that does not on its own
directly change legislation within the City; and
WHEREAS, the Woodburn City Council would like to now refer the
proposed advisory question on residential roadway speed reduction to the
electors of Woodburn; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council refers to the May 19, 2026, election a ballot
measure asking an advisory question regarding lowering the speed limits on
roadways in residential districts in Woodburn.
Section 2. The City Council adopts the Ballot Title for the proposed
measure as set forth in Exhibit A.
Section 3. The City Council adopts the Explanatory Statement for the
Ballot Title as set forth in Exhibit B.
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Resolution No. 2258
Section 4. The Ballot Title and Explanatory Statement adopted by this
Resolution shall be filed with the City Elections Officer. The City Attorney and City
Elections Officer are jointly and severally authorized and directed to take all
necessary steps for and on behalf of the City to effectuate this Resolution,
including providing public notice and submitting required materials to the County
Elections Officer to cause the measure to appear on the ballot for the May 19,
2026, election and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Resolution.
Approved as to form: XD Z�Z�/ZZ
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City At ney Date
Approved: ic�L! �
Frank Lonergan(,jAayor
Passed by the Council., Y-t)ri ry
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Approved by the Mayor rVal y ,
Filed in the Office of the Recorder �,CI
ATTEST:
Heather Pierson, City Recorder
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Resolution No. 2258
EXHIBIT A
BALLOT TITLE
CAPTION (10 words):
City advisory question regarding lowering speed limits in residential areas.
QUESTION (20 words):
Should the Woodburn City Council pass legislation to implement 20-mph
speed limit zones on local streets in residential districts?
SUMMARY (175 words):
The Woodburn City Council has placed this advisory question on the
ballot to determine voter attitudes on the question of whether the City
Council should take action to lower speed limits on eligible roadways in
residential districts.
Oregon law authorizes cities to designate by ordinance a speed for a
roadway under the jurisdiction of the city that is up to 10 miles per hour
lower than the statutory speed, so long as the designated speed is not less
than 20 miles per hour, and the roadway is located in a "residence
district," is not an arterial highway, and is signed appropriately.
A yes vote means that you think the City Council should consider
adopting an ordinance that would lower speed limits on eligible
roadways in residential areas.
A no vote means that you think the City Council should maintain the
speed limits currently designated for the roadways in residential areas.
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Resolution No. 2258
EXHIBIT B
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
(500 word maximum)
There are two types of speed limits in Oregon: statutory speed limits and
designated speed limits.
A statutory speed limit is specifically described in state law. Examples include:
• 15 mph - Alleys.
• 20 mph - Business districts and school zones.
• 25 mph - Residential districts.
• 65 mph - Most interstate highway sections.
Speed limits are posted to inform motorists of appropriate driving speeds under
favorable conditions. Posted speeds also provide the legal basis for adjudication
and fines for violations of the law.
In 2023, Oregon House Bill 2095, expanded the authority of cities to set
designated speed limits for certain residential roadways to a speed that is up to
10 miles per hour lower than statutory speed, but not less than 20 miles per hour,
when the following criteria are met:
• The roadway is located in a residence district.
• The roadway is not an arterial highway.
• The designated speed is effective when appropriate signs giving notice of
the designated speed are posted on the roadway where the designated
speed is imposed.
Use of a 20-mph speed limit in residential areas meeting the criteria above can
be implemented by the City Council, without the review and oversight of ODOT.
The Woodburn City Council set a 2025/26 goal to "develop and implement a
strategy to improve traffic safety and reduce neighborhood speeding." Prior to
adopting any ordinance that would lower speed limits on eligible roadways in
residential areas of Woodburn, the City Council desires to understand voter
attitudes on the question first.
An "advisory question" of this nature is a non-binding referral that does not on its
own directly change legislation within the City, but provides voter input for the
Council's consideration.
Should the City Council undertake a process to implement reduced speed limits
in residential districts, speed limits signs would likely be replaced through the
street fund budget and regular maintenance planning process neighborhood-
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Resolution No. 2258
by-neighborhood and over a number of years. Additionally, as part of any future
implementation, currently designated minor arterial, service collector, and
access street roadways would maintain their current designated speeds of
either 25 mph or 35 mph.
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Resolution No. 2258