Valerie Pratt – Tualatin City Council Position 6 Candidate

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Valerie Pratt

Why are you running for city councilor, what do you bring to the table that your opponents do not?

I am running for city councilor to give back to the community where I have had the privilege to raise my family and live for over twenty-five years. Tualatin is such a wonderful place to live, with its wonderful parks system, great local businesses, and community feel all within commuting distance of Portland. I am running to help ensure a high quality of life for future generations that live and work in Tualatin.

Along with my motivation to serve my community, I would bring a strong background and experiences to city council.  I have served over ten years in volunteer roles in Tualatin, including as Chair of the Tualatin Parks Advisory Committee and Chair of the Tualatin Parks Master Plan whatever committee. I am currently on the Tualatin Budget Committee, president of the Tualatin Community Police Foundation, and have served on City Council since I was appointed in August of 2019.  My professional experience as a certified public accountant and business owner has given me the ability to thoroughly understand operations and the importance of fiscal responsibility.

What is the #1 issue facing Tualatin and what do you propose we do about it?

While the near-term focus of our city must understandably be focused on keeping city operations and our economy going during this unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest ongoing issue facing Tualatin is traffic congestion.  This is apparent on Tualatin-Sherwood Road and Boones Ferry Road, even with the currently reduced traffic due to the pandemic.   Projected development with the annexation of the Basalt Creek area, along with the upcoming housing infill requirements of Oregon House Bill 2001, will further increase traffic congestion.  

There are multiple ways that in combination could greatly reduce Tualatin’s traffic congestion. This includes effective use of Tualatin Moving Forward bond funds, such as the planned time-saving improvements on eastbound Nyberg Street to I-5. 

It is also imperative that our mayor and city council continue to advocate for improvements with the governmental entities responsible for road maintenance and public transportation systems throughout Tualatin, such as Washington County, Clackamas County, Metro, and Oregon Department of Transportation.   

Growth forecasts from the recently adopted Tualatin 2040 Plan should be used as a tool to identify expected future transportation needs.  Thoughtful planning, including consideration of the effects on current community members, is needed to provide adequate road capacity and improve public transportation to employment centers and local businesses.  

Traffic congestion could also be improved by providing housing, so those who work here can also afford to live here, and by creating safe and continuous bike and pedestrian paths.

Expected growth will inevitably result in increased traffic in our city, but solutions are available to reduce traffic congestion and ensure the future livability in Tualatin.

Valerie Pratt

Email: vpratt@tualatin.gov