West Linn City Council Meeting – October 14, 2024

The West Linn City Council held a business meeting on Monday, October 14, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. following a pre-meeting at 5:30 p.m. The agenda was reordered to begin with an Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation and a performance by a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Topics included public comments on pedestrian safety near Sunset Primary School, the status of the Oppenlander property, and a personal dispute over a city grant. The council approved a one-year collective bargaining agreement with the police sergeants union (with a 4% cost-of-living adjustment), gave direction on the Arts & Culture Commission's request for up to $1,000 for artist renderings, and joined a regional river assets statement. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes – Approved the minutes from September 9 and October 7, 2024 (motion carried unanimously).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lori Bacon (Sunset neighborhood resident) – Described Cornwall Street and Summit Street approaches to Oxford Street as "treacherous, dangerous, hazardous, and perilous." Cited a 2022 traffic study showing motorists driving nearly 10 mph over the posted speed limit, noted 88 survey responses aligning with safety concerns, and requested prioritized sidewalk infill and pedestrian safety improvements near Sunset Primary School.
• Dean Sir (West Linn resident) – Reported that neighbors testified at the school board meeting urging continued community access to the Oppenlander property, which has been used for 40 years. Announced the formation of a committee to raise private funds to purchase the property for a city park, and asked the council to remain engaged and transparent.
• Bill Ramirez (West Linn resident) – Reminded the council of an ongoing problem with residents feeding wildlife and requested a charter amendment to address it. The council noted a draft ordinance had been sent to the city attorney for review.
• Joy Mattar (West Linn resident) – Described a conflict with former co-chairs of a city-funded group, alleging that personal accusations harmed her family and cut off communication. She requested the council accept repayment of grant funds on behalf of the group because the co-chairs would not meet with her. She advocated for community-centered dispute resolution and acknowledged the challenges of activism.
• Jen Petrin (Sunset neighborhood resident) – Supported Lori Bacon’s comments, adding that Sunset Avenue (referred to as "Sunset Highway") has a blind hill, zero police patrol, and no safe crosswalks despite being a safe route to school. She suggested incremental solutions such as pedestrian warning signs.
• Gail Sanchez (Sunset area resident) – Asked the city to consider resident safety when choosing sidewalk locations for the Safe Routes to School project. Noted that two of three proposed sidewalk options would push the road closer to homes, and requested better public notification of such projects.

Discussion Items

• Indigenous Peoples' Day Proclamation – Council President Baumgartner read the proclamation designating October 14, 2024, as Indigenous Peoples' Day in West Linn. Mr. Dietrich Peters, Director of the Native American Cultural Encampment and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, gave a speech and performed a flute song. The proclamation recognized the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon and affirmed the city's commitment to addressing systemic racism.
• Shared River Assets and Opportunities Statement – Jerry Herman and Kent Ziegler presented a non-binding statement of support for increased river access, recreational economic development, and collaboration among West Linn, Oregon City, Canby, Gladstone, and other partners. They noted that the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Metro, several commercial users (e.g., Portland Spirit, Willamette Jet Boats), and former Governor Kate Brown (Lambert Falls Trust) have already signed. The council gave informal consensus to join, with Councilor Bunting volunteering to attend the next task force meeting on November 20, 2024.
• Police Sergeants Union Contract (RES 2024-11) – Human Resources Director Alyssa Preston explained that recent state law allowed sergeants to unionize; the city and the Clackamas County Peace Officers Association Sergeants Unit reached a one-year tentative agreement with a 4% cost-of-living adjustment, retroactive to July 1, 2024. A typo in the resolution (date 2021 instead of 2024) was corrected by amendment.
• Arts & Culture Commission – Process for Public Art Acquisition – Library and Community Services Director Doug Erickson and Arts Commissioner Shatrine Craig requested direction on using up to $1,000 from the 1% for arts acquisition fund to pay finalist artists for detailed renderings in future selections. City Attorney Kaylee Klein recommended that changes be memorialized in the existing "Percentage for the Arts Program Governing Guidelines" and brought back for approval. The council gave consensus to proceed with the $1,000 allowance and to return with revised guidelines at the next business meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved – With the Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation moved to first item (unanimous).
• Consent agenda approved – Unanimous.
• Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation – Adopted and read; performance given.
• Shared river assets statement – Council gave consensus to sign the statement on behalf of the city.
• Police sergeants union contract – RES 2024-11 passed unanimously as amended, authorizing the city manager to sign the one-year collective bargaining agreement with CCPOA sergeants unit (4% COLA, retroactive to July 1, 2024).
• Arts & Culture Commission direction – Council agreed to allow up to $1,000 for artist renderings in future acquisitions and directed staff to draft updates to the Percentage for the Arts Governing Guidelines for formal approval at a future meeting.
• Next steps – The council’s work session on October 21, 2024 will discuss 2025 legislative priorities and climate-friendly amendments.