West Linn City Council Work Session – December 2, 2024

The West Linn City Council held a work session on December 2, 2024, at 1:00 PM. No votes were taken during the session. Key topics included public comments on a proposed wildlife feeding ordinance, proclamations for Pearl Harbor Day and Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a discussion on the severely rent-burdened housing report, and a city manager update. Councilor Grohner also raised an incident of anti-Semitic symbolism in the community.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gail Parnell (West Linn resident) asked the council to postpone the wildlife ordinance and questioned why the existing nuisance ordinance was insufficient. She requested an explanation of why a new ordinance was pursued instead of amending the nuisance code.
• Aaron Ruff (West Linn resident, 25 years) urged the council to vote against or postpone the wildlife ordinance and instead invest in enforcement, remediation, and conflict resolution services. She recommended Clackamas County Resolution Services as a resource.

Proclamations

• Councilor Grohner read the Pearl Harbor Day Proclamation, designating December 7, 2024, as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in West Linn.
• Councilor Bonnington read the Impaired Driving Prevention Month Proclamation, declaring December 2024 as Impaired Driving Prevention Month and urging community members to drive sober.

Wildlife Ordinance Discussion

• Code Enforcement Officer Nicola Higby presented the proposed ordinance, which would add a new public nuisance provision (Chapter 5.425) prohibiting intentional feeding of wildlife in extreme cases. She noted current code lacks enforceable provisions for this issue. The ordinance would be complaint-driven, with a presumptive fine of $440 for a Class A violation. She clarified that bird feeders and hummingbird feeders are excluded.
• Council questions: Councilor Grohner confirmed the process is complaint-driven and bird feeders are allowed. Councilor Bonnington asked about enforcement escalation; Higby explained that each day is a separate violation and multiple citations can be issued. Councilor Bright asked about the scale of the problem; Higby reported two active skunk-feeding cases in the city, each attracting 10–20 skunks, causing nuisance to neighbors. Councilor Bright expressed that legislative action is needed because neighbor-to-neighbor resolution has failed.
• City Attorney Katie Klein noted that a catch-all provision exists but is cumbersome, and she can refine the language to focus on public health impacts rather than listing specific animals. She suggested targeting the impacts of droppings and pests.
• The council reached consensus to send the proposed ordinance to neighborhood associations for further input and to refine the language based on attorney feedback. The item is expected to return in January 2025.

Severely Rent-Burdened Housing Meeting

• City Manager Williams reported that Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) identified West Linn as one of about 35 cities where renters spend more than 50% of income on housing. The city is required to hold an annual public meeting on the issue. No members of the public signed up to speak.
• Councilor Bonnington noted the statistic that 30% of renting households in West Linn spend more than half their income on housing, calling it concerning. He referenced Oregon City’s affordable housing project as a potential model.
• Councilor Bright linked housing affordability to transportation access, noting that lack of public transit can exacerbate the burden. Councilor Baumgartner agreed and stressed the need for regional and state partnerships.
• The city’s housing production strategy, developed by an advisory group, is expected to yield a final document in February 2025, with council and planning commission review in March and potential adoption in late spring.

City Manager Report & Council Comments

• City Manager Williams noted upcoming meetings: December 9 business meeting (code process amendments, election certification) and December 16 special meeting/work session (joint meeting with Historic Review Board). Council will reconvene in early January 2025 for swearing-in and priority setting.
• Councilor Grohner reported a police report of an anti-Semitic symbol (swastika) on private property in West Linn. He proposed a future proclamation or resolution condemning hate speech and noted the police investigation is ongoing. The mayor and council expressed unanimous condemnation.

Key Outcomes

• The wildlife ordinance will be revised by staff to focus on public health impacts, then sent to neighborhood associations for comment, with a goal of council action in January 2025.
• No action was taken on the rent-burdened housing item; the meeting fulfilled the state requirement for a public hearing.
• Council will certify the 2024 election results at the December 9 meeting and hold a joint meeting with the Historic Review Board on December 16.
• A proclamation or resolution condemning hate speech will be considered at a future meeting following the anti-Semitic incident.