West Linn City Council Meeting – January 6, 2025

The West Linn City Council held a special meeting on January 6, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm. The meeting included a swearing-in ceremony, election of Council President, a clean audit report, approval of consent agenda items, a public hearing on a land use appeal that was continued, and authorization to negotiate a contract for public art for the Willamette Main Street bicycle kiosk. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 pm.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes: Approved minutes for December 9 and 16, 2024.
• Arts and Culture Commission Process: Approved the process and recommendations for acquisition of public art under the Percentage for the Arts Program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Teresa Coughenaur (West Linn resident) expressed concern about the increasing frequency and noise of gas-powered leaf blowers in her neighborhood. She noted Portland has banned them and asked West Linn to consider a similar phase-out. The Mayor responded that the Sustainability Advisory Board has discussed the issue and has it on their goals list to work on phasing out gas-powered leaf blowers equitably.

Discussion Items

• Election of Council President: Councilor Carol Bryck nominated Mary Baumgardner for Council President. The motion was seconded and carried 5-0, continuing Baumgardner in the role.
• Audit Report: Finance Director Lauren Breithaupt and external auditor Tonya Moffitt (Merina+Co) presented the Fiscal Year 2024 audit. The city received a clean, unmodified opinion with no findings, the highest level of financial statement opinion. The city is in full compliance with Oregon’s minimum requirements and is expected to receive the 'gold standard' ACFAR award again for 2024. Councilors expressed appreciation for the finance team’s work.
• Public Hearing – Appeal of Planning Commission Decision (AP-24-02): The appeal concerned a 3-parcel minor partition and Class II variance at 2830 Coeur D'Alene Drive to allow five single-family homes access from a 20-foot shared private driveway. Mayor Bialostosky recused himself due to personal relationships with involved parties. Council President Baumgardner presided. The appellant’s attorney, Kevin Hart, requested a 120-day continuance to explore a judicial determination or withdrawal and resubmission. The Council voted 4-0 to continue the hearing to April 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm, leaving the record open for written testimony until noon that day.
• Arts and Culture Commission Recommendation: Library Director Doug Erickson and co-chairs Shatrine Krake and Charity Hudnut presented the process for selecting an artist for the Willamette Main Street bicycle kiosk. The call for artists closed September 20, 2024, with six applications. Two finalists were interviewed. The Commission recommended artist Travis Pond, who will create a metal sculpture incorporating bicycle parts and West Linn imagery. A QR code will provide information. Jody Carson, representing the Historic Willamette Main Street group, expressed strong support. Councilor Bryck praised the design. The Council authorized staff to negotiate a contract with Travis Pond.
• City Manager Report: John Williams reviewed upcoming meetings (January 13 regular meeting, January 21 work session), highlighted productive Council retreat outcomes (focus on infrastructure, traffic safety, community engagement, partnerships), and noted ongoing outreach (Highway 43 open house). He also mentioned library programs (Reading Resolution with goal of 2,000 pages or 25 hours in January; Glove Monsters craft project).

Key Outcomes

• Council President Elected: Mary Baumgardner re-elected as Council President (5-0).
• Consent Agenda Approved: Minutes and Arts Commission process adopted (5-0).
• Hearing Continued: Appeal of Planning Commission decision continued to April 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm; record open for written testimony until noon that day (4-0, Mayor recused).
• Artist Negotiation Authorized: Staff authorized to negotiate a contract with Travis Pond for public art at the Willamette Main Street bicycle kiosk (5-0).
• Next Steps: City Manager to draft revised Council priorities for discussion at a future meeting.