West Linn City Council Business Meeting - January 13, 2025

The West Linn City Council met on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of the agenda (with removal of one consent item), public comments on pedestrian safety and a community belonging proclamation, appointments to advisory groups and council liaisons, two proclamations, and a city manager report. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Bill 2025-01-13-01: Owner's Representative & Construction Management Services Contract — This item was removed from the agenda by motion due to unresolved contract language issues. It will be brought back at a future meeting in February.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michelle Bombet Minch (West Linn resident, on behalf of Jewish Federation of Greater Portland) — Spoke in support of the Community Belonging Proclamation, citing a 63% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes in 2023 per FBI data, and 450 calls to Oregon DOJ. She shared personal experiences of anti-Semitism in West Linn schools and urged the city to use the State Department's "A Mayor's Guide to Countering Anti-Semitism."
• Michael Selvaggio (Willamette neighborhood resident, parent at Atlas Academy) — Presented a petition with over 100 signatures requesting improved pedestrian safety at the crosswalk on Willamette Falls Drive near West A Street. Highlighted unsafe conditions for parents, teachers, and students due to high speeds, lack of lighting, and poor visibility.
• Christine Lewis (West Linn resident, also Metro Councilor) — Supported pedestrian safety improvements, noting recent pedestrian deaths in West Linn and the need for immediate temporary measures alongside long-term planning.
• Maria Isabel Morales (West Linn resident) — Attended to support the pedestrian safety request.
• Wendy Blodgett (staff member at Atlas Immersion Academy) — Read a letter from a colleague describing near-miss incidents and asking for flashing lights at the existing crosswalk. She noted that staff must park across the street due to insufficient parking.

Council acknowledged the concerns, noting the Transportation Advisory Board is reviewing funding options. Councilor Bonnington suggested exploring parking at historic city hall as a temporary solution.

Discussion Items

• Community Advisory Group Appointments — Mayor Bialostosky placed before the council a slate of appointments to various boards (Arts & Culture, Committee for Community Involvement, Historic Review Board, Library Advisory Board, Parks & Recreation, Planning Commission, Sustainability, Transportation). Two vacancies on the Utilities Advisory Board (no applicants). Council praised the high number of qualified applicants. Motion to approve carried 5-0.
• Council Liaison Appointments — The council discussed retaining the same liaison assignments from 2024. Council President Baumgardner noted potential scheduling conflicts; Councilor Bonnington confirmed the Economic Development Committee would adjust its meeting time. Motion to retain carried 5-0.
• Reports from Community Advisory Groups — Councilor Groner reported a clean audit from the Audit Committee; Arts & Culture committee received council approval; Parks & Recreation board planned the year's meetings; Economic Development Committee discussed Vision43 and requested direction. Mayor Bialostosky reported a tour of the Abernathy Bridge with ODOT on January 8 to discuss water line removal; City Manager Williams noted progress on financial aspects.
• Proclamations
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — Mayor Bialostosky read the proclamation declaring January 20, 2025 as Martin Luther King Day, encouraging community participation.
  • Community Belonging — Councilor Groner prefaced the reading with personal remarks about anti-Semitism, including a recent incident in West Linn (swastikas on a mailbox) and the murder of family members in the Holocaust. The proclamation condemns bias and hate in all forms and reaffirms commitment to inclusivity.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved (5-0) with removal of item 6a (construction contract).
• Community Advisory Group Appointments approved 5-0.
• Council Liaison Appointments retained from 2024 (motion carried 5-0).
• Proclamations read and adopted; documents signed by the Mayor.
• Next steps: Pedestrian safety concerns will be reviewed by the Transportation Advisory Board; staff will explore parking options at historic city hall. The delayed contract will return in February. City Manager noted upcoming budget discussions in March, and the Oregon legislative session begins January 21.