West Linn City Council Work Session – January 21, 2025

The West Linn City Council held a work session on January 21, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included approval of the agenda, public comment, mayor and council reports, a presentation from the Police Review & Recommend Committee (PRRC) on its annual report, an update on the Vision43 corridor plan, and a city manager report on upcoming meetings and projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dean Sir (Over Miles Drive, West Linn) spoke strongly in opposition to the West Linn-Wilsonville School District’s handling of the Oppenlander property. He stated that the district had abandoned its good-faith commitment to keep the land as a community park, offered a sale price of nearly $8 million (which he described as a developer price, not a park price), and was using the funds for short-term budget shortfalls instead of land banking. He urged the city to respond firmly and continue pursuing acquisition, expressed support for the Friends of Oppenlander group and the prior $3.5 million ballot measure, and called for a public-private partnership with community engagement to fill the funding gap.

Discussion Items

• Police Review & Recommend Committee (PRRC) Annual Report: Committee members Sarah Werbaff, Mary Carlson, Keisha Omlin, Steve Craig, and virtual member Mike Savaggio presented the group’s second annual report. Key points included:
  • The committee reviewed 6 complaints in 2024; 2 were closed because the complainant withdrew the complaint or passed away. Most complaints involved officer tone and demeanor (customer service issues); 2 included allegations of possible discrimination that were not supported.
  • The committee also provided a review of the West Linn Police Department’s handling of the Farley case earlier in the year.
  • Members discussed process challenges, including the lack of a formal chair (some members expressed desire for one to improve meeting efficiency), unclear voting rules (unanimity vs. majority), record-keeping practices, and the need to ensure independence while receiving materials from the department. City Manager John Williams noted that the committee is advisory to staff, not to council, and that any process changes would require legal review.
  • Council members praised the committee’s work and engaged in a robust discussion about potential improvements, including a rotating chair and formalized procedures. Councilor Grohner stressed that the process should be designed to survive a future crisis.
• Vision43 Update: Associate Planner Chris Myers and Planning staff Lynn Schroeder presented an update on the community vision for the Highway 43 corridor. Highlights included:
  • The project is 15 months into an approximately 24-month timeline, on schedule and under budget (about $67,000 spent out of a $200,000 budget).
  • Community engagement has exceeded initial goals: over 40 events (up to 50 expected) including open houses, neighborhood meetings, surveys, and tabling at community events. Three surveys have received about 1,000 responses.
  • Two future development scenarios were shown: Scenario 1 (45-foot height limit, 80-90% lot coverage, parking underground/behind) and Scenario 2 (55-foot height limit, allowing four stories of housing above retail). Survey 3 feedback is being collected through the end of January.
  • Upcoming milestones: pedestrian/bicycle connection analysis (draft due by end of January), draft mixed-use zoning code (based on community input), transportation analysis by Kittelson & Associates, enhanced renderings, and a draft corridor master plan in early spring.
  • Staff presented potential 30-month goals for council consideration: finalizing and adopting the plan by end of 2025, exploring a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) feasibility study, studying a possible city-sponsored project at the old Bolton Firehouse, amending the Transportation System Plan, and creating marketing materials for commercial property owners.
  • Council discussed coordination with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) regarding taller buildings, the need to ensure future development is financially feasible for landowners, and the importance of continued public education about TIF districts. Councilor Bright commended the robust engagement program.

Key Outcomes

• The council approved the agenda unanimously (roll call vote).
• No formal votes were taken on substantive items, but the council received the PRRC annual report with appreciation and will consider process changes (e.g., adding a chair) after legal review.
• The Vision43 update was received; staff will continue engagement, finalize survey results, and bring back draft code and the corridor master plan later in 2025. A potential TIF feasibility study will be discussed internally with a cost estimate for the next budget cycle.
• The city manager outlined the February meeting schedule: a work session on February 3 (including wild animal feeding ordinance update, safety camera presentation, council priorities, and public works construction projects), a business meeting on February 10 (possible adoption of priorities and a road vacation hearing), and a work session on February 18 (Youth Advisory Council on traffic safety and a joint housing workshop with Planning Commission).