West Linn City Council Meeting - March 17, 2025

The West Linn City Council met on Monday, March 17, 2025, for a pre-meeting at 5:30 PM and a business meeting at 6:00 PM. The meeting included public comments, reports, proclamations, and several unanimous votes on ordinances, procurement exemptions, investment policy updates, and public art commissioning.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Unanimously approved (4-0) with Councilor Leo Groner excused.
• February 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Approved.
• Amendment to Cooperative Maintenance Agreement with ODOT for OR-43 Multimodal Improvements: Approved. Mayor Bialostosky expressed disappointment that cost increases reduced the original scope to only one intersection, arguing for city control of Highway 43.
• Transient Lodging Tax Collection Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Oregon: Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elizabeth Miller (West Linn resident) requested an ordinance limiting the time dumpsters and mini storage containers can be on city streets, citing a safety hazard from a unit left for over 11 months. The City Manager confirmed staff is reviewing the issue and will bring options to council.
• Vicki Handy (co-chair, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board) presented the board's unanimous and strongly repeated opposition to the city acquiring and placing the tugboat Lady B in Willamette Park. Concerns included: location in an already overused park, lead-based paint liability, financial risks (only $25,000 of $200,000 budget raised), no exit strategy, environmental contamination, and additional burden on understaffed parks. She urged council to consider the board's due diligence and recommendations.

Discussion Items

• Mayor and Council Reports: Mayor Bialostosky reported on the Washington D.C. conference. Councilor Bryck attended Planning Commission and Vision43 meetings. Council President Baumgardner attended the National League of Cities conference and reported on the Willamette Falls Heritage Coalition and Willamette Falls Trust. Councilor Bonnington reported that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) unanimously voted to advise council to seriously consider upgrade costs, community engagement, and ongoing maintenance for the Oppenlander project, and to weigh all city priorities.
• Appoint Community Advisory Group Member: Council unanimously appointed Jared Dean to the Economic Development Committee, with discussion that the other applicant, Shannon Knight, already serves on another board.
• Equal Pay Day Proclamation: Councilor Bryck read the proclamation declaring March 25, 2025 as Equal Pay Day, noting women earn about 83% of men's wages, with wider gaps for women of color.
• ORD 1758 – Surface Water Management: First and second readings were approved unanimously. The ordinance gives the city authority to adopt, amend, and enforce its own stormwater management manual (previously using Portland's). The draft manual is out for 30-day public comment; final adoption expected in April.
• Local Contracting Rule Exemption for CMGC Procurement: Council unanimously affirmed an exemption under section 10.105 of the city's contracting rules to use Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) procurement for the new operations facility. Staff explained advantages include cost control, risk sharing, and earlier lead-time procurement. Next steps: RFP release for CMGC services, interviews, and contract award in early June, construction starting late summer/early fall 2025.
• Investment Policy Update: Council unanimously approved the updated investment policy (last revised 2008). Finance Director Breithaupt noted the city is approaching the 15% cap on the Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) due to higher reserves, $12 million in waterline bond proceeds, and GO bond balances. Government Portfolio Advisors (GPA) will help invest ~$10 million in U.S. Treasury and agency securities to diversify and lock in ~4% returns.
• Arts & Culture Commission – Bike Kiosk Art: Council unanimously authorized a contract with artist Travis Pond for $13,605.47 (increased from earlier quote due to tariffs, material costs, insurance, and new requirements). The art will be integrated into the Historic Willamette Main Street bicycle kiosk. The percent-for-arts fund has ~$130,000; this is the first public art contract. Council added a contingency for potential further material cost changes.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: Jared Dean appointed to Economic Development Committee (4-0).
• ORD 1758: Passed first and second readings, adopted unanimously (4-0). Ordinance effective in 30 days.
• Local Contracting Rule Exemption: Approved findings and affirmed exemption for CMGC procurement (4-0). Staff to proceed with RFP.
• Investment Policy: Approved unanimously (4-0). Implementation to begin with ~$10 million investment outside LGIP.
• Bike Kiosk Art Contract: Authorized contract with Travis Pond at $13,605.47 (4-0), with understanding of possible material cost changes.
• Future Meetings: City Manager noted upcoming April meetings including council priority updates, legislative session update, Stafford Road safety project, right-of-way code, continued appeal, pedestrian traffic safety project list, housing production strategy, and tree code. Budget draft is in design; budget meetings in late May. Staff will prepare a list of unfunded community service priorities for discussion as requested by council.