West Linn City Council Work Session - June 2, 2025
West Linn City Council Work Session - June 2, 2025
The meeting began with approval of the agenda, removing the Budget Committee item (completed May 29). No public comments were heard. The council received proclamations, a presentation from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), an update on the Waterfront Vision Plan, and a City Manager report on upcoming meetings and budget discussions.
Proclamations
- National Gun Violence Awareness Day (June 6, 2025): Councilor Groner read the proclamation, noting that every day more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence, with over 18,000 gun homicides annually; Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries; Oregon averages 600 gun deaths per year, costing the state $8.1 billion (of which $89.1 million is paid by taxpayers). Carla Pemberton, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, spoke in support, urging awareness and prevention, noting nearly 48,000 firearm deaths and 85,000 wounded annually.
- National Pollinator Week (June 16–22, 2025): Mayor read the proclamation, recognizing pollinator species' role in food supply and ecosystems; West Linn is a Bee City USA. Tara Lincoln, Recreation Supervisor, invited the community to a celebration Friday, June 20 (4–7 p.m.) at Mary S. Young Park, featuring flower giveaways, plant sales, crafts, and educational booths.
- Juneteenth (June 19, 2025): Council President Baumgartner read the proclamation, noting the delay of emancipation news to June 19, 1865, and encouraging recognition and education. All proclamations were adopted by acclamation.
TVF&R State of the District
Deputy Chief Patrick Vale presented: 2024 saw a record 1.9 million acres burned in Oregon, with 88 task forces deployed. In 2025, TVF&R sent 14 firefighters and one battalion chief to Southern California. Within West Linn city limits, approximately 1,800 incidents occurred in 2024 (excluding mutual aid). EMS calls dominate; call volume peaks on Thursdays. An aging population drives 911 usage. TVF&R has introduced advanced practice community paramedics and an Advanced Resource Medic program (with nurse practitioner). A local option levy approved May 2024 (5-year, 24 cents per $1,000 increase) will fund 36 additional firefighters/paramedics; total tax rate will rise from $2.10 to $2.34 per $1,000. A 2021 bond is funding station rebuilds (Station 35, Station 20, new Station 22, training center). Council President Baumgartner raised concerns about skilled nursing facility calls and advocated for state-level fixes.
Waterfront Update
Planning Manager Darren Wise presented: The updated Waterfront Vision Plan is based on years of engagement (2016–2025). An online survey (Dec 18–Jan 31) showed strong support (double agree vs. disagree) across three districts (Historic City Hall, Cultural Heritage, Pond). Final public engagement will occur summer 2025 (open houses July 24 and 31, working group final meeting July 10, farmer's market booths). Planning commission public hearing set for September 17; city council adoption target November 10. Zoning and design standards will follow in an implementation phase. Councilor Groner noted more resistance in the Pond district due to environmental complexity. Council President Baumgartner emphasized environmental stewardship and potential indigenous heritage responsibilities. Staff will contact DEQ about settling pond conditions.
City Manager Report
City Manager Williams outlined upcoming meetings: June 16 – special meeting for a life-saving award, sustainability update, award of operations complex construction contract, and parking ordinance adoption; June 23 – budget approvals (grants, fees, tax rate). He flagged future general fund deficits (projected shortfall in four years) and suggested a council work session to discuss the city's financial future. Council agreed to schedule this for July 7 (work session), potentially involving the budget committee later. Mayor Bielostowski noted he will start law school in fall 2025, prompting a future discussion on changing meeting days from Monday to another weekday.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the agenda as amended (removing Budget Committee item).
- Issued three proclamations (Gun Violence Awareness, Pollinator Week, Juneteenth).
- Received TVF&R state of the district; no formal action.
- Noted progress on Waterfront Vision Plan with public hearings ahead.
- Directed staff to schedule a work session on the city's financial future for July 7, 2025.
- Acknowledged potential meeting schedule change to be discussed at a later date.
Meeting Transcript
June 2nd, 2025. And the first item is to approve the agenda. And we're going to remove the budget committee portion of the meeting because we were very efficient with our time last week and finished the budget process for at the budget committee level and now it'll come to city council later this month. So Council President, please. Thank you, Mayor. I move to approve the agenda for the Monday, June 2nd, City Council Work Session, removing item number four. Okay, it's been moved and seconded to uh approve the agenda for the Western City Council meeting. Uh removing item four. Any discussion. Uh seeing none, uh, we can call the roll. Councilor Bonington. Yes. Councilor Bright? Yes. Council President Baumgartner? Yes. Councilor Groner? Yes. Mayor Bielostowski. Yes. Thank you. So with that, we will move to public comments if we have any. No, we do not. Okay. Uh then we'll move on to uh the mayor and council reports. Uh so reports from community advisory groups or city business. In general. Uh, Councilor Bright, please. So last week was all budget all the time. I um participated as a budget committee member for the water environment services budget that um was approved by the budget committee on Tuesday, and then of course we had our own city budget. We also on last Wednesday adopted the South Fork Waterboard budget, so I've been I've been thinking thinking budgets a lot. Um also attended the uh transportation local leader roundtable with other um counselors where we got to talk to our state representatives about upcoming transportation bill. And um we went to the um I went to the Oregon City Business Alliance where they had a presentation on tax increment financing. So it was a busy week. Thank you for that report. And wow, you had another budget committee meeting for this other organization, even in addition to ours. Busy week for you. Go ahead, please come to the thank you, Mayor. Yes, my husband was um at the end of the week, he said, Wow, you I haven't even seen you all week. So we had a lot of evening meetings. Um I was also in attendance for some, but not all of the budget, not the West, but the city budget and South Fork Waterboard budget meetings, Councilor Breich referred to and uh attended in Salem the um very interesting Clackhamus County leaders official um elected leaders transportation round table about the current package um in Salem. So we'll keep a watch on what happens next. And um let's see. I had a couple of meetings that I couldn't attend because I had meetings at the same time, so I missed the CCI uh community for citizen involvement and Lamet Falls Locks Authority this this month, but I'll get them next month. And um this weekend, I'm going to visit the Yakima Nation with some members of um the Willamette Falls Trust to um appreciate the treaty day celebration that they have annually. So I'm looking forward to that. That's it. Thank you. Uh Council President. Uh Council Growner, please.
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