West Linn City Council Meeting - June 16, 2025

The West Linn City Council met on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to approximately 8:20 p.m. in Council Chambers and virtually. The Council unanimously adopted three parking-related ordinances amending Municipal Code Chapter 6, approved a $98,000 preconstruction services contract with Skanska USA Buildings, Inc. for the new Operations Complex, received a sustainability consultant work update, and presented the Lifesaving Award to Officer Charles Lincoln. No public comments were offered during the public comment period.

Consent Calendar

• The Council voted 5-0 to approve the meeting agenda, moving the Lifesaving Award from item 6 to item 3 so police officers could return to available call status.
• The Consent Agenda, including the May 12, 2025 Council meeting minutes, was approved 5-0.

Awards & Proclamations

• Police Chief Peter Mahuna presented Officer Charles Lincoln with the West Linn Police Department Lifesaving Award. On April 4, 2025, at 11:19 p.m., Lincoln and Officer Crosby responded to a welfare check, located an unconscious male, administered one dose of Narcan, and revived him.
• Councilor Leo Groner read the LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation, declaring Pride Month in West Linn for June 2025.

Mayor and Council Reports

• Councilor Bryck, Council President Baumgardner, and Mayor Bialostosky attended the American Water Works Association conference in Denver as South Fork Water Board representatives; South Fork Water Board provides all clean drinking water for West Linn and Oregon City.
• Baumgardner reported on a Yakima Nation treaty celebration and her work as a Willamette Falls Trust Board member, noting the trust and the Willamette Falls & Landings Heritage Area Coalition await potential funding to advance public access to the falls.
• Councilor Bonnington attended League of Oregon Cities Mastering Media training and reported on Parks and Recreation Advisory Board discussion of park usage tracking technology and upcoming events such as the Old Time Fair.
• The Council appointed Christi Lanz to the Economic Development Committee and Lynne Chicoine to the Utility Advisory Board by a 5-0 vote, with Council President Baumgardner praising the quality of community volunteers.

Discussion Items

• Parking Ordinances 1760, 1761, and 1762: Police Chief Mahuna said many of the changes were requested by community members. Ordinance 1760 prohibits parking, stopping, or standing along any curb painted red or yellow by the city, with no sign required; Mahuna confirmed the city maintains a schedule of painted curbs and repaints them every few years. Ordinance 1761 restricts portable storage containers (such as pods and dumpsters) on residential streets to no more than 72 hours without a permit, with education before enforcement. Ordinance 1762 clarifies that parking violation fines are set in the Master Fees and Charges document; previously, unclassified violations were treated as Class B violations at $265 per day, which Mahuna called inappropriate for high school students parking in the parking district. Council President Baumgardner expressed concern that the current system produces daily citations of students and suggested partnering with the school district to solve the problem. Mahuna noted the Community Service Officer works the parking district every school day, the Student Resource Officer covers the rules during orientation, and information is sent to parents annually. A resident email about parking near mailboxes was discussed; Councilor Bryck suggested painted curbs near mailboxes where curbs exist, and staff added the topic to a future discussion agenda.
• Operations Complex CMGC Contract: Public Works Director Erich Lais presented the Construction Manager/General Contractor contract for the new Operations Complex on Salamo Road, replacing the outdated Public Works operations center on Norfolk Street. Fourteen contractors responded to the RFP, six were shortlisted, and Skanska USA Buildings, Inc. was selected as the top candidate. The $98,000 contract covers preconstruction services only; the total project estimate is $25-35 million against a firm budget of $35 million. Staff explained that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) contract template contains to-be-determined items that will be filled in when the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment returns to Council. No construction will move forward until Council approves the GMP. The land use application is expected within a week, and a Neighborhood Association meeting held last week had low turnout, according to staff.
• Sustainability Consultant Work Update: Grace Thirkill of Parametrix presented results of a nine-month engagement with the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB). The team reviewed 71 existing sustainability strategies and recommended eight priority strategies: five city-focused (green fleet purchasing policy, sustainability features in the new Operations building, LED lighting upgrades in city facilities, HVAC and solar/renewable funding opportunities, and establishing ongoing sustainability funding) and three community-wide (EV charging partnerships with local businesses and developers, waste reduction through sharing and repurposing, and a repair services directory). Ten strategies with strong existing progress were also highlighted. Discussion covered the twice-yearly repair fairs at Robinwood Station coordinated with Clackamas County, light pollution and lighting color, EV charging incentives for private landowners, and greenhouse gas emissions tracking. Mayor Bialostosky directed staff to schedule a future work session with the SAB.

City Manager Report

• City Manager Williams said budget adoption is scheduled for the next Council meeting, including a public hearing on revenue sharing, the Master Fees and Charges, and community grants. A July 7 work session will discuss the city's long-range needs and funding. Juneteenth falls Thursday and City Hall will be closed; related events include a June 26 presentation by Trisha Brand on Opal Lee and the early days of Juneteenth, and the Pollinator Celebration at Mary S. Young Park. Special Counsel Chad Jacobs reported that the legislative session is nearing adjournment, with significant votes expected on funding for the Willamette Falls Locks, Willamette Falls Trust, and the transportation investment package.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 1760 (painted curb parking prohibition): first and second readings approved 5-0; ordinance adopted.
• Ordinance 1761 (portable storage containers): first and second readings approved 5-0; ordinance adopted.
• Ordinance 1762 (parking violation fines): first and second readings approved 5-0; ordinance adopted.
• CMGC preconstruction contract with Skanska USA Buildings, Inc. for $98,000: approved. The official minutes record the vote as 4-0, but the transcript roll call appears to show all five members voting yes; this discrepancy is noted rather than resolved.
• Staff will return to Council with a GMP amendment for approval before any construction begins on the Operations Complex; the next public update is expected after the land use application is submitted within approximately one week.