West Linn City Council Meeting - January 13, 2026

The West Linn City Council held a regular business meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM and adjourning at approximately 8:35 PM. The meeting included proclamations, an audit presentation, approval of consent agenda, a public hearing on a right-of-way vacation ordinance, discussion of a parks maintenance fee increase, approval of an intergovernmental agreement with Oregon City for senior services, and designation of a heritage tree. Mayor Rory Bialostosky presided with all five council members present (Councilor Carol Bryck attended virtually).

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Bill 2026-01-13-01: Approved meeting minutes for the December 9, 2025 City Council meeting. The motion carried 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cary and Teri Cummings (former councilor) addressed the council regarding a lien placed on their home due to a judgment from a 2022 public records lawsuit. Teri Cummings stated that the judgment was against him as a named city councilor, not personally, and that the city had not acted to resolve the lien, which prevented refinancing. He requested the city pay the fees and release executive session records. Mayor Bialostosky responded that he would waive the fees and work to clear the lien. (Note: Teri Cummings expressed frustration that the city had not taken action despite previous contact.)

Discussion Items

• Election of Council President: Councilor Carol Bryck nominated Mary Baumgardner, who was elected unanimously (5-0) to serve as Council President for 2026.
• Community Advisory Group Appointments: Appointed Clinton Springer (Library Advisory Board) and Samantha Thoreson and Amy Schauer (Sustainability Advisory Board). Mayor noted vacancies on other boards and requested advertising. Motion carried 5-0.
• Council Liaison Appointments: Approved changes: Library Advisory Board to Council President Baumgardner; Transportation Advisory Board to Councilor Leo Groner; Arts & Culture Commission to Councilor Carol Bryck. Others retained current assignments. Motion carried 5-0.
• Reports from Community Advisory Groups: Mayor reported on Youth Advisory Board meeting about pedestrian safety projects. Councilor Groner reported Arts & Culture Advisory Board discussed holiday market, a coordinated art project along Highway 43, and need for a mural policy. Councilor Bonnington noted Economic Development Committee completed SWOT analysis and discussed revenue sources; Parks & Recreation Advisory Board discussed the proposed parks maintenance fee. Councilor Bryck noted Utility Advisory Board meeting canceled due to lack of quorum. Council President Baumgardner reported attending Clackamas County Business Alliance Legislative Summit and Metro 50-Year Visioning Summit.
• Proclamations: (a) Healthcare for All – read by Councilor Groner; (b) Martin Luther King Jr. Day – read by Council President Baumgardner, declaring January 19, 2026 as MLK Day in West Linn.
• Audit Committee Presentation: Finance Director Lauren Breithaupt and Tonya Moffit (Merina & Co.) presented the June 30, 2025 audited financial statements, receiving a clean, unmodified opinion (highest level). The city also received the GFOA Award for Excellence for the prior year. No findings in the Oregon Minimum Standards Report. Merina & Co. is concluding government audit work; the city will transition to Aldrich CPAs next year. Council accepted the audit.
• Ordinance 1769 – Vacation of Right-of-Way, Easement, and Real Property: Honors Attorney Kristen James explained the ordinance clarifies that vacation of public rights-of-way are policy decisions, not land use decisions, making them appealable to circuit court rather than LUBA. The ordinance follows state law (ORS Chapter 271) and aligns with practices of neighboring cities. The council held first and second readings; the ordinance was adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Resolution 2026-01 – Parks Maintenance Fee Increase: City Manager John Williams introduced the proposal for a two-phase increase: $5.00/month effective January 1, 2026 (to align fees with 100% of maintenance costs, currently covering only 83%) and $5.20/month effective July 1, 2026 (to fund the Parks Department's share of the Operations Center debt service, approximately $561,000 annually). Library Director Doug Erickson and Community Relations Coordinator Danielle Choi presented a communication strategy ("Funding Our Future") emphasizing transparency and multi-tiered information. Council discussion revealed differing views on timing. Councilor Bonnington emphasized transparency and public understanding. Councilor Groner requested comparison with neighboring cities. Councilor Bryck noted urgency for alignment with the Full Faith and Credit Obligation. Mayor Bialostosky requested draft communications and phasing options, and suggested scheduling a work session the following week with a vote in February. Council President Baumgardner expressed concern about affordability and rent-burdened residents, and stressed the need to cover costs. The item was continued to a future work session.
• Pioneer Center Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA): Parks and Recreation Director Megan Big John and Cecily Rose (Pioneer Center Manager) presented the agreement with Oregon City for adult community services, which has been in place since 2008. Services include Meals on Wheels (6,100 meals to West Linn residents in the past year), transportation, case management, and social/recreational programs. West Linn’s annual contribution is currently $41,000, up from $38,000 in 2008. The IGA is proposed as a five-year renewable agreement with annual CPI adjustments. Council unanimously approved the IGA (5-0). Mayor Bialostosky encouraged council members to volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
• Heritage Tree Nomination – McLean Park: Director Big John presented the nomination of a Giant Sequoia tree (estimated 80-90 years old, over 100 feet tall, circumference 27 feet, scored 450 out of 750 points). The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously recommended designation on November 13, 2025. The tree is believed to have been planted in 1940 by Dr. McLean's son. Council unanimously approved the nomination (5-0), with a celebration planned for Arbor Month in April.

Key Outcomes

• Mary Baumgardner elected Council President for 2026.
• Community Advisory Group appointments approved: Clinton Springer (Library), Samantha Thoreson and Amy Schauer (Sustainability).
• Council liaison appointments updated: Transportation to Groner, Library to Baumgardner, Arts & Culture to Bryck.
• Proclamations issued for Healthcare for All and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• Audit accepted with clean opinion; transition to new auditor Aldrich CPAs.
• Ordinance 1769 adopted (5-0) establishing vacation of right-of-way as a policy decision appealable to circuit court.
• Resolution 2026-01 (parks maintenance fee) postponed for further discussion; a work session scheduled for the week of January 20 or early February, with a target vote in February 2026. Staff to provide communication drafts, phasing options, historical fee information, staffing data, comparison with neighboring cities, and deferred maintenance analysis.
• Pioneer Center IGA approved (5-0) for a five-year term with annual CPI adjustments.
• Heritage Tree nomination approved for the Giant Sequoia at McLean Park.
• Next council work session (January 20) will include discussion of West Linn’s marijuana prohibition and the parks maintenance fee. February 3 work session moved to 6:00 PM to include Utility Advisory Board water rates discussion and Police Review and Recommend Committee annual report. February 10 business meeting will include SMART transit presentation on I-205 service. Council retreat scheduled for February 13 or 27 to discuss financial strategic plan.

City Manager Report

• Upcoming meetings and events: School Resource Officer at the library on a grading day; new art display by Marlana Stoddard-Hayes in council chambers. City Manager to attend Willamette Neighborhood Association meeting.