West Linn City Council Meeting - June 9, 2026

The West Linn City Council met on June 9, 2026, for a pre-meeting at 5:30 p.m. and a business meeting at 6:00 p.m. The council approved a consent agenda, adopted an ordinance to regulate e-bikes and e-scooters, updated the city's master fees and charges, awarded community grants, and set the 2026 planning docket. Public comment included concerns about an ICE detention facility, a property appraisal, and public records fees. The council also discussed human rights and future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Bill 2026-06-09-01: Meeting minutes for May 12, 2026, were approved unanimously (5-0) with a correction to the spelling of the Yakama Nation (Y A K A, not Y A I).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Duane Funk (West Linn resident) expressed support for Councilor Groner's proposal to discuss human rights and urged the council to take it up.
• Teri Cummings (West Linn resident) criticized the appraisal of ODOT surplus property, stating the appraiser (Belfour) was not provided with a geotechnical study or environmental assessment, undervaluing the property at $396,000. She also later commented on the fees resolution, arguing the city's public records request fee of $184.32 per hour is prohibitive compared to state rates of $25 per hour, and that the city did not honor its policy of free first 30 minutes.
• Janet Brumbaugh (West Linn resident) supported a proposal that any facility for more than 200 people (e.g., detention centers) be approved by the voters of West Linn, stating "no detention centers and no private prisons."
• Jim Wiechmann (West Linn Community Chorus, on behalf of the chorus) thanked the grant committee and council for supporting the grant program, noting their project to create a 25th anniversary commemorative commissioned music work.

Discussion Items

• Mayor and Council Reports: Council President Baumgardner thanked attendees for the State of the City event and reported on the Clackamas County Coordinating Committee retreat. Councilor Groner introduced an article about an ICE facility in New Jersey and proposed a future agenda item to discuss ways West Linn residents can support human rights. Mayor Bialostosky and Council President Baumgardner expressed support for a discussion but noted no current proposal for an ICE facility in West Linn. Council President Baumgardner also expressed concern about unintended consequences of legislation limiting bed counts, such as restricting hotels. The council unanimously (5-0) appointed Aurelia Rohrbacker to the Historic Review Board.
• Ordinance 1772 (E-Bikes and E-Scooters): City Manager Williams and Police Chief Rollins presented the ordinance, developed in response to increased ridership and safety complaints, especially involving juveniles. The ordinance defines e-bike classes, sets age restrictions (no one under 16 may operate an e-bike or e-scooter until January 2027), requires helmets for under 16, and establishes Class D violations with penalties, including citing parents. An education campaign began a month ago and will continue through June, with enforcement increasing in July. The council approved first reading (5-0) and then, due to unanimous consent, immediately approved second reading and adopted the ordinance (5-0). The ordinance takes effect in 30 days.
• Resolution 2026-05 (Fees and Charges): Finance Director Breithaupt presented the annual update, effective July 1. Key changes: System Development Charges decreased by 4.1% (estimated $19,000 revenue reduction), most utility fees increased 5% (parks fees had an additional 5% after a March adjustment), and library fines were eliminated. The council adopted the resolution unanimously (5-0).
• Community Grants for FY2027: Finance Manager Koach reported that 16 applications were received requesting $44,280. The city budgeted $25,000, with an additional $500 returned from a prior unused grant, totaling $25,500 available. The grant committee used a new four-category evaluation system (community benefit, project quality, financial need, community reach). The council approved the budget committee's recommendations unanimously (5-0).
• 2026 Planning Docket: Community Development Director Koper presented the annual planning docket, the department's one-year work plan. The docket is structured by fiscal quarters with a prioritization rubric (mandated/compliance, funding readiness, staff capacity, sequencing). Key projects include housing production strategy implementation, Vision 43, and waterfront vision plan. An appendix lists unprioritized projects (e.g., tree code update, sign code) that require additional funding and staff. The council discussed the need for state funding for mandates and the constraints of limited staff capacity. The council also considered a request to allow nursing home uses in the R-10 residential zone; the Planning Commission did not make a recommendation. The council set the 2026 planning docket as recommended by the Planning Commission (5-0) and directed staff to explore the feasibility of permitting nursing homes as a permitted or conditional use in R-10, with further discussion needed.
• City Manager Report: Williams reported that the city was proposed to receive $747,000 in federal funding for the Buck Street stormwater project (requested $1.25 million), subject to congressional approval. He also noted a meeting with the city's lobbyist to develop a legislative strategy, positive feedback on the State of the City event, repairs to the Salamo Road median, and congratulations to West Linn baseball and softball teams for winning state championships. He clarified there are no plans to close Tannler Drive. Council President Baumgardner requested additional public communication about the Willamette Falls curb project.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda with the addition of a community advisory board appointment (5-0).
• Approved the consent agenda (May 12, 2026 minutes) with a spelling correction (5-0).
• Adopted Ordinance 1772 regulating e-bikes and e-scooters on first and second readings (5-0 each).
• Adopted Resolution 2026-05 updating the master fees and charges (5-0).
• Approved the budget committee's community grant recommendations for FY2027 (5-0).
• Set the 2026 Planning Docket as recommended by the Planning Commission (5-0).
• Directed staff to further explore the feasibility of allowing nursing home uses in the R-10 zone.
• Agreed to schedule a future discussion on human rights and supporting immigrant communities.
• City Manager Williams will coordinate with staff on public communication about the Willamette Falls curb project.
• The council will consider recognizing West Linn's state championship baseball and softball teams at a future meeting.