West Linn City Council Work Session: Awards, Accreditation, and Priorities (June 16, 2026)

The West Linn City Council held a work session on June 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting featured multiple police department recognitions, including a community hero award, lifesaving awards, a meritorious service award, and a police re-accreditation presentation. The council also received public comments, heard mayor and council reports, and received a detailed update on council priorities from the city manager. The meeting adjourned to a West Linn Redevelopment Agency executive session at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Community Hero Award

• Chief Otis Rollins presented the Community Hero Award to Tame (Timo) Algibori, a nine-year-old third-grade student at Trillium Elementary School. On May 22, 2026, Timo noticed flames coming from a neighbor's home on Weather Hill Road while skateboarding, alerted his mother, and helped ensure the family evacuated safely with their pets. The chief praised Timo's vigilance and quick thinking.

Police Lifesaving Awards

• Chief Rollins presented Lifesaving Awards to Sergeant Travis Nicholson, Officer Greg Jurich, and Officer Ryan Churchill for their actions on October 31, 2025, at approximately 11:14 p.m. The officers responded to a fentanyl overdose call. They administered multiple doses of Narcan, performed CPR, and the victim was partially awake and breathing by the time Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue arrived. The officers' rapid response directly contributed to the survival of a West Linn resident.

Police Accreditation Presentation

• Scott Hayes, Executive Director of the Northwest Accreditation Alliance, presented the West Linn Police Department with its award of re-accreditation. The department adhered to 111 law enforcement standards to achieve accreditation. The process involves a comprehensive review of policies, procedures, and protocols by an independent body. Accreditation is valid for three years, requiring re-accreditation. Chief Rollins credited records supervisor and accreditation manager Tony Swanberg for the majority of the work.

Meritorious Service Award

• Detective Catlin Blythe received the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptional investigative work during a multi-jurisdictional crime spree in spring 2023. Over a single night (April 20–21, 2023), nearly 60 criminal offenses occurred in West Linn, including vehicle break-ins, thefts, burglaries, and property damage totaling over $20,000. Detective Blythe linked the crimes to approximately 15 similar cases in Oregon City, used digital evidence, and identified three suspects. The investigation involved complex search warrants, cellular technology, and collaboration with Corvallis police. Two suspects were indicted on 20 felony charges and ultimately pleaded guilty to burglary in the first degree, unlawful use of a vehicle, and aggravated identity theft, each receiving 36 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections. One suspect was sentenced on April 27, 2026, and the second was scheduled for sentencing on June 25, 2026.

Public Comments

• One member of the public, Ms. Cummings, addressed the council regarding a serious breach of privacy. She stated she had provided hard copies of information and asked the council to read it and respond within a week. She expressed that the city had committed a breach of privacy involving personal information that was redacted in public records. The mayor stated the matter would be taken under advisement.

Mayor and Council Reports

• Council President Baumgartner reported attending several community events, including a Clackamas County Business Alliance lunch, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board discussion on renaming Willamette Park, the West Linn Historical Society's Vintage Vaudeville Variety Extravaganza, the McLean House open house, a Willamette Falls and Landings Heritage Area Coalition board meeting, and a Juneteenth celebration at the West Linn Library featuring the Oregon Black Pioneer Organization. She also attended the unveiling of Kate Brown's official portrait at the State Capitol.
• Councilor Bonington noted that the Parks Board had proactively provided an advisory on the Willamette Park renaming, but there was process confusion. The Parks Board also expressed interest in a pride event next year.
• Councilor Breck attended the Juneteenth event and a tour of the Tualatin Food Pantry at Rolling Hills Church.
• Councilor Bonington clarified that a fake flyer about a "medieval ramen festival" at Willamette Park is not a real event.

Council Priorities Update

• City Manager John Williams provided a comprehensive update on the council's priorities, which are reviewed annually during goal-setting sessions. Key topics included:
  • Financial Strategic Planning (Framing Our Future): A community-wide discussion on the city's financial future, with social media posts, videos, and articles. The goal is to align community priorities with sustainable funding. Community polling and open houses are expected. A summary of initial feedback may be available by late summer.
  • Transportation Safety and Funding: The failure of the state transportation package meant West Linn lost an estimated $350,000 in the first year. The city is collaborating with Sherwood, Wilsonville, and Lake Oswego on a suburban transit demand study. Highway 43 improvements remain a challenge, but a joint meeting with Lake Oswego City Council was suggested. The last project using 2018 bond funds is underway in the Sunset area.
  • Community Gathering Spaces: Progress is on hold pending a new Parks and Recreation Director. The Parker Road property and Robinwood Station were highlighted. Cross-pollination events like the Historical Society's Ignite presentation at Robinwood Station were noted.
  • Community Advisory Group (CAG) and Neighborhood Association Programs: Grants for neighborhood associations are pending submission of required materials. Council discussed improving communication and support for CAGs and neighborhood associations.
  • Drinking Water System Capital Needs: A capital plan is completed; water rate discussions are forthcoming. The city continues to advocate for funding of the water transmission main on the Abernathy Bridge. Council President Baumgartner asked about cost ceilings and potential increases due to timeline extensions; staff will follow up.
  • Long-Range Community Visioning (Waterfront Vision and Vision 43): The Waterfront Vision implementation is progressing with a Metro 2040 planning grant submittal. Vision 43 is moving through planning commission and public hearing stages with final documents expected in fall/winter.
  • Environmental Protection and Sustainable City Operations: Work includes LED upgrades, an alternative fuel/vehicle policy, and monitoring for Emerald Ash Borer (now detected in Tualatin). A regional task force is addressing gas-powered equipment. The DEIB internal task force is refining the proclamation process and engaging with tribal partners.
  • New City Operations Facility: The hearings officer process is ongoing with submittal dates of June 17 and 24. Early work site development on Salamo Road is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

City Manager Report

• City Manager Williams noted the next council meeting is a work session on July 7, 2026, with topics including West Linn Housing Production Strategy and a city facilities code of conduct discussion. He also requested feedback on the August 4, 2026, meeting date, as it is the sole meeting in August. Council agreed to keep August 4 as a daytime business meeting, with Council President Baumgartner willing to preside if needed.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda was approved unanimously on a roll call vote (all councilors present voted yes).
• Community Hero Award presented to Timo Algibori.
• Lifesaving Awards presented to Sgt. Nicholson, Officer Jurich, and Officer Churchill.
• Re-accreditation award presented to the West Linn Police Department.
• Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Detective Catlin Blythe.
• Public comment received; matter taken under advisement.
• Council priorities update noted; staff to follow up on water transmission main cost questions.
• August 4, 2026, retained as the sole council meeting for that month.
• Meeting adjourned to West Linn Redevelopment Agency Executive Session.