West Linn City Council Meeting - October 13, 2026

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the West Linn City Council met in hybrid format at West Linn City Hall beginning with a 5:30 p.m. pre-meeting followed by the 6:00 p.m. business meeting. The Council postponed the Killarney Drive annexation to November 10, 2026, approved consent items, heard public testimony about the Oppenlander development and the Cedaroak Drive property, received the West Linn Chamber's annual performance update, adopted Resolution 2026-09 designating city-owned property as open space, and authorized the City Manager to sign a sub-regional transit service study intergovernmental agreement. All formal motions carried 5-0.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approval: Council President Mary Baumgardner moved, Councilor Leo Groner seconded, to approve the October 13 agenda and move Business Item A, the proposed annexation of Killarney Drive (Ordinances 1779 and 1780), to the November 10, 2026 Council meeting. Carried 5-0.
• Consent agenda: The Council approved the minutes from the September 8, 22, and 28, 2026 Council meetings. Carried 5-0.

Public Comments and Testimony

• Liz Dordal (Miles Drive resident, Rosemont Summit Neighborhood Association supporter and Friends of Oppenlander member) said the association adopted a resolution on August 20, 2026 under the grove of 28 trees at Oppenlander Field outlining eight requests about the proposed development. She said no meeting had yet been scheduled despite follow-ups and asked for a dedicated work session. She expressed concern that losing meaningful public space would be a significant loss for residents and called for partnership with Council, staff, and the developer.
• Anthony Bracco (Robinwood Neighborhood Association president and Friends of Robinwood Station board member) thanked Council and staff and urged designation of the Trillium Creek property at 3955 Cedaroak Drive as green space. He credited Dylan Wells and volunteers for restoring the creek, removing blackberries, and rebuilding native habitat.
• Linda Parker (Haverhill Street resident) raised street design and neighborhood safety concerns about the Oppenlander project, including a Northwest Street stub terminating against developed properties and the traffic impact of 43-plus homes entering Rosemont Road at the already congested Rosemont Summit/Santa Anita intersection. She said failing to address these concerns harms West Linn livability.
• Abby Farber (Rosemont Summit Neighborhood Association president and Budget Committee member) stated the association is convinced development will occur and is not seeking to prevent it. She said residents want high-quality housing for future neighbors, along with preserved green space, possible cedar tree preservation, and a small play area. She described meetings with the developer as cordial and asked for continued dialogue and education.

Council Response to Public Comments

• Mayor Bialostosky said the city has been working on the Oppenlander property since 2021 and shares community interest in preserving trees and green space, but decisions now largely come down to financial considerations. He mentioned system development charges (SDCs) as one possible funding option for acquisition and was open to a work session briefing.
• City Manager John Williams said a development application is now under review, which limits public discussion, and he would consult the City Attorney. Councilor Kevin Bonnington asked staff to explain how residents can raise concerns through the development review process. City Attorney Kaylie Klein suggested a staff-led community meeting, possibly led by the City Manager rather than planning staff, as a workable path. Mayor Bialostosky said staff would follow up with residents about a potential date and format.

Mayor and Council Reports

• Councilor Carol Bryck and Council President Baumgardner attended the Metro Future 50 conference on October 8, 2026, where high school and college students shared visions for the region in 2077. Baumgardner also attended a three-day Portland State University conference on inclusive structures and indigenous-informed design, which she said could inform waterfront planning. Councilor Groner planned to attend the League of Oregon Cities meeting in Salem later in the week. Councilor Bonnington attended a Parks and Recreation Board meeting on the emerald ash borer communications plan and gave a 2 Weeks Ready presentation at the Hidden Springs Neighborhood Association meeting. Mayor Bialostosky met with former Sustainability Advisory Board member Mike Carlson about emergency preparedness.
• Mayor Bialostosky placed before Council the appointments of Dwight Reid and Kim Bria to the Utility Advisory Board. A motion to approve the appointments carried 5-0.

West Linn Chamber Annual Performance Update and FY 26/27 Work Plan Review

• Community Development Director Steve Koper introduced Victoria Meinig, executive director of the West Linn Area Chamber of Commerce for over a year and previously Oregon City Chamber director. The City contributes $35,000 per fiscal year to the Chamber. Meinig reported on the past fiscal year and current work plan, including business gatherings on the second and fourth Tuesdays, a new office in Historic City Hall shared with the Willamette Falls Heritage Area/Landing, coordination with the city, Economic Development Commission, library, Parks and Recreation, and Historic Willamette Main Street, ribbon cuttings, Old Time Fair participation, a chamber health plan for small businesses, business training, and promotion of city assets. No formal action was taken.

Resolution 2026-09: Cedaroak Drive Open Space Designation

• City Manager John Williams explained that the city-owned property at 3955 Cedaroak Drive is about 13,500 square feet, was purchased in 2008 using Environmental Services stormwater funds, and is important to the city's stream corridor and stormwater system. A previous proposal to sell the property was rejected. Designation under Chapter XI, Section 46 of the West Linn City Charter would restrict future uses and require voter approval before sale or undesignation. Williams noted that the city lacks a dedicated open space maintenance fund, making neighbor stewardship important. Staff recommended Resolution 2026-09.
• Councilor Bryck recognized Dylan Wells for coordinating volunteers and noted that Trillium Creek, described as the longest creek in West Linn, winds through the property from the Rosemont area to the Willamette River. She said the site is intended as natural open space with native plant restoration, and Robinwood neighbors are committed to maintenance. Councilor Bonnington expressed strong support, calling the designation a good middle ground solution. Council President Baumgardner mentioned the West Willamette Watershed Council as a potential regional partner for habitat protection funding. Councilor Groner supported protecting natural land and praised the volunteer contribution.
• Council adopted Resolution 2026-09 by a 5-0 vote.

Sub-Regional Transit Service Study Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)

• Community Development Director Koper presented the proposed IGA for a sub-regional transit study with partner cities West Linn, Lake Oswego, Sherwood, and Tualatin. The study would address insufficient transit coverage and access, changing travel demand, recent TriMet service reductions including loss of Line 153, limited data, revenue efficiency, and alternative governance models. Deliverables would include a conditions analysis, service concepts, a presentation to Council, and a final report. West Linn's quarter share is anticipated to be $40,000.
• Council discussion: Mayor Bialostosky said the work began after TriMet cuts and emphasized regional cooperation. Councilor Groner asked whether TriMet studies could be obtained; Koper said that would be a question for TriMet. Mayor Bialostosky recalled that the line was lost because of low ridership and supported studying travel patterns and frequency. Councilor Bryck shared an example of a resident who depended on Line 153 and suggested communications about riding the bus could help. Council President Baumgardner said she did not want West Linn to compete with TriMet or siphon funds from it and noted that larger transit funding issues may need state-level action; she linked Line 153 to the former tolling proposal and called the study useful for future advocacy. Councilor Bonnington cautioned against concluding the route failed solely from low ridership, because its roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours did not match many commuters; he urged consideration of travel times. Councilor Bryck raised last-mile challenges and unsafe Highway 43 crossings, hoping Vision 43 improvements would help.
• Koper added that one partner city will consider the IGA on November 3, 2026, a kickoff with consultant Nelson Nygard is tentatively planned that week, and preliminary work has begun. City Manager Williams said other cities are interested and West Linn is intentionally keeping the scope manageable; he noted Oregon has structural transit funding problems. Koper said the city is coordinating with Washington and Clackamas counties, and TriMet is aware and has been a partner.
• Council authorized the City Manager to sign the IGA by a 5-0 vote.

City Manager Report

• Williams previewed the October 20, 2026 work session, which will include a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on public use zoning and discussion of the community survey results from DHM. He also announced the library's Kindergarten Carnival scheduled Wednesday through Saturday, described it as a popular, high-energy event, and praised library staff.

Key Outcomes

• The Council postponed the Killarney Drive annexation to the November 10, 2026 meeting.
• The Council approved the September 8, 22, and 28, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Dwight Reid and Kim Bria were appointed to the Utility Advisory Board.
• Resolution 2026-09 was adopted, designating the city-owned property at 3955 Cedaroak Drive as open space and stream corridor.
• The City Manager was authorized to sign the Sub-Regional Transit Service Study IGA, with West Linn contributing an estimated $40,000.
• The Council agreed to explore a follow-up community discussion and potential use of system development charges regarding the Oppenlander property, subject to legal limits from the pending development application.