City Council recap of 08/10/2015 meeting

The West Linn City Council met in a regular session on Aug. 10. The agenda included a contract amendment, a few ordinances and community grant allocations.

After taking comment from about 15 members of the community, the council each gave a quick update as to what they have been doing to recently.

Political endorsements

Under Business from the City Council, the council heard from City Attorney Tim Ramis regarding a potential policy on political endorsements by citizen members of city advisory committees.

Recently, some councilors and members of the community have questioned whether a member of a citizen advisory committee (e.g., planning commission) could use his or her title when endorsing a political candidate.

When the issue first arose during the spring mayoral election, the question was brought to the Oregon Secretary of State to weigh in on. Some found that ruling vague and would like a city policy on endorsements.

Some years ago, Ramis told the council, endorsements were easy to advise on – volunteers should not use titles in making endorsements. However, more recently, the advice has changed and volunteers can use their titles if endorsing personally as long as it is clear they are not endorsing on behalf of an organization.

Ramis presented the council with language that could be used in a policy for their review. The council is expected to return to the topic in early September.

Bolton Reservoir

The council approved an addendum to a contract for the Bolton Reservoir professional design services.

The city contracted with Murray, Smith and Associates for the design of the replacement of the 101-year-old water reservoir on Skyline Drive. The addendum will address additional sub-consultant professional services needed for the conditional use permit approval, including preparation of a certified arborist report, further geotechnical engineering and landscape architectural design.

The original contract amount was $1.08 million. The amendment is for less than 5 percent of that, at $44,573, which will come from the Water Capital Fund.

Mayor Russ Axelrod abstained from voting on the addendum as he previously commented on the project before its approval. The contract was approved by the council.

Historic resource map

The council also approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the city’s zoning map to remove a property on 14th Street from the Willamette Historic Overlay District and adding a historic resource map to Chapter 25 of the Community Development Code. The council approved the first reading during its Aug. 3 meeting.

Council President Thomas Frank voted against the first and second reading.

CenturyLink and Comcast franchise agreement

Unanimously, the city council approved two franchise agreements with CenturyLink and Comcast.

At their Aug. 3 meeting, a representative from Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (MACC) was present to discuss the franchise agreements. MACC is a centralized agency that prepares, negotiates and administers cable television franchises in the region.

The two franchise agreements include granting Qwest Broadband (CenturyLink) a new agreement to provide cable television services within the city, as well as renewing an existing agreement with Comcast.

Residents in West Linn will soon be able to choose from an additional cable television service provider. The CenturyLink franchise provides incentives to the company to expand its service throughout the region.

The 5 percent franchise fee paid by Comcast alone provides about $6.5 million to all MACC jurisdictions each year. CenturyLink will also be paying a 5 percent franchise fee.

 Community grant allocations

This year, the city has allocated $20,000 to fund the Community Grant program, which offers grants to a variety of organizations that directly benefit West Linn residents.

The citizen members of the budget committee go through all the applications and come up with a recommended list of who to fund, which is then presented to the city council. This year, requests totaled more than $50,000.

Recipients of grant funding this year are:

  • West Linn Historical Society $1,500
  • West Linn Community Chorus $1,200
  • West Linn Community Task Force $2,000
  • Friends of Maddax Woods $500
  • Happy Trails Riding Center $1,500
  • July 4th Fireworks Event $1,900
  • Clackamas Women’s Services $2,250
  • West Linn Lions: Screen Program $750
  • West Linn Lions: Shoes and Socks for Kids $2,000
  • West Linn Food Pantry $2,500
  • Substance-Free Grad Night $2,100
  • Earthkeepers $400
  • Three Rivers Village $1,400

“It’s one of my most favorite programs,” Councilor Jenni Tan said of the Community Grant program. “There are so many great organizations here.”

“I’m pleased we are able to do these grants,” Councilor Brenda Perry echoed.

Frank moved to approve the recommendations and Tan seconded it. The motion approved unanimously.

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The City Council will next meet Monday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m.