Thanks for Staying Home and Helping Out

WEST LINN, OR--April 1, 2020--Thanks for Staying Home and Helping Out. The City of West Linn would like to thank you for continuing to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though it might not feel like much, you are keeping your neighbors and loved ones safe by practicing strict social distancing and staying home as much as possible. This is a true community effort, and together we have the power to save lives.

Latest News
Updated projections from health researchers show that there is “strong evidence that measures currently in place in Oregon are reducing transmission,” according to the latest models. But these social distancing and stay-at-home measures must remain strictly in place to continue to alter the trajectory of new infections and allow our hospital systems to ramp up to meet the coming surge.

Oregon is at a critical moment in the fight against the virus and maintaining social distancing and stay-at-home measures is essential.

Gov. Kate Brown issued a new executive order today that bans commercial evictions and strengthens eviction protections for residents.

What To Do If You're Sick
If you think you might have COVID-19 and aren't sure what to do, view the CDC's recommended steps and use their self-checker tool to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care.

Reporting Violations
If you believe you witness people in violation of Oregon's "Stay Home, Save Lives" order (gathering in large groups or using playground equipment) please call the West Linn Police non-emergency line at 503-635-0238. An officer will arrive to 1. educate, 2. warn, 3. possibly cite/arrest if necessary. Please call while the violation is happening, rather than hours after. Remember some groups may be large families that live together.

Helping Out

  • Donate Blood. The American Red Cross is experiencing unprecedented blood shortages. Strict new protocols are in place to ensure patient and staff safety during the pandemic. The West Linn Library is hosting a blood drive on April 23 with lots of physical space available to spread out, please help us fill ALL the available slots: www.redcrossblood.org
  • Donate Personal Protective Equipment. Masks, gowns, and gloves are especially needed for our health care workers. If you have extra supplies donate them to Clackamas County.
  • Donate to the West Linn Food Pantry. The need to feed is growing in our community. Consider a monetary donation which can be used to buy in bulk, or drop off food curbside Thursdays from 1:00-6:00pm.

For City resources and our ongoing response to the novel coronavirus, visit westlinnoregon.gov/coronavirus

Trustworthy sources of information:
Oregon Health Authority
Centers for Disease Control
State of Oregon (includes resources for employees/employers)
Clackamas County
West Linn-Wilsonville School District COVID Info Page

Rapid Community Grant Funding

The City of West Linn has a budgeted amount of funding available for community organizations’ requests for support for their operations, and activities.

During the coronavirus pandemic our City Council is interested in providing this funding to organizations in need sooner than the usual timeframe of July. Please apply for a community grant now if your organization is impacted by the Covid-19 crisis and let us know of your immediate need. Grant deadline is April 13th.

We are pleased to announce that City Council provided rapid grant funding to the West Linn Food Bank today, April 1st, to help them support our community's immediate needs for food security.

New Library Programming

The Library building may be closed to the public, but the staff has been hard at work creating new ways to connect with the community. This week, they began an amazing lineup of online programming (pictured above) that includes live book discussions with librarians, bedtime stories, trivia and more. Follow their Facebook page and Youtube Channel to view these programs.

The Library has also compiled a great list of resources to stay entertained and educated while you're staying home. Many of these resources are a special benefit to West Linn residents and require a Library card. Don't have one yet? Don't worry, we've got you covered: Apply online for a eLibrary card today!

Virtual Recreation Center

Welcome to the City of West Linn Parks & Recreation's Virtual Community Center! Our awesome Parks staff have curated this site to help keep everyone in your home, from kids to seniors, engaged and entertained!

We have collected plenty of resources to keep your body moving, your mind challenged, and the creativity flowing! Learn a new hobby, exercise, or virtually travel the world from the comfort of your living room.

In addition, the Parks and Recreation Summer 2020 Activities Guide is now available online! Staff are working hard behind the scenes to ensure recreation programming and special events are available when the situation safely allows. Feel free to register for all classes and camps! If programs are not held you will receive a full refund of registration fees.

Council Virtual Meetings

West Linn City Council meetings are now being conducted virtually. Meetings will continue to be available for live and repeat viewing on cable channel 30 and online at our meetings website (for live viewing, a "View Event" link will appear to the right of the meeting once the meeting is in progress).

Thanks to the hard work of our Information Technology Department, we have new ways to provide public comment:

  • Online: From the Meetings page, click on the eComment link next to the meeting. Click on the “Comment” link adjacent to the agenda item you are interested in. Written eComments can be provided up to noon on the day of the meeting.
  • Phone/Videoconference: If you wish to speak at the meeting by videoconferencing software or by phone, please complete this form by noon the day of the Council meeting. Instructions on how to access the virtual meeting will then be provided to you by email.
  • Email: Council continues to welcome written comment by email to citycouncil@westlinnoregon.gov

News Briefs

  • Please Don't Flush Wipes! It may be challenging to find toilet paper, but baby wipes and other items besides regular toilet paper can cause serious clogs in sewer lines and pump stations. Be kind and think about our Sewer crew staff!
  • Parks & Recreation is conducting an all-ages art contest! Create a piece of art with the theme "My Favorite Park." Learn more here.
  • Check out the West Linn To Go Facebook group and website to see what restaurants are open for delivery or curbside pickup. Please share and encourage your neighbors to #eatlocal!
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