Herald photo Oakridge City Hall and library
By PAUL SCOTT/for The Herald — Choosing to attend the public meeting in person were Mayor Cutchen, councilors Tarman and Kinyon. Choosing to participate remote through Zoom were Councilors Coker, Hollett and Bjornson.
Oakridge Air available to help with smoke concerns
Mayor Cutchen opened the meeting providing an update on regional active fires and expressed his confidence that there was no an immediate threat from fire, but we have hazardous health condition due to smoke. To help with that situation the Mayor encourage citizens to contact OakridgeAir.org at 541 782 3422 for information to receive a new or additional air filter unit for you home.
An application for the current open seat on the City Council can be picked up at city hall and must be submitted by Sept 4 to be considered for this position.
In support of the national efforts to address the destructive consequences of mental illness the city is providing NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) with space in Greenwaters Park for 2 hours, twice a month.
City’s printed official minutes may change
Cit Administrator James Clevenger proposed a change in the format of official city minutes. Many cities have gone to printed minutes that simply name the agenda items and the voting record of the councilors. A recorded version of the meeting would be available to the public. Counselor Kinyon was concerned the public will not understand the issue with only an abbreviated form of the minutes. The vote was to continue the current format at this time.
Local resident Trudy Hammond’s expressed concerned about Westfir’s animal control. Cleavenger clarified that Oakridge police will not respond to animal care unless there are events that endanger a citizen. Ms. Hammond was allowed to express her concerns, but no action is to be taken at this time.
CA Clevenger updated the progress on planning for the pump track that is proposed for the Oakridge Industrial Park (OIP). It is still in the stage of a feasibility study.
Response to city’s audit announced
A letter has been completed by CA Clevenger to respond to the audit of the city financial statements. It is not clear if this will be a document that will be available to the public.
Work on the WAC remodel continues. Now deciding on the sequence of remodel by the need to mitigate asbestos present in the current building. Small repairs on the roof will be done to protect secured funding sources, with full roof replacement later. Asbestos mitigation will be done at a later date.
Lot 20 in the OIP sale is proceeding.
CA Clevenger is making progress on regulations for food carts within the city.
Finance director working to correct errors
Completion of the financial report is slowed by the need to correct errors in balances and reconciliation not being done over several months/years. Finance Director Colleen Shirley is working to update reconciliation processes. Currently, work has progressed up to April of this year.
Police Chief made a report on current police activity.
City Planner Rick Zylstra provided an update on the work done on city infrastructure, street, water, signs, brush removal, etc…
Representatives from Westfir, Sean Anderson and John O’Neill, gave deeply emotional statements on the lack of action by the Oakridge police department to address serious problems with property and behavior of the Houston family in Westfir.
Born 1953, Portland, Paul Scott graduated from North Eugene HS.
He attended William Penn College, receiving a BA: Psychology/Counseling, Sociology, MIS. He now lives in Oakridge with his wife, Marty. Paul and Marty have three adult children.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
