Herald photo Oakridge City Hall and library
By JOSH BERK/for The Herald —The Oakridge City Council’s Feb. 6 session saw the council support a letter of opposition regarding TV Butte, three new board/committee members appointed, and the discussion of potential requirements for elected officials.
The Oakridge City Council has decided to draft another letter of opposition to the Lane County Board of Commissioners and their decision on TV Butte.
On Tuesday, Jan. 28 Lane County Board of Commissioners tentatively approved via 3-2 vote to turn TV Butte into a gravel mine. After the commissioners’ decision was made, public comment was opened for an additional 14 days.
“We’re obviously very disappointed, but not surprised,” City Administrator James Cleavenger said. “They’re totally ignoring citizens’ concerns over air quality, water quality and quality of life in general.”
This will be the fourth letter written on the city’s behalf in opposition to the Lane County Board of Commissioners actions and will be focused on the economic, social, environmental and energy impact of the decision. The letter of opposition will be sent in by Tuesday, February 10.
“It’s probably the most important issue facing the city. Because people are going to move away and businesses aren’t going to want to move here, Cleavenger said. “It makes the whole town an industrial zone.”
TV Butte is only 400 feet from the city’s aquifer protection zone, raising the issue of pollutants contaminating the city’s water supply. Additionally, explosions just outside of city limits are feared to be a deterrent to tourists.
Sen. Cedrick Hayden of Oregon’s 6th Senate district attended the city council meeting and spoke briefly about the concerns of Oakridge citizens on the TV Butte decision.
“We’re attentive to the needs and concerns of the people here in Oakridge, so I wanted to come myself and listen and hear,” Hayden said.
This session also saw three new committee applicants approved for their respective committees. Marissa Lopez and Jacob DiGioia-Miller were appointed to seats two and five of the Rural Tourism Marketing Program and Transient Room Tax committee. Mandi Motes was also appointed to the sixth seat of the Planning Commission.
Councilor Kelly Brewer proposed a plan to require elected officials and/or committee members to take required training for their positions. The council could not come to a decision in this meeting and have decided to table it for their next meeting on Feb. 20.
Two alcohol permits were approved for the summer for both Go Beyond Racing’s Oregon 200 race and the Oakridge’s Triple Summit Challenge. Resolution 03-2025 passed in the session, meaning that in the future there will be a $25 reviewal fee for alcohol permit applications. This will only apply if events sell alcohol with over 200 people in attendance.
A fee waiver was granted to the Oakridge School District’s right of way permit. The school district is seeking volunteer help in trimming the shrubbery around the baseball field to alleviate the cost of losing balls in the foliage. Brock’s Wood Lot was also approved for a $700 major site plan review fee waiver for installing new equipment.
Brock’s Wood Lot was also approved to take over the yard debris program. The membership fee for residents is planned to be raised from $15 a year to $25 a year. Debris will have to be taken to Brock’s Wood Lot, but there will be an option for seniors to pay an additional $50 to have their debris picked up for them. Going forward, the program will be specifically for wood waste recycling rather than leaves and other types of organic debris.
A memorandum of understanding was approved for future Willamette Activities Center occupants Orchid Health and The Oakridge Food Box. The MOU approves them to be in the WAC but does not outline the price of rent. A motion was passed giving the WAC subcommittee authority to screen and recommend future applicants to the city council for approval on all future MOUs.
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.
