Westfir City Council Meeting November ,2023Westfir City Council Accepts Resignation from Volunteer Fire Chief James (Gunny) McKee

By JOY KINGSBURY/for The Herald  —  Westfir City Council received a letter of resignation on October 16, 2023, from Westfir Volunteer Fire Chief, Gunny McKee, and acted on it during this meeting by motion that carried with one “nay” vote from Councilor Kelly Packard.

Oakridge Fire Chief, Scott Hollett, attended this Council meeting, apologizing for his lack of attendance in prior meetings, and stating that Oakridge wants the relationship between the two cities to change, to have more conversation, and he gave Council a report specifically on items that pertain to Westfir.

Hollett told the council that Hazeldell Fire Department purchased $50,000 worth of extrication tools that have been put into service twice so far.

Chief Hollett briefs Council on establishing better relations

Hollett gave Westfir Council the mileage on the Westfir engine and that they have more hours on it than miles. The Westfir engine is used as a second-out engine only. Engines are replaced after 20-30 years and they begin planning well ahead of time since engines run about $400,000 each. Oakridge Fire Department gave CPR classes at the schools. Oakridge F.D. lost three part-time staff members and are advertising replacements.

Oakridge Fire Department will be doing a recruitment drive, which will be for Westfir, as well, asking for volunteers. Lane County has a fuel mitigation plan, and the Fire Department may get grant funding for that. OSHA is revamping their penalties, which are going up significantly. They are asking affected department persons to write to OSHA since most city budgets cannot handle an increase in fine amounts.

Fire engines are drastically behind on testing

Each year the Fire Department sends various engines in for pump testing. The Westfir Engine has not had this test for about seven years. The cost is $2,200 for each engine and must be paid outside of the contract. Oakridge and Hazeldell will be having engines tested and Westfir will discuss funding and do so if possible. It is a complete check over and documentation after the test is provided.

Hollett told Council, “You deserve to have more information and I would like you to know that I really want that relationship to change and exchange more information. We need to establish a partnership.” Hollett says he is learning a lot about Special Districts through the Organization of Special Districts. The State is writing new laws which will affect many cities.

Mayor “We haven’t had time to digest Mr. Steve Abel’s analysis of consolidation, and there is a lot of information, but no recommendations there.” Councilor Johnstone stressed the need for enough trained volunteers to use the engine. They need eight trained volunteers so four would always be available. Chief Hollett remained through the entire Council meeting.

The Oakridge/Westfir Chamber of Commerce was awarded $2,000 from Westfir’s Rural Tourism Marketing Plan (RTMP) based on Westfir receiving the funds.

Turtle Island Park project grant has been sent out to several marine board funders.

Graffiti on Covered Bridge removed

The Portal and the covered Bridge suffered graffiti tagging which was repainted by volunteers and Lane County repainted the bridge. The Mayor and Council are very thankful.

A $400,000 grant was given to the Trails Committee for a study to convert the old trestle in the Oakridge Industrial Park into a trail and bike path. This grant is for study only.

Water and Wastewater monthly report by Bobby Archer had no problems to report.

A resident complaint about camping at the Trans Cascadia site over the October 14^th weekend was received. The council replied that they will work on a camping ordinance this winter that will cover both commercial and private camping.

Trail building volunteer groups are made responsible for their work

On July 6, the Oregon Court of Appeals issued an opinion effectively ending recreational immunity for improved trails. Public and private landowners of improved trails are no longer protected from lawsuits. Westfir will write a letter to legislators and get all possible support to reverse this decision. Councilor Edward Johnstones remark was, “I don’t know how they got away with this.”

The Westfir City Council decided it will again send Christmas cards.

Citizens are concerned with Council’s actions

Citizen Danny Johnson rose to inquire of Council why they appear to be so opposed to commerce in their community? Especially since they just voted to give Chamber of Commerce $2,000. Yet, Council refused a proposed project by voting not to extend an application for one that is benign but fits into the ambience of the community and is ecologically sound. The applicants spend much time grooming, cleaning and tending trails and grounds, and would generously support the city with a greatly improved tax base and bring outside income into the city. Danny is a member of the biking industry.

Lynn Macbeth, private citizen, rose to tell Council that she attended both Oakridge and Westfir City Council meetings and was disturbed at the rudeness and obvious hostility taking place at these meetings. She has lived in much larger cities and has never encountered such vitriol in city council meetings.

Both people have offered to tender a letter which will be in the Commentary section of the Highway 58 Herald.

 

Council meetings are open to the public and take place on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 PM at City Hall. A sign-up sheet is available for public comment on agenda items and other concerns.