Westfir City Council meeting of 8/7/2023: Citizen complaints heard by sympathetic council

By JOY KINGSBURY/for The Herald  —  Mayor D’Lynn Williams gave an update on the fire and reminded people to be ready. Citizens were asked by Mayor Williams to pay attention to fires and be safe. Keep radios on, check the news, and be cautious.

State Representative Charlie Conrad addressed the meeting

Charlie Conrad, State Representative for House District 12, attended Westfir’s City Council meeting. Representative Conrad told the council that he is attempting to help with local issues and would like to understand them and act on them. Committees he sits on are Judiciary, Emergency Management, and Health Care. These committees serve a wide variety of interests, and he would like to help in any aspect of his scope of commitment. He told the council that a particular topic has been emergency services for Oakridge and Westfir. In his words, “Let me know what the needs are, and I will do all to help.” He said he would be able to help with obtaining equipment for Westfir’s Volunteer Fire Department.

Conrad applied for capital funding for Lowell for their wastewater treatment plan, which was approved. Also, funds for Row River fire response were approved.

He was disappointed that the repairs he put in for the Oakridge Airport runway were not approved. Conrad will continue to keep local projects on his radar. Councilor Kelly asked Conrad about funding for Westfir’s volunteer firefighters. Conrad has touched base with all Fire Chiefs. He is particularly interested in help from volunteer firefighters. Few community members who want to, or are able to, do this type of work are available. How to retain them when they serve is another issue.

No simple fix for Measure 110

He also mentioned certain grants that may help. Conrad discussed decriminalization of drug dealings through Measure 110. He touched on the shortage of workers, in healthcare, fire services, and police. He stressed that very few 21 yr. olds can be effective. There is no quick remedy for this. There are constraints because of low pay. The District Attorney has not been fully staffed and this has been a major difficulty.

Measure 110, Oregon’s Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative, which now allows an addict to pay a $100 fine or ask for a health assessment, is regarded as a failure. It has put administrative constraints on health care providers. Substance abuse is rife.

Lane County has had eight overdoses in the past month. Measure 110 funds go to ages 18 and up. Younger people are being induced to take drugs and they have little or no tolerance for them. There is a workforce shortage in all medical fields. The DA has lost a number of prosecutors, but, in the effort to recruit, they have started to offer better pay and more perks. Many corrections need to be made.

Westfir resident lists many concerns

Sean Anderson, Hemlock district resident and private citizen, described how he and his family visited this area and were very impressed. There were children playing in the streets, many friendly faces, and a lovely setting; the family enjoyed a peaceful, halcyon visit in Westfir. They were so impressed that they moved to Westfir from California. Since the family has lived in Westfir, they have discovered that ordinances and violations exist that the City has had little success in controlling.

Mr. Anderson cited vicious dogs, unleashed, with no licenses or collars. He saw broken and abandoned vehicles, scattered garbage, oil runoff on Sunset Ave., sewage dumping, and fire and environmental hazards.

His question, “what do you do when there are so many threats?” His children do not feel safe. On-going ordinance violations, trespassing, thefts, toxic burning, fire hazards from battery acid, daisy-chain electrical wiring, and many violations are occurring regularly. What are the actions that can be taken when someone is repeatedly violating these ordinances? The family moved here to live a peaceful life with good neighbors. “I feel that I have to have surveillance and take other measures to protect myself and my family” Anderson said.

Mayor and staff feel flummoxed over violations

Mayor Williams explained that the city had talked with the violators to no avail. They have tried going through the fire marshall, water turnoffs, and every means in their ability with no help from authorities. Violators are fined and do not pay the fines. The Municipal Judge is trying to help, but so far, no success. The court system is not working. The city follows what they need to do, and the officials do not respond.

Other business included routine matters such as a Park Report, Water & Sewer Report, City Recorder’s Report, Police Report and Financial Revue.

Turtle Island to get major improvements

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)between the City of Westfir and the Watershed Council was approved by the Council. The MOU is in regards to the planning and implementation of improvements to Turtle Island at the confluence of the North and Middle Fork of the Willamette River. This area is currently used as a boat launch and community gathering spot. Improvements will include: a trail accessible for wheelchairs and scooters, removal of invasive species, long term management of the park, an informational kiosk, a paved parking area, and a vault toilet. The Memorandum of Understanding will describe the responsibilities of each entity in the project.

 

Westfir City Council meets the first Monday of each month at 5:30 PM at City Hall. A hybrid method of attending is offered on the city website. All meetings are open to the public and a sign-up sheet for public comment is available.