[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6126814,"mediaKeyId","2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8","parentId",2665632,"title","Monmouth reviews 35 written comments after staff decision on emergency shelter siting","audioSeconds",643,"startMs",2877000,"endMs",3520000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8&start=2877&end=3520","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8/thumbnail_2877000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126814/Monmouth-City/Polk-County/Oregon/Monmouth-reviews-35-written-comments-after-staff-decision-on-emergency-shelter-siting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126814-f94f15811c9687295c0fd5793c42fb8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180137&Signature=kAzyM3cEAzUfE2WLd6IEUfUeJAMRRKZaENC4vBK52dq4Q2plb8DB1rJ4ArcaCFg3u6fMMOWd73r93EottaEsit6xYdRp8oYFo~wgvQ~SzDtGpO1WRtxSfG2FdV5AdFOth~2~7oYRUdqa27vHiUrG8evPQZnQnpxMpnI9eSD0G2Jz5HMOYnT5~KL2WImlNZYiS0~ylNHeLlW-QTiIaX-tUGo~s-AxaRQXly0RzZVSkBv0QsW8SUJsBaCLoxEYUVjerCl338Mux5yZuSWOzP4B3j2YHIcJGwznEzM1AxVDEN80gzqUZt9KyfyXR0pat5JylnjDyCXG8m5CaUkg737N2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Monmouth, OR","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Monmouth City Council held a work session to review written public comments about the city’s staff decision to site an emergency shelter at the Stadium Drive location. Staff summarized submissions received since May and described how the city will handle ongoing concerns.

Planner Carter Craig told the council staff received 35 pieces of written testimony in the record (the report analyzed comments received since May and noted the formal written comment window ran Dec. 9–Dec. 30). Of the 35 items, 22 generally opposed the shelter and 11 generally supported it; concerns cited included public drug and alcohol use, loitering, theft, vandalism, clustering of high-needs services in one area, questions about the operator’s experience, and fire access at the site. Four comments explicitly requested a formal complaint or monitoring process.

City Manager Suzanne Dufner told the council the state statute governs emergency shelter siting but does not specify long-term site management. She said once the shelter is an allowed use it is subject to existing city codes—refuse and nuisance rules, building and safety codes—and complaints would be processed through the usual channels. \"The statute speaks to the siting of an emergency shelter. It doesn't speak to any long term management or the, of that site,\" Dufner said. Michelle (staff) explained that code or nuisance complaints would be routed to the police department and then processed through the CSO/code-enforcement queue.

Councilors noted the community engagement and expressed interest in monitoring the site. Council members were reminded the 60-day appeal window remains open (staff noted that the first week in April is when that window will close). No additional staff action or ordinance change was taken at the meeting; staff and council said they would rely on existing enforcement procedures and would consider process refinements if future siting requests arise.

The review included two additional comments accepted after Dec. 30 and highlighted that written testimony allowed detailed, multi-point submissions. Staff recommended monitoring the shelter against code standards and returning to council if serious operational issues emerged.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monmouth City Council | 03-04-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Monmouth staff summarized 35 written comments filed since May on the Stadium Drive emergency shelter siting—22 opposed, 11 supportive—and told council the shelter, once sited, will be subject to standard city code enforcement and police complaint processes.","taxTitle","Monmouth City, Polk County, Oregon","taxId",56927,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126820,"BPA workforce cuts worry regional utilities; Monmouth told to watch transmission projects",759,2115000,2874000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8&start=2115&end=2874","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8/thumbnail_2115000.jpg","/articles/6126820/Monmouth-City/Polk-County/Oregon/BPA-workforce-cuts-worry-regional-utilities-Monmouth-told-to-watch-transmission-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126820-2d517d2c60b9a94a26184a0519edf6b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180137&Signature=ZD0BACJSSolRMvavBBAhaN8aOA1LAN-NpjJ6s-jKjiEq8dBUDoR23QjI~zadOhVrUNGckVnXfvz-aX03BEkpTzOzoaFrTL1rLijRKDj2OlxbHnncCI4BtmtfPYTDVN7PfLETqTZwBTAi3RiwD89L6hYEzg0u4tnXSzRJUrtHwrfQs7XyWmLYXVVR3wNRARoHuCD-rwuy9CTTrEfMxIg0ierKoUrGc9BrHZBs47HXd9E18hC99GhJycAwyiAnHmKnUVji3qmbPDVT8etaFi43rPJt~3clKaKq7qm~nfvCUmGV7vJX6iD3zBhHQMpOh0VjFxtolRjC~VdveagH8jguPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated Monmouth council on a regional staffing reduction at the Bonneville Power Administration that officials and utilities say could slow transmission projects and complicate efforts to add new generation to the grid.

Wade Carey, reporting on outreach with BPA and regional utility groups, said BPA had lost roughly 400 employees out of about 3,100 staff — a reduction of about 13–14 percent. Carey said roughly 230 employees accepted a deferred-resignation offer, offers were pulled for about 90 people in the hiring pipeline, and about 100 probationary employees were separated, with roughly 30 of those rehired — several into the transmission group.

Carey told council members the reductions produce no federal tax savings because BPA is funded through power sales, not direct federal appropriations. Regional organizations including the Public Power Council, Northwest Requirements Utilities and the Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities Association have sent letters to the White House and the Department of Energy raising concerns about reliability and delayed transmission work.

\"For us here at our level, in Monmouth we're not expecting too much disruption,\" Carey said, while noting the region is watching transmission and substation work that may be delayed. He said the utility's preference-power relationship with BPA still provides Monmouth advantages versus investor-owned utilities, and that local rates are unlikely to increase directly because of the workforce changes.

Councilors asked whether state or regional interventions could fill gaps and whether local reliability or pricing could be affected. Carey said the northwest congressional delegation is engaged in discussions in Washington, D.C., and that the principal risk for Monmouth would be longer-term limits on bringing new generation online if transmission projects are delayed.

Carey said he would forward significant updates to the city manager and council as they develop.","City staff updated council on workforce reductions at the Bonneville Power Administration: roughly 400 employees departed (about 13–14% of 3,100), transmission work and project timelines may be affected, and regional utility groups are lobbying federal leaders; Monmouth’s municipal utility expects limited immediate rate impact.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126825,"Monmouth introduces Donovan Ledoux as new community service officer",728,886000,1614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8&start=886&end=1614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8/thumbnail_886000.jpg","/articles/6126825/Monmouth-City/Polk-County/Oregon/Monmouth-introduces-Donovan-Ledoux-as-new-community-service-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126825-e2ca63fe65c2db6f8f73cbb59a59ea10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180137&Signature=XIdR98yLQT0ET3JAWnjebTPAHyFseGwvGPfFnTvJ1WXepAHQv3Q0ES5dB59JJA0iaLZZns5G-j-xmjGUTFrM8Xlt4oMLncD0wvPoLVqq9LKWiLVWzu0tYwiKXtmGQrh-cZl8oF6Z~6Nn7cVFABQdaP82qir~i6J1gyqFpaeUZWph6qyi1RTWW7KNh0ezh1mhzk6xAC2D0~igV1IqbDrfbDxGaTLG2244gWKij7DQAi24RPdISsmrovsznedWeXXM2oK4IQLzwmbvSUCXTEmjVOZfndoNzyKn5VYBIVnf0FTCl-VovikfpQilGERNAkmdJfiNFlfz9cHNRvLNOam5Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monmouth police leadership introduced Donovan Ledoux as the city’s new community service officer, outlining the role’s responsibilities and how the position will serve residents.

Chief Haines said Ledoux was hired Jan. 1, completed roughly two months of training with experienced officers and has been working solo for about three weeks. \"He's been solo now for, about 3 weeks,\" Haines said, and described Ledoux's background in roughly 20 years of asset-protection work and supervisory experience.

Donovan Ledoux told the council a typical day begins with checking email and voicemail, completing reports carried over from previous shifts and doing several hours of targeted driving to open and follow up cases. He said he currently carries about 15 active cases but expects a normal caseload of 25–30 cases.

City staff outlined core CSO duties: enforcing municipal code provisions, parking enforcement, serving as a municipal court bailiff (in the non-sworn role), transporting vehicles and caring for animals taken into custody. Ledoux said the best way to raise a concern is to call the police station records line at 838-1109 to have the issue routed to his desk and initiate a case.

Councilors thanked Ledoux and noted that the CSO position is now a full-time equivalent funded by the city’s public-safety fee. Councilor Lopez and others welcomed the expanded, proactive enforcement capacity.

No formal council action was required; the introduction was informational.","Chief Haines introduced Donovan Ledoux as Monmouth's new Community Service Officer; Ledoux began Jan. 1, completed training, works an 8-to-5 schedule, handles parking enforcement, municipal court bailiff duties, animal custody and case follow-up, and can be reached via the police station records number.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126830,"Polk County Fire plans controlled \"burn to learn\" training at WOU; city to require DEQ clearance",617,169000,786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8&start=169&end=786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6126830/Monmouth-City/Polk-County/Oregon/Polk-County-Fire-plans-controlled-burn-to-learn-training-at-WOU-city-to-require-DEQ-clearance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126830-9daec18674c7e26d9f54d695fb3b42a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180137&Signature=NRQIZ19g1AfL4sc6ZxA7nfLbLVOU3qaky7MuuXX5uv7S6BAMW1u1w-7ux2K7opDODMSXFq2OENGZYHXtUixDzKmuc9Yd3UEh26FnVhkwx~STPSo~leSHBcjOt~MomCy1iiAhNaovrUftBSdCxo6jLdhjPPbJQ9oWNTu54Z8UUMNTj1F9TjUSv7j2RT6~RCWh24etfBjVIAzwmEzmk8ZhDhpF-MvvlllmjciauEQKt2CRFH6fqTB-z9CJcszlXEDrvsYlNmmIA5F5zn319CFH3R9jkfLCRxZS7UBqzcPEqGexOQqe94b~bylcffVWNCaZt0gajoT8zpXcs~lrY87bBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County Fire District No. 1 told Monmouth City Council it will hold a controlled \"burn to learn\" training at Western Oregon University on March 29, using modular buildings near Rice Auditorium for staged fires and investigator training, but officials said they will not proceed until the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) confirms there is no asbestos or lead requiring mitigation.

\"On March 29, we'll be doing a burn to learn at Western Oregon University,\" Fire Chief Ben Stange told the council. He described a two-phase plan: initial ignitions that will be extinguished before reaching uncontrolled \"free burn\" so investigators can record origin and pattern data with GoPro cameras, followed by subsequent multi-agency classes and a later full burn of remaining structure elements after training objectives are complete.

Stange said Western has engaged a certified contractor for asbestos mitigation and that current reports indicate no asbestos or lead, but city and fire staff will wait for DEQ's official confirmation before issuing demolition permits and proceeding. He said the university and city will complete required demolition permitting and that the fire district will notify all properties within 600 feet by door-to-door contact during the week of March 17.

Councilors thanked the district for the precautions. Councilor McKeel said she appreciated the check for lead and asbestos, and Councilor Lopez asked whether the event would produce wider training benefits. Stange said bringing multiple modular structures together allows more firefighters and investigators to be trained in one location and helps build interagency relationships that can be called on in mutual aid situations.

Chief Stange also reported that there are no residences within roughly 350 feet (over 100 meters) of any corner of the buildings, and that the site is buffered by parking lots and other facilities. He invited council and city staff to request a follow-up presentation before the second training in April if needed and offered to be contacted directly for significant community concerns.

Organizers also requested staging materials such as household items or clothing by March 14 to set up realistic burn scenarios. Councilors suggested proactive public communications so neighbors understand the precautions and schedule.","Polk County Fire District No. 1 briefed Monmouth council on a planned March 29 \"burn to learn\" training at Western Oregon University using modular buildings; organizers say DEQ confirmation of no asbestos/lead and city demolition permits are required and neighbors within 600 feet will be notified in person.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126835,"Monmouth council approves application for trolley rapid-transit study",294,1812000,2106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8&start=1812&end=2106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665632-21392ee374af598904feaf8599f286a8/thumbnail_1812000.jpg","/articles/6126835/Monmouth-City/Polk-County/Oregon/Monmouth-council-approves-application-for-trolley-rapid-transit-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126835-baf0be48b702d0b225e7f94ff5f0d510/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180137&Signature=bpsht~sfJCyc3oiFcCulJ5ubL6WL2CGgAsowbPCRoq-42xA0OoaSx3wNEZFZjGU1jQJ6NFBgHHiYXueuUt2nwwoANFBzrPWb2Xiyrp4VYifraKpLgey59zwM0HSyGLFtXMZhb-RmvEDWQWk50Cdyzif~sqNsTFmgBbQw2cjOoay6nA7nUSLGsoQYZkCNuws6qegGV4Use-5uTpKl9XewZ8173bAnrz2oZzd7zhW6MbMs4ebcqJfcLmpxRPJeJTPkhzJmNXKh--Mw7Oj4BmGYr0Ep4IuGGMcZP14ZywTFF5VUMyoiM-NwapsVmz92Fd2Gql7PhYjQ6ml~rzz4S6yRYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monmouth City Council on a 6-0 vote authorized city staff to apply for a Transportation Growth Management (TGM) quick-response grant to study ways to speed the My Trolley route along Highway 51 and preserve service frequency as the system expands.

The study, proposed by community planner Carter Craig, would hire a consultant to work with the Oregon Department of Transportation and other partners to evaluate options including signal timing, bus-only queue jumps, and route changes to remove detours at Atwater. Craig said the objective is to reduce travel time so any route extension — for example to Western Oregon University or the new food bank in Independence — does not lower frequency and make the service less attractive to riders.

\"The intention of the study is to look at the question how can we get the trolley moving faster down Highway 51,\" Carter Craig said. He told the council preliminary expectations for a study budget were in the $20,000 to $50,000 range and that the TGM program does not require a local match.

Councilor McKeel made the motion to adopt Resolution 2006 and direct the city manager to submit the TGM application; Councilor Lopez seconded. The roll call vote recorded affirmatives from Councilors Oberst, Kerrey, Belts, Ridgeway, McKeel and Lopez, and the motion passed 6-0.

The council packet characterizes the grant program as a partnership between the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Oregon Department of Transportation that funds planning work to use transit to support efficient growth. The next steps on the study—if the grant is awarded—would include consultant selection and coordination with the City of Independence as part of the joint My Trolley management.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2006 — Adopted; motion by Councilor McKeel, second Councilor Lopez; roll call: Oberst (yes), Kerrey (aye), Belts (yes), Ridgeway (aye), McKeel (yes), Lopez (aye); outcome: approved 6-0.","Monmouth City Council adopted Resolution 2006 directing staff to apply for a Transportation Growth Management quick-response grant to study ways to speed the My Trolley route along Highway 51; motion passed 6-0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Monmouth reviews 35 written comments after staff decision on emergency shelter siting

BPA workforce cuts worry regional utilities; Monmouth told to watch transmission projects

Monmouth introduces Donovan Ledoux as new community service officer

Polk County Fire plans controlled "burn to learn" training at WOU; city to require DEQ clearance

Monmouth council approves application for trolley rapid-transit study