[{"_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",6212842,"mediaKeyId","3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f","parentId",3683254,"title","Council asks staff to review existing use‑fee code and prepare hiring policy discussion","audioSeconds",95,"startMs",1581000,"endMs",1676000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f&start=1581&end=1676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f/thumbnail_1581000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212842/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-asks-staff-to-review-existing-usefee-code-and-prepare-hiring-policy-discussion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212842-018bfa2e7cf41e869a7b861c6d395b6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148467&Signature=m~TRpeCdYKR8XXOGnJ7vX0H052caUqTFFkig~UayrLllowC1VBinUO2Qizyu9YDdDm5JmgmtyySQU-WvKmiItlk8pIvs9fLNfsVwUv05xHf30tkQIbgxwW~nZdCj82TAJv4sgbV00HvMly0wxJy6oVwfWe6GM4KbnpQrGTyc-ooEcLaOXlh4fipHaI00~B57hYHqH0q6oL8~VAu~a-9V0DOYd-mzdqcVrUermVE7gShM5vWnDBq3fQ56ynmraReLaph0GW8~kN6nUBhjPHAZm1JGq6PMqqXWAjUsm3BKF2qG0TAlJ5ZL0460Sr3KlZQazkezYG4hhsXvNPgkmu5C7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-06-05T10:34:43Z","article","At the June 4 St. Helens work session councilors asked for a staff review of a use‑fee (fee‑for‑service) code and signaled interest in updating hiring policies.

Councilor Scholten asked whether the city plans to bring a fee‑for‑service conversation to a future work session. Staff responded that the current year’s budget does not implement a fee for service but the budget committee recommended exploring it as an advisory question for the public. Staff said the use fee already exists in city code and offered to review the code and return with a recommendation on how to implement it and when it could be brought to the public.

Separately, staff said they will begin work on personnel and hiring policies and asked whether the council wants background information or a fuller staff recommendation at the next session. “I started working on it on Monday,” one staff member said, and offered to provide materials for a constructive discussion at the next work session; the staff member said they can present remotely if needed.

Why it matters: implementing a use fee would change how certain city services are charged and could affect residents and service users; updating hiring policy affects recruitment and personnel practice across city departments.

No policy change or formal council vote was recorded during the work session; staff will prepare analysis and return with recommendations at a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/04/2025 City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors asked staff to analyze the city's code authorizing use fees and return with implementation recommendations; staff also said it will prepare background on hiring and personnel policies for a future work session.","taxTitle","St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52788,"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},6212847,"Riverwalk ribbon‑cutting set for later this month; PGE substation agreement and tight reserves cited as outstanding issues",97,1303000,1400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f&start=1303&end=1400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f/thumbnail_1303000.jpg","/articles/6212847/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Riverwalk-ribboncutting-set-for-later-this-month-PGE-substation-agreement-and-tight-reserves-cited-as-outstanding-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212847-056519808cf8267f2b511329feb2f774/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148467&Signature=FOWYkUBzClaFRlDn6Dp4caJUNSLjDTEFcg3254xx~Yp37Tb4L7QuJO7u6hL4NnmF-cHntVU0yA6V9PazKEChOmYUIDGyTAkdrR22l1vc64Lf6y0HwqWjPpiByp~Cd6RbkPEOovFxgBSR8XdLHWy0SftKBjcRf9wWPejc4gTlEdYO918i1XcHl7I7xnba6HxYcVoMEOpUFxr9A4opjL8iVv-rFxSVeP5wzk4Puj0tc44aNet6laZyKFbGn99DGlLhz74w~0ZkIkRbb4Y4t7uFXMU3n-vY8yStmZHs6zt9QtBsxWWVRCaNCkMb5IUjKu3vrwOM49L~GNniDuSsKwLvYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the St. Helens City Council on June 4 that the first phase of the Riverwalk project is complete and that the city is planning a ribbon‑cutting and a sequence of weekend events, but that a pending agreement with Portland General Electric (PGE) must be finalized before a business grant tied to a substation can proceed.

“Mark councilor Gunderson's appointment on the Columbia Learning Center board is coming due,” John (staff member) said, and then updated the council on events and project status: a series of concerts will begin the day after the meeting and continue across several weekends; the Kiwanis parade and a ribbon‑cutting for the Riverwalk first phase were scheduled later in the month; a community day and Independence Day events are also in planning. Staff said Parks punch‑list items remain, including ADA details and handrails, and that the grass and other park items are being finalized.

On the Riverwalk financing and substation work, staff said a PGE agreement is needed for the city to receive a business grant for a substation; staff reported that PGE litigation is consuming the utility’s legal resources and delaying the agreement. “So it's in their court,” John said.

Staff also warned that the city's budget reserves are at low levels for the year and described the fiscal environment as challenging. “Taking the reserves down to a low amount is gonna be really challenging on the % of our city resources,” John said, and urged support for commercial and industrial development to increase tax base over time.

Why it matters: the completion and activation of the Riverwalk affects public access and planned community events; the PGE agreement is a gating matter for related infrastructure funding; low reserves affect fiscal flexibility.

No formal council action on the PGE agreement or revenues was recorded during the work session.","Staff reported the Riverwalk phase‑one completion and upcoming community events, and said a PGE agreement is needed to secure a business grant for a substation; staff also warned that city reserves are low and emphasized supporting commercial and industrial development to rebuild revenue.",{"_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},6212852,"Council reviews Columbia Learning Center makerspace lease and proposed senior‑center lease terms",105,995000,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f&start=995&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f/thumbnail_995000.jpg","/articles/6212852/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-reviews-Columbia-Learning-Center-makerspace-lease-and-proposed-seniorcenter-lease-terms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212852-46893c4ead789a77eae3ebc39f259fe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148467&Signature=ARCyBzhEbaALsCMVUydsLgAnsimTFU9Llpd5roiR6s3Ac3fupmaux1hNPfnCofSAuuGL6Hpbm-LrrBraoez7TUzkFwB39GE6UzOyXCNglIJvRT92jJ~UMDoQBSCNxtiet4lMOIcCJ387vU7pQouCRBZ4DeGHrE3-im1RWrXrV555mo7R89tZDx2TLYNYDNVBU6eRy8F2QKeFSwmHLzgbn9Bu2VScyfE8rbRyBMlpW1hzTrkQ60If7bTrXWLHqy4mE5fVaITz-JUeN2tdLbEJeIYWtkiYG0~~SMnCQ4R5jn3r6LbLAFkIE303rYFflD2zHbcNQKa7csov0tkdrPv0xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff brought two facility lease items to the June 4 work session: a lease amendment with the Columbia Learning Center for a makerspace expansion, and a proposed five‑year senior center lease.

John (staff member) said the Columbia Learning Center lease amount reconciles with the approved budget; the figure includes the existing $400 lease plus the additional space cost. “The number is correct. It's reflective of the budget. It's accepted by the Columbia Learning Center and it's here for your consideration,” John said, and he invited councilors to visit the facility.

On the senior center lease, staff said the senior center administrator has accepted the lease terms but the lease still needs approval by the senior center board, which recently changed meeting days. Staff described the senior center lease as similar to previous terms: a five‑year term, an obligation to operate the building as a senior center, provision of space for the meal program, semiannual reporting and routine maintenance obligations. Staff said the meal program is valuable to the broader community and that public works provides grounds and routine building support.

Why it matters: the agreements affect community programming spaces, senior services and how the city partners with a local nonprofit learning center.

No formal council vote was recorded during the work session; the senior center lease remains subject to the senior center board’s approval.","Staff presented a lease for Columbia Learning Center makerspace expansion that aligns with the city budget and discussed a proposed five‑year senior center lease that still requires the senior center board's approval.",{"_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},6212858,"City clarifies $200,000 tourism repayment, notes additional $14,078 staff reimbursement",80,96000,176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f&start=96&end=176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/6212858/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/City-clarifies-200000-tourism-repayment-notes-additional-14078-staff-reimbursement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212858-7f5be2d34cf0a2a644ab7687f746a2dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148467&Signature=L7tahddubWwAamCUqu1L9oGBpfQuX7MsJaMzTTCYmxXFXX2mMDBOnVRLSo9HRxZILPmpKz8RP4MWT8~BVF3KVdlHBuL4bqnAt7E-6hAEPGbZ-2zm-J3noT1M3-PVgbXmPy2XYCw0qP2EyhKVSdWr0gBQAnauoH994ewcuXFgIAAJEWmhHlnMWkSYwhvuOt9qeLM0XE6iUocYR8Xsvrh~EMnf98XUwYrLLfEh2Owm7b~a92XU9gisGT5Q2PcAFehSReclEN643F1ZFvJJDgJ5~OTgKSwwrPqQiet23f5WCu6Hr-0tDuIxB50qqw49taMYg2c6UM~3FuL6VFArl9BRjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the June 4 St. Helens City Council work session, city staff explained the accounting for two checks from the tourism account that were deposited into the city's primary operating account in December 2024.

Staff reported that Treadway Events, the city’s tourism contractor, repaid $200,000 using revenues generated from 2024 events. According to the city presentation, a check dated Dec. 6, 2024, for $200,000 was deposited into the city’s primary operating account and posted to the community development fund. Staff also said a second check dated Dec. 6, 2024, for $14,078.01 reimbursed the city for staff time used to support the Spirit of Halloweentown 2024 event.

The presentation noted the current tourism contract gives the city access to the tourism bank account where event revenues are deposited; under the prior contract the contractor alone had access. Staff said remaining tourism revenues remain in the tourism bank account and are being used to pay ongoing tourism events and activities. The city packet and a memo on the city website titled \"clearing the confusion and setting the facts straight\" include the full accounting, staff said.

Why it matters: the accounting clarification responds to public concern about the city budget and how tourism revenues have been handled. A member of the public raised broader criticisms of the budget and the tourism revenue forecast during visitor comments; the council cautioned that defamatory remarks against staff would not be permitted.

No formal council action on the tourism accounting was recorded during the work session.","City staff explained that the current tourism contractor repaid $200,000 to the city and that an additional $14,078.01 reimbursed staff time for the Spirit of Halloweentown 2024 event; the work session packet and city website include a memo titled 'clearing the confusion and setting the facts straight.'",{"_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},6212862,"Council work session backs Sergeant Smith as chief pending background check",476,774000,1250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f&start=774&end=1250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3683254-645b5870f7370adf6f3d46ddbfd6198f/thumbnail_774000.jpg","/articles/6212862/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-work-session-backs-Sergeant-Smith-as-chief-pending-background-check","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212862-d4032829e19ab3af8c29ccf6b78e34d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148467&Signature=hzEbV2cLw10YZpiU5C9Cd6sY-JsWyUSWJagWFeAYaAWf~jD~zmgvMiP7iP9VFzjuI8lKHUJARLQG0Vf9vKaHFN10Rpqm-ADEgEzLTta8GwkqtKB6vnqTNBH~jH-LA63qFhwLSEugZcHIahRynUP1P99hB93B~6tTM5I-tksXJeNuTeCFHXelPyP7xnzLEwuZtICwvqP3UOH3JyR5Xx6d42Iwr5PXcZSlU5NQGu6FC8enK7cEHi5MlSt~MftGeMO05LHtFOZGevaodspPf-n9acx2--sZuYH6Fg6Z~wlPGEFm-WHw8bieGwX~zp6IrlHmMT0IoQhrq4pHhTE8F0tqfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a June 4 St. Helens City Council work session, city staff presented the result of a police‑chief recruitment process and recommended the council appoint Sergeant Smith as the next police chief, contingent on a successful background check and council acceptance.

The recruitment panel, staff said, included police chiefs from Wilsonville and Canby, Sheriff Ryan Pixley, Councilor Hubbard and a nonvoting police‑association representative. “Sergeant Smith came out on top and is the highest scoring candidate,” John (staff member) said, and staff recommended the council approve him as the next police chief.

The recommendation followed an announcement that Chief Joe Hogue plans to retire effective in June. John (staff member) said Hogue has nearly 27 years of service and that the city needs leadership in place during the transition. “Whether he's appointed or not appointed, I'm still recommending that Matt Smith be appointed as acting chief,” John said, referring to operational needs while the background check proceeds.

Councilors were given two options: approve Sergeant Smith as the new chief or direct staff to go to an external recruitment process. The work session did not contain a formal council vote on the appointment; staff said the item would come before the council for action at the regular meeting that evening.

Why it matters: the appointment would fill an immediate leadership vacancy in the St. Helens Police Department and shape department operations through the transition from Chief Hogue to a new chief.

Discussion points and next steps included confirming a successful background check and the council’s formal acceptance at its next meeting. No formal appointment or final vote was recorded during the work session.","City staff reported that a recruitment panel selected Sergeant Smith as the highest‑scoring candidate to replace retiring Chief Joe Hogue; the council will consider formal appointment contingent on a successful background check and tonight’s council action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council asks staff to review existing use‑fee code and prepare hiring policy discussion

Riverwalk ribbon‑cutting set for later this month; PGE substation agreement and tight reserves cited as outstanding issues

Council reviews Columbia Learning Center makerspace lease and proposed senior‑center lease terms

City clarifies $200,000 tourism repayment, notes additional $14,078 staff reimbursement

Council work session backs Sergeant Smith as chief pending background check