St. Helens — City Administrator John Walsh used the March 19 council work session to brief councilors on economic development efforts, budget preparation and several infrastructure projects, and staff said a streamlined monthly council report template will be presented for formal approval in the regular session that evening.

Walsh described the Columbia Economic Team as an extension of the city's economic development work and highlighted partnerships that support local businesses, countywide tourism and a local small-business development center. He credited recent grant work, including the Growing Rural Oregon grant, for supporting entrepreneurs and local resources. Walsh said the city is coordinating with the Department of Environmental Quality on environmental work that has delayed closing of the Arcadia project and said staff are optimistic the transaction could complete in May.

On infrastructure, Walsh reported recent meetings with Portland General Electric and Business Oregon on a proposed substation project at the mill site that would be financed with a combination of loans and grants totaling about $15,000,000; he said a substantial portion is grant money. He also said the city met with DEQ on the Arcadia property environmental work and that the Riverwalk streets and utilities project is winding down; city staff are planning a reopening celebration in July.

Budget and labor items: Walsh said staff and department heads are preparing the proposed budget, with additional meetings scheduled before the preliminary budget is presented and the first budget meeting in May. He said the city engaged a firm for a compensation and market analysis to compare wages and benefits with statutory comparables and market peers. Walsh also said union negotiations with the American Federation (name referenced as union leadership) and the police association are being scheduled.

Administrative items: Staff presented a shortened monthly council report template the management team developed to reduce the report to a single-page highlights format covering general operations, staffing changes, project status and upcoming events. Councilors were told the template "is on the agenda to be approved tonight," after which staff would begin using the format.

Why it matters: The items Walsh summarized involve multiagency coordination, grant funding and capital projects that affect the city's finances and land use. The substation project and Arcadia property closing both hinge on external approvals and funding timelines; the budget and compensation analysis will shape personnel costs and labor negotiations.

Next steps: The city will continue meetings with PGE, Business Oregon and DEQ on the substation and Arcadia property. An urban renewal board meeting is scheduled for April 2 to elect a chair and vice chair and to consider a budget amendment related to Riverwalk financing. The monthly report template will be presented for approval at the regular session that evening; the council recessed into executive session earlier that work session under cited ORS provisions and returned to open session afterwards.