Commission approves hanging‑basket contract after resident asks for more baskets in Ealyville

The City Commission approved a personal services agreement with The Garden Corner for the city’s hanging‑basket program after a resident requested additional baskets in the Elyville neighborhood.

Public comment: Didi Dahlstrom, who identified herself as an Oregon City resident from the Elyville neighborhood, told the commission she had noticed that Elyville was "overlooked" in recent years and asked that the city provide more than the single hanging basket her neighborhood now receives. Dahlstrom suggested adding baskets at the corner of Pearl Street and at Holmes Road, adding benches on Molalla and generally increasing the number of planters to encourage walking and businesses. "If we could get baskets on the corner of Pearl Street... and also at Holmes Road, I think would be very nice," she said during public comment.

Staff response and consent item: Public Works Director Dana Webb explained that the Public Works Department manages the hanging basket program, that the program is funded from code enforcement revenues, and that staff are discussing possible modifications to basket locations. Webb said the baskets are ordered to be ready to hang in May and that staff planned to prepare options for location distribution and potential additions for the 2026 basket season.

Commission action: The commission removed item 7b from the consent agenda for discussion and later voted to approve item 7b (personal services agreement with The Garden Corner). The motion to approve item 7b passed unanimously with Commissioners Scott Wilson, Adam Morrow, Mike Mitchell and Commission President Rocky Smith voting aye.

Ending: Staff said they will continue internal discussions about location changes and will bring options forward for future basket orders.