The West Linn City Council on Aug. 4 adopted Resolution 2025-10, approving findings that allow the city to exempt up to three on-call construction contracts from the usual formal invitation-to-bid requirement for certain repair, maintenance and emergency work.

Public works Director Eric Laius told the council the exemption would let the city pre-qualify contractors on a qualifications-and-rate basis so the city can deploy responders quickly during emergencies (water main breaks, storm-drain failures and similar incidents) without running a separate procurement each time. Laius described past incidents — a collapsing corrugated storm pipe that created a sinkhole and a steep water-line repair — where delays finding contractors increased staff time and risk.

City Attorney Kaylee Klein and staff confirmed they had reviewed statutory standards and the proposed findings (ORS 279.335 was cited in staff materials) and that the exemption would be followed by a formal request for proposals (RFP) to select the on-call firms. The RFP will limit per-contract expenditures (the packet discussed a $100,000 cap as a prudent control) and recommend naming multiple on-call contractors so an alternative is available if one firm cannot respond.

Nut graf: council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution after staff said the approach would save time and money, improve emergency response and allow the city to leverage specialized contractor equipment and expertise when needed. The council also emphasized regional emergencies and peak-season contractor scarcity as reasons to have pre-qualified firms available.

Action details: the council motion to adopt Resolution 2025-10 passed on a roll-call vote with all members recorded in favor. Staff will proceed to publish an RFP to select up to three on-call contractors under the approved exemption and return with contract awards per the normal authorization process.

Ending: City staff said they will prepare an RFP, consult outside counsel as needed and bring recommended contract awards back to council for approval.