St. Helens council directs staff to pursue police station site as residents warn of water‑bill impacts

At its May 21, 2025, meeting the St. Helens City Council voted to direct the city administrator to prepare a purchase and sale agreement and a lease agreement for 1771 Columbia Boulevard to advance plans for a new police station.

Councilor Sandeep moved the directive and it was seconded; the council approved the motion on voice vote with Council President Chilton, Councilor Gunderson, Councilor Hubbard and other members voting aye.

The action was a direction to staff to prepare transaction documents; it was not an authorization to complete a purchase or to approve final financing. Council members and the public repeatedly framed the decision as a next step in a broader budget process that still must resolve funding for construction and operations.

Public commenters used the visitor comment period to raise concerns about how a police station project would be funded and the potential effect on water and sewer bills. Shauna Harrison, who said she started a change.org petition on the matter, told the council she had collected about 600 signatures and said, “I realized there's a budget shortfall of $3,000,000.” She urged clearer public information for residents who may not use social media and said seniors, Meals on Wheels volunteers and other low‑income residents would be particularly affected by bill increases.

Other public comments included allegations about city governance and statements that residents had been “gaslit” about city finances, and separate comments from Howard Blumenthal about recurring graffiti and concerns about park maintenance. Judy Eisman introduced herself as a new member of the St. Helens Senior Center Board of Directors and asked the council to publicize openings on the senior center board.

In the council’s consent and action on the agenda, the council also approved Ordinance No. 3308 (final reading) to adopt the economic opportunities analysis, stormwater master plan, wastewater master plan and water master plan as addendums to the city comprehensive plan; adopted Resolution No. 2038; and authorized signature on a mutual release and settlement agreement with St. Helens Assets LLC.

Councilors and staff noted that budget committee work is ongoing and that rate and fee changes — including previously implemented impact fees on new development — have been part of the budget conversation. Staff and others in the meeting clarified that SRF loan repayments for infrastructure would be paid from user rates and that the city had already incorporated certain rate increases into the budget; no final decisions to increase water bills were made at the May 21 meeting.

Next steps: the city administrator will prepare purchase and lease documents for 1771 Columbia Boulevard; council will consider any transaction and any specific funding plan in future hearings and votes.