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Public commenters press council over reservoir leaks, contractor settlements and police chief; watchdog group seeks executive-session access
Summary
Several public commenters raised long-running concerns about a leaking reservoir and past contractor work, accused city leaders of ethical failings in a police investigation, and a local watchdog organization asked the council to reconsider a recommendation to deny its request to attend an executive session.
Several residents used the Feb. 19 public comment period to press the St. Helens City Council about the city’s reservoir problems and to criticize the handling of police department matters, while a local watchdog group asked the council to reconsider denial of executive-session access.
A speaker identifying himself as Ron read a detailed timeline of alleged events tied to a 2,000,000-gallon reservoir. He said the reservoir leaked thousands of gallons per day in 2016, described subsequent rehabilitation work and core sampling, and asserted the city pursued mediation and litigation involving a contractor he identified as WPI. He also referenced settlement paperwork and a core-sample report dated June 1, 2022. Those claims were presented as the speaker’s account; city staff later addressed reservoir procurement and studies during the work session.
Another commenter, who identified himself as Steven Topaz, criticized the city’s handling of an internal police investigation and said the acting police chief had performed well and should be appointed to a permanent position. The commenter accused the mayor and her husband of being referenced in a redacted investigative report and called the language used about the mayor “disgustingly unethical.” Those remarks were presented as the commenter’s view.
Adam, who identified himself as representing FAFO DDS, an investigative watchdog outlet, said he received notice from city staff that the city attorney had recommended denying the organization’s request to attend an upcoming executive session. He said FAFO DDS views itself as a government watchdog and asked the council to revisit the recommendation and disclose the reasons for any denial so the organization could respond.
Councilors did not take formal action on any of the public comments during the work session; staff and council subsequently discussed agenda items tied to the reservoir and to media access. The city reiterated that procedural and legal steps — including redactions for legal advice and confidentiality rules for executive sessions — shape what the city can release publicly.
