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Resident complaints about camp dumpster and council seeks state lottery funding for Bohemia Park improvements
Summary
A resident warned of overflowing dumpsters and improper disposal of property at the homeless camp behind Dairy Mart; staff explained property-storage procedures and ongoing cleanup efforts. Councilors separately pressed for state capital funding to finish Bohemia Park upgrades and asked staff to help advocate in Salem.
A Cottage Grove resident during public comment raised concerns about trash, dumpster abuse and disposal of personal belongings at the homeless camping site behind the Dairy Mart, prompting responses from the police chief and public works staff.
Suzanne Reynolds told the council she had observed the camp area and said that when a person was taken into custody their belongings had been discarded into a dumpster rather than stored for retrieval. She described overflowing dumpsters and other vehicles dumping household garbage at the site. The chief responded that when someone is taken into custody, personal property that is identifiable and of utility or value is normally stored in the department's property/evidence area and can be retrieved; abandoned property or items without identifiable ownership may be disposed of. The chief and Public Works Director John Stewart said police and public works coordinate to monitor the site and that they have processes to remove trash and call for dumpster emptying. Staff said the city has made improvements in site maintenance but acknowledged continued challenges with misuse.
Separately under "concerns from council," Councilor Mary Day briefed the council about CORA, a coalition of seven communities seeking state capital-construction lottery funds for shovel-ready recreation projects. Day described Cottage Grove's request for funding toward Bohemia Park improvements (including the park's north entryway and an electronic reader board), the armory, ADA ramp work and River Road repairs. She said members had met legislative staff and encouraged constituents to contact legislators in support; staff (the city manager and Public Works Director Stewart) volunteered to speak on the city's behalf when meeting in Salem. Councilor Evan said he would support a council letter backing the request.
Councilors also touched on related upkeep topics: skate-park fundraising progress was reported (approximately $122 raised at a recent event plus a $10,000 donation to support design and community engagement), and council members asked staff to consider moving the camp dumpster inside the fenced area, improving messaging on portable toilets and responding quickly to reports of overflowing containers.
Speakers on these items are listed below for attribution.
