Public commenters urge council to back Otter Rock funding, support NOAA and adjust Bayfront vending; safety and BLM staffing concerns raised

During the public comment period several residents and representatives raised a range of concerns and requests.

Marine reserve funding and letters of support: Dennis White, identified as board president of Friends of Outer Rock and a resident of Depoe Bay, asked council to sign two types of letters: (1) a letter of municipal support for his organization’s foundation grant applications, and (2) a letter supporting state funding for the recently designated marine protected area at Cape Foulweather and nearby marine reserves. White referenced a state bill by number as "HP 3587" and said the bill would provide $300,000 to carry out recommendations from Oregon State University’s 10‑year evaluation of marine reserves. Council voted to endorse and sign the requested letter supporting Otter Rock marine reserve funding and directed staff to send the letter prior to the legislative filing deadline.

NOAA layoffs and local impacts: Minda Styles, a Newport resident, urged the council to craft and publish a statement supporting the local NOAA presence after national terminations that she said affected NOAA staff and programs. She described NOAA Marine Operations Center–Pacific and Oregon Sea Grant–related activities hosted in Newport, and emphasized local reliance on NOAA services including ship support and the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Councilors asked for further information and staff indicated they would report back with recommendations on how best to support NOAA locally.

Street vending on the Bayfront: Nicole Locksley, a Newport resident and local photographer who vends on the Bayfront, asked the city to reconsider the current allocation of vending licenses under Resolution 3971 (March 2023). She said the Boardwalk area has three licenses but the resolution designates spaces that could accommodate four to six 10'×10' stalls. She suggested reassigning unused licenses from another designated area (Old Fern Plant) to the Boardwalk so total license counts would not increase. A staff member present told her the council would consider the request.

Public-safety and police‑response concerns: Mike Morse, who identified himself as a Newport resident, described multiple incidents of harassment and assaults while expressing views while on the street; he said he had made public-records requests and reported calls to police that he believes were not responded to. Morse said he had evidence of false police reports being filed about him and asked whether anything could be done; the council thanked him for bringing the matter forward and suggested he follow up with staff.

BLM staffing and Yaquina Head impacts: Martin Desmond, president of Friends of Yaquina Lighthouse (and a Harbor Village resident), reported multiple staff cuts at Yaquina Head managed by the Bureau of Land Management and said the local gift store and visitor services face reduced hours or potential closures. Desmond said his organization will seek letters and outreach to federal decision‑makers and indicated he would return with a draft letter for council consideration; the mayor cautioned that letters from the council must be neutral in tone if signed by the city.

Why it matters

Public commenters sought specific council actions (a signed letter in support of state funding for Otter Rock) and requested the city express support for NOAA and engagement on federal staffing impacts affecting local tourism and research. The council agreed to sign the Otter Rock support letter and asked staff to return with recommendations on NOAA messaging.

Ending

Council directed staff to prepare the Otter Rock letter for signature and to return with options for a neutral, council‑approved statement regarding federal agency impacts (NOAA/BML staffing) if appropriate.