Stayton council hears public safety concern, accepts grants and housekeeping changes
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Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting Stayton’s council heard a public comment about a dangerous intersection, approved routine personnel authorizers for a retirement plan and consent minutes, and received staff updates on a closed bridge, a $25,000 LiveScan grant and an upcoming bulky‑waste event.
Stayton’s City Council on Monday heard a public safety plea from a resident, approved routine housekeeping resolutions and received several staff updates including a grant for electronic fingerprinting and a bridge inspection that closed Water Street.
Resident Gail Bland told the council she has experienced three near collisions at the intersection of Brett Court and West Towne Drive since moving to Stayton in August 2023 and urged the council to make the intersection a four‑way stop. Bland said visibility is poor and pedestrians cross to reach a nearby park. Staff asked Bland to submit a list of neighbors’ names and committed to having public works inspect the intersection for sight‑distance issues and whether a stop sign is warranted. Staff emphasized that stop signs must meet a warrant and recommended a field review rather than immediate enforcement action.
On routine business, the council approved the consent agenda (Aug. 5 minutes) and adopted a housekeeping resolution (11‑14) adding current staff as authorized signatories on a MissionSquare 457 account because earlier authorizers had left. Staff said the MissionSquare account had been inactive since 2012 and the change is intended to keep records current; councilors asked staff to check for other legacy accounts.
Staff also reported that an ODOT inspection found a critical failure on Water Street bridge and ordered its immediate closure. The city has applied for an ODOT bridge grant; staff said scoping and prioritization will proceed regionally with funding decisions projected in the 2027–2030 timeframe and that the city is estimating costs for interim, vehicle‑blocking barriers that allow pedestrian and bicycle passage.
Chief Johns reported on Safety Town activities and said the department received a roughly $25,000 LiveScan grant from Oregon State Police to move to electronic fingerprinting, which supports the planned municipal prosecution of low‑level misdemeanors. The chief described how CAD dispatch and reporting function, noted prior server issues disrupted some online reports but that monthly updates should be available on the city website, and said traffic‑enforcement efforts including a seatbelt blitz are planned.
Next steps: public works will review the Brett Court/West Towne Drive intersection and report back; staff will cost interim bridge barriers and follow up on MissionSquare account housekeeping if other legacy accounts are identified.
