Council hears public comments on Scout fees and sidewalk permit costs; city manager to follow up

Two members of the public urged the council to review fee policies and permit costs during the public‑comment portion of the West Linn work session on Sept. 16.

Kurt Eaton, a leader with Boy Scout Troop 149, told the council the troop has met at Sunset Fire Hall for 40 years and that Parks & Recreation rent for the hall was "raised unexpectedly in January by 400%." Eaton said the troop has absorbed the increased fees but that the change now imperils meeting continuity and he asked the council to direct a fee‑setting review and to reserve affordable meeting space for community service organizations.

Rich Faith, a West Linn resident, described sidewalk panels uplifted by adjacent street trees at his home and said the public‑works permit fee for repairs adds roughly $450 to contractor costs. "Many residents are unaware they are responsible for repairing their sidewalk," he said, and asked the council to consider a waiver or reduced fee similar to Oregon City’s sidewalk‑repair assistance program.

City response: Mayor and council thanked both speakers and asked staff to follow up. City Manager John Williams said later in his report that staff will review recreation fees and will talk with public works and engineering about sidewalk permit waivers or reduced fees while noting fee reductions carry trade‑offs in revenue for services.

What’s next: Staff will follow up with Troop 149 and with the resident about sidewalk permit options, and the city manager suggested a future policy discussion on recreation fees and charges if warranted.