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Council hears concerns about Mill Creek encampment and downstream public-safety risks
Summary
Councilors raised health and fire-safety concerns about a homeless encampment in a creek dip near the Woodburn route, noting human waste and recurring fires; Administrator Wade said parts of the property are Union Pacific-owned and staff are coordinating with Union Pacific and Marion County.
A councilor raised safety and public-health worries during the July 8 meeting about a homeless encampment located in a creek dip along the roadway toward Woodburn, saying human waste and occasional fires there could pose downstream risks for Hubbard residents.
The councilor described seeing smoke and receiving calls about fires and said he was concerned about the potential spread of fire and contamination "especially as we're moving into warm weather." He asked whether the city could engage the landowner or county to address the camp.
City Administrator Wade said some of the property is owned by Union Pacific and that he has had multiple conversations with the company about the camp expanding. Wade said he also spoke with Woodburn’s city administrator and that coordination with Marion County and Union Pacific would be pursued to address the situation across jurisdictions.
Councilors asked staff to continue following up; no formal motion or ordinance was made during the meeting. Administrator Wade said he will continue outreach to Union Pacific and Marion County and report back to council as discussions progress.
What happens next: staff will coordinate with Union Pacific and Marion County and collect more information on the site and any possible interventions; no enforcement action was taken by the council during the meeting.
