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Gladstone staff report progress on council goals, flag federal funding delays for two projects
Summary
Administrator Betts reported progress on the council's 2025—26 goals, corrected a project date for Gladstone Nature Park restrooms, and said federal funding pauses have affected the Main Street program and the Highway 99 East Trail Crossing application; staff will pursue alternatives and update the council.
Administrator Betts briefed the Gladstone City Council at its Aug. 26 work session on progress implementing the council's adopted 2025—26 goals and highlighted both completed items and funding challenges. "I was thinking back maybe 4 or 5 months of solid work that we've been doing on this," Betts said, describing the weekly management meetings and one-on-one work with department heads that produced the progress report.
Betts noted an error in the published report and told the council, "That last date, should say 2026 and not 2025," referring to the Gladstone Nature Park restrooms and picnic shelter project; staff said they will correct the date on the website and aim to finalize a plan and issue an RFP by spring 2026.
On funding, Councilor LaBonte raised concerns that the Main Street program and other projects were being blocked by federal funding issues. Betts confirmed two federally affected goals: the Main Street program—which staff described as paused because of federal funding decisions—and the Highway 99 East Trail Crossing (the Clackamas Greenway Trail application), which "was not successful in 2024, and the new administration has not released a timeline for the future funding," Betts said. He told the council staff would seek other sources, including Metro and regional options, and update the council when opportunities arise.
Councilor Blauch asked about river-rescue funding at High Rocks; Betts said Clackamas County is taking the lead after a new agreement with AMR and that Gladstone will be part of ongoing conversations to find sustainable funding for the next season.
Betts also reported the city's mental health/addiction specialist is training with Clackamas County and "will be here in Gladstone riding with the police officers. I believe it's September 8th and 9th, and we will be introducing her to you at the September 9 council meeting," he said. Finally, Betts and the mayor noted the filing deadline for Seat 5; one application was received and that candidate appears will run unopposed.
There were no formal votes during the work session; staff will incorporate corrections to the goals report and return with updates and any funding opportunities at future meetings.
