Councilor Adams summarizes League of Oregon Cities priorities and urges charter review

Councilor Adams reported that she attended the League of Oregon Cities’ 99th annual conference in Bend and said the sessions raised questions city leaders should consider about Astoria’s charter and its effect on development and governance. “Do we in the city of Astoria help or hinder ourselves in our development based on our charter?” she asked, urging ongoing review of representation, accountability and council compensation.

Adams described sessions on recent judicial impacts that could shape local policy, naming cases discussed at the conference as reported during her remarks. She reviewed LOC’s top priorities for the coming legislative session—housing, transient lodging tax (TLT) flexibility, a transportation package focused on operations and maintenance, and restoring recreational immunity—and asked councilmembers to save Jan. 28 for the city’s day at the Capitol to advocate Astoria’s needs. “Housing is our top priority,” she said, calling for a robust package that addresses middle‑housing gaps, infrastructure and unsheltered housing support.

Adams also recounted field tours and examples from Bend’s recent urban growth boundary expansion and deed‑restricted housing partnerships; she said those examples offered lessons Astoria could adapt. The council did not take action and did not direct staff to return with formal charter amendments; Adams asked only that the council continue to consider these topics and participate in outreach to state legislators.