Resident urges city to remove lien, asks council to release executive-session records

Terry Cummings, a West Linn resident and former councilor, told the council that an apparent judgment from several years ago has left a lien on her home and prevented a planned refinance.

“My name is Terry Cummings, and I'm a resident of West Linn,” she said during the public-comment period, explaining she first learned about the judgment when refinancing. She said the judgment—she believed it was roughly $500—was raised in a case that named her as a councilor and that she was surprised to discover a lien had been placed without notice to her.

Cummings also asked the council to release executive-session records tied to a 2022 case and said she had recused herself when the council majority voted to pursue the lawsuit. She told the council she expected the city attorney ("Rory," as referenced in the meeting) to seek recovery of fees from the prevailing party and urged the city to ensure any fees placed against her property are cleared.

Mayor (speaking for the city) acknowledged the problem and said staff and the city attorney were working on it. “I'm gonna get in touch with you tomorrow, and we'll get the process rolling to get that cleaned up and get that erased off your house,” the mayor said, adding he would "waive the fees entirely." The mayor directed staff to follow up with the resident and the city attorney to resolve the lien.

The council did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting; the mayor said staff would pursue next steps with legal counsel and report back to Cummings.