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Residents press council over ODOT appraisal, and urge voter role on large facilities
Summary
Public commenters raised concerns about an ODOT surplus‑property appraisal reportedly valuing a 33‑acre parcel at $3.96 and urged greater transparency; other speakers asked the city to pursue a voter-directed limit on large temporary facilities, including opposition to detention centers in West Linn.
Several residents used the public‑comment period at the June 9 meeting to press the council on past decisions and proposed policy changes. Terry Cummings described a records search that located an appraisal by David Balfour dated March 15, 2021, which she said valued a 33‑acre ODOT surplus parcel at "$3.96" because of significant estimated development costs; she said AKS Engineering estimated costs could be over $5,000,000 and that the appraisal was not included in the staff report when the council previously approved the purchase. Cummings urged greater transparency in staff reporting.
Other residents urged the council to pursue a voter-led restriction on large temporary facilities. Janet Brumbaugh said she supported a proposal that "any facility, temporary facility for more than 200 people be approved by the voters of West Linn" to prevent detention centers or private prisons in the city. A councilor corrected the record that the proposal text calls for voter approval rather than council approval. Councilors responded by noting there is no known proposal for an ICE‑detention facility in West Linn and said they preferred to focus on practical local supports for immigrant communities while exploring options for further discussion.
The council thanked speakers and agreed to schedule follow-up discussions on community human-rights work and immigrant‑community support as part of future agenda planning.
