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Council approves resolution to pursue purchase of two small parcels, including a stormwater site the city has maintained for years
Summary
West Linn voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2025-14 authorizing staff to seek acquisition of two small tax lots — one currently serving as a long-maintained stormwater facility that reverted to county title after foreclosure, and a nearby sliver that could enable a future street connection — and to bid at upcoming county auction while protecting the city from joining a class-action suit. Staff highlighted recorded stormwater easements and variable auction pricing.
The West Linn City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-14 on Oct. 14, 2025, authorizing pursuit of acquisition of two small tax lots in West Linn — one a stormwater facility the city has maintained for more than two decades, and another small parcel that could facilitate a future road connection.
“It’s currently an existing stormwater facility. It’s been an existing stormwater facility for, 20 plus years,” Public Works Director Eric Lays said, describing Track B (tax lot 21E26D00907) and the parcel’s role in draining townhomes and adjacent commercial properties.
Staff recounted the parcel’s complicated history: it appears to have reverted to Clackamas County after foreclosure and was listed on the county’s auction roster with an initial starting bid of $11,682 and no bidders. County representatives told staff the parcel is currently involved in a broader class-action lawsuit over surplus proceeds from tax-foreclosure sales, which complicates transfers; staff said the cleanest path for the city to secure clear interest is to bid at auction and carefully document indemnities and transfer language.
City attorney (speaker 2) told the council the city requires clear legal language to ensure it will not be required to stand in the county’s place in ongoing litigation. Staff estimated the likely second-auction price would approximately recoup back taxes (roughly $2,000), and noted recent maintenance investments the city has already made.
The council voiced support for moving forward. Councilor (speaker 8) moved to adopt the resolution, which passed unanimously. Staff said they will monitor and be ready to bid when the county posts the next auction date and will include clear transfer and indemnity language in acquisition documents.
Key financial and property details included in staff remarks: the stormwater parcel had a listed starting bid of $11,682 in the initial auction with no bids; staff reported recent landscape work valued at about $7,000 and cited an alternate small parcel price example of $1,100 for a 0.25-acre lot. Recorded 15-foot stormwater easements on adjacent city property provide legal rights over the drainage connections, a fact staff said lowers the risk of losing essential drainage control if a third party purchased the parcel.
