The Lebanon City Council held its first meeting in its new location in the community room at the Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St., on June 11.
Councilor Michelle Steinhebel said she likes the new set up, adding that a lot of technology went into the building to make it a successful move. The room provides more seating for the public, and the acoustics are improved from the council’s former location.
“I think this building is more fitting for a City Council than the old train station; even if our roots are kind of there, I think this is the next step in the growth of the city,” she said.
City Manager Ron Whitlatch pointed out the city’s remaining ARPA monies helped fund the move, and the new dias and tables were built by inmates at the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Development code splits council
After more than a year of refining a proposed amendment to the city’s development code related to a recently adopted housing production strategy, the council found itself in a tie when the time came to vote on the ordinance and finally put the matter to bed.
The housing production strategy is a state-required document created by the city to identify how the city would promote housing production. The development code amendment before the council on this day outlined how the city intended to implement the policy, Community Development Director Kelly Hart explained.
The city met multiple times with consulting firm MIG Inc. and local stakeholders over the course of a year to help guide decisions made on the amendment.
Darci Rudzinski, with MIG Inc., provided an overview of the project, which included:
- Allowing small lot single-unit homes and cottage clusters;
- Removing infill design standards;
- Clarifying manufactured dwelling parks standards;
- Allowing tiny homes on wheels under certain conditions;
- Updating affording housing bonuses;
- And other code “clean up” items.
Councilor David McClain took the opportunity to express his opposition to the matter by reading from a prepared statement, noting also that he is speaking up on what he believes his constituents – the residents of Lebanon – would want.
“I keep hearing we must do this to solve a housing crisis,” he said. ”I would like to think we get to determine our own destiny and our own crisis.”
McClain gave a nod to those who’ve put in the effort to develop long-range plans for the city, but likened out-of-town policymakers as a team of foxes acting as security for a chicken coop.
“Becoming a city of renters instead of homeowners was not the vision of our city fathers, but instead has become the vision of developers and investors,” he said.
McClain said in the past 10 years he has witnessed “substantial growth,” including more apartments and fewer houses that fail to solve the city’s issues. His stance is that the city should encourage home ownership and stay away from denser development that he believes will create more problems than solutions.
“I do not believe for a second it will make housing more affordable or more available for the lower income, or solve any homelessness issue,” he said.
Councilor Dave Workman said he agreed with McClain’s statement, but said it’s too late to do anything without “running afoul of legislation,” which has mandated these policies.
McClain and Councilor Dominic Conti voted against the ordinance, while Workman and Councilor Carl Mann approved it. Councilor Jeremy Salvage was absent, and Steinhebel stood in as Council President while Mayor Kenneth Jackola was away. Steinhebel voted as the tie-breaker to approve the ordinance.
“While I don’t agree with every single thing, actually, in the housing production strategy that we have tonight, I will say I also feel that I represent Lebanon,” Steinhebel said.
She added that younger generations face different issues than older generations, and many of the proposed options are the only entry point option they have.
“I believe it’s important for us to provide those opportunities,” she said.
In other business, the council:
- Held a work session to review the city’s Strategic Plan and hear an update on legislative affairs;
- Approved a two-year renewal contract with Municipal Judge Gerald Waite;
- Approved the annexation of 4.82 acres on S 5th Street;
- Approved a $95.6 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with a total expenditure budget of $66.7 million;
- Approved a number of fund resolutions as the council, Budget Committee and Urban Renewal Agency Budget Committee;
- Heard from Police Chief Frank Stevenson who provided an overview of the police department’s tow rotation policy. During this time, he explained the city began seeing an increase in abandoned RVs, trailers and boats a few years ago. It was reported that abatement of the vehicles can cost up to $5,000, and the police department had trouble finding tow companies to remove them.
- City Manager Ron Whitlatch mentioned during the work session that city staff are evaluating the feasibility of reopening the municipal jail. A work session on the matter will be held in July.