[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6384811,"mediaKeyId","2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179","parentId",2121414,"title","Residents urge transparency, request audit and ask council to delay manufactured-housing ordinance","audioSeconds",917,"startMs",197000,"endMs",1114000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179&start=197&end=1114","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179/thumbnail_197000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6384811/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Residents-urge-transparency-request-audit-and-ask-council-to-delay-manufactured-housing-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384811-f2fb885c94c2bbcc9306f6a7650c41ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181947&Signature=Mxsu5QgrLMRslLgF4lp6BcnOH7fbPw57iLLufv0KhKla4Id1yCQgFjJs8EOXYBD43DcThdZCg5-kl3-hrVXhl2sV5a5L9vw4dJBngkXTATX8CqP1D9l2H~CnWx723nxALANMnXAjqZxl4B--1FJKpg0YY1t5A4nkdmqNqmNbvy7S3UlGeOVbw7SGfUIlc4Fi62x7kiUn8yjF~yBvjM6m3UWTnbeSQmCEguyjYjlMSaJ3ro6zB-qmxulVktdTORvGxZ36hFuC-EjNV09UxfG06-pStromzlK2xghsYmcWlMfz81LWzf1xHPCt4C7EoEFRPhwNiStfOdEA73fpNuaWNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-01-16T12:29:46Z","article","Dozens of residents used the Jan. 15 visitor-comment period to press the newly seated council on transparency, municipal finances and the land-use ordinance that several speakers said would allow manufactured or mobile homes in single-family neighborhoods.

Steve Topaz, identifying himself as a local resident, asked for public forums on large construction projects and for records related to project plans and environmental findings. \"I'd like to have a forensic audit of the city finances,\" Topaz said, and also asked the council for minutes of executive meetings related to the hiring and acceptance of the police chief.

Robin Toski, a St. Helens resident, asked the council to \"stop this process today. Let's go back to the drawing board\" in reference to the ordinance on manufactured housing. Toski said the city had met state affordable-housing requirements and urged the council to adopt architectural standards instead of broadly allowing manufactured units on any lot.

Steven Toski, a 2024 mayoral candidate and resident, told the council the community had voted for change and said Ordinance 3306 (also referenced as \"3 306\" in remarks) would be \"directly contrary to the goal of economic prosperity.\" Toski described what he said were past conflicts of interest in earlier votes and urged the council to send the ordinance back for more work.

Speakers during public comment also raised questions about the Millard Road development and asked for details about the original proposal and how it changed. One speaker asked that selections to ad hoc committees be more transparent and requested consideration for appointment to future committees.

The council did not take formal action on public comments; comments were recorded and several council members acknowledged the requests and signaled willingness to review records and consult staff.

Why it matters: Public comments signaled strong local concern about code changes that affect neighborhoods, a demand for more timely public records and audits, and continued scrutiny of past contractual and project-management decisions. Those concerns framed later council discussion of the planning package and requests for legal review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","011525 City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents during public comment on Jan. 15 urged new council leadership to pursue transparency, a forensic audit of city finances, and to halt or revisit an ordinance they said would allow manufactured homes broadly.","taxTitle","St. Helens, Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52788,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6384816,"St. Helens planners outline code changes tied to state housing law; councilors voice concern over allowing manufactured homes citywide",2691,2278000,4969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179&start=2278&end=4969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179/thumbnail_2278000.jpg","/articles/6384816/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/St-Helens-planners-outline-code-changes-tied-to-state-housing-law-councilors-voice-concern-over-allowing-manufactured-homes-citywide","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384816-28026bbc02e1522f512e8c89f3051c4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181947&Signature=f1eJU5Cpc5VXCjpJFlUONDJ-Mhp2VgRV8T~tC7gZZni2kaTGD30KxsCoCkXZj7qGtH0mUHEYGUYH2CO51jLb4YDml1SPtVjxhxA3aKW7NNkhdNze8PqdTbDeJim3aJbtaJExQpf4UYuLgzQ5WND8xoUNMZP5foY17UIgdxqCKvJdhUnuj8XyLIMg0eho3ql1hmMK2tH1kcp2GPmHODDjfReaxRK8RDknU1DYmQNkwhrs-JlTxMhxalmsIToPA1F6cyhrDm7Xz1-eMwCVXnXaSSeHH1sSkn5xr6GWrmbo6OoTbevMYh1IKy8~l3pNth8V0IsjoFWffMB7z7PL5BKVTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Planner Clayton Grisham told the St. Helens City Council on Jan. 15 that proposed code amendments and a modest fee-schedule change respond to 2024 state housing legislation and to new administrative tools the state created for housing projects.

\"What that does is it creates this avenue for developers to seek adjustments,\" Grisham said, describing an administrative-level variance created by Senate Bill 1537 that would let staff grant up to 10 adjustments for eligible housing projects without a Planning Commission hearing.

The package the planner described includes four main components: an administrative-variance fee category tied to SB 1537 (the planner said the item is temporary), detached multifamily (allowing three-or-more-unit configurations as detached units where multifamily is already permitted), new local standards for single-room-occupancy housing, and changes to align local rules with state requirements that manufactured and prefabricated homes be allowed where single-family dwellings are allowed.

Grisham said the administrative variance is intended to streamline applications for eligible residential or mixed-use projects and noted the new state provisions are temporary in duration as written in the statute text he presented. He also summarized SRO and parking clarifications staff would add to the code: larger SRO projects would be subject to apartment standards; parking calculations would follow typical multifamily rules (Grisham described the city's parking approach as \"studio = 1; 1-bedroom = 1.5; 2-bedroom or larger = 2\" when calculating total required spaces).

The planner warned that the SRO rules are imperfect from an enforcement standpoint because some rental arrangements can occur without a land-use filing, which limits the city's ability to spot them before they operate. He said new permitting would require adequate off-street parking and site design review where multifamily standards apply.

Several council members pressed staff on the manufactured-homes language, saying they feared the effect of allowing manufactured or prefabricated homes across single-family neighborhoods. One councilor said placing manufactured housing \"in neighborhoods outside of those 2 districts ... is detrimental to property values,\" and asked whether the city could adopt more restrictive local controls.

City Attorney Ashley Weigand told the council her office would research options and case law. \"Our office could be happy to look into that,\" Weigand said, noting that the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) reviews local code changes for compliance with state land-use law and that a local restriction could be challenged and—and if reversed—expose the city to fees and legal costs.

Grisham described several implementation choices the council could make in coming weeks: adopt the full package as drafted; reject it; or direct staff to return with a modified ordinance that omits or changes some components. He urged that delaying action increased the risk the city would face a project that could rely on the new statutory tools before the city had local standards in place.

Council direction at the end of the discussion was to have staff and the city attorney examine legal options and alternatives, to gather examples from peer cities, and to return to council with revised language or advice before final readings. No vote was taken at the Jan. 15 work session.

Why it matters: The package ties local land-use rules to a recent state law (Senate Bill 1537) and to expanded definitions of \"needed housing\" that the state now treats as protected; the choices the council makes will affect how easily developers can seek adjustments to setbacks, parking and other standards, and how single-room-occupancy and manufactured housing are regulated in St. Helens.

Next steps: Staff and the city attorney will research case law and peer-city responses and return to council with options; councilors indicated they would consider delaying final readings while staff refines the proposal.","City Planner Clayton Grisham told the St. Helens City Council on Jan. 15 that proposed code amendments and a modest fee-schedule change respond to 2024 state housing legislation and to new administrative tools the state created for housing projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6384801,"Council discusses nuisance-premises ordinance modeled on Beaverton code; staff and attorney to refine draft",1406,5088000,6494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179&start=5088&end=6494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179/thumbnail_5088000.jpg","/articles/6384801/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-discusses-nuisance-premises-ordinance-modeled-on-Beaverton-code-staff-and-attorney-to-refine-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384801-9bcd1a314ba2c5d0ab767eb6e0f499f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181947&Signature=ny6m6sWmxaWGeNJQgLdfNCXDBTWGZWjaGm2QHHliKNJ9OvcWeMFa4qgGmwghOcKYDXo2imQALhSu~~IhnDIavj6irvXJ~s2Ny-kzRkdLeUMtDbtwhij0fDIoLgklRaPwrsjtTss2ZXe71Sa-SUPiBSxHzV2Ao3jryxcY16uwMSHeBjDP9VzIxey7kpIfwWiVa4Ie5EIcwHnMFocIN4SlCkccCw8b7TyqcoS4zUFiybTF4D9RUQBpjrpjqMP5VKrDOJft~ixIuwi19qFRIlKKeWVSLddpZcvhIyDn3oX1dtPzfG8h1YTay2~QzRYFHni0w9Aec8PmFvauqR87WJOb6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and several council members discussed a proposed chronic-nuisance-premises ordinance on Jan. 15 that would give landlords and the city an enforcement tool for properties that generate repeated calls for service.

Wayne (presenter) described Beaverton's ordinance as a model that had helped landlords and police reduce repeat nuisance behavior and provided tenants and neighbors a clearer path for remedies. \"If there's a paper trail because of incidents...then...this gives the judge plenty of leeway to give people, you know, a break on the fines or to raise them,\" Wayne said, describing the ordinance's progressive-notice and penalty structure.

Staff described the proposed sequence of enforcement as administrative documentation, notices to property owners and, when warranted, municipal citations that the municipal court would hear. Presenters and council members stressed safeguards: the draft would exclude calls tied to active person-crimes that require emergency response, and the municipal judge retains discretion to dismiss or reduce penalties depending on circumstances.

City Attorney Ashley Weigand said she and her office would review Beaverton and other cities' experience and help tailor the ordinance to local constitutional and statutory limits. \"I have also, have some experience with these ordinances, and they can be really effective,\" Weigand said, and offered to work with staff on revisions.

Police representatives and councilors said the proposed ordinance could create a notification trail for landlords and reduce repeated calls that currently burden officers and other tenants. Wayne illustrated a proposed penalty scale discussed in the packet: several early calls would produce warnings; after the 4th call in a month a $250 fine would be possible, with higher penalties for repeat calls over time. The presenters said fines would generally be assessed to the property owner or manager when the documented nuisance related to tenancy or property management.

Council requested staff, the police chief and the city attorney review the Beaverton model and other jurisdictions for implementation mechanics, impacts on staffing and wording to avoid deterring emergency 911 calls. Several councilors favored moving forward with a locally tailored ordinance; staff will return with a revised draft for council consideration. No vote was taken at the Jan. 15 work session.","City staff presented a draft chronic-nuisance-premises ordinance, noting Beaverton's model as a working example. Supporters said the tool can help landlords and police reduce repeat calls for service; city attorney and police chief agreed to review and adapt the ordinance to local needs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6384806,"St. Helens municipal judge reports rise in prosecutions; council told county jail cutbacks could affect local bookings",501,1582000,2083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179&start=1582&end=2083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2121414-fddb8714f78318f011be375ade941179/thumbnail_1582000.jpg","/articles/6384806/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/St-Helens-municipal-judge-reports-rise-in-prosecutions-council-told-county-jail-cutbacks-could-affect-local-bookings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384806-0adc2a36267778eb61c617665f5ca451/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181947&Signature=WqCBUtZ8pC89edmMkun6h-9YaebNwrCLKliQhWFS86yi3fRCs~XDQJI6DKbiD8rGkgwKA4aCHuTNdu23qqnS-MmVmX0mc3~57jDPnv9i9gjl9U~wTnSfPkBYQIeuSUfUG~Lw2J3jq7QDdN8Bds5-VPlmAPHlz0UYlQEbPDKrVK5yc5gFbqlQAcsT1Wdaadt7Mu~Stp2sIq86jMvh1-IHtH6sFwoMQJEALFfVIXS2M6px6NoSVMZa7lL-QHjeOsV9Go~GHb-lfCcJQSQwWZ4t5ltMwnWijc4AgpNHORGv3Jgcsji9hGOxaa4B1BJ9lS0s9cxJQdjfBmbH1WhxWYKNWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Municipal Court Judge Amy Lindgren reported to the St. Helens City Council on Jan. 15 that the number of crimes prosecuted in the city's municipal court rose to 380 in 2024 from 247 the previous year, and that prosecuted violations (including code enforcement and traffic) increased to 624 from 483.

Lindgren said revenue for the court also rose from roughly $82,500 in the prior year to approximately $101,000 in the most recent year. She said noncash work-release or \"work-off\" distributions were lower this year compared with the prior year, and that change affected overall case processing patterns.

Lindgren and Chief Hogue raised a separate but related operational concern: Clackamas County Sheriff Pixley has proposed cuts at the county jail. Lindgren said Pixley told local officials the jail cannot absorb the previous level of local bookings without making changes; some changes could begin as early as March, with broader effects in July.

\"He thinks that the biggest thing that will have to be managed will be a either we I don't wanna say rent a space, but, it will be like a daily rate or if we just have 1 permanently in place,\" Lindgren said of approaches being discussed to address bed capacity.

Lindgren said she plans to meet with Chief Hogue and Sheriff Pixley to develop options and present a plan to council (she suggested February 19 as a target for a follow-up briefing). She warned that fewer available jail beds could shift how low-level offenses are handled — for example, more cite-and-release procedures and fewer overnight holds for municipal arrests.

Why it matters: Reduced county jail capacity and rising municipal caseloads would affect how the St. Helens Police Department and municipal court manage arrests, detentions and prosecutions for low-level offenses, with potential consequences for public-safety workflow and case outcomes.

Next steps: Judge Lindgren will coordinate a meeting with the police chief and the county sheriff and plans to bring recommendations to council for managing jail-capacity and court-processing impacts; no formal council action was taken at the Jan. 15 meeting.","Municipal Court Judge Amy Lindgren told the council that crimes prosecuted in the municipal court rose to 380 in 2024 from 247 the prior year and that low-level violation prosecutions also increased. She warned that planned reductions at the county jail could force earlier release or limit beds for municipal arrests beginning this summer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge transparency, request audit and ask council to delay manufactured-housing ordinance

St. Helens planners outline code changes tied to state housing law; councilors voice concern over allowing manufactured homes citywide

Council discusses nuisance-premises ordinance modeled on Beaverton code; staff and attorney to refine draft

St. Helens municipal judge reports rise in prosecutions; council told county jail cutbacks could affect local bookings