[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6244820,"mediaKeyId","3228546-846d8293a06c672b285fe457e51402a7","parentId",3228546,"title","Council declines to waive Imani Center fees now; suggests deferral and alternative support","audioSeconds",710,"startMs",5881000,"endMs",6591000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228546-846d8293a06c672b285fe457e51402a7&start=5881&end=6591","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228546-846d8293a06c672b285fe457e51402a7/thumbnail_5881000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244820/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-declines-to-waive-Imani-Center-fees-now-suggests-deferral-and-alternative-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244820-5e5b0152f18c7333aee7190d573887a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164161&Signature=LtYyC7Q8K0qdJ1iWjvrg1N7jY3gezmYmMGu3cXyIc-4XDazmaDvTPN-98rMCQm82pdCQ~wsDbV8sN6IEYjDpJTB9ZvefT6TAfqv2JC8ZqRV1TMI5btppR5vgrudebbWUupkU9u8NNITPa3NjYEoZN4EDtBSdCkpE46shi5nT5UnkrPEueRc~4nrJjIpWAgGDfmOmzFcWEpfM8Ch2jqW9nGaAMpiJXiACqAFnsxTJ1ic5YjiBC1AAb5MKTA2EH1BUdgkxcWXcyibIq~xUjoc-8d1u0mwNKRi2VLB7lOxYxP9vp2SCSmtquPwcP5MUdQJSaFW5hKLoB8GH8xSl2xifyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of St. Helens, OR","date","2025-05-08T15:05:41Z","article","The St. Helens City Council on May 7 discussed a request from the Imani Center for financial relief related to a proposed development plan.

The Imani Center’s second presentation to the council identified options and costs for permitting and development work and included a total figure presented to the council of approximately $99,658 for several items, the presenter said. Councilors said they value the Imani Center’s services but that the city’s current budget constraints make an across‑the‑board waiver of system development charges or other fees imprudent.

Several members suggested alternatives short of a full waiver. Suggestions included deferring SDCs under existing state law provisions that allow payment plans, exploring partial reductions for specific permit fees, connecting the nonprofit with volunteer or revenue opportunities tied to city events, and considering whether the city could offer non‑monetary assistance such as expedited permit review (subject to third‑party review costs). Several council members asked staff to develop a consistent policy for how the city handles similar requests going forward.

One councilor said the council should be transparent and upfront with the nonprofit rather than leaving the group waiting for a decision. The council did not approve any fee waivers at the meeting and generally encouraged the Imani Center to continue its work while staff and the council consider options after the budget is finalized.

Beth Polio of the Imani Center provided written and oral comments to the council and later confirmed to staff that she “did go ahead and pay our permit fee today, and we’re working toward advancing the project.” Councilors said the nonprofit may re‑approach the council after budget adoption or seek a payment plan under state SDC rules.

Staff noted that Oregon law requires cities to offer payment plans for SDCs in certain circumstances, which provides one avenue of relief without reducing the city’s SDC revenues. The council asked staff to return with a recommended policy for handling community requests of this type.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","050725 City Council Public Forum, Public Hearing, & Regular Session","oneSentenceSummary","The council reviewed an Imani Center request for assistance on development costs and declined to grant a fee waiver at this time, citing constrained municipal finances; members suggested deferral and other non‑waiver support options.","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},6244830,"St. Helens council approves rezoning of 1771 Columbia Blvd., continues police station site work",4202,144000,4346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228546-846d8293a06c672b285fe457e51402a7&start=144&end=4346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228546-846d8293a06c672b285fe457e51402a7/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6244830/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/St-Helens-council-approves-rezoning-of-1771-Columbia-Blvd-continues-police-station-site-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244830-7e10099fd26a6007b7aa12b6904f2067/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164161&Signature=AKWeLeXBbm~Gz109kqah78Heg8HFig8jozN3caWe4g~O4lfdLqI1S9xQtRvqJAH6aK4mFJsiBhMcQFC1choRjotCEa-ipAIsvGyTkQEcMvRfbDyaaRnIEIkIvXV2ELSHsqXsMtecTWfyyJt80ny5EkxbBsbYCRvv4CIW1swlpDHdCwyIDu9ZH35jz~NnEaz20ztK9~FqokZwGhy4qVZfE4X05qdN2EamUf30pg8MfBVSaS6TbT~LZd0TY959R71D-zVDGphUifni-3v22S9ULItT92BL6eL-hEZERyQ-iSv3vWHBrW818HXIJuk6d8VJdetIJ7H-F0poDZtzUlD2xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Helens city officials voted May 7 to approve a zone map amendment that changes a portion of 1771 Columbia Boulevard from General Commercial to the Holton Business District, a move staff said removes a longstanding “spot zone” that had fragmented the property’s regulatory status.

The rezoning passed after a combined public forum and legislative land-use hearing that included a staff presentation of site comparisons and cost estimates and public comment critical of the city’s process and affordability of a new police station.

City staff described the rezoning as largely a housekeeping action that corrects inconsistent zoning on the parcel. “The primary reason is the prohibition of ground level residential was removed from our zoning ordinance in 02/2015,” a staff member said during the hearing, adding that cleaning up that mismatch was the planning staff’s principal rationale for a map change that also happens to make a police station feasible on the property.

Consultant Dave Lentz, the project executive with BoJack who led the site review, presented a side-by-side evaluation of multiple candidate parcels, including the existing station, a previously proposed Castro Road site, a Gable Road option, and the Columbia Boulevard parcel at 1771. Lentz told the council the project baseline estimate was about $11,400,000 and that the Columbia site “comes out at the lowest cost” when comparing the trade-offs across sites. He described higher costs and complications linked to floodplain and land‑use processes at some alternate sites and said the team reused existing building drawings to limit design costs where possible.

During public comment several residents said they believed the council had already decided to site the new police station and objected to proceeding while financial questions remain. “This is disingenuous… you’ve already made the decision,” one commenter said. Another resident raised concern about a proposed increase to utility bills that could be used to finance the project, calling the timing “shameful” for families on tight budgets.

Council discussion repeatedly separated the zoning decision from the station siting choice. The council’s motion, which the body approved, covers only the zoning change; staff noted that separate negotiations with the property owner over lease and purchase options are ongoing and that the city had not yet completed a final acquisition. Staff also said the city had conducted Phase I environmental analyses and would perform further site due diligence if negotiations progress.

The vote to approve the zone map amendment (ZA-125) was recorded as follows: Councilor Sandeep — aye; Council President Chilton — aye; Councilor Hubbard — aye; Mayor Jennifer Massey — aye. The council approved the ordinance on first reading; staff said the ordinance will return for formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.

Beyond zoning, the presentation and questions focused on cost detail, parking needs and secure vehicle storage, floodplain constraints on some sites, demolition and hazardous‑materials work associated with redeveloping existing buildings, and timing of contractor pricing updates. Consultant Lentz said some pricing updates were three to five months old and that estimates were being refreshed by the selected contractor.

Council members and staff stressed the city must still decide on whether to lease or buy the Columbia property if negotiations succeed. Staff also noted the rezoning primarily resolves the fragmented zoning on the parcel and would stand even if the police station were ultimately sited elsewhere.

The city will continue negotiations with the property owner and pursue further environmental, geotechnical and design work if the site move proceeds. The rezoning clears a regulatory step; it does not authorize construction funding or a final site purchase.

Residents who spoke at the forum also urged the council to consider alternatives such as remodeling the existing station, using the community center as a substation, and minimizing the size and cost of any new facility to address hiring and operating budget constraints.

The council adjourned the hearing and moved other business later the same evening. Staff said they will incorporate public feedback into continuing due diligence and will return with additional recommendations as negotiations and design work proceed.","St. Helens city officials voted May 7 to approve a zone map amendment that changes a portion of 1771 Columbia Boulevard from General Commercial to the Holton Business District, a move staff said removes a longstanding “spot zone” that had fragmented the property’s regulatory status.",{"_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},6244825,"Council splits on $170,000 Belton sewer capacity study; contract deferred by vote",410,5320000,5730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3228546-846d8293a06c672b285fe457e51402a7&start=5320&end=5730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3228546-846d8293a06c672b285fe457e51402a7/thumbnail_5320000.jpg","/articles/6244825/St-Helens/Columbia-County/Oregon/Council-splits-on-170000-Belton-sewer-capacity-study-contract-deferred-by-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244825-28aa125a2f7009ec670ed94ff5b37c31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164161&Signature=cSxxgKD5ydDKrggEf~yDxl1yzoySDUQFgpf8b1f8y0AtET~s5JIaP76ofKm4Spvs4-9YzUFHh3veSOiCsUR7FYnlwJiDpoP3w9gz3zVwJt4N2ha~9qPpQ5h0Hq6WqaUfnZruQhz6O7Eyl1dcaPs1JIMGZfQI3c80JE4s1sIZz4peVny8zzna6EGhZpcrFLEfDnvLTLGXn0a-1fg7Fsn6Xyfq1MXgOzZtBiRnyeizbaNSQsrdBSdwLg~WYFJ7TZ57B0KjaDlOTT58tU-G07kwKufFNoc8zaQaG2FBdDabb18OpxnpMR78NKI65RRWpoLYjI0DUJvCx-te3K~9HLTy-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors on May 7 split over whether to authorize a contract with an engineering firm to study capacity and connection feasibility for the Belton (Belt) sewer step system.

Sharon, a city engineering representative, told the council that the scoped cost estimate from the selected consultant, Grayling Engineers, was “well under $200,000,” and that she expected the fee to be about $170,000. The study would document system capacity so staff could make consistent decisions on whether proposed new lots could connect to the existing sewer system.

Several council members expressed concern about approving the contract immediately because the city’s budget cycle was in flux and they preferred to delay non‑urgent work until after budget decisions. One councilor said the city already has engineering resources and asked whether the expenditure could be postponed or rolled into next year’s work plan.

Councilors also described the matter as follow‑up to an earlier inquiry: a land‑partition application had asked whether a new home could connect, and staff lacked firm capacity data to respond. The study would provide an objective basis for future permitting decisions.

When the council split the consent actions into individual votes, the motion to award the Belton sewer step system contract (item 11) failed: Councilor Sandeep voted aye; Council President Chilton voted nay; Councilor Hubbard voted nay; Mayor Jennifer Massey voted nay. Councilors who voted against the contract cited timing and a desire to defer until after the budget process; staff said the work can be done later but will likely cost more if delayed.

Sharon told the council the work was needed to resolve recurring development questions in the Belton area and cautioned that delaying the study meant the city would continue to receive requests without the necessary technical basis to answer them.

No alternate funding or timeline was adopted at the meeting; staff were directed to report back as part of the budget or when the council chooses to re‑authorize the study.","The St. Helens City Council debated and then declined to authorize a $~170,000 contract for a capacity study of the Belton (Belt) sewer step system, with councilors citing timing and budgetary concerns. Engineering staff said costs are under $200,000 and the study would clarify whether additional connections are feasible.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council declines to waive Imani Center fees now; suggests deferral and alternative support

St. Helens council approves rezoning of 1771 Columbia Blvd., continues police station site work

Council splits on $170,000 Belton sewer capacity study; contract deferred by vote