During the Sodaville City Council on Thursday, May 21, Mayor Brian Lewis announced next month’s meeting will be his last.
The announcement comes as his property in Sodaville is in the process of being sold and he prepares to move to another, nearby city. Sodaville’s charter states any councilor or mayor must reside within the city.
The council will hold a meeting in the near future to discuss next steps.
“You’ve done a great job,” resident Ray Jackman told Lewis. “You really have. I hate to see you go.”
Lewis said he hates to leave, but circumstances regarding his property led to the decision.
“As much as I love Sodaville and I’ve enjoyed everything that we’ve done, we have to do what’s right for us,” he said.
Lewis’ term as mayor would end December 31, 2026.
Seeking signage
Resident and community liaison Peggy Bishop said she spoke to residents from the city of Lebanon who told her they pitched in to purchase a solar-powered speed limit flashing sign for their community. Bishop asked if Sodaville could work on getting a grant to buy one for the city’s 25 mph zone.
This brought on a discussion among the council about signs in Sodaville. Public Works Director J D Burns reminded Bishop that the county recently told them there cannot be any more signs in Sodaville due to “sign pollution.” Councilor Joseph Parsons noted the county recently installed two signs nearby.
Mayor Brian Lewis said the county had tested traffic in the city and said it was “way too safe,” therefore not warranting the need for the county to contribute half the cost of a new sign.
“And we also don’t have enough deaths,” he added.
Bishop and Parsons said they would go talk to a county commissioner about the matter.
In other business:
- City Administrator/Recorder Molly McGuire reported the city continues to work on ousting a trespassing RV-dweller who remains parked on city property. Complaints lodged by city residents will help with the case.
- The city installed a handle bar outside the main office for safety.
- Burns reported water loss at 15% last month, Well 2 is back online after replacing parts, and Well 5 is “barely” online – as is common around this time of year.
- Burns reported state departments are asking about conducting monthly tests of residual chlorine in the water system, and will also be testing for PFOS on May 27 as part of a nationwide push to test all water systems for what is called “forever chemicals.” Oregon reports indicate only more industrialized areas may be contaminated, but largely not so much so in rural areas. In Lebanon, the city’s water supply is considered safe, but private well users in the area bordered by Mary Street to the north, D Street to the south, Hiatt Street to the east, and 10th Street to the west should consider having their water tested due to historic industrial activity in the downtown area.