The city of Lake Oswego has decided to produce a written report rather than hold a study session regarding public access to Oswego Lake during the first summer it was opened. While a meeting on the topic was initially expected on Tuesday, October 21, the matter was not included on the council agenda, prompting clarification from City Manager Martha Bennett.
In an email, Bennett explained that after reviewing the planned contents of the report, Mayor Joe Buck requested that city staff first provide the council with a written summary. “After Councilors review it, they can decide whether they want to discuss it at a Study Session,” Bennett wrote. This approach allows the council to consider the findings before committing to a formal discussion in an open meeting.
The upcoming report may include data such as the frequency of lake access from the Millennium Plaza Park entry point, as well as details regarding police activity and other events connected to the public access. By compiling this information in a written format, city staff aim to give council members a comprehensive view of the first summer under the newly mandated access.
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Public access to Oswego Lake was previously limited, but the city was compelled to open the park entry following a Clackamas County Circuit Court order, which ruled that the former restrictions were unreasonable. The court’s decision highlighted the need for the city to balance public rights with lake management, prompting the current review.
It remains undecided whether the council will schedule a study session to discuss the report’s findings publicly. City officials emphasize that the written report will provide the necessary information to make that determination once councilors have had an opportunity to review it.
This move reflects the city’s careful approach to managing public access issues while ensuring councilors have accurate and detailed information before engaging in broader discussions. The report aims to give a clear picture of both the challenges and successes of opening Oswego Lake to the public for the first time in years.
