Milwaukie council recognizes student of the month, declares pet-contest winner and discusses local food-pantry fundraiser

At the Jan. 20 Milwaukie City Council meeting, the body set aside time for community recognition and council reports. Jason Wax, the city’s community engagement coordinator, announced the winner of the city’s pet-contest (Keithley and May) after a months-long Engage Milwaukie contest. Contest participants, including owner Chinatsu Mori, came forward to be acknowledged.

The council also recognized Mackenzie Van Dyke, a senior at Milwaukie High School / Academy of the Arts with a 4.0 GPA, as the student of the month. Principal Bruce Mayer introduced Van Dyke and councilors asked about college plans and study strategies; Van Dyke said she plans to attend the University of Portland to study nursing.

In council reports, a member described outreach to the Clackamas Foundation and the Wichita Center food pantry, and proposed using council funds or a countywide fundraising challenge to buy commercial refrigeration (staff estimated about $15,000) to reduce spoilage; several councilors expressed preliminary willingness to contribute pending confirmation of allowable uses of council discretionary funds and a follow-up from the city manager.

The meeting concluded with a report on a pre-application for the Mulvaney Floral site in the Lake Road neighborhood and adjournment.