Prior to its regular meeting on Dec. 9, the City Council held a work session to review proposed changes to the city’s charter.
Councilor Angelita Sanchez expressed concerns about a proposed change that would disqualify a councilor from running for office again if they have 10 or more unexcused absences within 365 days.
Councilor Josh Thorstad pointed out that the rule is referring to “unexcused” absences.
“Most of the time somebody has work or is sick, but I think accountability is key,” he said. “If somebody is being very (minimally) compensated for being on council but they also took an oath to be here and if they’re not going to be here on a regular basis, I think 10 meetings a year is pretty sufficient. That’s actually half of what our meetings are. They’re missing half of the meetings. I don’t think that’s fair.”
After some discussion, the council asked staff to return at a later date with information on how that change may or may not expose the city to liability.
Sanchez also highlighted a proposal to remove the necessity of reading an ordinance in its entirety on its first reading. She would prefer new ordinances be read in their entirety for the first reading because “it’s really critical to know what the ordinance change is.” The council agreed.
After concerns pointed out by Councilor Ken Bronson, it was agreed that language regarding a councilor being out of the city for 30 days or more needed clarification. Bronson read it to mean that if he goes on vacation for more than 30 days, he could be ousted. But the actual purpose in the charter relates to councilors who move outside city limits.
Bronson also said he does not support a change giving public comment five minutes of talk time instead of the current three minutes.
Sanchez disagreed.
“I feel as though it’s more important to the constituency to feel validated and heard in the people’s business at City Council meetings than it is for our comfort,” she said.
Councilor Chelsea Augsburger also voiced her support for five minutes.
Following the work session, the council continued on to its regular meeting, where City Manager Jason Ogden provided updates on City Council goals:
- Deputy City Manager Cecily Pretty is working on the historic redesignation of Weddle Bridge, and staff continue to work toward the bridge’s restoration.
- There are negotiations in progress with a potential buyer for the Santiam Feed Store.
- The downtown corridor’s vacant registry has been revived.
- The city’s new website has been launched, and new text and email subscriptions are active. Also, a monthly newsletter is also now active.
- The city received a grant to upgrade the city’s public firewalls, and is also working on other cyber security measures.
- The city is receiving bids for renovating the east wing of City Hall.
- Staff are identifying grant opportunities to upgrade technology at the library.
- A program for a pavement preservation program has been established and the city has received its first applicants.
- ODOT has identified enough funding to complete the full scope of a five-year multi-use path and sidewalk project at Mountain View Road.
- An appraisal of the former City Hall has been completed and the city is preparing to put out a request for proposals for demolition of the building.
Ogden also reported updates on some of his own goals as city manager:
- He would like to update the city and police department challenge coins they give out.
- Staff are working on reducing a large amount of physical files at City Hall by digitizing and archiving them.
- Income from the Flex Building rent and EV charging station are being redirected into the Commercial Exterior Improvement Program (CEIP) fund.
- Staff are negotiating a mural concept for the old Santiam Feed Store.
- The city is currently “stuck” on finding funding for Downtown Plaza engineering.
In other business:
- The council heard an update on the 2023 fiscal year audit with a clean opinion.
- Ogden told the council that Public Works Director Greg Springman has announced his retirement, but the city is working on potentially offering him a part-time contract during transition.