City Council approved the purchase of five transitional family housing units to be placed at 43rd Avenue and Osage Street during its Aug. 6 meeting.
The City of Sweet Home declared a state of emergency regarding the homeless population in Sweet Home on March 1, 2023, and, in partnership with the Sweet Home School District 55, the city identified families as a group that is in need of housing. Governor Tina Kotek provided emergency funding to the Linn County MAC group to be distributed through grants, of which Sweet Home was awarded funding for family housing for families in transition while they obtain permanent housing.
The city received multiple bids with various housing options and ultimately selected ATL as the option with the best value for the money for the quality and built-in features. The total purchase cost is $263,050 and includes shipping and the following structures: Two 40-foot houses for $106,000; two 20-foot houses for $75,200; and one A-frame house for $77,900.
The houses are to be used as temporary housing “for families that are in an emergency situation, such as living in tents or vehicles, while they were working on getting permanent housing,” City Manager Kelcey Young said.
“We have a fairly large number of homeless families and homeless children here in Sweet Home,” she said.
Many of the families are disabled and/or working but have been unable to get into housing while they are on “extremely long waitlists.”
The plan is to place five “cottages” with fencing in a high barrier housing lot that does not allow drugs or pets. Crossroads Communities, out of Lebanon, has proposed to manage the houses, if approved by council at a later meeting. The cost of the houses as well as the management would be funded solely through grants, Young said. The city will need to acquire more grants to maintain the houses.
“One of the challenges with children that are in these situations is it’s hard to be able to keep track of them and get the services and get the help and stuff that is needed,” Young said. “This can also provide a safe location where the schools are able to reach out, where CSC can provide services and so forth.”
The motion to purchase the houses was approved 4-2; councilors Dylan Richards and Joshua Thorstad voted no, Councilor Angelita Sanchez was absent.
Interim City Manager Named
Police Chief Jason Ogden was named Interim City Manager and Cecily Pretty was named Assistant City Manager by recommendation of outgoing City Manager Kelcey Young. Young noted the two will have their hands full with the construction of the new wastewater treatment plant, the drawdown and general economic development, but their experience and skills together will provide a strong leadership for the city while a new manager is sought.
Councilor Lisa Gourley said that when the council considered creating an assistant city manager position, it hadn’t been discussed whether it would be permanent or temporary. When a new city manager is selected, it may be determined that an assistant manager is no longer needed, she said. Her concern centered around the increased wage for Pretty’s new role.
Mayor Susan Coleman noted it is the city manager’s authority to hire personnel and the council’s authority whether to approve salary increases. As such, Young made the decision to appoint Pretty as the assistant city manager and the next order of business was for the council to approve a recommended salary increase.
Councilor Gourley wanted more information about how the wage increase was determined, and added she would like the role to be pro-tem for the time being.
“I think once you start paying somebody, there’s a commitment to continue those wages,” Councilor Gourley said. “And if it’s pro-tem, then they’re temporary, then they know that and they can budget for that.”
The salary schedule up for discussion indicates a reorganization that removes an administrative services director position ($8,004 first year) and an associate planner position ($5,082) , and adds the assistant city manager position ($9,605) as well as an administrative services manager ($5,875).
While Young told Councilor Gourley the new city manager would have the authority to restructure the personnel and remove the assistant manager position if they desired, Councilor Gourley said it’s easier for the new manager to keep things as-is than tell someone their position/wage is no longer needed.
As such, Councilor Gourley motioned to accept the amended salaries with the exception of adding “pro-tem” to the assistant city manager position. The motion was unanimously approved.
In other business:
- Mary Bridge approached the council to express her concerns regarding her belief there is a lack of safety on Main Street during Oregon Jamboree, specifically this year a food truck with propane tanks and a generator seated in front of one of a business which blocked drivers from seeing vehicles entering the highway. Mayor Coleman asked to place a food truck policy review on a future agenda.
- Several members of the public expressed appreciation for Young’s work in the city as she approaches her remaining days on staff following her resignation. “This is a great loss for our community,” Terry Martin said. Mayor Coleman noted the number of grant monies Young has brought into the city during her two years here. Through tears, Councilor Gourley told Young she is leaving Sweet Home better than she found it.
- Councilor Dave Trask expressed anger over an unnamed councilor’s apparent bullying of Young during her term.