New council members seated

New and returning council members get sworn-in by Jason Ogden one at a time during the Jan. 15 council meeting. At top is Ken Bronson. Bottom, from left, is Chelsea Augsburger, Angelita Sanchez and Aaron Hegge. Photos by Sarah Brown

Four city council members were sworn-in during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Returning councilor Angelita Sanchez and new councilors Chelsea Augsburger, Ken Bronson and Aaron Hegge were sworn-in to office one at a time by interim City Manager Jason Ogden.

Mayor and Council President Selected

Councilor Angelita Sanchez started off the nomination process for mayor by nominating Councilor Dylan Richards, which was seconded by Councilor Chelsea Augsburger.

“I wanted to nominate Dylan Richards for mayor because I feel as though he is the youngest person on the council,” Sanchez said. “He speaks on behalf of his constituents and, frankly, I think if we had an election, he’d probably be elected.”

While councilors Augsburger, Richards and Sanchez voted yes, the motion failed by the other four council members.

Councilor Josh Thorstad then nominated Councilor Susan Coleman for the role, which was seconded by Councilor Ken Bronson. The motion passed 4-3.

For the president pro-tem position, Richards started by nominating Sanchez, which was seconded by Augsburger, but Sanchez declined the nomination. Richards then amended his nomination for Augsburger, seconded by Sanchez.

Sanchez noted that, according to Robert’s Rules of Order, the rights of the minority on the council are protected (The rights of the minority must be protected at all times. Although the ultimate decision rests with a majority, all members have such basic rights as the right to be heard and the right to oppose. The rights of all members – majority and minority – should be the concern of every member, for a person may be in a majority on one question but in minority the

on the next.).

According to Sanchez, it’s clear that Augsburger, Richards and herself are the minority of the seven councilors, and, as such, Augsburger would be a good choice to serve as president pro-tem.

While councilors Augsburger, Richards and Sanchez voted yes, the motion failed by the other four council members.

Bronson then nominated Thorstad for the position, seconded by Coleman.

“I’m seconding that motion because Councilor Thorstad has some experience on council and has faithfully served on committees and has shown up to council meetings,” Coleman said.

The motion passed 4-3.

Request to Change City Charter

Sanchez asked for a work session to be held for a review of the city charter in an effort to prepare language ahead of an anticipated special election in May for levies. The goal, as indicated by some residents and all 12 candidates who ran for council positions this past election, is to change the city charter to allow residents the opportunity to vote for the city’s mayor instead of the mayor being selected by the council.

City Attorney Blair Larsen said typically a committee composed of community members is formed to review the charter and propose such changes, or citizens can submit a petition to have changes voted on by the people, but a work session to bypass a committee review is a possibility. However, he would like to review legal questions concerning this proposition.

“My only concern is that we have been denied the mayor being approved to put to the ballot because of resources,” Sanchez said. “So if we are already doing a special election, to conserve resources and get everything done at the same time – which the community wants – I think that would be the best option to try to get it all done in a timely fashion to be put on a special election.”

Bronson said that “rushing into” changes of such “magnitude” is premature.

“I support the mayor being elected by the populace of the city, but I don’t support chaos,” he said. “I support going into it knowing what we’re doing, the pros and the cons, and how this whole thing is gonna work within our system within the city.”

The council agreed to hold a work session on the matter.

 

In other business:

  • During public comment: Nancy Patton urged the council to work together and attend more city events; David Lowman and Dawn Miller asked the council to change the city charter so residents can vote for the mayor; and David Trask informed the council that a certain councilor (pointing to Richards) has missed half of the council meetings in the past couple of years.
  • Coleman announced that a charter review committee will be opened up at next month’s council meeting.
  • Ogden shared that signage on the corners of 1st Avenue at Highway 20 and Holley Road have been increased from 10 feet to 14 feet. The signs inform drivers that commercial trucks are not allowed through that street. The city also added an additional, 30’ x 36’ sign to reinforce the message.
  • The council authorized Sweet Home Sanitation to manage and access state funding through SB 528 that will help the company ensure compliance with the Recycling Modernization Act.
  • The council approved an ordinance that amends chapter four of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and adopts the Housing Production Strategy.
  • Finance Director Matt Brown gave a quarterly overview of the city’s finances, and Library Director Megan Dazey shared there was an increase in patrons using the library this past year.
  • Public Works Director Greg Springman provided an update on the water plant. He explained that during the recent drawdown at Green Peter, the turbidity was so high that the polymers in the filter bound up with the beads. While trying to flush that out, the metal grates on the filter were bent. Parts to repair the filter have been ordered and are expected to arrive within two months. Staff are considering how to change the treatment process to avoid this problem in the future.
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