It was just 27 days into his retirement when Greg Springman returned to work at the City of Sweet Home after the City Council approved the move during its Jan. 27 meeting.
Springman officially retired as the public works director at the end of last year, but City Manager Jason Ogden told the council during its Dec. 9 meeting that the city was in talks with him about a part-time contract while they look for his replacement.
Giving credit to Deputy City Manager Cecily Pretty for her research, Ogden explained there is a shortage of qualified candidates for public works directors both regionally and nationally.
Due to the market’s competitive nature, the city decided not to recruit for the position just yet, but instead retain Springman’s knowledge and skillset during this transitional period.
The council approved a $25,000 annual contract with Springman that includes assists with medical costs.
“We will be saving money with this position being vacant,” Ogden said.
Pretty clarified there are numerous similar positions in the region currently being offered, so staff would like to wait for those positions to be filled before Sweet Home actively recruits.
In other business, the council:
- Heard from resident Gary Jarvis who apologized for “tilting at windmills” at the previous council meeting when he said the DEQ removed its air quality monitoring from the city. He was given incomplete information which led him to believe the DEQ chose to discontinue the service here, but is happy to hear the system is simply being moved elsewhere.
- Held a work session to review and discuss proposed changes to the city charter.
- Ogden reported the police department’s patrol officer had been filling other needed roles in the department, but is getting back to traffic control this month.
- A new, temporary logo for the City of Sweet Home was revealed to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary since the Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776.
- Pretty was assigned a seat on the League of Oregon Cities Transportation Policy Committee, which reviews policy decisions and recommends legislative positions and strategies for transportation-related matters.