Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home City Councilor Scott McKee Jr. resigned during the City Council’s regular meeting on Sept. 23.
“It is with regret that I will not be able to complete my term as city councilor and must resign my position as councilor for the City of Sweet Home, effective immediately,” McKee told the council, at times shedding tears.
“I have enjoyed my seven years of service to the community of Sweet Home as city councilor.However, recent changes in my life have resulted in my inability to continue my services as city councilor.
“I wish the council and staff of Sweet Home all the best for the future and hope that I may someday be able to return to public service.”
McKee’s attendance this year had grown sporadic. He had last attended on June 10, missing six meetings since then.
The council accepted his resignation 6-0. Attending the meeting were councilors Marybeth Angulo, Greg Mahler, Craig Fentiman, Mayor Jim Gourley, Dave Trask and Bruce Hobbs.
The council also elected Fentiman president pro tem, a position held by McKee. The president pro tem fills in for the mayor as chairman during council meetings when the mayor is absent.
In other business, the council:
– Reappointed Gerritt Schaffer to the Budget Committee. He was appointed in September 2011. His term expired on Sept. 30. His new term expires on Sept. 30, 2017.
The appointment leaves one vacancy on the Budget Committee. For information or to apply, visit the city manager’s office at City Hall, 1140 12th Ave. or call (541) 367-8969.
– Appointed five students to the city’s Youth Advisory Council. They are senior Kyler Gaskey; senior Brie Davis; eighth-grader Eric Seitz; sophomore Tori Clark; and freshman Shelby Neighbors. Gaskey, Davis and Seitz will serve one year. Clark and Neighbors will serve two-year terms.
The youths attended mandatory orientation, and city councilors interviewed each.
One junior high position and one at-large position, seventh through 12th grade, remain open.
The seven-member committee advises the City Council on topics of interest to Sweet Home youths; provides the primary communication link for youth to government, business and the community; identifies and advocates for the needs of youth in the community; and identifies and carries out events and activities in the community that may be of interest to youth.
For more information about the council or to apply visit or call the city manager’s office.
– Adopted a resolution creating a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of handicapped status and establishing a procedure for complaints of alleged discrimination based on disability.
The city is required to have a policy and grievance procedure to be eligible for Community Development Block Grant funds.
The city has received $400,000 in CDBG funds for housing rehabilitation through the Linn County Housing Rehabilitation Program.
The funds provide loans to homeowners on fixed incomes for home repairs. The loan is repaid after the property is sold or the owner dies.
– Declared a 1976 Allis-Chalmers forklift surplus.