By Anne Scheck
2 SEARCH FIRMS VIE FOR CITY CONTRACT
Representatives from two search firms are expected to appear at the next city council meeting to compete for the city’s contract in seeking a new city manager.
Both firms are expected to bill the city for at least $30,000, no matter which clinches the agreement.
The decision to invite team members from both WBCP Inc., of Gold Hill, and Jensen Strategies, of Portland, followed a discussion by Independence city councilors last night, who expressed a need for more time and information.
Though the strengths of the two companies were debated, based on their submitted material, the councilors seemed to have more questions than answers. “I am kind of up in the air about them,” said Councilor Tom Takacs, a view echoed by others on the council.
The timeline for finding a new city manager is limited to only a few months, and it’s occurring during a period in which nine other cities also are searching for a city manager, noted Amanda Christensen, manager of human resources for Independence.
Some searches have had difficulty finding the right candidate. Ashland, for example, took a “time out” this summer after two different search firms – one of them was WBCP – severed relations with the city, according to Ashland Daily Tidings, the city newspaper.
PRO & CON DIVISION OVER COMMISSION CANDIDATES
A divided city council failed to approve one applicant for a spot on the Independence Planning Commission but voted unanimously in favor of another one. The action appears be the first time in many years that a candidate was declined, leaving a remaining vacancy on the planning commission.
The councilors all confirmed placement of Jose Alonso Oliveros Vazquez, but voted 3-to-2 against appointing Kelie McWilliams to the city’s planning commission.
City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis was absent and excused. Councilors Marilyn Morton and Shannon Corr voted to appoint McWilliams. The three councilors who voted against McWilliams cited differing concerns about her alleged ongoing political involvement.
Councilor Sarah Jobe said she felt that McWilliams -- executive director of the Rural Engagement Project, a political action committee aimed at fostering civic engagement and ensuring accountability of elected officials -- already has “too much on her plate”; Councilor Dawn Hedrick-Roden cited McWilliams’ campaign-related complaints against former political candidates in Polk County’s 2020 elections, which Hedrick-Roden said appear to be “open and pending” in some cases; Councilor Tom Takacs expressed misgivings about partisan advocacy when filling a non-partisan position on a city commission.
“All right, we’ll find someone else,” said Mayor John McArdle, following the vote.
LUCKIAMUTE WATERSHED COUNCIL
--Immediate Volunteer Opportunity! This Friday, December 17, two or three volunteers are needed by the Luckiamute Watershed Council for a road clean-up project on Tampico Road (from 99W to Wiles Road). Volunteers will need to fill out a liability release form before they begin work. If you’re interested and available that day, please sign up at: Volunteer Road Clean-up on Tampico Road. https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/tampico-road-clean-up.html Once you sign up, you’ll be given further instructions (a volunteer liability-release form was actually due today Wednesday, December 15).
--Sips 'n' Science returns after holidays: Cozy up with your favorite “sip” and join the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC) for a free presentation, from the comfort of your own living room. The LWC is welcoming Stephen Dow Beckham as the speaker for the first Sips 'n' Science event of 2022. He will share historic photos and first-hand experience of the fascinating history and environmental impacts of using splash dams and log drives to float large amounts of timber down rivers to mills in our region. Find details or register for this free event at:
https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/splashdamming.html
~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~
Resident Thankful for Response
I have resided in Independence since June 2021 and recently attended a Independence Council meeting and chose to speak to the council during the five-minute public input, addressing parking along Osprey Lane and the safety concerns I have as a resident about two-way traffic with parking on both sides of the street.
I left the meeting and I appreciated having had an opportunity to address my concern to the Council.
A couple of weeks later I received a phone call from the Independence City Manager Tom Pessemier, and we discussed my concern, and he referred me to the interim City Manager so I could pursue my concern.
I was really impressed that I was helped and heard.
--Pete Ferren
2 SEARCH FIRMS VIE FOR CITY CONTRACT
Representatives from two search firms are expected to appear at the next city council meeting to compete for the city’s contract in seeking a new city manager.
Both firms are expected to bill the city for at least $30,000, no matter which clinches the agreement.
The decision to invite team members from both WBCP Inc., of Gold Hill, and Jensen Strategies, of Portland, followed a discussion by Independence city councilors last night, who expressed a need for more time and information.
Though the strengths of the two companies were debated, based on their submitted material, the councilors seemed to have more questions than answers. “I am kind of up in the air about them,” said Councilor Tom Takacs, a view echoed by others on the council.
The timeline for finding a new city manager is limited to only a few months, and it’s occurring during a period in which nine other cities also are searching for a city manager, noted Amanda Christensen, manager of human resources for Independence.
Some searches have had difficulty finding the right candidate. Ashland, for example, took a “time out” this summer after two different search firms – one of them was WBCP – severed relations with the city, according to Ashland Daily Tidings, the city newspaper.
PRO & CON DIVISION OVER COMMISSION CANDIDATES
A divided city council failed to approve one applicant for a spot on the Independence Planning Commission but voted unanimously in favor of another one. The action appears be the first time in many years that a candidate was declined, leaving a remaining vacancy on the planning commission.
The councilors all confirmed placement of Jose Alonso Oliveros Vazquez, but voted 3-to-2 against appointing Kelie McWilliams to the city’s planning commission.
City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis was absent and excused. Councilors Marilyn Morton and Shannon Corr voted to appoint McWilliams. The three councilors who voted against McWilliams cited differing concerns about her alleged ongoing political involvement.
Councilor Sarah Jobe said she felt that McWilliams -- executive director of the Rural Engagement Project, a political action committee aimed at fostering civic engagement and ensuring accountability of elected officials -- already has “too much on her plate”; Councilor Dawn Hedrick-Roden cited McWilliams’ campaign-related complaints against former political candidates in Polk County’s 2020 elections, which Hedrick-Roden said appear to be “open and pending” in some cases; Councilor Tom Takacs expressed misgivings about partisan advocacy when filling a non-partisan position on a city commission.
“All right, we’ll find someone else,” said Mayor John McArdle, following the vote.
LUCKIAMUTE WATERSHED COUNCIL
--Immediate Volunteer Opportunity! This Friday, December 17, two or three volunteers are needed by the Luckiamute Watershed Council for a road clean-up project on Tampico Road (from 99W to Wiles Road). Volunteers will need to fill out a liability release form before they begin work. If you’re interested and available that day, please sign up at: Volunteer Road Clean-up on Tampico Road. https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/tampico-road-clean-up.html Once you sign up, you’ll be given further instructions (a volunteer liability-release form was actually due today Wednesday, December 15).
--Sips 'n' Science returns after holidays: Cozy up with your favorite “sip” and join the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC) for a free presentation, from the comfort of your own living room. The LWC is welcoming Stephen Dow Beckham as the speaker for the first Sips 'n' Science event of 2022. He will share historic photos and first-hand experience of the fascinating history and environmental impacts of using splash dams and log drives to float large amounts of timber down rivers to mills in our region. Find details or register for this free event at:
https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/splashdamming.html
~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~
Resident Thankful for Response
I have resided in Independence since June 2021 and recently attended a Independence Council meeting and chose to speak to the council during the five-minute public input, addressing parking along Osprey Lane and the safety concerns I have as a resident about two-way traffic with parking on both sides of the street.
I left the meeting and I appreciated having had an opportunity to address my concern to the Council.
A couple of weeks later I received a phone call from the Independence City Manager Tom Pessemier, and we discussed my concern, and he referred me to the interim City Manager so I could pursue my concern.
I was really impressed that I was helped and heard.
--Pete Ferren
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