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City Council Meeting

Highlights

  • 🤝 Held a joint work session with the Economic Development Commission (EDC) so commissioners could brief council on Q1/Q2 accomplishments, introduce new members, and align upcoming priorities (marketing, business surveys, corridor activation).
  • 🌭 Approved up to $190 for a council-hosted hot-dog booth and “meet your councilor” table at National Night Out (July 31) to increase face-to-face engagement with residents.
  • đź“ť Adopted Resolution 2318 accepting Mayor Ari Goodwin’s July 15 resignation, triggering the vacancy process outlined in the charter/code (public notice, interviews, appointment by council).
  • 🗣️ Public commenters pressed for fiscal transparency, reconsideration of UGB policies/resolutions, and clearer communication about the TGM grant—underscoring the trust-building the new council has pledged to tackle.

Notes

  • Work Session w/ EDC

    • Chair Eric Lawson and Vice Chair Chris Baron walked through the commission’s quarterly report: they paused regular briefings during the election transition, but have continued work on corridor business outreach, marketing collateral, and the long-discussed grocer prospect.
    • Councilors and commissioners exchanged bios to ensure everyone knows who’s handling which portfolios (marketing, small-business support, grocery recruitment, etc.), agreeing to resume regular quarterly touchpoints so ideas don’t languish.

  • Regular Meeting

    • Council approved the July 21 minutes.
    • Public Comment: Residents raised facility-rental concerns, praised the budget work, and (later in the evening) criticized city hall over the TGM grant, housing needs analysis, audits, and communication gaps. Strong Towns repeated its call to rescind Resolutions 489/490 to rebuild trust.

  • National Night Out Booth

    • Councilors loved the idea of staffing a fun, low-cost “Council Corner” during NNO to humanize city government. Volunteers committed to shifts; staff will procure supplies (hot dogs, drinks, signage) within the $190 limit.

  • Mayor Vacancy

    • City Attorney Chris Crean outlined the steps:
      1. Council adopted Resolution 2318 declaring the vacancy (done).
      2. Staff will publish the recruitment timeline/application and accept submissions.
      3. Council may conduct interviews at a special or regular meeting before appointing a new mayor. The appointed mayor serves the remainder of the term.
    • Councilors asked for clarity on voting (the mayor does not vote unless breaking a tie; with the seat vacant, only six votes are available) and stressed their desire for a transparent process.

Follow-Ups

  • City recorder to post the mayor vacancy notice, outline application requirements, and present a proposed interview schedule for council approval.
  • Staff (led by Councilor McCall Wallace) to finalize the National Night Out supply list, purchase food within budget, and coordinate setup/tear-down volunteers.
  • EDC leadership to deliver the promised quarterly report deck to council’s shared drive so action items and collaborative projects remain visible between meetings.

Video Recording