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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2021)
8A | SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS Committees from page 1A Following this, Florence City Manager Erin Reynolds provided a framework for the committee appointment dis- cussions, adding some con- text to the session goal and a timeline for completion of the appointment process. “We are here to facilitate a conversation when city council members can give their comments and recom- mendations to Mayor Henry to facilitate the committee, commission and Florence Urban Renewal Agency ap- pointment decisions that he is planning to make and an- nounce on Jan. 25, at your next city council meeting,” she said. Reynolds also reviewed some of the specifics of the process, explaining that some positions, depending on the committee, could be filled by members from inside the city limits or from outside those boundaries. There was also the need to appoint ex-offi- cio members to those com- mittees losing the Ex-officio previously working with the committee. Ex-officio, a Latin term meaning “by virtue of office or position,” are members of boards and committees be- cause of some other office or position that they hold — in this case as city councilors. They often do not vote on the committees. In a memorandum in- cluded in the informational materials provided for the meeting, City Recorder Kelli Weese included a summation of the objectives of the meet- ing and listed the commit- tees and commissions which would need to be filled. “During the Jan. 14, City Council Special Work Ses- sion, the council will have an opportunity to provide feed- back to the mayor regarding the appointments for the 2021 City Committee and Florence Urban Renewal Agency va- cancies,” she wrote. The City of Florence re- ceived 31 applications for City Committees and four applications for the Florence Urban Renewal Agency. Next, the councilors be- gan the process of filling vacancies on the Citizen Budget Committee, Com- munity & Economic Devel- opment Committee (CEDC), Environmental Manage- ment Advisory Committee (EMAC), Public Arts Com- mittee (PAC), Planning Com- mission (PC), Transportation Committee (TC) and Flor- ence Urban Renewal Agency (FURA). There was one additional member added to Transpor- tation Committee at the urg- ing of Councilor Sally Wantz, who expressed her disap- pointment that one of the ap- plicants, Gary Trevisan, was not going to be selected as a member of the TAC. “I am just sad that we can’t find a space for Gary Trevis- an. Having a handicapped in- dividual serving on the Trans- portation Committee just seems like a natural fit. So, if we can give any consideration whatsoever, that he might fit in an opening coming up lat- er, maybe we could slide him into that opening.” After some discussion initi- ated by Henry and continued among other council mem- bers, there was agreement on Wantz’s points, prompting the council to increase the num- ber of members on the TAC to include Trevisan. The selection process was centered around a ballot which listed the applicants, where they reside — either within city limits or outside of those boundaries — and was formatted to allow councilors to vote for applicants in their order of preference. This provided city staff with a first, second and third choice for the openings and allow for a cumulative total to decide between ties — all of which are recommendations only. All vacancies are ultimate- ly appointed solely by Henry, with few restrictions. The councilors worked their way through the com- mittee openings with those that were familiar with the qualifications and experience of the applicants, sharing that information with fellow councilors. During this, Wantz was asked by Councilor Woody Woodbury for her recom- mendations for Public Art Committee members, as she was familiar with many of the applicants. “I know these two people and I’ve seen their passion for art. One is Serena Appel, good gal and I would love to have her as part of the com- mittee, and if Maggie Bagon is not selected for another committee, she could bring a unique perspective with her art and her years of experi- Oceana Owners & Friends say NO TO ANNEXATION Alan Matisoff ~ Alexis & Ross Greenlee ~ Annie & Dave Blanks ~ Arlen Roemen ~ Barbara Fiorito ~ Beth Lints ~ Bill McDougle ~ Bob Ekas ~ Bonnie Wilson ~ Brent & Kathy Johnson ~ Brian Gardiner ~ Brian & Jessica Enochian ~ Brian & Pamela Hudson ~ Bruce & Linda Cochran ~ Bruce & Mary Williams ~ Bruce & May Hadley ~ Bruce Chadd ~ Carl & Judith Hruska ~ Carol & Ed Dowty ~ Carol Pritchard ~ Carol Wade ~ Charles & Alice Wilent ~ Charles & Betty King ~ Charles & Francine Wong ~ Charles Caldwell ~ Charlie & Phyllis Campione ~ Cher Dolan ~ Cher Thatcher ~ Cheryl Chipps ~ Chris Kohl ~ Christine Cole ~ Cindy Flesher ~ Colleen Hodges ~ Courtney & Carol Au Court ~ Cris Reep ~ Cynthia Wright ~ Darlene Norwood ~ Dave & Chris Kieffer ~ David & Janice Riordan ~ David & Patricia Hole ~ Dennis & Angele Hamilton ~ Dennis & Ruth Ann Cromwell ~ Diana Lynne Greenlee ~ Ed Gallup ~ Eric & Linda Bickel ~ Eric Friesen ~ Frank Cano ~ Frank & Marbeth Scheidbach ~ Gail Petty ~ Gail Zilai ~ Gayle Kearns ~ Gary & Kristina Edson ~ Gary Donnelly ~ Gary Newman ~ Gerald Bateman ~ Greg & Carol Stender ~ Gwyn & Joe Decker ~ Heidi A. Clark ~ Ivy Medow ~ J. Patricia Bolin ~ Jacquelyn Price ~ James Booth ~ James Mackey ~ James Wilson ~ Jan & Michael Sapienza ~ Jan Gaynor ~ Jan Haney ~ Jane Balzer ~ Jeff Talbot ~ Jerry & Debbie McVicker ~ Jerry & Jo Mounts ~ Jerry Bateman ~ Jill Burch ~ Jim & Becky Mann ~ Jim & Robin Shaver ~ Jim & Sharron Dwiggins ~ Jim Pruss ~ Jim Sikora ~ Jimmie & Christine Seitsinger ~ Joanne Dal Pra ~ John Mackin ~ John McBride ~ Jok Simons ~ Juanita Mae Petroni ~ Judy Buhler ~ Karen & Patrick Thompson ~ Karen Childs ~ Kathee McDermott ~ Kathryn & William Clark ~ Kathi & Jack Hanauer ~ Ken Vida ~ Ken & Judith Chipps ~ Larry & Holly Herr ~ Larry & Judi Alldridge ~ Laurie & Dave Carruthers ~ Lea Patten ~ Les & Shirly Hamilton ~ Leslie & Frank Oliver ~ Lowell Moore ~ Lowrey Mumford ~ Lynne Davis ~ Marc & Amy Fletcher ~ Margaret Axnick ~ Maria McConnell ~ Marilyn Krueger ~ Marina Schwagermann ~ Mary & Bert Nelson ~ Mary McCarthy ~ Michael Davis ~ Michael Gardner ~ Mike & Bou Kilgore ~ Mike & Linda Harrah ~ Mike Benck ~ Mike Calvert ~ Mitch & Debbie Proyect ~ Monique Hugon ~ Nancy Patterson ~ Pat Boe ~ Paul & Colleen Cunningham ~ Paul & Josefina Meyer ~ Paula Ziegelasch ~ Peter & Catura Marsh ~ Randall & Susan Pilcher ~ Ray & Jenny Hull ~ Rene McGuire ~ Rich & Susan Johnson ~ Richard & Mary Kauffman ~ Robert Clausen ~ Ron & Kate Gipson ~ Rosann Sanders ~ Rudy & Sue Zoldak ~ Sakre Edson ~ Sandy & Paul Bowen ~ Scott & Kathy Maurer ~ Shelby Sherman ~ Sheri & Al D'Amico ~ Sherri Ford-Mackey ~ Steve & Carol Wade ~ Steve & Sue Knowles ~ Steve Campbell ~ Steve Williams ~ Suzanne Curtis ~ Taunia Green ~ Terrence & Debra Anderson ~ Terry & Kathy Barrett ~ Tom & Sharon Beall ~ Trudy Beck ~ Vito Coviello ~ William & Darlene Lambiaso ~ William Rehder More info: www.idylewood.com V ISIT US ONLINE : TheSiuslawNews.com ence,” Wantz suggested. The councilor’s recommen- dations were accepted by the other councilors, including Woodbury, Bill Meyer and newly appointed Margaret Wisniewski, pending Mayor- al approval. There were some vacan- cies which were not fully dis- cussed as more information, either from the current chair or members of the commit- tee were needed. However, Henry stated that he was will- ing to accept all of the appli- cants discussed, suggesting he would approve all of the candidates at the appropriate time. The Transportation Com- mittee, CEDC and EMAC were examples which re- quired more input before a recommendation will be de- termined. However, for the CEDC, all four councilors were in agreement on fill- ing the two in-city positions with Brian Holmes and Mag- gie Bagon, and with current member Jeff Ashmead retain- ing his spot representing out- of-city. “After I have a chance to talk with the chairperson… we’ll go with those because those would have been my recommendations,” said Hen- ry. EMAC has four open posi- tions with the recent resigna- tions of Prosser and Barnett, along with Liat Meller and Britte Kirsch, who chose not to reapply. The committee can have either seven, nine or as many as 11 members. While Woodbury, Wantz and Meyer agreed on Laurie Green as their recommenda- tion for the in-city position, Wisniewski voted for Donna Cherryholmes. For out-of- city, the council was split, with Wantz and Meyer sug- gesting Lisa Walter-Sedlacek and Anthony Cavarno getting one vote each from Wood- bury and Wisniewski. Wantz also recommended Erick Oshel, with the other councilors not making any additional suggestions, citing unfamiliarity with any of the other candidates. “With all of the informa- tion that these applicants sent us, I had to read them all — and none of the other three councilors have a sec- ond opinion on anybody?” asked Wantz. “I find it rather interesting that no one has a second opinion.” “Well, it’s a whole lot better this year than last year when it was like pulling teeth to get opinions from anybody,” said Henry. “It’s hard to know when all you have is a resume and no chance to interview everyone.” As a result, a final recom- mendation was unable to be reached, with the decision resting on the mayor at next week’s council meeting. FURA, with three open po- sitions, was in a similar situa- tion, due to some undisclosed concerns raised by Meyer re- garding one of the candidates. “Keep in mind that the Florence Urban Renewal Agency is a totally different kind of animal,” said Henry. “It has its own taxing author- ity, its own entity and its own board with decision-making power — so we will be asking for quite a bit of input from at least the chair of Urban Renewal. I’m not sure about board members themselves. But I’d like to get our input first.” Henry then asked Meyer to lead the discussion. “I’ve been wrestling with how to approach this. I know we have a goal of appointing the applicants this month. But I know we’re also prob- ably 45 days away from our next Urban Renewal meeting after last night’s meeting,” said Meyer. “I’m going to try to do this delicately, without imply- ing anything until we have correct information. But I’m concerned about one of the applicants for Urban Renew- al. The information I have is not first-hand and I won’t even allude to what it may be.” Meyer suggested a neutral third party follow up with some clarifying questions of the candidate and postpone the appointment of one of the vacancies. “I’m sorry, but if my con- cerns are verified, I would have some problems with one of the applicants,” said Mey- er. “How’s that for throwing a monkey wrench in things?” Wantz asked if anyone else on the council was aware of the concerns raised by Meyer. “I have no idea where councilor Meyer is going with that,” said Woodbury. “But I do know the people who are up. I do have my preferences and I’ll state them now.” Henry agreed that the best step was to get the council’s preferences and see where things stood afterward. Woodbury then deferred to Meyer to make his recom- mendations first, with Meyer recommending Rob Ward to represent the Port Commis- sion, and the re-appointment of Ron Caputo. “My concern is with Sandra [Kuhlman],” said Meyer. “I need to clarify that it doesn’t concern anything that is ille- gal or immoral. I’m not going to recommend, but I’m not going to deny if the members want to appoint the represen- tative of the library — and she is the library’s recommenda- tion. And I will withdraw my request for a postponement.” Woodbury expressed his support of Ward and Caputo, as well as Dave Braley. Both Wantz and Wisniews- ki concurred on Caputo and Ward, with Meyer adding his support of Braley for a near unanimous agreement on the three men — and no votes for Kuhlman. “Well,” said Henry, “That’s a fairly clear consensus. Un- less anybody sees a reason why not, that would be my final decision.” “That works for me,” said Meyer. A final discussion took place regarding ex-officio positions held by council members. Henry is current- ly ex-officio for the CEDC; Woodbury is with PAC and the Transportation Commit- tee; leaving the EMAC ex-of- ficio position previously held by former Councilor Ron Preisler now open. Henry then took time to explain the role of the ex-of- ficio. “The role of the ex-offi- cio is to observe, participate in the meetings and report back to the council,” Henry explained. “It is not to direct the activities, create the work plan or tell the committees what to do. I’ve been remiss in letting that get off track in the past.” Wantz expressed her in- terest in being ex-officio of EMAC. “I want to throw my hat in the ring and get involved. I will gladly take it,” Wantz said. The final selections for the openings on City of Florence Committees and Commis- sions will be announced at the next Florence City Coun- cil meeting, scheduled for Jan. 25. For more information, visit ci.florence.or.us. 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