Meeting contentious again

Another city council meeting turned contentious during a discussion about the handling of personnel issues.

Portland City Council member Matt Goldsworthy and Mayor Jeff Westlake got into a back-and-forth at the conclusion of the meeting following a question from council member Ron May regarding the handling of personnel issues.

May said it was brought to his attention that an employee brought a complaint to a city council member and was subsequently told that they are not allowed to do so. Westlake responded, quoting two city ordinances that address sharing information with the public or a third party.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur addressed the issue, saying there is a grievance process that involves going to a supervisor first. If the problem is with an elected official, it is supposed to be addressed with the city attorney.

Council president Kent McClung said the mayor is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the city. But Goldsworthy noted that in the past, employees who had concerns were able to talk to council members about them.

Goldsworthy also asked about the council’s recourse if the mayor is not following city ordinances or telling employees not to do so. Schemenaur responded that the executive branch, led by the mayor, is in charge of enforcing ordinances. He said it’s not good practice but added that it’s a question for the ballot box.

Goldsworthy then encouraged the council and mayor to act more professionally.

“This council and city in general needs to get back to being classy and represent our city the way it needs to be represented, not have arguments up here,” he said. “It’s embarrassing to be part of this council over the last eight months. And I never felt that way … 

“I put a lot of work into this council. … And to come up here and be embarrassed and have to go to work and answer questions as to why we look like a circus … is getting ridiculous.”

As the discussion continued — May asked about the process of hiring a code enforcement officer and McClung said he doesn’t want to undermine the mayor — Goldsworthy expressed concern regarding how employees are being treated.

“I would advise that we start treating our employees better or we’re not gonna have any,” he said. “Because some of the things that I’ve been told, I wouldn’t work here …”

Westlake said he treats employees well.

“I am not against our guys,” he said. “But they will go out there and tell you that since I have been in that position.

“I treat everybody in this town with respect. I don’t expect it back, and I do expect to get a little backlash. But I’m not gonna put up with the behaviors if they’re upset because they’re acting a certain way.

“The only way we can build the confidence of our city is if we start acting like … Some of those guys, they don’t want to act right.”

Also Monday, council approved a $50,000 allocation to Jay County Development Corporation contingent on the organization signing a contract with the city. 

McClung, who made the motion, included in it that the contract should be at the status quo, meaning no requests for changes to board membership or new definitions of duties that have been requested by Jay County Commissioners in their separate contract negotiations. (Any such contract with the city would need to be approved by Portland Board of Works.)

JCDC executive director Travis Richards explained that the organization has been working this year with no funding from the county or the City of Portland. He noted that reserves that have been used to operate this year are expected to be used up next month.

May asked if a contract is required. Schemenaur said his reading of state statute is that a contract is required and he recommended that one be in place before any funds are dispersed. (He said there had been a contract in the past, but there has not been one in place for five or six years.)

Council members Mike Aker, Dave Golden, Ashley Hilfiker, McClung, Goldsworthy and May unanimously approved the funding, which was included in the 2024 budget, contingent on a contract between JCDC and the city.

Also Monday, city council approved the Portland Downtown Economic Development Plan.

The plan, which lays out plans for how Portland Redevelopment Commission funds can be spent, was approved by the redevelopment commission in December and then by Portland Plan Commission. 

It includes acquisition and construction of projects or property, enhancing public safety, providing financial incentives, updating zoning ordinances, job training, housing attraction, public amenities, park improvements, infrastructure, tourism, sidewalks/streetscapes, transportation enhancement and utility projects.

 It would also create a new residential tax increment financing (TIF) district around the Hood Building, home of The Commercial Review. (The building has been targeted for redevelopment via construction of apartments in the upper floors.)

The plan was approved 5-1 with May dissenting. It now moves back to the redevelopment commission, which will hold a public hearing before voting on final approval.

In other business, council:

•Forwarded a tax abatement request to the city’s tax abatement advisory committee. Pioneer Equipment is requesting a three-year abatement on $2 million in new equipment. The abatement is estimated to save the company $51,000 while generating $159,000 in property taxes.

•Heard a request from wastewater department superintendent Brad Dues to change the classification of one of his maintenance employees to a foreman in 2025. He said the two employees will be handling essentially the same duties as the wastewater plant transitions through its ongoing renovation project. Golden expressed support for the change, which council as a whole asked for time to consider. Dues also questioned why the wastewater department’s manager is paid less than the parks manager.