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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01- Interim Ward 4 Council Interviews, Deliberation, and AppointmentAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: Meeting Type: Staff Contact/Dept.: Staff Phone No:541- 4/ 17/2023 Work Session/Reg. Mtg Niel Laudati/CMO Mary Bridget Smith/CAO 541-726-3700 541-744-4061 Estimated Time: 45/20 Minutes SPRINGFIELD Council Goals: Mandate CITY COUNCIL ITEM TITLE: INTERIM WARD 4 COUNCILOR INTERVIEWS, DELIBERATION AND APPOINTMENT ACTION Interview candidates, deliberate, and appoint the Interim Ward 4 Councilor. REQUESTED: ISSUE The Springfield City Council must appoint an Interim Councilor for Ward 4 STATEMENT: consistent with the Springfield Charter, Council Operating Policies and Procedures, and its adopted process. ATTACHMENTS: 1: Candidate Applications 2: Candidate Interview Questions DISCUSSION/ Purpose/Background Information: The purpose of this item is to interview the FINANCIAL candidates, deliberate regarding qualifications, and appoint the Interim Ward 4 IMPACT: Councilor to fill the vacancy until expiration of the term in December 2024. Process: The Council will first conduct interviews during the work session and if time allows, start deliberations. Then, it will resume or start deliberations during the regular session. After deliberations, the Council can proceed to a vote. The successful candidate must obtain 3 out of 5 votes. It is recommended that the Council determine and agree on the voting process before deliberating and voting because it will lead to more efficient and transparent deliberations. Below are some options for voting: A. Keep all three candidates in the pool, deliberate and then vote by each Councilor naming their choice when called and keep voting until the Council gets to 3 votes for one candidate. B. Conduct an unofficial `straw man' vote first to narrow down the pool to a smaller number of candidates before voting. A `straw man' vote is a vote taken to get an initial idea of the majority opinion. For example, the Council could conduct initial deliberations to understand from each Councilor their views about whom they are considering. Then, a Councilor could make a motion for a straw man proposal of a smaller number of candidates on which to focus their discussion. This option may be more effective for a larger number of candidates. The oath of office will be administered at subsequent City Council meeting. Beth Blackwell Springfield, OR 97478 March 21, 2023 Mayor Sean Gordon & Springfield City Council, After careful consideration, I am excited to submit my application for the position of Interim Springfield City Council Member representing Ward 4. This is a decision that is backed with research, self -reflection and an innate dedication and feeling of responsibility to the City of Springfield & the people who call it home. I have resided in the City of Springfield for 45 of my 47 years. My parents still live in the same house in Thurston where I was born & raised. I, myself have raised 2 children here as well. l have witnessed many changes in our city over this time and I can truly say I am more proud than ever to call Springfield my home. I believe my past accomplishments and life-long commitment to this community along with my desire to serve the residents of Springfield make me an excellent candidate for City Council. I look forward to the possibility of bringing my knowledge & expertise to the position and to help continue Springfield's trajectory into a positive & prosperous future. Thank you for considering my application. With Gr, a eth Blackwell° Attachment 1, Page 1 of 12 Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield For more information, please call the City Manager's Office 541.726.3700 Return this application to the City Manager's Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield Oregon 97477 or email your application and cover letter to �_� Name: Bethany Mae Blackwell First Home address: -Springfield, OR 97478 Street Middle Initial City Last Zip Mailing address: -Springfield, OR 97478 Street City Zip Day Phones Evening phone: Email Address: Preferred Form of Contact: Cal I Text Do you live within the Springfield city limits? Yes E:* If yes, how long?45 No Ward number: 4 Occupation: Real Estate Broker Place of employment✓School:Triple Oaks Realty Business address:1005 Green Acres Rd Suite 101 Eugene, OR 97408 Education: Thurston High School, Lane Community College,Online Ed Real Estate Courses Are you currently serving on any other board, committee, or commission? If so, please list them here: None at this time. Please print or type: You may answer the following questions on the space provided or on a separate piece of paper. Please also submit a cover letter but do not provide additional materials like a resume or references. 1. Why do you want to be an Interim City Councilor? First off I love my city & I am proud to call Springfield my home. I have lived and worked in the area for over 45 years and I have witnessed many changes over those years. I have raised 2 children here & feel a connection and a commitment to the people that reside in Springfield. Serving on City Council would be an honor and a way to give back to the people and place I call home. Attachment 1, Page 2 of 12 Printed on Recycled Paper 2. What strengths do you bring to the position? Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield A Springfield resident myself for over 45 years, I am well connected with the people of our city. I have worked in the Eugene -Springfield area as a Real Estate Broker for more than 15 years and bring a deep understanding of our residential housing market & the challenges we face as a community today. I have served on a Springfield proposed charter school board, volunteered with agencies such as Willamalane, Kidsports and Food for Lane County and served as a Premier Property Director with Windermere Real Estate for 7 years. I was a Resident Volunteer Firefighter at Lane Co District #1 where I served as an EMT-Basic/Firefighter from 1999-2000. These volunteer positions have given me the opportunity to work and lead in many diverse environments and have taught me how to work with people towards a common goal, even in the face of adversity. I am a hard worker, great listener, team player and I am able to juggle many tasks at once. I will bring my knowledge and experience in Real Estate, my work ethic and my compassion to find equitable solutions to the issues at hand. 3. How do you see the role of an Interim City Councilor in addressing current challenges and supporting council priorities? I see the role of Interim City Councilor as an opportunity to bring my knowledge base & perspective to the challenges that the city faces. I also see it as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of those issues, so that I can be an asset to the council & to the residents of Springfield. Reading & analyizing contracts, prioritizing tasks, problem solving & finding common ground in a pragmatic way are just a few of the skills that I practice on a daily basis. I believe these skills would be well utilized as a City Councilor. 4. The City Council meets on average no less than four times per month. Council assigned subcommittees may meet more frequently. Meetings generally last a minimum of one and one-half hours. It is highly recommended you attend a meeting before submitting the application. Are you available to attend meetings on the dates listed for this committee? 0 Yes o No Comments: I certify the information in this application and attachments are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false or misleading statements or missing information is cause for rejection of application, removal of name from eligible list, or dismissal from the position. I hereby waive my rights to claims or damages against any employer and the City of Springfield, its officers, agents, and employees, in regard to this exchange of information. I hereby authorize to permit the City of Springfield and/or the Springfield Police Department to review my background information and if required my DMV records. I have reviewed the Advisory and meet the minimum requirements to serve/volunteer in the desired position. I also authorize to permit any materials listed above to be copied and retained by the City of Springfield. I authorize the use of my photograph. I will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Springfield, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all liability or loss and against any and all claims, actions, causes of actions, proceedings or appeals based upon or arising out of or arising from or in connection with my conduct or performance as a volunteer with the City of Springfield including but not limited damage or injury to persons or property and including without limitation attorney fees and expenses; except for losses, claims or actions -resulting from the sole negligence of the City of Springfield. Applicant Attachment 1, Page 3 of 12 <3/21/2oz3 Printed on Recycled Paper Cj Mann Springfield OR 97477 3/22/2023 City Manager City Council Dear Neighbors, I t �-q MAR 2 3 RECI Nf ok*-6 I have lived in the 42nd and Main St. area, Game Farm Village, Washburn and now on Centennial Blvd. My children attended Brattain and Maple Elementary, Springfield Middle and Springfield High; my granddaughters attended Maple and Dos Rios. I have a long history of working in collaboration with my neighbors to ensure that our neighborhood is a safe. We all worked on the City Charter rewrite, worked in coalition to protect the old airport acres and appealed to the City to reduce the speed limit on our road. Back in 2012, 1 ran for the position on the May Special Election ballot. I had never run for public office before and had little to no name recognition history with voters, I had a good showing in the race and ended up losing by only 684 votes. When my current Ward 4 City Councilor resigned his position, I was approached by concerned neighbors and political allies to put my name forward for this vacancy. My work history with the Housing and Community Services Agency (HACSA), now known as Homes for Good, put me in touch with thousands of Springfield renters, Attachment 1, Page 4 of 12 their owners/ property management companies, maintenance staff and social service agencies. I worked with low income clients for 38 years during my service with HACSA. I retired from full time employment in October of 2019. As part of my exit strategy from the Agency, I resigned from all boards, committees and organizations. I had planned to return to college to get a degree in urban horticulture and plant biology. My goal was to work with on-site gardens at low income housing projects and to assist gardeners in community gardens. After COVID hit, those plans were put on hold. During my working career I served on dozens of Boards and Committees. As the President of Local 3267 (AFSCME), it was my responsibility to recruit, train and mentor other Board members. I trained Executive Board officers, shop stewards, bargaining team members, recording secretaries and treasurers. I served in this role for over 20 years. Our AFSCME Local was also part of the Lane County Central Labor Council (CLC), Oregon AFL-CIO and Oregon AFSCME State Council 75. 1 was the President and later the Executive Secretary Treasurer of the CLC. I was the First Vice President on the state council of AFSCME C75, chaired the Women's Committee and served on the Building and Resource Efficiencies subcommittee as well as the Diversity and Inclusion Board. As political education board leader, worked on number of political campaigns from 1988 through 2020. 1 believe these skills and the connections I have made will help me serve on the City Council. I served for 12 years on Lane Community College's Budget Committee, gaining an understanding of a large operational budget. I believe that I have the communication, team work, leadership, organizational and problem solving modalities to assist me in serving the City. Thank you for the opportunity to seek this appointment. I look forward to the next steps in the process. Sincerely, Attachment 1, Page 5 of 12 i RINGFIELD OREGON Application for Interim Councilor for the City of SpringfieldV ,�a I I GA1M MAR 2 3 RECI �m-R For more information, please call the City Manager's Office 541.726.3700 Return this application to the City Manager's Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield Oregon 97477 or email your application and cover letter to cmomail(a)springfield-or.gov Name: Home address: reMailing address: Day Email Address: 0, Preferred Form of Contact: Do you live within the Springfield city limits? � Yes f 0 No Ward number: If yes, how long? Z�74`t7 1 Occupation: Q 1H e 6CxP7� Place of employment/School:4 ` 4 � Busines address: Education:1�( r+ �� Gi Are you currently serving on any other b �5 c-- %- -e L4 Ce! + iittee, or commission? If so, please list them here: e Please print or npe: }'ou neat, ansm,er thefollowing- questions on the space provided or on a separate piece ofpaper. Please also submit a cover letter but do notprovide additional materials like a resume or references. 1. Why do you want to be an Interim City Councilor? Printed on Recycled Paper Attachment 1, Page 6 of 12 Question 1. I would like to be the representative from Ward 4 to continue to work to improve our neighborhoods, to provide access to city services and to expand upon those services that contribute to the livability of our community. I believe I can provide insight as the Council works on the unhoused/ homeless crisis. I understand that the City needs to become compliant with the changes to the public camping ordinances. I will work with the community, as well as our partners and allies to create a community collaboration that works for all affected parties. Businesses, the Parks and Recreation District, Police/Fire/EMTs, and local leaders should all be at the table as we tackle this need. I am an active retiree with the time and energy to tackle many of the challenges our city faces. My family was one of the founding members of the organization HONEY, (Honoring Our New Ethnic Youth) and served on the NAACP local chapter Executive Committee. I am a long term labor activist and organizer as well as a strong Human Rights community advocate. I hope that I may continue to be a community voice. I will strive to make decisions that best represent the wishes of my neighbors. They state that feeling safe in their homes and in our neighborhoods are paramount to the overall sense of health. I will advocate for those services that put families first. • Questions 2 and 3 attached on the pdf. and included in this application Attachment 1, Page 7 of 12 i RINGFIELD OREGON 2. What strengths do you bring to the position? Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield I have served on dozens of Boards, Committees and organizations throughout my over 40 years as a Lane County resident. I have served on Executive Boards and Committees from the Rental Owners Association, Executive Board of the Democratic Party, Oregon A.F.S.C.M.E, Oregon AFL-CIO and Lane County Central Labor Council. I have a long history of Collective Bargaining, both traditional and Interest Based Bargaining modalities. I am one of the founding families of H.O.N.E.Y. (Honoring Our New Ethnic Youth) and served on the NAACP Executive Committee. As the union President of Local 3267, Housing and Community Services Agency, I recruited, trained and mentored dozens of Board members, shop stewards and treasurers, in the over 20 years as the Local President. Additionally, I used those skills to work on a statewide Women's Committee, Diversity, Equity and Empowerment subcommittee and led workshops to train women to participate in the neighborhood associations, local boards and to run successful campaigns in their unions, their local communities and local Boards. I served on the Lane Community College Budget Committee for 12 years gaining skills with large operating budgets and as the Executive Secretary -Treasurer of the Central Labor Council (CLC) handled the financial obligations for the over 20 different affiliated unions under the umbrella of the CLC. 3. How do you see the role of an Interim City Councilor in addressing current challenges and supporting council priorities? I believe that we must honor the concerns of the voters and the residents that live, work and play in our fine City. Public input is critical to achieving the goals of the Council and I believe that our ability to reach the public for their thoughts and concerns is essential. I am worried about the cost of housing, the unhoused and the overall health of our neighbors. I hope that I can contribute to new innovative solutions to ease some of the housing issues our families face. I care about what makes a neighborhood safe, and working in partnership with others to come up with ways to make sure everyone feels safe in their homes, neighborhoods and in their businesses. 4. The City Council meets on average no less than four times per month. Council assigned subcommittees may meet more frequently. Meetings generally last a minimum of one and one-half hours. It is highly recommended you attend a meeting before submitting the application. Are you available to attend meetings on the dates listed for this committee? Yes W No I em retired from full time I certify the information in this application and attachments are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false or misleading statements or missing information is cause for rejection of application, removal of name from eligible list, or dismissal from the position. I hereby waive my rights to claims or damages against any employer and the City of Springfield, its officers, agents, and employees, in regard to this exchange of information. I hereby authorize to permit the City of Springfield and/or the Springfield Police Department to review my background information and if required my DMV records. I have reviewed the Advisory and meet the minimum requirements to serve/volunteer in the desired position. I also authorize to permit any materials listed above to be copied and retained by the City of Springfield. I authorize the use of my photograph. I will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Springfield, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all liability or loss and against any and all claims, actions, causes of actions, proceedings or appeals based upon or arising out of or arising from or in connection with my conduct or performance as a volunteer with the City of Springfield including but not limited damage or injury to persons or property and including without limitation attorney fees and expenses; except for losses, claims or actions resulting from the sole negligence of the City of Springfield. Applicant "�"" ... " .. "' . -'' - '" ' - Printed on Recycled Paper I ,(V Application for the Interim Councilor VAR 23 ffj "9-3 City of Springfield Ile Ci Mann Contact preference= text to phone or to gmail Within City limits= 38 years with a Springfield address (Game Farm Village was unincorporated at the time I lived there and now at the current residence for 34 years. Ward 4 address. YES. Occupation- HUD certified housing inspector ➢ Ready to Rent Inspections LLC (2633 Centennial) ➢ Lane County Health and Human Services (MAT Building @ 11th and Lawrence) University of Oregon Bachelor of Social Science College of Community Services and Public Affairs Attachment 1, Page 9 of 12 NAR 15 RV ani - A March 14, 2023 Dear Springfield City Council, Greetings. My name is June Fothergill. I have been a Springfield resident in Ward 4 for the past ten and a half years. I am applying to become the Interim Council for Ward 4. 1 recently retired as a United Methodist pastor and want to serve my community. My most recent parish was Ebbert United Methodist Church at 532 C Street in Springfield. This church has been serving free meals to their neighbors each week for the past 12 years. It was my privilege to serve this church and the low income persons who came to the meals. Through this work I became involved in Community Alliance of Lane County ( CALC) and CALC's work in Springfield advocating for racial justice, human rights and services for those who are unhoused. Therefore, I have attended many City Council meetings and work sessions. I have also met with city staff to talk about the issues above. 1 recently founded a nonprofit, Ann's Heart Women's Shelter which has applied for funding from the city to create a transitional shelter for unhoused women. in all these experiences I have appreciated the professionalism and compassion of the city staff and look forward to working with them as an Interim Councilor. I also have appreciation for the hard work done by City Councilors and look forward to working together to make Springfield a place of welcome for everyone. I rent my home in a townhouse complex in Ward 4 and recently offered a weekly after- school story and crafts time for the children and their families in the complex. I am excited to better know my neighbors in Ward 4 and find ways to listen to their ideas and concerns. Thank you for considering me for the position of Interim City Councilor for this ward. Sincerel , Rev. June Fothergill Attachment 1, Page 10 of 12 SPRINGFIELD MAR 15 XI �3 Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield OREGON For more information, please call the City Manager's Office 541.726.3700 Return this application to the City Manager's Office, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield Oregon 97477 or email your application and cover letter to cmomail(a)Mringfield-or. ov Name: June A. Fothergill First Middle Initial Last Home address: Springfield, Oregon 974778 Street City Zip Mailing address: pringfield, Oregon 97478 Street City Zip Day Phone: Evening phone: Email Address: Preferred Form of Contact: text or email Do you live within the Springfield city limits? El Yes I* If yes, how long?,,,.,, 10.5 years El No Ward number: 4 retired United Methodist pastor Occupation:_, _Place of employment/School: Business Education: GA Lebanon Union High School; BA History, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA; MDiv, Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, Are you currently serving on any other board, committee, or commission? If so, please list them here: Serving on boards of Ann's Heart Women's Shelter and Community Alliance of Lane County Please print or type. You may answer the following questions on the space provided or on a separate piece of paper. Please a lso submit a cover letter but do not provide additional materials like a resume or references. 1. Why do you want to be an Interim City Councilor? I want to serve my community, especially those who are often forgotten or unheard. Attachment 1, Page 11 Of 12 Printed on Recycled Paper SPRINGFIELD kOREGON 2. What strengths do you bring to the position? Application for Interim Councilor for the City of Springfield I bring the strength of experience in leading organizations. I served as a pastor of churches for 37 years: planning programs, managing budgets, starting community based programs, managing .conflict, and listening to human needs and aspirations. I bring the strength of creative thinking. I was taught from an early age to look at issues and ideas from a variety of perspectives and to value human diversity. I bring the strength of deep concern for the vulnerable and underserved in our society. I have worked to be aware of my own limitations and to listen respectfully to those with lived expereince different from my own. I bring the strength of being able to articulate my thoughts clearly in speech and writing. I bring the strength of the experience of spending the past ten years eating each week with persons who are without housing or very poor at the meals at Ebbert United Methodist Church and volunteering at Egan warming center. I am also in the Springfield Rotary Club. So I have the privilege and honor of knowing a wide variety of persons in Springfield. 3. How do you see the role of an Interim City Councilor in addressing current challenges and supporting council priorities? I see the role of the Interim City Councilor as being one who works diligently to understand the issues and decisions and who seeks to work with the City staff and fellow Councilors to create solutions that meet the needs of our residents including those who have been disadvantaged. 4. The City Council meets on average no less than four times per month. Council assigned subcommittees may meet more frequently. Meetings generally last a minimum of one and one-half hours. It is highly recommended you attend a meeting before submitting the application. Are you available to attend meetings on the dates listed for this committee? 0 Yes() No Comments: I certify the information in this application and attachments are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false or misleading statements or missing information is cause for rejection of application, removal of name from eligible list, or dismissal from the position. I hereby waive my rights to claims or damages against any employer and the City of Springfield, its officers, agents, and employees, in regard to this exchange of information. I hereby authorize to permit the City of Springfield and/or the Springfield Police Department to review my background information and if required my DMV records. I have reviewed the Advisory and meet the minimum requirements to servelvolunteer in the desired position. I also authorize to permit any materials listed above to be copied and retained by the City of Springfield. I authorize the use of my photograph. I will defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City of Springfield, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all liability or loss and against any and all claims, actions, causes of actions, proceedings or appeals based upon or arising out of or arising from or in connection with my conduct or performance as a volunteer with the City of Springfield including but not limited damage or injury to persons or property and including without limitation attorney fees and expenses; except for losses, claims or actions resulting from the sole negligence of the City of Springfield. Applicant Signature: Date:1�' Attachment 1, Page 12 of 12 Prin ted on Recycled Paper SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What do you like best about Springfield and why? 2. If there were some things in Springfield you were permitted to do, whether it be to add, eliminate or change anything, what would those be? 3. Councilors are elected citywide rather than by ward. What advantages or disadvantages do you see with that process? 4. Since there are six City Council positions, what do you believe are the advantages and disadvantages of collective decision making and shared leadership? 5. When faced with a complex problem with multiple solutions, what process would you use to select the best solution to the problem? 6. Can you describe your understanding of the relationship between the Council, City Manager, and staff? 7. Do you have any questions for us? Or, is there something you'd like us to know that wasn't addressed in the questions? {00017527:3} Attachment 2, Page 1 of 1