Council Appoints 21 Members to City Boards and Committees, Mayor Knapp Concludes 17 Years of Service
December 22, 2020 — At the December 21, 2020, Wilsonville City Council meeting — the final meeting to be led by outgoing Mayor Tim Knapp — the Wilsonville City Council confirmed 21 new appointments to City Boards and Commissions, including the inaugural appointments to the City’s newest board.
Recently chartered to guide Wilsonville’s long-time cultural exchange program with Kitakata City, Japan, the first Kitakata Sister City Advisory Board includes nine citizens recommended by Mayor Knapp and confirmed by the City Council. They are: Adrienne Phillips, Tracy Sailors and Robert Yokoyama (three-year terms); Dave Schalk, Seiji Shiratori, and Ashleigh Sumerlin (two-year terms); and Jason Jones, Aaron Reyna and Cathy Rice (one-year terms). Long-time sister city program custodians Susan Raxter, Lois Reimer and Bev Schalk were provided emeritus status.
In addition, nine other citizens recommended by Mayor Knapp were appointed by the Council to begin new terms in January on several City Boards and Commissions:
- Budget Committee: Katie Hamm and Shawn O’Neil have been appointed to serve three-year terms.
- Development Review Board: Michael Abernathy, Rachelle Barrett, Michael Horn and Ben Yacob have been appointed to serve two-year terms; Kathryn Neil has been appointed to serve a one-year term.
- Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: Nathan Early has been appointed to serve four-year term.
- Wilsonville-Metro Community Enhancement Committee: Jordan Snyder has been appointed to serve a six-month term
The individuals appointed on Monday were chosen from among 48 applicants considered by Mayor Knapp and Mayor-elect Julie Fitzgerald, who conducted joint interviews in November and December.
In other business, the Council deliberated a resolution that would have provided a monthly stipend for future elected officials. With two re-elected Councilors recusing themselves and a third Councilor opposed, the resolution did not receive the three votes necessary for passage.
During Communications, Wilsonville Police Chief Rob Wurpes joined Jeffrey Anderson of Clackamas County Behavioral Health to share information about the mental health resources available to residents feeling stress, isolation, suicidal ideation or who are otherwise in crisis. Anderson urged people to utilize the County’s 24/7 crisis and support line at 503-655-8585.
Additionally, Anderson shared details about two Clackamas County Behavioral Health programs now available to residents:
- Clackamas Safe & Strong is a new, preventative program developed to help people navigate the mental health impacts of COVID-19. These services can be obtained by calling 503-655-8585 or sending an email to referralccp@clackamas.us.
- GetTrainedToHelp.com is a website that provides online training to help non-clinical caregivers provide behavioral health support. The site’s video tutorials can help people communicate with those who may be in crisis.
- Print PDF: Clackamas County Behavioral Health Toolkit
The Council was also treated to a virtual performance from Wilsonville High School’s “Soul’d Out” a cappella choir. Community members can support Wilsonville High choirs by watching their videos online.
During Legal Business, the City Council voted to direct City legal staff to appeal the recent Land Use Board of Appeals decision that dismissed the City’s petition for review regarding the Aurora Airport Mater Plan. The four City Council members who voted in favor of the appeal believe it is critical that the Master Plan be updated through a transparent and inclusive land use and public process, consistent with Statewide Planning Goals, before any additional construction or expansion occurs at the Aurora Airport.
The final Council meeting of 2020 ended with parting words from the outgoing mayor, presiding over his final session after 12 years as mayor and 17 years on the Wilsonville City Council.
“It’s very gratifying to have had the opportunity to work with this group,” said Mayor Knapp. “I’m not leaving the community and I will look forward to the work that gets done after me; you may even hear from me occasionally. Thank you, one and all.”
At the work session prior to the meeting, City Manager Bryan Cosgrove updated the Council on the City’s ongoing efforts to develop a long-term Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy. The Council directed City staff to proceed with the establishment of an ad hoc citizen task force to work with a facilitator to identify community needs and establish the priorities and processes that will shape the City’s long-term DEI strategy.
The next City Council meeting, which is to include swearing-in ceremonies for Mayor-Elect Julie Fitzgerald, Council President Kristin Akervall and Councilor Joann Linville, is scheduled to be held virtually on Monday, Jan. 4, at 7 pm; a pre-meeting work session is scheduled at 5 pm.
Community members can watch all City Council meetings on cable (Xfinity Ch. 30, Ziply Ch. 32) or on the City’s YouTube channel: ci.wilsonville.or.us/WilsonvilleTV.
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