The Stayton City Council has proposed amending the City Charter to transfer certain mayoral duties to the council in a ballot measure for the May 19 election.
During the council’s Feb. 17 regular meeting, officials unanimously passed a resolution that asks voters to consider amendments to the charter, which was last updated in 2018.
The proposed amendments would remove the mayor’s unilateral authority in matters such as filling council vacancies, overseeing the city manager, and vetoing ordinances.
The amendments would also make clear the mayor is the political head of city government and has no administrative authority.
If passed the changes would take effect July 1.
The council previously discussed changes to the charter in a series of public meetings, including a work session Jan. 5 during which the council finalized potential changes with City Attorney Ross Williamson. The proposed amendments include:
• Making the mayor a voting member of the council, and clarifying they have no administrative duties.
• Removing the mayor’s authority to veto ordinances.
• Removing the mayor’s authority to fill a council vacancy. Instead empowering the council to fill council and mayoral vacancies through majority vote.
• Removing the mayor’s authority to hire and set the duties of the city manager and instead giving hiring authority to the council and defining specific duties in the charter.
• Adding a provision for the council to appoint a city manager pro tem as needed.
• Clarifying that the mayor and council may not coerce, harass or intimidate the city manager.
An original draft of the resolution included the creation of a sixth council position for seven voting members total to avoid potential tie votes. After discussions Feb. 17, officials concluded this may be impractical given the difficulties the council has had identifying and retaining qualified members and this provision was removed.
Mayor Brian Quigley said a tie vote does not present an unworkable problem. In the past the council has revisited a matter until they found a solution.
Other amendments unrelated to the duties of elected officials include:
• A requirement that voters approve any annexation larger than three acres, unless mandated by state law.
• Empowering the municipal court judge to issue administrative warrants.
