Stayton has formed a Homeless Task Force made of community and business leaders to explore local housing challenges after more than two-dozen applicants expressed interest in the committee.
The task force was formed Dec. 19 by a resolution of the council during its regular business meeting, with 14 members including six residents, four business representatives, two city councilors, and representatives of Santiam Service Integration Team (SSIT) and ARCHES.
The task force will remain active until January 2024, unless otherwise extended or dissolved by the council.
A total of 29 individuals applied to be on the task force, which City Manager Julia Hajduk described as “an amazing slate of candidates.”
The council decided, because of the importance of the task force’s work and the high quality of the many applicants, it would create a list of alternatives in January in the event any initial appointees were unable to fulfill the year-long commitment.
The council identified the need for a homeless task force in September after reviewing local challenges related to unhoused individuals and the current ability of city policy to address such challenges.
Applications were received through Nov. 30, with individuals asked to describe their desire to serve on the task force and any experience they may have with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health needs.
In reviewing applications, the council asked for a geographic breakdown of candidates to ensure a wide swath of the city would be represented. Some applicants from outside the city limits were also considered, as they may have been the owner of a local business or an employee and, though they did not live in Stayton, officials still considered them a part of the community.
Appointed to the task force were residents Kassie Brown, Tricia Frizzell, Steven Halverson, Mark McDonald, Jared Oeltjen, and Julie Whitehurst; business representatives Ken Carey, Cari Sessums, Sonja Persey and Adam McFarland; and SSIT representative Kim Dwyer. Representatives of ARCHES and the city council are expected to be chosen in January.
Hajduk said narrowing down task force members from so many applications was “an awesome problem to have” and she believes there will be strong interest to serve on an alternates list.
She said she also provided information to remaining applicants about open city committees and boards who are also looking for members.
“The more we can open it up and include would be great,” she said.
