Junction City, OR

City Council Special CA Interviews Tuesday August 18 at 9 00 AM

The Junction City Council is holding a special meeting to conduct executive-session interviews with three finalists for the City Administrator position, review panel and public feedback, and then decide in open session whether to make an offer. If an offer is made, the Council will consider authorizing the Mayor and Council President to negotiate an employment agreement with the selected candidate.

• Executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(a) to consider employment of a public officer
• Interviews with three finalists for City Administrator on August 18, 2026
• Open session consideration of making an offer to one finalist
• Possible authorization for Mayor and Council President to negotiate employment agreement
• Public reception for candidates held August 17, 6-7 p.m. at Community Building

City Council

The Junction City Council is holding a special meeting to interview three finalists for the City Administrator position, then will meet in open session to decide whether to make an offer to one of them. If an offer is made, the council will also consider authorizing the mayor and council president to negotiate an employment agreement with the chosen candidate.

• Executive session to interview finalists and review background checks
• Open session consideration of employment offer to one of three finalists
• Possible authorization for Mayor and Council President to negotiate employment agreement
• Public reception for candidates held Monday, August 17, 6-7 p.m. at Community Building

Standing Planning Commission Tuesday August 18 at 6 30 PM

The Junction City Planning Commission will meet to consider a resolution to initiate an urban growth boundary expansion, along with approving minutes from May 19, 2026, and receiving public comment. The meeting is open to the public and will be recorded.

• Resolution to initiate urban growth boundary expansion
• Approval of minutes from May 19, 2026
• Public comment period for non-agenda items
• Planning Commission Agenda Forecaster

City Council Tuesday August 11 at 6 30 PM

The Junction City Council will fill a council vacancy, hold a public hearing on adopting council goals, and discuss installing automated license plate readers. They will also consider ordinances to allow a public RV park, amend parking rules, and change purchasing limits, plus review bids for RV park construction.

• Appointment to fill City Council vacancy
• Public hearing on adoption of Council Goals
• Discussion of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) with Chief Waddell
• Ordinance No. 1 amending JCMC 9.25 to allow a public recreational vehicle park
• Ordinance No. 3 repealing JCMC 3.30 contract review process; Resolution No. 2 establishing purchasing authority and spending limits

City Council

The City Council will review public comments on proposed five-year goals and vision statements, including suggested language changes to address RV camping and educational systems. A final public hearing and adoption are scheduled for August 11. The council will also discuss amendments to the parking code to close enforcement loopholes, such as requiring vehicles moved after 72 hours to relocate at least two blocks.

• Public comment review on draft goals; 64.3% of survey respondents agree with them, 28.6% disagree, with two comments opposing automatic license plate readers (ALPR)
• Proposed parking code amendments to close the 'slight movement' loophole and create a temporary parking permit process
• Street closure request for National Night Out
• Resolution amending the seasonal, temporary, and part-time compensation schedule for FY 2026-2027
• Liquor license recommendation for U.S. Market

The Council reached consensus on several work session items, including amending the parking code to require vehicles parked over 72 hours to move at least two blocks or 500 feet and establishing a permit process for temporary street parking. They also agreed to give the City Administrator authority to approve street closures and to add a barricade rental fee to the Master Fee Schedule. In the regular session, the Council unanimously approved a resolution correcting the seasonal/temporary/part-time compensation schedule, approved a $20,000 mixing zone study for the sewer plant, and recommended approval of a liquor license for U.S. Market.

• Consensus to amend parking code to require vehicles parked over 72 hours to move at least two blocks or 500 feet and prohibit return to the same block face for six days.
• Consensus to establish an administrative permit process for temporary street parking for up to eight consecutive days within 100 feet of the applicant's residence.
• Consensus to have staff bring back an ordinance giving the City Administrator authority to approve street closures and to add a barricade rental fee to the Master Fee Schedule.
• Consensus to eliminate the City Administrator and Police Department reports from standing work session agendas but keep the Public Works report.
• Consensus to use the City of Newport evaluation process for the City Administrator.
• Consensus to proceed with an ordinance change to eliminate standing Council Committees.
• Unanimously approved Resolution No. 1 amending the Seasonal, Temporary, and Part Time Compensation Schedule.
• Unanimously approved HBH Engineering to provide a mixing zone study for the sewer treatment plant at a cost not to exceed $20,000.

City Council

The City Council will interview applicants and possibly appoint a new councilor to fill a vacancy. They will also vote on adopting new tow standards and repealing Resolution No. 945, consider a contract award for an Integrator of Record, and discuss a Flock trial agreement and an RV park/campground decision.

• City Councilor applicant interviews and possible appointment to fill vacancy
• Resolution No. 1 – A Resolution Adopting Tow Standards and Repealing Resolution No. 945
• Integrator of Record Contract Award
• Flock Trial Agreement
• RV Park/Campground Decision

The Council delayed filling its vacant councilor seat until August 11, 2026, after no candidate received a majority vote, and extended the application deadline to August 6. It approved several routine items, including street closures for the JCHS Homecoming Noise Parade and a Petersen street party, an amended Scandinavian Festival street closure condition, a contract award to The Automation Group for integrator services, a $15,000 grant for police wellness equipment, and a resolution amending tow standards. The Council also discussed but did not vote on a proposed 90-day Flock camera trial, with a decision expected at the August 11 meeting.

• Delayed councilor appointment to August 11, 2026, and extended application deadline to August 6 (unanimous)
• Approved JCHS Homecoming Noise Parade street closure for October 7, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved Petersen street party closure on 13th Street for August 29, 2026 (unanimous)
• Amended Scandinavian Festival street closure conditions to reduce business contact requirement (unanimous)
• Awarded Integrator of Record contract to The Automation Group (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. 1 amending tow standards, removing UGB location requirement (4-1)
• Accepted $15,000 Three Rivers Foundation grant for police wellness project (unanimous)
• Approved 3rd Amendment to U of O Event Agreement (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing and consider a resolution to adopt a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. The budget increases appropriations across multiple funds, including $105,800 for the Police Department, $40,000 for Finance, $30,000 for Administration, and $28,000 for the Library. The changes are needed to meet current personnel, materials, and capital outlay needs.

• Supplemental budget increases Police Department Fund by $105,800
• Supplemental budget increases Finance Fund by $40,000
• Supplemental budget increases Administration Department Fund by $30,000
• Supplemental budget increases Library Department Fund by $28,000
• Supplemental budget increases Community Center Capital Projects Fund by $4,000

The City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 1, adopting a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year. The budget increases appropriations across seven funds, including $105,800 for the Police Department, $40,000 for Finance, and $30,000 for Administration. No public comment or council discussion occurred before the vote.

• Approved Resolution No. 1 adopting supplemental budget (unanimous 4-0)
• Increased Police Department Fund appropriations by $105,800
• Increased Finance Fund appropriations by $40,000
• Increased Administration Department Fund appropriations by $30,000
• Increased Library Department Fund appropriations by $28,000
• Increased State Revenue Sharing Fund appropriations by $13,000
• Increased Community Center Capital Projects Fund appropriations by $4,000
• Increased Public Works Administration Fund appropriations by $3,900

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed fiscal year budget and Resolution No. 1. The council is also considering a $251,000 reduction in administrative charges for the Public Works Administration Fund. A work session will follow to discuss city goals, parking codes, and various department project updates.

• Public Hearing: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget
• Resolution No. 1: Adopting the budget and imposing taxes
• Proposed $251,000 reduction in Public Works Administrative Charges
• City Councilor applicant interviews and possible appointment
• Budget approved by Budget Committee of $45,249,262

The Council unanimously adopted the FY 2026-2027 budget of $44,998,262 after correcting a $251,000 error in Public Works administrative charges. No appointment was made to fill the vacant council seat after two rounds of voting failed to produce a majority. The Council voted to reopen applications and revisit the appointment on July 14. Discussion items included RV parking code enforcement, a proposed RV campground at Lyle Day Park, and updates to purchasing limits.

• Adopted FY 2026-2027 budget of $44,998,262 with $251,000 reduction in Public Works administrative charges (unanimous)
• No appointment made to vacant council seat after two rounds of voting failed to produce a majority
• Reopened council vacancy for applications through July 8, 2026; appointment postponed to July 14 meeting (unanimous)
• Council consensus to proceed with drafting RV parking code amendments
• Council consensus to bring back Parks SDC CIP amendment for RV campground at Lyle Day Park to August 11 meeting
• Council consensus to bring back formal vote on RV campground at July 14 meeting
• Council consensus to bring back purchasing limit updates with $50,000 cap for City Administrator
• Scheduled special council meeting for June 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. to consider supplemental budget

City Council

The Junction City Council is holding a day-long goal-setting session to develop priorities for the next five years, including short-term objectives for the 26/27 fiscal year. The session will review stakeholder interviews, community survey results, and current planning documents. The process is timed to guide the search for a new city administrator and to inform future budget decisions. A final goal report is expected to be adopted in August after public hearings.

• Review of 107 community survey responses and stakeholder interviews from May 2026
• Discussion of 2022 goal report, comprehensive plan, and 2018 downtown schematics
• Development and prioritization of five-year council goals using index cards and sticker voting
• Council will set short-term objectives for the 26/27 fiscal year
• Goal adoption process includes public hearings on July 21-22 and final adoption on August 11

The City Council met for a goal-setting session to discuss long-term priorities. No formal votes or binding decisions were taken; the session was entirely procedural and preparatory. The next step is a draft goals report to be reviewed at the June 23 work session.

• No formal decisions, approvals, or denials recorded

City Council

The Junction City Council will hold public hearings and vote on resolutions establishing water and sewer rates for FY 2026-2027, approve compensation schedules for management and non-represented positions, and adopt a resolution declaring the city's election to receive state shared revenues. The meeting also includes appointments to the Planning Commission and a street closure for a memorial event.

• Resolution No. 3 – Establishing water rates for the City of Junction City, repealing Resolution No. 1283
• Resolution No. 4 – Establishing sewer rates and charges, repealing Resolution No. 1284
• Resolution No. 2 – Approving FY 2026-2027 compensation schedules for management, non-represented, seasonal, temporary, and part-time positions
• Resolution No. 1 – Declaring the city's election to receive state shared revenues
• Street closure for Chief Whetstone Memorial

The City Council unanimously approved 8% water and 5% sewer rate increases, adding about $5.30/month to the average residential bill, effective July 20, 2026. The council also approved state shared revenue resolution, FY 2026-2027 compensation schedules, and a street closure for the Chief Whetstone Memorial. Two new planning commissioners were appointed.

• Approved water rate increase of 8% and sewer rate increase of 5% for FY 2026-2027 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. 1 declaring election to receive state shared revenue (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. 2 for FY 2026-2027 compensation schedules for management, non-represented, seasonal, temporary, and part-time positions (unanimous)
• Appointed Michael Evens to fill vacant regular member term on Planning Commission through October 31, 2026
• Appointed Julie Nowacki to fill vacant alternate member term on Planning Commission through October 31, 2028
• Approved street closure of Greenwood Street between 6th and 7th for Chief Whetstone Memorial on June 17, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of May 12 and 26, 2026 (unanimous)

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee will review questions from the May 18 meeting, discuss modifications to the proposed FY26/27 budget, and may vote to approve the budget and set a tax rate of $6.0445 per $1,000 of assessed value. If not ready, additional meetings are scheduled for June 8 and June 15.

• Possible action to approve FY26/27 budget and total expenditure
• Specify tax by rate of $6.0445 per $1,000 or amount to levy citywide
• Review of questions from the May 18 Budget Committee meeting
• Discussion of modifications to the proposed FY26/27 budget
• Tentative additional meetings on June 8 and June 15 if needed

City Council

The City Council will hold a work session to finalize the job profile, pay range, and residency requirements for the next City Administrator, based on community input from surveys and stakeholder meetings. Immediately following, a regular session will include a public hearing and a vote on a resolution to formally adopt the hiring standards and launch the recruitment process. The council is also scheduled to discuss a memorial art project for Chief "Woody" Whetstone.

• Discussion on setting a pay range of $145,000-$165,000 for the City Administrator position.
• Public hearing and resolution to adopt hiring standards and criteria for the City Administrator.
• Council to decide on residency requirements (e.g., within city limits vs. a 30-minute drive time).
• Discussion on the Chief "Woody" Whetstone Memorial Art project.
• Updates on Public Works and Police Department projects.

The Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 1, adopting the position profile, standards, criteria, and policy directives for hiring a City Administrator, with a salary range of $145,000 to $165,000 and a requirement that the administrator reside within city limits within six months. The Council also unanimously approved placing a memorial art piece for Chief Woodrow "Woody" Whetstone on the front exterior wall of the Police Department. During the work session, the Council gave consensus to continue pursuing Automated License Plate Reader technology and to hold a goal-setting session on June 11.

• Approved Resolution No. 1 adopting City Administrator hiring standards, salary range $145K-$165K, residency required within 6 months (5-0)
• Approved placement of Chief Woody Whetstone memorial art on Police Department front wall (5-0)
• Consensus to continue pursuing Automated License Plate Reader technology
• Consensus to hold Council Goal Setting Session on June 11, 2026
• Consensus to set City Administrator pay range at $145,000 to $165,000
• Consensus to require City Administrator residency within city limits within 6 months (4-1 majority)
• Consensus to advertise City Administrator position nationally via ICMA
• Consensus to interview City Councilor applicants at June 23 meeting

Budget Committee

The Junction City Budget Committee held its second meeting to review proposed budgets for Police, Community Services, Administration, and IT for fiscal year 2026-2027. No final decisions were made; the committee will consider modifications and potential additions, including funding for a 12th police officer and a non-profit grant program, at the next meeting on June 1st. The meeting included a public hearing on State Revenue Sharing, with no public testimony.

• Approved May 4, 2026 Budget Committee minutes (unanimous)
• No substantive budget decisions made; all items tabled for June 1st meeting
• Public hearing on State Revenue Sharing held; no public testimony received
• Proposed personnel changes: Community Services Coordinator upgrade, Assistant Librarian reclassification, .25 FTE Municipal Court position (to be decided June 1st)
• Potential $50,000 State Revenue Sharing for police detective position discussed (to be decided June 1st)
• Potential non-profit grant program discussed (to be decided June 1st)
• IT WiFi upgrade for Senior Center discussed (to be decided June 1st)

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on Resolution No. 1 to extend a moratorium on development due to limited sanitary sewer capacity. They will also hold a public hearing on proposed uses of state shared revenue, consider three street closure requests, and discuss filling a council vacancy and recruiting a city administrator.

• Public hearing and vote on Resolution No. 1 extending a moratorium on development based on limited sanitary sewer capacity
• Public hearing on proposed uses of state shared revenue
• Street closure requests for Run 4 Roth 5K Fun Run, Goodin Street, and Theresa Kihn Street
• Liquor license application for Glenwood North Restaurant
• Discussion on council vacancy and city administrator recruitment

The City Council unanimously approved a third extension of the sanitary sewer connection moratorium through December 10, 2026, citing ongoing capacity issues under a DEQ order. The Council also approved a policy for employee complaints against the City Administrator, authorized chip sealing on Deal Street for up to $23,800, and agreed to advertise a council vacancy for 30 days. Several street closures and a liquor license recommendation were also approved.

• Approved Resolution No. 1 extending sanitary sewer moratorium to December 10, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. 2 establishing City Administrator complaint reporting procedure (unanimous)
• Approved Deal Street chip sealing project not to exceed $23,800 (unanimous)
• Approved street closure for Run 4 Roth 5K Fun Run on October 18, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved Goodin street party closure on Kalmia Street June 20, 2026 (unanimous)
• Approved Theresa Kihn street closure on Cedar Street July 4-5, 2026 (unanimous)
• Recommended approval of liquor license for Glenwood North at 1155 Ivy Street (unanimous)
• Agreed to advertise City Council vacancy for 30 days (consensus)

Budget Committee

The Budget Committee reviewed the proposed $21.8 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, which includes an 8.4% increase in personnel services and recommended 8% water and 5% sewer rate increases. No decisions were made on the budget or rates; the committee will continue review at the May 18, 2026 meeting. The committee unanimously approved the April 17 and April 24, 2025 minutes and elected Councilor Leach as Chair and Kara McDaniel as Co-Chair.

• Approved April 17, 2025 Budget Committee minutes by unanimous vote
• Approved April 24, 2025 Budget Committee minutes by unanimous vote
• Elected Councilor Karen Leach as Chair by unanimous vote
• Elected Kara McDaniel as Co-Chair by unanimous vote

City Council

The City Council will hold a work session to discuss several items, including a complaint from a resident about the creation of a special projects position. They will also review a policy for handling complaints against the City Administrator and discuss a draft ordinance to allow an RV Park at Lyle Day Park. No final votes are expected at this work session.

• Complaint from Jack Sumner about the creation of a Project Manager position for the City Administrator
• Discussion on a revised policy for complaints against the City Administrator, including potential use of LCOG services
• Review of a draft ordinance to amend city code to allow an RV Park at Lyle Day Park
• Estimated development costs for the RV Park are $136,114.56, to be paid by Parks System Development Charges
• Updates on Administrator, Public Works, and Police Department projects

The Council heard a complaint from resident Jack Sumner about creating a $145,000 Project Manager position, which he said was created to keep the Administrator employed until retirement. Councilors defended the decision, stating it was needed for multi-million dollar wastewater projects. No vote was taken on the complaint; it was discussed only.

• Discussed complaint from Jack Sumner about Project Manager position; no action taken
• Reached consensus to bring back a policy on complaints against the City Administrator for future approval
• Reached consensus to delay RV Park ordinance until operational costs and fees are determined
• Reached consensus to refer social services grant program to Budget Committee for funding feasibility (3-1, with Councilor Hancock opposed)
• Received updates on Administrator projects, Public Works, and Police Department projects; no votes taken

City Council

The Junction City Council will consider adopting a franchise agreement with Douglas Fast Net for communications services, approve several street closure requests for community events, and discuss contracts for waterline replacement, an RV park, and other projects. The meeting also includes a proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month and updates on the city administrator recruitment schedule.

• Ordinance No. 1 adopting a franchise with Douglas Fast Net for communications services
• Street closure requests for Scandinavian Festival, Scandinavian Cultural Foundation Day Camp, Beams, and Owen Foust events
• SDC consultant contract approval
• Waterlines Replacement Project contract award
• Future RV Park discussion

The Council approved a $476,868 engineering contract with Rhine-Cross Engineering for the Waterlines Replacement Project, awarded as the lowest bid. They also approved a $13,600 contract with Galardi Rothstein Group to study SDC costs for connecting to MWMC, and a $50,000 IGA with LCOG for the UGB Expansion Project. All votes were unanimous.

• Approved $476,868 waterlines design contract with Rhine-Cross Engineering (unanimous)
• Approved $13,600 SDC consultant contract with Galardi Rothstein Group (unanimous)
• Approved $50,000 IGA with LCOG for UGB Expansion Project (unanimous)
• Approved street closures for Scandinavian Festival, Day Camp, Beams party, and Owen Foust event (all unanimous)
• Adopted Ordinance No. 1 granting Douglas Fast Net a communications franchise (unanimous)
• Directed staff to proceed with in-house City Administrator recruitment per revised schedule (unanimous)
• Approved updated Agenda Process Guidelines (unanimous)
• Directed staff to amend Parks SDC CIP to include RV Park at Lyle Day Park (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will discuss and provide direction on recruiting a new City Administrator, including whether to use a search firm ($20,000–$30,000), an intergovernmental agreement with LGPS, or in-house staff. The council will also review options for reorganizing the water and sewer enterprise funds, which face depletion if rates are not increased. Other agenda items include a policy on complaints against the administrator, community meetings, and project updates.

• City Administrator recruitment: council to decide on search firm, LGPS, or in-house process
• Enterprise fund reorganization: water and sewer funds projected to deplete at current rates and spending
• Water and sewer rates not increased since July 2023; rate study recommended 6.5% water and 5% wastewater annual increases
• Policy discussion on complaints against the City Administrator
• Community meetings and administrator/public works project updates

The Council decided to conduct the city administrator recruitment internally using Interim Administrator Nebel, saving the $20,000-$30,000 cost of an outside firm, and agreed to push the recruitment schedule back by four weeks. On enterprise funds, the Council reached consensus not to reorganize the water/sewer staff structure and agreed to gather comparable utility rates before considering any rate increases. The Council also directed staff to research using Local Government Personnel Services (LGPS) for handling complaints against the city administrator and to clarify the city's contract with its current legal firm.

• Approved in-house city administrator recruitment using Interim Administrator Nebel (consensus)
• Delayed recruitment schedule by four weeks to allow focus on budget (consensus)
• Decided not to reorganize the water/sewer enterprise fund structure (consensus)
• Directed staff to gather comparable utility rates from similar cities (consensus)
• Directed staff to research LGPS services for handling complaints against the city administrator (consensus)
• Approved holding quarterly community meetings on April 7-8 at the Community Center (consensus)
• Approved updating the Agenda Item Summary template to add a 'Fiscal Effects' section (consensus)
• Received updates on public works projects and police department projects (no formal vote needed)

City Council

The Junction City Council will consider several resolutions, including a new School Resource Officer contract, a resolution setting pool fees for the Max Strauss Pool, and authorization of a Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund loan. The council will also discuss a future RV park and hear the annual Municipal Judge report.

• School Resource Officer contract (Chief Waddell)
• Resolution No. 1 – Pool fees for Max Strauss Pool, repealing Resolution No. 1331
• Resolution No. 2 – Authorizing a Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund loan from Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority
• Function 4 Junction street closure request and use request for 2026
• Scandia Run street closure request

The council unanimously approved a $6 million Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund loan for waterline replacement, awarded a $95,852.88 slurry sealing contract to Pave Northwest for Birch and Rose streets, and approved a $4,000 tourism funding request for the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce by a 5-1 vote. The council also approved the School Resource Officer contract renewal, street closure requests for Function 4 Junction and Scandia Run, increased pool fees, updated check signature authority, and appointed Ciara Orozco to the Budget Committee. The council discussed RV parking enforcement and agreed to have the city attorney bring back code revision options by the May work session.

• Approved $6 million Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund loan (Resolution No. 2) for waterline replacement, including $3 million principal forgiveness.
• Awarded Birch and Rose Street slurry sealing project to Pave Northwest for $95,852.88.
• Approved $4,000 tourism funding for Tri-County Chamber of Commerce (5-1 vote).
• Approved School Resource Officer contract renewal with Junction City School District.
• Approved street closure for Function 4 Junction on May 29-30, 2026.
• Approved use of gated area behind Community Center for Function 4 Junction beer/wine area on May 29-30, 2026.
• Approved street closure for Scandia Run on August 15, 2026.
• Approved Resolution No. 1 increasing pool fees at Max Strauss Pool.

City Council

The Junction City Council held a special meeting and approved an interim City Administrator contract with Spencer Nebel, starting March 9, 2026. The motion passed unanimously (6-0). No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved interim City Administrator contract with Spencer Nebel (6-0)

City Council

The City Council will consider several police department items including purchasing two used Albany police vehicles for $26,000, approving a $9,000 armory construction contract, and authorizing up to $29,028 for booking area remodeling. They will also discuss a request from the Scandinavian Festival to lower food vendor insurance requirements and hold a work session on enterprise fund reorganization and a school resource officer contract review.

• Purchase of two used 2022 Ford Interceptors from Albany PD for $26,000 plus outfitting costs
• Armory construction contract with Starr Contracting not to exceed $9,000
• Booking area remodel: bathroom-to-laundry conversion ($17,988 max) and interview room ($11,040 max)
• Scandinavian Festival vendor insurance request to lower requirement from $2M to $1M per occurrence
• Work session on enterprise fund reorganization options

The council interviewed interim city administrator candidate Spencer Nebel and voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to begin negotiations on an employment agreement. The agreement will be reviewed and voted on at a special meeting on March 3, 2026. Staff was also directed to conduct background and reference checks.

• Authorized mayor to negotiate interim city administrator employment agreement with Spencer Nebel (6-0)
• Scheduled special council meeting for March 3, 2026 to review and vote on the agreement
• Directed staff to proceed with background and reference checks on Nebel

City Council

The Junction City Council will consider a resolution to create a Police Lieutenant position and assign a pay range. The agenda also includes a 90-minute training session on lobbying from the League of Oregon Cities and a discussion on project management. The meeting will begin with approval of minutes from January 13 and 27, 2026.

• Resolution No. 1 to create the position of Police Lieutenant and assign a compensation range
• LOC Lobbying 101 Training (90 minutes)
• Local Aid Request
• Project Management Discussion
• Approval of minutes from January 13 and 27, 2026

The council voted 4-2 to adopt a Project Manager job description and approve a temporary employment agreement transferring Jason Knope from City Administrator to Project Manager, effective February 11, 2026. The council also voted 4-2 to authorize the mayor to sign the contract. The move followed a public comment from AFSCME Local 3754 requesting a vote of no confidence in the City Administrator, citing concerns about transparency, oversight, and employee protections. The council denied a request from Junction City Local Aid to waive or reduce their utility fees, voting 5-1 due to budget constraints.

• Approved Project Manager job description and temporary employment agreement transferring Jason Knope from City Administrator to Project Manager (4-2)
• Authorized Mayor Wells to sign the employment contract for Jason Knope (4-2)
• Denied Junction City Local Aid's request to waive or reduce utility fees (5-1)
• Approved Resolution No. 1 creating the position of Police Lieutenant (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from January 13 and 27, 2026 (unanimous)

City Council

The Council accepted a drone donation from the Junction City Police Foundation and authorized HBH Engineering to design the Raintree Water Treatment Plant for up to $571,976. In the work session, the Council discussed an RV park ordinance, pool fee increases, and supplemental police funding, but took no final votes on those items.

• Accepted drone equipment donation from Junction City Police Foundation, unanimously.
• Authorized HBH Engineering to design the Raintree Water Treatment Plant for up to $571,976, unanimously.
• Discussed draft RV park ordinance for Lyle Day Park; no final vote taken.
• Discussed future RV park development costs of $89,927.35; no final vote taken.
• Reached consensus to bring back a resolution to amend Max Strauss Pool daily admission fees from $2.25 to $4.00.
• Reached consensus to bring back a resolution to approve a Lieutenant job description for the Police Department.
• Discussed supplemental police funding options, including a utility bill fee; no decision made.
• Received updates on public works, police projects, and a Comfort Wellness K-9 dog approval.

City Council

The council discussed a proposal to remove City Administrator Jason Knope from his contract and move him to a consultant role focused on the MAO. No vote was taken; the council authorized the mayor and Councilor Hancock to work with Knope to draft a consultant contract, with legal review first. The council also approved the FY 2026-2027 budget calendar and received the annual financial audit with an unmodified opinion.

• Approved FY 2026-2027 budget calendar (unanimous)
• Authorized mayor and Councilor Hancock to meet with City Administrator to draft consultant contract (no formal vote, consensus to proceed with legal review)
• Received annual financial audit with unmodified opinion; single audit pending mid-February
• Discussed but took no action on hiring a grant writer; staff to research volunteer and LCOG options
• Declined offer of donated/leased land for dog park; will revisit in a few months