The city of Philomath is evaluating its options for city planning services after receiving a notice of resignation Monday from associate planner Michael Bidwell. City Manager Chris Workman shared the news during the July 14 City Council meeting.
“I won’t go into the details on it — it’s mostly personal and is nothing professional on our side of the city doing anything wrong,” Workman said. “We think we’ll get him for about another week and a half or so.”
Bidwell had just returned to the office after time off for health reasons and Workman admitted that there has been a degree of hardship on the city staff. The city manager himself has been doing much of the city planner’s work while Bidwell has been out of the office but he also credited Leilani Wills (planning and permit technician), Crystal Weber (city recorder) and Chelsea Starner (assistant city manager) for stepping in to help.
“We’ll still struggle through that a little bit until we figure out what we’re going to do for a replacement,” Workman said. “I’m still looking at my options of hiring somebody back full-time. We’re reaching back out to Adair Village and to Monroe to see if there’s some type of partnership that makes sense. We may be reaching back out to the county.”
Workman said the city does have a contract in place with the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments for the use of its planning staff to help with code revisions that have been on hold for the past several months.
“Really, the frustration that we’ve been hearing is on the day-to-day replies back,” Workman said. “It’s been in that mode for several weeks now, which has been frustrating. Again, staff’s picking it up and that’s kind of where we’re going to be.”
Workman believes many of those same challenges will persist until the situation is resolved.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Workman said. “We still have a little ways to go before planning gets back on track again.”
Bidwell joined the city’s staff in July 2024. His past experience included a role in community development and planning in Portland and as a city planner in Kansas, a position he held prior to taking the Philomath job.
“We wish Michael all the best — he’s going to land on his feet and do great things,” Workman said. “He’s done a great job for us while he’s been here.”