The Philomath City Council elected a council president and filled various vacancies on city committees during its meeting Monday night at City Hall.
Teresa Nielson, who has been on the council since 2021, was chosen as the council president on a ballot vote. The primary responsibility of the council president is to lead meetings or appear at events if the mayor is not available.
Out of the committee vacancies, the council did not appoint anyone to fill two vacant seats on the Planning Commission. The terms of Gary Conner and Hayley Green expired at the end of 2024 and no applications were received. The city plans to continue advertising the vacancies.
On the Budget Committee, only one of five vacancies was filled with Van Hunsaker reapplying for another term. The remaining four vacancies will be readvertised.
Three volunteers were approved for three open seats on the Park Advisory Board. Yvonne McMillan and Larry Sleeman return to the group for new three-year terms. Seth Williams was also appointed to the board.
On the Tree Board, Graham Seaders returned for a three-year term. The mayor and council had a decision to make on the appointment with a second applicant also willing to serve.
Two positions that opened up on the Inclusivity Committee were filled by Rose Bricker and Jenna Fischer. Both will serve two-year terms — Bricker returning and Fischer for the first time.
The council recognized several volunteers who completed committee terms, highlighted by Lindy Young’s 10 years as part of the Park Advisory Board.
Those recognized and years completed included:
- Budget Committee — Hunsaker (three years), Brent Kaseman (two years), Mark Koeppe (two years) and Jeff Schiminsky (three years).
- Inclusivity Committee — Bricker (one year) and Lauri Lehman (two years).
- Park Advisory Board — McMillan (three years), Sleeman (two years) and Young (10 years).
- Planning Commission — Conner (seven years) and Green (four years).
- Tree Board — Seaders (two years).
Mayor Christopher McMorran presented those in attendance with certificates of appreciation.