The Philomath City Council on Monday evening appointed Spencer Adams from a field of four applicants to fill a vacancy on the city’s Planning Commission.
The council voted 6-0 to appoint Adams, a civil engineer, to serve the remainder of a term that expires Dec. 31, 2027. The vacancy opened after former commissioner Van Hunsaker resigned on July 31.
Mayor Christopher McMorran said he was pleased that four people applied for the single opening, calling it “a wonderful problem to have,” even though it meant the council could appoint only one.
“I always want to emphasize, whenever we’re in a situation like this, how much I value and appreciate the fact that these community members want to serve their community and want to be a part of planning its future,” McMorran said.
McMorran said he intended to nominate Adams largely because of his professional background. Adams, a licensed professional engineer and certified water rights examiner in Oregon, has worked in site design for private and commercial development. He holds credentials as a certified construction contracts administrator and belongs to several national engineering and water industry organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Water Works Association, where he has chaired a national standards committee.
McMorran said he had discussed the makeup of the Planning Commission with City Manager Chris Workman and concluded the board could use more of that kind of professional expertise, while also noting the commission is meant to reflect everyday residents, not only industry experts.
The other applicants were Carly Fredericks, a Benton County communications employee who serves on the city’s Housing and Economic Development Committee; Ahren Harris, a college student and volunteer with the Marys River Watershed Council; and Lingy Koch, a retired real estate broker and paralegal who previously coordinated for the Philomath Gleaners and worked with Harriet’s Housing.
McMorran singled out Fredericks’ current service on the housing committee and praised the written responses submitted by Harris and Koch, saying he hoped all three would consider applying again during the city’s regular appointment cycle in January.
