Getting together for a second time to begin the new year, the Philomath City Council checked several boxes on routine tasks that needed to be done during a meeting Monday night at City Hall.
Among those were the mayor’s annual list of committee and liaison/representative assignments. In past years, such assignments had typically been announced at the first meeting of the year but with the Jan. 13 appointment of Rich Saalsaa to a vacant seat, those decisions were delayed.
Before getting into the assignments, McMorran opened up a discussion about expectations for councilors as it relates to their various roles. He also provided an opportunity for councilors to request changes.
One topic that came up during the discussion was to add two organizations to the list — the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library system, which includes Philomath Community Library under its umbrella, and the Benton County Historical Society, which operates Philomath Museum. Mayor Christopher McMorran and City Manager Chris Workman planned to reach out to those organizations.
The following were assigned to represent the City Council on various committees:
- Finance and Administration Committee — Spencer Irwin, McMorran, Teresa Nielson
- Police Committee — Diane Crocker, Brent Kaseman, Rich Saalsaa
- Public Works Committee — Kaseman, McMorran, Saalsaa
- Inclusivity Ad Hoc Committee — Jessica Andrade, Crocker, McMorran
- Housing and Economic Ad Hoc Committee — Andrade, Irwin, Nielson
- Planning Commission — Irwin (in a nonvoting representative role to the commissioners)
The following were assigned to represent the City Council as liaisons to various organizations:
- Cascades West Area Commission on Transportation — Saalsaa (Andrade as alternate)
- Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization — Saalsaa
- Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments — McMorran
- Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce — Kaseman, Nielson
- Philomath Community Services — Crocker
- Philomath Frolic and Rodeo — Nielson
- Philomath School District — McMorran
- Philomath Youth Activities Club — Kaseman
- Willamette Criminal Justice Council — Crocker
- Benton County HOPE Advisory Board — Andrade
- Philomath Fire and Rescue Board — McMorran
In another move at Monday’s meeting, the council appointed Finance Director Mike Murzynsky as the 2025-26 budget officer, a decision that occurs each year as preparations for a proposed budget get started.
As previously reported, the council also appointed Kyle Cupp to the Planning Commission and Nichole Hasley and Cupp to the Budget Committee.