The City Council of Scappoose, Oregon, convened on November 4, 2024, for a work session focused on the role and composition of city committees. The meeting highlighted the importance of ensuring that committee members have a vested interest in the community, particularly emphasizing the need for a significant percentage of members to reside within city limits.

During the discussion, a council member raised concerns about the current makeup of committees, noting that many members live outside the city. The member suggested that while individuals who work in the city should be included, the majority should be local residents to better reflect community interests. This point sparked a conversation about the implications of committee decisions on taxpayers, with another council member clarifying that while committees do not have the authority to make policy changes, their recommendations can influence council decisions that ultimately affect tax rates.

The council acknowledged that committees play a crucial advisory role, particularly in developing plans such as the city’s master plan. However, there was caution expressed regarding the potential for committees to have biases that may not align with the broader community's best interests. The council emphasized the need for careful oversight to ensure that the recommendations made by committees are in line with the community's needs.

In conclusion, the work session underscored the importance of committee composition and the need for local representation to ensure that the interests of Scappoose residents are adequately represented in city planning and policy discussions. The council plans to further evaluate the structure and membership of committees in future meetings.