[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6126813,"mediaKeyId","2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354","parentId",2665633,"title","Residents urge elected mayor; council agrees to work session to explore charter review options","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1313000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354&start=1313&end=1313","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354/thumbnail_1313000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126813/Sweet-Home/Linn-County/Oregon/Residents-urge-elected-mayor-council-agrees-to-work-session-to-explore-charter-review-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126813-590048aeeab343d2fbadcc1e21a93377/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124449&Signature=ectaj8aTGZGmVMZOoobzZjehzyf1t~Dv32o1S8pRycU1xa4hJYr-cz6gjZ9DdI4f4U6ooCxDB1k01AnQKzUBBwVTvzL4l8bdfCr02zLHf44fK~hSDEgLcVSYqwRmPKCrmFpvkAG13mvrEjVrAUlCgZjKztHNddnCDvHNIdk-WRUMH~-SAU5xGHNUhkLWGNNALoM-jpUFVlylOu0ullBIF6bAfhxKV58BAswh1KAyL3sTFUuBjcsQrQb25nVs2yfRBhCnXk1kD48XAHCpKSWCotteK2zB20QWQhC74rwLMNPxhEEzI4aMqxOKgZlWaP0SyScooCd5VfHcJDlmGevWUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sweet Home, OR ","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple residents used the public-comment period to urge the council to place a ballot measure to make the mayor an elected position rather than a council appointment. The council discussed a process for charter review and agreed to schedule a work session and request legal research on options.

Resident Nancy Patton told the council they were elected to serve the public and urged more visible outreach and a state-of-the-city event. “I just wanna remind all of you guys that you are here because the public puts you here,” Patton said during public comment.

Resident David Lohman said he had spoken to about 2,000 people and that the majority he spoke with want the mayor elected by the people. He asked the council to consider putting charter-change language on the ballot instead of relying on a citizen petition process.

Resident Dawn Miller said petition language was ready and urged the council to keep the campaign promise to move toward an elected mayor. “We are ready to move forward. I have the verbiage,” Miller said.

On council business, Councilor Angelina Sanchez asked that the city pursue placing mayoral-election language on a special election ballot to conserve resources and requested staff and the city attorney review options. Staff advised that the city historically appoints a Charter Review Committee separate from the council to draft changes and return recommendations, but that the council can open the charter review committee or explore other methods, and staff will research the legal details. Councilors expressed differing views about timing and approach, with some urging careful review of authority and responsibilities before making structural changes.

Why it matters: Changing how a mayor is selected would amend the city charter and alter local governance; the council’s decision to research options and schedule a work session is a procedural step toward any potential charter change.

Next steps: Staff and the city attorney will research legal methods, and council staff will attempt to schedule a work session to discuss charter-review options; the Charter Review Committee will be opened at the next council meeting for committee appointments, per staff comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-01-14 City Council Meeting Recording","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters called for the mayor to be elected by city voters; councilors discussed options and asked staff and the city attorney to research charter-review paths and schedule a work session.","taxTitle","Sweet Home, Linn County, Oregon","taxId",53923,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6126818,"Council adopts housing production strategy ordinance amending comprehensive plan",396,2201000,2597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354&start=2201&end=2597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354/thumbnail_2201000.jpg","/articles/6126818/Sweet-Home/Linn-County/Oregon/Council-adopts-housing-production-strategy-ordinance-amending-comprehensive-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126818-c428456f38a57ef0743f6ebaa7a92a72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124449&Signature=en516AFKo37mmt8KbcN6s64OfcyaJyPZJ91EMx68qggep7EOAMNDawby6rxEHcA1le57cYZCUQtt7yI6GSvUVCmctYV~2cjf0bpyAyoJKuwVzrFXge5X1T3fuhpFshD6rQ08fMEOk6jIm9JxUOXRulZWWsGyW7AKgp5jwxjPx7miPisSm2dHbC032Te3-~y1W5l6gWeQPXLNJPz3FgVjfHCTSExWTgBFyTwq0r9vzWvoPq6qHPbO982~ynWuDxxG7V4tNqE3YwOjOrFuTT8wIbndEdNJN8gc1DrMkDgdaGzDDfJJKMgUrTT8movKNUB8lW1ubtH0xg3HoYNugGkJag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sweet Home City Council approved by unanimous roll-call vote an ordinance adopting a housing production strategy that amends Chapter 4 of the city’s comprehensive plan.

City staff read Ordinance Bill 6 for 2024 (Ordinance No. 1329) by title as required for the third reading. The ordinance adopts the city’s Housing Production Strategy (HPS), a plan that incorporates state-required housing projections and targets for a 20-year planning horizon.

During discussion, a councilor summarized the HPS contents and projections: the presentation cited population growth since 2010, housing type breakdowns (single-family stick-built, manufactured housing, and multi-family units), and a 20-year projection used for planning capacity. The councilor also emphasized utility and treatment capacity figures discussed in the packet: the water treatment facility’s treatment capacity and the planned wastewater treatment plant capacity. Staff noted the full HPS documents will be posted on the city website after final adoption.

Why it matters: The HPS amends the comprehensive plan to reflect state planning requirements and provides a framework for housing types and infrastructure planning over the next 20 years. It informs future land use decisions, infrastructure investments and master planning.

The ordinance passed on a 7-0 roll call and will be posted to the city’s website per staff remarks.","Council approved Ordinance Bill 6 (Ordinance 1329) to adopt a housing production strategy, including population and housing-type projections required by state targets; the ordinance passed unanimously.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6126822,"Sweet Home Council authorizes Sweet Home Sanitation to receive state recycling funds under RMA",282,1906000,2188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354&start=1906&end=2188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354/thumbnail_1906000.jpg","/articles/6126822/Sweet-Home/Linn-County/Oregon/Sweet-Home-Council-authorizes-Sweet-Home-Sanitation-to-receive-state-recycling-funds-under-RMA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126822-80f02b5edec2b830834bd0bf0a593091/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124449&Signature=FPkzPppB955yes6vo4kvbexoHEi3ZW4mMeqT~V9nTti4otahMZYGHWWn6TTKV~~s0dCJN7i1hur3LoqkZoiE-5muQiFZCVI511JRyxI~y9z25HU33Hy7qkAn2Cq-eEKkBVk5Cy1na~L8bGkTEt~jlW-TqXckRyXXtLOcrcwXyR37JDxIDg4kW1RCKTmOTCExpxvfqgplQT83OcxsZHyCKj422ZufLCKhKpcOFtOcrdf18zN1FuwAFJmaX9UD8ASekVgMEPqay2TKncCzzWn0~4JM77e9DYd0g-dibRJ3N1Wn1yQSXFOeF~IabskpYPIAFt~eN6rEK2pJL0LhHj4vKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sweet Home City Council voted unanimously to authorize Sweet Home Sanitation to directly access state-provided recycling funds distributed under Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act (RMA).

City staff explained that the RMA (implemented after Oregon legislation in 2021) shifts financial responsibility for recycling to packaging producers and requires changes in local recycling programs by July 2025. Producers provide funding through a producers’ responsibility organization (PRO); Sweet Home’s designated PRO is the Circular Action Alliance (CAA). Staff recommended that Sweet Home Sanitation, rather than the city, receive and manage the funds because the sanitation provider already operates recycling services and because acting as an intermediary would require staff time and administrative cost.

The council considered three options: take no action, partially authorize fund access, or fully authorize Sweet Home Sanitation to access funds directly. A motion to approve the staff-recommended option to fully authorize Sweet Home Sanitation passed on a 7-0 roll-call vote.

Why it matters: Direct access allows the local service provider to use state funds without the city acting as administrator, which staff said would reduce administrative burden on city staff and use an organization with program experience.

Council directions and next steps: The motion authorizes Sweet Home Sanitation to request and use the funds under state rules; the council recorded the unanimous vote and moved to the next agenda item.","Council voted unanimously to let Sweet Home Sanitation access state funds distributed by producers' responsibility organizations to support recycling under Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6126826,"Sweet Home councilors sworn in; Susan Coleman chosen mayor, Josh Thorstad named president pro tem",1020,52000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354&start=52&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665633-e7c1948d8738f0f5316cb385ed1cb354/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6126826/Sweet-Home/Linn-County/Oregon/Sweet-Home-councilors-sworn-in-Susan-Coleman-chosen-mayor-Josh-Thorstad-named-president-pro-tem","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126826-bb76b2a3eaa3ac9c4c9c00918ef78393/orig.mp4?Expires=1771124449&Signature=bVCr56mpue0qGWoYXk9HtN4VvU7sJkJDyuNzJtkwAKloVhZjzMEaDIWjM0a3i9E~Q4azTqfdsR5LOS1ezj9c8iVHnqIGmaUgBzAMPD1jSukULekFzHIxoGxIq~mE3Tygqkt7kYpquDh95VzGtfeEM9vG90~I4Wmt0kt-cseZJjL~ARdt2D5YQzfr-A1aKlY57JGDd5HmrkB-ZGMJMfG03YYgzrzYa7bGWng5UmppXIBXgmJga1rcNhsmXLAeZuCmI2UMhBsfEYvcQTaj9tjubblr6rTbC4fvZt5NOnTyKhjHngWcWjwc79UolNvLvj-ZhDXRGCD2Z0M4LJo12fsXPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Four new members of the Sweet Home City Council were sworn into office and the council elected a mayor and president pro tem during its meeting.

Angelina Sanchez, Ken Bronson, Chelsea Augsburger and Aaron Hagee each took the oath of office administered at the council meeting. “I will faithfully discharge the duties of councilor,” each swearing-in included, repeated by the new councilors during the ceremony.

The swearing-in was followed by nominations and two roll-call votes for council leadership. Councilor Dylan Richards was nominated for mayor but the nomination failed on a 4-3 roll call. The council then nominated and elected Susan Coleman as mayor on a 4-3 vote. Separately, after several nominations and a declined nomination, Josh Thorstad was elected president pro tem on a 4-3 roll call.

Why it matters: The swearing-in makes newly elected members official and the leadership votes determine who will preside over council meetings and represent the city in certain ceremonial and administrative roles until the next selection.

The council followed its usual procedure for nominations: a councilor proposes a name, another councilor seconds it, discussion may follow, and then the clerk calls the roll. The failed and successful mayoral nominations were recorded by name in the roll calls. The council also recessed briefly after leadership appointments to allow photographs and informal public interaction. The meeting then continued with the remainder of the agenda.","Four newly elected councilors were sworn in and the City Council elected Susan Coleman as mayor and Josh Thorstad as president pro tem after separate roll-call votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge elected mayor; council agrees to work session to explore charter review options

Council adopts housing production strategy ordinance amending comprehensive plan

Sweet Home Council authorizes Sweet Home Sanitation to receive state recycling funds under RMA

Sweet Home councilors sworn in; Susan Coleman chosen mayor, Josh Thorstad named president pro tem