Marty Marquis, a member of Scappoose's planning commission and a spatial analyst by training, interviewed Monday as one of two applicants for a vacant city council seat and told councilors his priorities are highway connectivity, attracting business to the industrial area and developing Chapman Landing.

Marquis said the U.S. highway that runs through Scappoose "is the main feature of Scappoose" and argued the city should build stronger, regular engagement with the Oregon Department of Transportation to pursue safer crossings, improved traffic signal timing and more sidewalks.

"It seems like it's something that we should almost be talking with ODOT about weekly," Marquis said, urging intentional relationship‑building to address the highway's role in dividing the community.

Why it matters: The highway bisects the city and affects pedestrian safety, land use decisions and economic connections between neighborhoods. Marquis framed better ODOT coordination and sidewalk investment as prerequisites for a more connected downtown and safer school routes.

Marquis described his work as a spatial analyst for an economic consulting firm that is helping the city develop a 50‑year plan. He said that daily work includes mapping and parcel analysis and that he is familiar with tools cities use to identify parcels for infrastructure projects and tax‑increment or incentive boundaries.

On economic development, Marquis urged more promotion and outreach to attract tenants for the city's industrial area and to leverage OMIC (the local maker/industry campus). He said the industrial area had low activity coming out of the COVID era and that targeted promotion, participation in trade venues and outreach to larger firms could draw investment.

Marquis also proposed expanding Chapman Landing as a riverfront attraction and suggested community groups, paddlers and students could help develop small amenities that would bring visitors to the river.

He listed other priorities that included parks and continuing investment in water infrastructure. On schools, he noted the middle school needs replacing and described structural and seismic vulnerabilities; he said such work would require substantial funding and community support and likely involve the school board rather than the city council.

No formal action was taken in the work session. Councilors thanked Marquis for his application and said they will review both applicants before making an appointment during the regular meeting.

Background and context: Marquis described prior public‑facing experience in entertainment and a recent master's degree in GIS. He said his planning commission service and spatial analysis work give him tools for evaluating infrastructure and economic development proposals.

The council did not vote during the work session; the appointment will be considered during the regular meeting.