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Umatilla council approves resolution formalizing action on city manager’s complaint against mayor; public commenters call for transparency
Summary
The Umatilla City Council voted to approve Resolution No. 17-2025 formalizing the council’s decisions on the city manager’s complaint against the mayor. Several members of the public used the meeting to urge transparency and raise concerns about the complaint process; the council later recessed into executive session to consult the city attorney.
The Umatilla City Council on Jan. 7 approved Resolution No. 17-2025, a formal statement of the council’s decisions regarding a complaint filed by the city manager against the mayor.
Councilor motions to approve the resolution were made, seconded and the motion carried by voice vote. The resolution was listed on the agenda as item 10.8 and the council recorded the action as approved in open session.
Multiple members of the public addressed the council earlier in the meeting during public comment, expressing concern about the complaint process and requesting greater transparency. Denise Pratt read a letter that requested clearer access to meeting captions and asked how citizens can follow up with the city when they have questions. Cameron Sipe and Les and Kathy Payne submitted written comments that were read into the record, asking the council to prioritize other community concerns and asking for clarity about who investigated the complaints and how taxpayer funds have been used in the process.
After public comment, the council announced and recessed into executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with its attorney regarding the legal rights and duties related to litigation likely to be filed; the city attorney and city manager were allowed to attend and the media and public were asked not to disclose deliberations. The mayor announced that no decision would be made during executive session and the council would return to open session afterward.
The meeting record shows the resolution motion and second were made and approved by voice vote; the audio does not record a roll-call tally. The council did not announce in open session further specific investigatory findings during the Jan. 7 meeting; public commenters urged clearer communication about how complaints are investigated and decided.
