Troutdale confirms slate of advisory-committee appointments after public comment and debate over alternates

Troutdale — The Troutdale City Council on June 24 approved the selection committee’s recommendations and confirmed appointments to multiple city standing committees and commissions, though the meeting included discussion about alternates, incumbent reappointments and potential conflicts of interest.

Appointments approved included several Budget Committee seats (Heidi Timberman, Sandy Glantz, Evan Minkoff), Citizens Advisory Committee positions (Diane Castillo White; Victoria Rizzo; Shelby Stephenson; Will Knight; Rebecca Sanchez; Tiffany Long as alternate), Historic Landmarks Commission appointees (Donna Landers, Leanne Stephan, Jim Hill; Aaron Bumgardner as alternate), Parks Advisory Committee (Frank Stevens, Shelley Reynolds, Tristan Jones; Sanford Nax as alternate), Planning Commission nominees and Public Safety and Equity Advisory Committee appointments (Jordan Wittron, Kelly Wesson, Rich Allen, Frank Stevens). The council took each committee’s slate individually rather than approving the entire consent item at once.

Public commenter Paul Wilcox urged the council to consider whether approving all appointments in a single motion is appropriate when municipal-code language references alternates and when state law (ORS 294.414) limits pre-appointing alternates for certain committees. Wilcox also called out perceived inconsistencies in Town Center Advisory Board composition and cross-appointment practices. Mayor and council discussed those points on the record; staff and the mayor said they would catch up municipal code to match state law and proceed accordingly. Councilor Diane Castillo White declared a prior conflict noted at the selection-committee stage but said she intended to vote at the council stage.

Council debate also considered whether to prioritize incumbents or recruit new volunteers; one councilor argued for new involvement to increase community engagement, while the mayor defended appointing reliable long-standing committee members when appropriate. The council conducted roll-call votes for each committee item and approved the appointments described above.

Why it matters: Committee and commission appointments shape citizen participation in planning, parks, historic preservation and public safety policy. Public comments raised legal and procedural questions about alternates and eligibility that staff said they will address through code updates.

Next steps: Staff will implement appointments and update municipal code sections cited by the public commenter to ensure consistency with state law (ORS 294.414) and the city’s selection procedures.