St. Helens council names Joe Hogas interim police chief for six months after debate on evaluations and governing rules

The St. Helens City Council voted March 5 to appoint Joe Hogas interim chief of police for a six-month term subject to a mutually agreeable employment agreement, and the city may hire a permanent chief at any time during the contract term.

Councilors spent much of the meeting debating how and when the city should complete its governing rules and evaluation process before finalizing a permanent hire. Several members said they wanted the council’s attorney and staff to clarify whether the position must be posted publicly, whether any pay or retroactivity would be included in a contract and how evaluations—potentially including 360 reviews—would be performed.

Why it matters: The appointment follows several months with Hogas serving in an acting capacity (council discussion referenced that he has been acting since October). Council members said they want to correct past procedural flaws, complete updates to governing rules and put evaluation processes in place before making long-term personnel decisions. The council scheduled a work session on March 17 to address governing rules and related procedures.

The motion approved by the council read in part: “I move to appoint Joe Hogas as interim chief of police for six months, subject to the terms and conditions of a mutually agreeable employment agreement, and the city may permanently hire the chief at any time during the term of that contract.” The council had extensive discussion about whether the contract could include language allowing the appointment to become permanent sooner than six months if the council and attorneys agree the required policies and evaluations are in place.

Councilors and staff repeatedly emphasized two points: (1) the city should complete “foundational” governing rule changes recommended by the city attorney before moving straight to a permanent hire, and (2) the employment agreement can include performance expectations and an evaluation framework that would allow for an expedited permanent appointment if the council determined the conditions were satisfied earlier than six months. Attorney Aiken (referenced in the meeting) said the question of whether the job must be posted publicly was one she would determine as soon as practicable.

The council also directed that contract terms, including any retroactive compensation for work already performed, be negotiated and returned for council approval. Councilors noted that the finalized contract will be brought back to a future meeting for review and that the contract can include measures against which Hogas would be evaluated.

Public commenters expressed strong views during the visitor comment period. Brady Breyer criticized city officials and said one city attorney “should recuse” from the police-chief matter and called the attorney’s behavior “disgustingly unethical.” Penny Gilbert said she had contacted the state ethics office in Salem and warned of potential lawsuits. Adam St. Pierre urged civility in public comments and said commenters should support claims with evidence.

Votes at a glance - Appointment of Joe Hogas as interim chief of police (up to six months, subject to a mutually agreeable employment agreement): approved by the council; recorded as a split vote with three members voting in favor and one opposed. - Agreement with Black & Veatch to develop a project implementation plan for compliance with the city’s NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit: approved by voice/roll call. - Contract with HASA Incorporated for bulk sodium hypochlorite supply for the city water/wastewater treatment plant: approved by voice/roll call. - Consent agenda (city council minutes for Jan. 15, Jan. 18 and Feb. 19, 2025; OLCC licenses; staff monthly report template; accounts payable list): approved by voice/roll call.

What’s next: The council set a March 17 work session to address governing rules and the evaluation process. The interim employment agreement will return to a future meeting for council review and final approval, and the attorney will advise whether public posting of the chief’s position is required before a permanent hire.

Ending: Councilors also noted upcoming community events and city projects (parks cleanup at Nob Hill Nature Park on April 5, ongoing waterfront development, and a new storage/snack structure at Sixth Street Ballpark). The meeting closed after visitor comments and routine business.