Troutdale holds interviews for vacant council seat; work session reaches consensus to back Zach Andrews

Troutdale councilors interviewed six applicants for a vacant City Council seat during a Feb. 11 work session and said they reached a 5-1 consensus in favor of Zach Andrews, with the formal appointment to be taken up as an agenda item at the regular council meeting later that night.

The work session was devoted to candidate interviews and logistical questions about the appointment process. Mayor Redmay said the council would not vote to select a candidate during the work session but would seek a consensus and then make a formal selection during the council meeting, where a resolution to appoint the chosen candidate will be presented. Ray Young, city staff, told candidates the city can swear in a selected councilor that evening if the candidate wishes, but there is no legal requirement they be sworn in immediately under the applicable ordinance.

Candidates summarized their backgrounds and priorities in roughly five- to ten-minute exchanges with councilors. Zach Andrews, a current chair of the parks advisory committee, the town center advisory board and a member of the planning commission, told councilors the city faces several near-term choices, including “the renegotiation of our police and fire services” and the development of the Confluence site, which he described as “a massive… we have one chance to get it right.” Frank Stevens emphasized transportation and public-safety experience, including work on regional planning efforts and testimony on roadway safety. Other applicants highlighted experience with city committees, volunteer boards, parks and business operations while identifying recurring priorities such as public safety, budget and parks maintenance.

Councilors discussed how they would handle unpopular decisions and how each candidate’s experience might shape council deliberations. Several councilors said they wanted to reward continuity from residents who have served on city committees; others emphasized the value of candidates bringing external professional experience to the council’s work.

After the interviews, councilors went around the room stating their preferences. Council members reported that five of the six present favored Zach Andrews as their first choice. The mayor and staff said that recorded action would occur later in the evening during the council meeting (agenda item 3), where councilors will vote on a resolution to appoint a new member. The selected candidate will be given the option to be sworn in either that night or at a subsequent meeting.

The work session also included procedural clarifications: candidates need not remain for the full session; the council will discuss the selection in public; and staff had prepared a resolution and swearing-in forms in case the candidate chose to be sworn in immediately.

The council adjourned the work session and proceeded to the regular council meeting to take the formal appointment vote.

Ending: The council’s tentative choice means a single formal vote at the subsequent council meeting will determine the appointment. If approved and if the candidate accepts immediate swearing-in, the newly appointed member could participate in that same evening’s council session.