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Newport board approves legal appointment, four staff promotions and codifies police personnel changes
Summary
At a Feb. 3 special meeting the Newport Board of Commissioners approved an appointment of an outside attorney for legal services, promoted two parks and recreation staff and an economic development coordinator, and adopted an ordinance moving animal control and codifying roles within the police department.
The Newport Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a package of personnel actions and an ordinance on Feb. 3 that appoints outside legal counsel, formalizes two parks and recreation promotions, hires an economic development coordinator and amends the municipal code to place animal control and specified community-facing roles within the police department.
In a special-meeting order the board authorized City Manager John Haden to execute an appointment agreement with Michael Wallachin to provide various legal services, including coverage for citizen board hearings, after a local search. Haden told the commission Wallachin had practiced in Newport for 15 years and “is a litigator” who can represent the city at hearings. Wallachin told the board he and his family have long ties to Newport and said he was “happy to be here” and “look[s] forward to meeting expectations.”
The board also approved internal personnel actions in the Planning and Development Department: Dalen Garland (promoted to parks and recreation manager) and Kim Colston (appointed parks and recreation administrative assistant). Both promotions were presented by city staff as internal moves intended to expand programming and community events; Colston later said she was “very excited” and called the role her “dream job.” The board additionally appointed John Willis as economic development coordinator in the city manager’s office; staff noted Willis is a Newport resident with outreach and data skills the city sought.
During the meeting the city attorney and police leadership described an ordinance amendment to section 31.44 of the Code of Ordinances that formally moves animal control into the police department and codifies several existing positions and responsibilities in the department’s community-facing unit. Chief remarks described rebuilding an identification/community (iDEN) team that will work with code, fire, zoning and planning to improve efficiency.
All of the listed personnel orders and the ordinance passed on roll-call votes with all present commissioners voting yes.
Ending: The board congratulated the newly appointed staff and directed City Hall to process appointment paperwork. Staff indicated the new hires and the codified police roles are intended to strengthen hearings support, community engagement and parks programming.
