Canby council adopts annexation ordinance, reaffirms council president and assigns committee liaisons

The Canby City Council on Jan. 8 completed its first regular meeting of 2025 by adopting an annexation ordinance, confirming Council President Tracy Hensley, approving routine minutes and assigning members as liaisons to city boards and regional committees.

Ordinance No. 1638 — a second-reading vote — formally annexes 3.39 acres of tax lot 01900 and approximately 0.44 acres of adjacent North Holly Street right-of-way into the Canby city limits and amends the property's zoning from Clackamas County’s rural residential farm forest five-acre (RRFF-5) designation to the city’s low-density residential (R-1) zone for the area described in the ordinance. City staff noted the annexation was a second reading of a measure previously presented; the council adopted Ordinance No. 1638 on a roll-call vote (motion carried, 6–0). The meeting packet includes a map of the annexation (packet page 13), the council said.

Council deliberations included brief procedural remarks and a request to make ordinance titles and readings more accessible to the public; councilors noted the formal legal description can be cumbersome for people watching who are not familiar with tax-lot phrasing. Staff indicated the map and full packet materials are available to the public for reference.

Elections and appointments: Council President

During new business the council held a vote to appoint the council president (the member who presides over meetings in the mayor’s absence and acts as mayor when the mayor cannot perform duties). Councilor Mark Davis nominated Council President Tracy Hensley to continue in the role; at least one councilor said publicly they would not support Hensley’s reappointment, citing concerns about internal workplace interactions and council‑staff relations. The council voted to retain Tracy Hensley as council president (motion passed; opposition was recorded during the roll call). The council discussed the charter language governing the president’s duties and noted that a longer-term vacancy or incapacity of the mayor would be handled under charter provisions addressing vacancies; staff said the charter requires the president to preside in the mayor’s absence and to act as mayor when the mayor is unable to perform functions of office.

Committee liaison assignments

Following the appointments vote, councilors confirmed liaison assignments to city advisory bodies and regional organizations. Several incumbents retained prior liaison roles; notable assignments discussed include: - Councilor Daniel (first name used in the meeting) to continue as the Bike & Pedestrian Committee liaison unless he requests reassignment. - Councilor Paul Waterman accepted Bike & Ped and will also serve on transit-related liaison duties. - Councilor Mark Davis will continue as the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board liaison and the Canby Adult Center liaison. - The council identified other liaisons (Library Advisory Board, Canby Utility Board, Planning Commission, Heritage & Landmark Commission, Clackamas County Coordinating Committee, Willamette Falls Landing/Heritage Area Coalition and Aurora Airport/area forums) and asked Maya (city staff) to circulate the finalized list and asked councilors to contact committee chairs to coordinate attendance.

Other business and announcements

Mayor Brian Hudson opened the meeting and conducted ceremonial oath-taking for the mayor and council members sworn in at the start of the meeting. The council acknowledged outgoing former Councilor Robert Bitter with remarks and a plaque. The mayor and staff highlighted the start of the Canby Civic Engagement Academy (a multi-session program for residents to learn how city government works), upcoming City Day at the Capitol (Jan. 28) and other community events; Belinda Goody, CEO of the Canby Area Chamber of Commerce, was quoted in a submitted letter of gratitude noting a 75-year partnership between the chamber and city.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (approval of Dec. 18, 2024 minutes): motion moved and seconded; approved (no dissent recorded during the vote). - Ordinance No. 1638 (ANN24-01 / ZC24-01) — annexation and zoning amendment: adopted, roll-call vote recorded as 6–0. - Council president appointment (Tracy Hensley): motion to reappoint Hensley carried; opposition was recorded during roll call (members spoke for and against before the vote).

Why it matters

The annexation brings private land and adjacent right-of-way into Canby’s municipal boundary and changes zoning to allow low-density residential development — a local land-use decision that can affect future subdivisions, services and infrastructure planning. The council-president vote and liaison assignments shape internal leadership and which council members will act as official points of contact with city advisory bodies and regional partners in the coming year.

What’s next

Staff and councilors asked residents and interested parties to consult the meeting packet for maps and details (packet page 13 for the annexation map) and to follow up with the city recorder or relevant staff about upcoming liaison meetings, the civic engagement academy, and items to bring to future agendas.