Oregon City ratifies former manager's resignation and appoints Lake Oswego official as interim city manager

The Oregon City Commission on Tuesday ratified a separation agreement with outgoing city manager Charles Leeson and appointed Chris Jordan, an assistant to the city manager in Lake Oswego, as interim city manager for a period not to exceed four months.

The commission first voted to accept the signed agreement with Leeson. After a brief executive-session discussion, the commission moved to ratify the separation agreement; a motion to approve the agreement was made on the record and carried by roll call. Commissioner Edward Lynch said he felt excluded from parts of the process and said, "You started this process without me," while Mayor John F. Williams Jr. and staff acknowledged a communication lapse and apologized on the record.

Later in the meeting, the commission moved to appoint Chris Jordan as interim city manager for a period of up to four months under an intergovernmental arrangement. Jordan was identified in the public record as "assistant to the city manager of Lake Oswego," and presenters said he is "on loan from Lake Oswego for the period of time that it takes us to find a new city manager." The appointment passed on a recorded vote.

Commissioners said they intend to begin a search for a permanent city manager under the charter timeline. The agreement with Leeson and the interim appointment were procedural actions taken by the commission; no additional compensation or contract terms beyond those in the signed separation agreement were amended on the floor.

What happens next: The city will proceed with its search for a permanent city manager within the charter-required timeframe; Jordan will assume interim responsibilities immediately and staff will return with any required follow-up items related to the separation agreement.