Clean Water Consortium expands advisory board and appoints citizen members from Boardman and Irrigon

The Morrow County Clean Water Consortium voted to change its draft bylaws to expand the citizen advisory committee and then appointed named citizens from Boardman and Irrigon to the panel.

Board members first debated whether the consortium should set the advisory committee’s composition at three citizens per community or expand that number. After discussion the board voted to amend the bylaws to provide four citizen representatives from each greater-city area plus one representative for each city and an H2OE0 (technical/advisory) seat. "I'm pleased that there's that level of interest," one board member said as the group discussed increasing the citizen seats to improve community participation.

Following the bylaw amendment the board appointed four citizens from Boardman: Zahaira Guzman, Anna Marie Rodriguez, Myra Collin (spelled in packet as Myra Collin), and Isabella Gonzales. The board then appointed four advisory candidates put forward by the city of Irrigon/Oregon: Debbie Rady, Gib Evans, Barb Phillips and Keith White. The appointments were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; members noted some candidates had been recommended earlier in February and staff would follow up to confirm continued availability.

Board members emphasized completing the bylaws before broad outreach and noted schedule and meeting-time issues for community members. Matt Jensen, the managing director, said he could circulate a bylaws draft next week for consideration; the board agreed that once bylaws clarify expectations and scope, staff should re-contact candidates if necessary before formal installation. Kelly (board member) urged acting sooner for candidates who were already willing to serve: "If we elect someone that doesn't want to be there, we go back and reappoint someone else, but get it done today." Others suggested re-confirming availability because some nominations dated back to February.

The board directed staff to follow up with city managers to collect contact information and to notify appointees of the board’s actions and any next steps, including circulation of the updated bylaws.