Julie Hoy sworn in as Salem mayor; councilors sworn, Jane Downing honored; council president elected

Mayor Julie Hoy and four newly elected councilors took their oaths of office at the Salem City Council meeting on Jan. 13, 2025. The council subsequently elected Linda Nishioka as council president and adopted the consent calendar by roll call. The council also issued a proclamation recognizing Jane Downing’s retirement after more than 27 years as executive director of the Center For Hope and Safety.

At the start of the meeting the city conducted swearing-in ceremonies for Ward 1 City Councilor Paul Teigen, Ward 3 City Councilor Shane Matthews, Ward 5 City Councilor Dr. Irvin M. Brown and Ward 7 City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke. Mayor Julie Hoy also recited and affirmed the oath of office. During the swearing-in Mayor Hoy noted that Councilor-elect Brown will be “joining the 2025 Salem City Council as the first African American male to serve our community in this role.”

The council then recessed for a brief reception. When it reconvened the council proceeded with organizational actions. The council president position was filled by Linda Nishioka by motion from the floor and a subsequent roll call; councilors recorded their votes in favor and Nishioka was seated as council president.

The council issued a proclamation honoring Jane Downing on the occasion of her retirement as executive director of the Center For Hope and Safety. The proclamation said Downing began serving the organization on July 14, 1997, oversaw growth from three employees to 35, and helped expand emergency shelter capacity. Downing told the council she felt “very humbled and honored” and introduced Ashley Carson as the organization’s new executive director.

Public comment: four speakers addressed the council under general public comment. Karen Bolliger, president of Friends of Center 50 Plus, urged restoration of city funding for Center 50 Plus, saying the organization runs hundreds of programs and relies on volunteers and local support; she said the Friends group raises about $250,000 annually and an additional $50,000 for needs. Bealey Coyne, a retired medical social worker, urged the city to prepare for displacement caused by wildfires and to consider temporary licensure for out-of-state clinicians providing teletherapy. Matt Hale (Ward 4) suggested revising the city’s operations fee for state-owned public buildings to recoup property-tax-like revenue for public safety costs. Nancy Leighton, representing Friends of the Salem Public Library, urged the council to support a proposed midterm library levy and called it a short-term measure to buy time for longer-term funding solutions.

Agenda and consent items: Council members approved a revision to the agenda that included a corrected entry for a claims settlement authorization (item 3.3d) and removed Ordinance Bill 1-25 (first reading) concerning aircraft landing and overnight parking fees; the manager said that ordinance will return to council on Jan. 27. The consent calendar was approved by roll call and included: draft minutes from Dec. 9, 2024; appointments to the Community Police Review Board and Salem Planning Commission; appointments to the Salem Public Arts Commission; a real property lease for temporary City Hall services; claims settlement authorization; designation of May 20, 2025, as the date for a special election to fill the vacant Ward 6 council seat; and authorization to create a mid-year project for Phase 3 of the West Forest Restoration Project within Minto Island Conservation Area.

The council closed the meeting after completing business and adjourned. No public hearings were held.