Council hears community concerns after news about former teen-center manager; requests meeting with current managers

The council spent part of its closing discussion on concerns about operations and governance at the Stayton Teen Center after the mayor referenced recent media reporting about an indictment of a former manager.

The mayor said the news did not sit well and asked staff to schedule a meeting with the current teen-center managers so councilors could review governance and staffing; staff cautioned that if a quorum participates the meeting would need to be public and recommended a smaller delegation for initial conversations. "I would like for the council to get involved in having a discussion or at least a meeting with the current managers of the teen center," the mayor said.

Denise Bush, a past teen-center board member, told the council she supports stronger council involvement and that community members are concerned about the kids’ well-being following recent developments. "I just feel it is the time with what just happened this past year... I just feel it's time to look at the big picture and are we doing what's best for those kids at this point?" she said.

Council and staff agreed to arrange a meeting and suggested the mayor should lead a small delegation (the mayor plus two councilors) to allow candid discussion without creating a quorum. The council did not take formal action at the meeting but asked staff to initiate contact and coordinate logistics for an initial meeting.