Planning commission recommends Patrick Berkeley for appointment after candidate interviews

The St. Helens Planning Commission on Thursday voted to recommend Patrick Berkeley for appointment to the planning commission after conducting interviews with two candidates.

Patrick Berkeley, who introduced himself as a 33-year St. Helens resident, described prior service on the city council and as a council liaison to the planning commission. He told commissioners he would ‘‘give full consideration to each item’’ and stressed the importance of early commission involvement in proactive projects and preserving historic downtown features. ‘‘I just looked at that property and thought, wow. Dreamed of what that property could be and just the potential for this city,’’ Berkeley said while describing waterfront priorities.

Jay Ekternach, the remote candidate, summarized decades of experience in sales, publishing and volunteer leadership and said he would bring problem-solving and public-engagement skills to the commission. Ekternach also spoke in support of Berkeley, telling commissioners they ‘‘could do a lot worse than appoint Patrick Burkle’’ and praising Berkeley’s work with students.

After questioning and deliberation, an unnamed commissioner moved to recommend Berkeley to the City Council for appointment; a second was recorded and the commission voted in the affirmative. Commissioners said Berkeley’s institutional knowledge and prior public-service experience weighed in his favor while acknowledging Ekternach’s extensive private-sector and volunteer experience. The commission recorded the recommendation and asked staff to notify the city recorder so the council may consider the appointment.

The commission did not take a formal council appointment itself; the recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action.