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Medford Council: Recognitions, Appointments, Wastewater Update and Winter Preparations
Summary
Council recognized long‑time city employees, confirmed pro tem municipal judges, appointed Michelle King as interim MURA executive director with stipend, received a wastewater financing update and heard Public Works winter‑preparedness plans.
At its Nov. 17 meeting, Medford City Council handled several administrative and informational items:
Recognitions and retirements: HR Director Bonnie Barish recognized Ken Parducci for 25 years of service in public works/urban renewal and announced Detective Brenda Garich's retirement after 28 years with the police department.
Appointments: The mayor nominated and council confirmed six pro tem municipal judges for three‑year terms beginning Feb. 2026 by voice vote.
MURA interim executive director: Council appointed Planning Director Michelle King as interim executive director for the Medford Urban Renewal Agency (MURA) and previewed an $18,000/year stipend for those duties; MURA itself will consider the compensation in its separate meeting.
Wastewater financing update: Staff reported value‑engineering work reduced an earlier high estimate for the wastewater treatment plant by roughly $45 million. CFO Ryan Martin said WIFIA financing has not closed but staff had contacts indicating some loans are starting to close nationally; council was advised that if WIFIA does not close the city faces a different financing timeline and possibly earlier rate impacts.
Public Works winter readiness: Public Works Operations Manager Dawn Easley outlined preparedness steps—equipment servicing, added snowplows and sander inserts since 2022, a new deicer truck, staff training, mutual aid agreements and critical route priorities—plus an on‑call contract for extra snowplow support.
Council also discussed boards and commissions conduct and approved staff training and a staff‑time allocation to review draft code changes to standardize board processes and membership. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
