Myrtle Creek council adopts ordinance expanding background checks, declares emergency ahead of police audit

The Myrtle Creek City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 878 on May 5, replacing Ordinance 765 and expanding the city's criminal history record check policy to specify which applicants must be screened, including business license applicants. City Recorder Joanna Bilbrey said staff recommended repealing the older ordinance because the municipal code did not explicitly list business license applicants among those subject to background checks.

Police Chief Jonathan Brewster told the council the Police Department requested the ordinance be adopted in a single reading with an emergency clause so the new rules would be in effect before an upcoming departmental audit. Councilor Diana Larson moved for adoption; Councilor Jamie McElmurry seconded. The council voted yes: Held, Wragg, Chaney, Larson, McElmurry; the motion passed unanimously.

Ordinance 878 repeals Ordinance 765 and places the new criminal history record check requirements into the city code. City staff did not provide the text of every procedural detail during the meeting; the record shows the council approved the ordinance and the emergency declaration with no discussion recorded. The ordinance is effective immediately under the council's emergency finding, which city staff linked to the timing of the audit.

The action means applicants identified in the ordinance text, including those applying for a city business license, will be subject to the city's criminal history screening policy. The council did not take additional votes or specify implementation steps in the meeting beyond adopting the ordinance and its emergency clause. The police audit cited by staff remains an upcoming event; no further schedule was provided at the meeting.