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Westfir council hires relief city operator after expedited executive-session vote
Summary
The Westfir City Council voted 3–0 on April 18, 2025, to hire Alberto Saraz, Jr. as Relief City Operator at $16 per hour after an executive session; Mayor Richard Watson said the vote was expedited because an active fire was developing on Sunset Avenue.
The Westfir City Council voted 3–0 April 18 to hire Alberto Saraz, Jr. as Relief City Operator at a starting wage of $16 per hour. Mayor Richard Watson, Councilor Deretta Huey and Councilor Dylan Cheatham approved the hire following a brief executive-session discussion of the candidate and pay.
Mayor Richard Watson recessed the special meeting at 4:02 p.m. for an executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(a) to consider the employment of a public officer or employee. "I would like to proceed to a vote with all haste because an emergency situation was developing on Sunset Avenue with an active fire moving up the hill," the minutes record Mayor Watson saying. The council adjourned the executive session at 4:07 p.m., held a short discussion about a beginning wage, then voted. The motion to hire was made by Councilor Deretta Huey and seconded by Councilor Dylan Cheatham; the minutes record the tally as Ayes: Watson, Huey, Cheatham; Nays: 0; Abstentions: 0.
The action was taken during a special meeting called and conducted via teleconference. The minutes show the meeting was adjourned at 4:09 p.m. and later signed by Mayor Richard Watson and City Recorder Nicole Tritten on May 5, 2025. The minutes do not record additional deliberations about the candidate, qualifications, or a longer personnel report.
