City Council Work Session

lJi J(Y_ <::TY OF UJl'OO ~8 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION ACTION MINUTES January 8, 2026 I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Maughan called the work session of the City Council of the City of Corvallis, Oregon to order at 4:00 p.m., at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis, Oregon. The work session was also available for the public to attend live via online meeting platform. Present in person: Mayor Maughan, Councilors Napack, Lewis, Moorefield, Olson, Ellis, Bowden, Mayers, Cadena Present via video conference: Councilor Shaffer Absent: none II. REVIEW OF CITY MANAGER EVALUATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Human Resources Director Altmann Hughes presented the staff report and proposal, which was based on International City Manager’s Association (ICMA) best practices and Council direction. Councilors discussed the desire to be left with documentation and a replicable process for the Council to use independently in future years. Councilor Cadena recommended keeping the process flexible and responsive to the outcome, allowing the Council to choose its preferred evaluation method in future years. Councilor Mayers highlighted that conducting interviews during the evaluation process yields nuanced feedback that might not otherwise be captured. When asked about broader trends in performance management, Altmann Hughes noted the value of regular check-ins between staff and supervisors. Council supported moving the request for proposal forward and discussed timing for implementation. III. CITY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION Human Resources Director Altmann Hughes presented a draft City Manager job description. City Manager Shepard felt the draft was accurate and explained the Council could open the City Manager's current employment contract to incorporate the job description now or wait to implement it with the next City Manager. Some Councilors felt the description was too heavy on city administration and did not sufficiently emphasize the City Manager's accountability to City Council, suggesting stronger language about implementing Council policy directives. Other Councilors felt the Charter, "About the Position" section, and the first bullet under "Essential Duties" adequately defined the City Manager-Council Corvallis City Council Work Session Minutes – January 8, 2026 Page 1 of 3  relationship, and that job descriptions should focus on day-to-day operational responsibilities and avoid redundancies. Only Councilors Bowden, Shaffer, and Ellis desired adjustments to the job description, while the majority of Council supported the document as written. The Council will need to determine next steps for the job description. Councilor Ellis advocated adopting it now, while Councilor Bowden suggested revisiting it once the evaluation consultant is engaged. IV. MAYOR AND COUNCIL EVALUATION Mayor and Council discussed the feedback from the Mayor and Council self-evaluation and considered how to move forward, specifically through process and system improvements. The group identified themes from the evaluation: • Structural challenges o Concurrent elections and short term lengths are an issue, which will be discussed by Charter Review Task Force Phase 2. o How does the Council have discussions about new ideas while still maintaining focus on long-term, strategic goals? • Council procedures o Codification of some procedures, such as how to add new items to the agenda will be helpful. o Desire to develop a standardized method of submitting new proposals, such as through the form currently under development. • Strategic Plan o Confusion over current Strategic Plan and how strategic priorities differ from goals and existing work plans. o Operational details or routine updates on the Strategic Plan can help give Council visibility into progress and planning. o Can the Strategic Plan pair with an annual Council work plan, which would drive the agenda, track Strategic Plan progress, and allow for integration of new ideas? o How does Council prioritize new ideas? Council Leadership will suggest a process for proposal prioritization. o Suggestion for earlier and more dedicated conversations about the budget. o A discussion of the Strategic Plan progress and action plan item scheduled for the March 5th work session. • Council meetings o Meetings are too long and undermine effectiveness. o Suggestion to revisit meeting norms. o Need to dedicate time at the end of work sessions to discuss the 3-month schedule. • Relationships o Currently an unhealthy tension between Council, staff, and community. o Establish quarterly check-ins with the City Manager. Corvallis City Council Work Session Minutes – January 8, 2026 Page 2 of 3  o Suggestion for Councilor meetings with Directors. o Clarify Oregon Government Ethic Commission (OGEC) serial meetings guidance to allow development of Councilor-Councilor relationships. o How the relationship between staff and Council impacts community trust. o Council actions' impacts on staff capacity and morale. o Council's need for clarity/specificity on the results of decisions. o Celebrating success and building trust and momentum through accomplishments and progress. • Accountability o Maintaining focus and deliberate decision-making. o Willingness to address issues among the group (ex: interrupt disruptive meeting behavior). o Campaign promises vs. delivering basic City functions. V. COMMUNITY COMMENTS - none VI. THREE-MONTH AGENDA PLANNING Councilor Ellis asked when the Council's discussion about public bathrooms in City parks would occur. City Manager Shepard explained that the topic was on hold because of the City's budget gap conversation underway. The Community Development Block Grant funding discussion in June is specifically related to funding the bathroom in Central Park. Councilor Olson asked when the discussion about a licensing ordinance versus franchise agreement model would occur. Staff agreed to check on the status. Mayor Maughan confirmed that while the agenda-setting process was under development Councilors could still submit items as Councilor Reports. VII. OTHER COUNCILOR COMMENTS - none VIII. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Maughan adjourned the work session at 6:00 p.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: ~ MAYOR CITY RECORDER Corvallis City Council Work Session Minutes - January 8, 2026 Page 3 of3