Independence City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Independence City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Civic Center Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kate Schwarzler and included approval of previous minutes, public comments, various reports, and action on several resolutions including LED streetlight conversion, budget amendments, grant applications, a municipal judge agreement, recreational immunity opt-in, and legislative priorities. All councilors were present: Evan Sorce, Dawn Roden, Bill Boisvert, Kathy Martin-Willis, and Shannon Corr.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of August 11, 2026 and the work session of August 25, 2026 as submitted. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Erin McIntosh expressed opposition to fencing public open spaces and stated she planned to campaign against the reelection of certain elected officials. She suggested reducing amenities such as restrooms, power, and water rather than installing fencing.
• Anthony Johnson expressed concern about moving forward with the proposed budget amendment (Item 7.2) before a revised budget is released, noting that recent changes are not yet reflected in publicly available figures.
• Ben Cooper spoke about the importance of parks and the library to Independence's identity and quality of life, referencing the Independence Vision 2040, and urged the City to reconsider priorities to keep these services available.
• Hillary Hawthorne raised concerns about City decision-making, transparency, and oversight. She questioned the legal review process for the closure of Riverview Park, requested financial justification for bringing legal counsel in-house, and asked how city-related social media communications are preserved as public records. She called for clear guardrails on the City Manager's authority.
• Marta Jochims expressed concern about the timing and cost of creating an in-house City Attorney position and requested actual outside legal expenses from recent years. She also raised concerns about increased parks costs and requested clearer information about necessary park projects.
• Following public comment, the Council briefly recessed to review rules regarding Council member engagement with speakers; the Mayor then closed the public comment period.

Reports and Presentations

• Mayor: Acknowledged the difficult recent weeks for the community, staff, and Council, thanked residents for engagement, and noted that several issues raised would be addressed later in the agenda.
• Council Liaison Reports:
  • Traffic Safety Commission (Councilor Roden): The Commission has not met since the last update; next meeting October 21.
  • Planning Commission (Councilor Corr): Discussed park and open space dedication requirements at its August 3 meeting; referred the issue to City Council.
• City Manager: Ceded time due to long agenda.

Discussion Items

7.1 Pacific Power LED Streetlight Conversion Public Works Director Dustin Lueckenotte presented a proposal to convert approximately 407 Pacific Power-owned streetlights to LED as a single project. The City would initially pay about $85,000, with ~$75,000 reimbursed by the Energy Trust of Oregon, leaving a net cost of ~$10,000. The conversion qualifies the City for a lower rate, resulting in estimated annual savings of ~$13,000, recouping the net cost in about nine months. Long-term savings over 40 years were noted at up to $500,000. Funding would come from the Transportation Fund contingency, separate from the General Fund. Council discussed the temporary use of contingency funds and the reimbursement timeline. Pacific Power will continue to own and maintain the converted lights. Action: Motion to approve the project and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. Passed 5-0.

7.2 Proposed Resolution 26-1660 (Budget Amendment) Finance Director Amanda Carey explained the need to transfer $85,841 from the Transportation Fund contingency to a capital expenditure line item to pay for the streetlight project. Reimbursement from Energy Trust would be restored to contingency later. The transfer does not affect the General Fund. Action: Motion to approve Resolution 26-1660. Passed 5-0.

7.3 Proposed Resolution 26-1659 (Regional Infrastructure Fund Grant – Wetlands) Assistant City Manager Shawn Irvine presented a grant application for a feasibility study on wetland mitigation challenges that limit housing and industrial development. The study would evaluate regional solutions, including mitigation banking, in coordination with Monmouth, Polk County, Dallas, and others. No City matching funds required; no obligation to implement recommendations. Council discussed the impact on development readiness, staff capacity, and the benefits of a regional approach. Action: Motion to approve Resolution 26-1659. Passed 4-1 (Councilor Roden opposed). Councilor Roden expressed concern about focusing on land outside current city limits rather than developing existing land.

7.4 Proposed Resolution 26-1662 (Regional Infrastructure Fund Grant – Habitat for Humanity) Assistant City Manager Irvine presented a second grant application for infrastructure improvements (cul-de-sac, water/sewer) supporting Habitat for Humanity's planned 10-unit townhome development on 7th Street. The grant would supplement a CDBG application. Council expressed support for affordable housing and creative use of regional funds. Action: Motion to approve Resolution 26-1662. Passed 5-0.

7.5 Agreement for Municipal Judge Services City Manager Kenna West presented an updated agreement with Judge Butterfield, increasing monthly compensation from $750 to $1,000 (a $250 increase) plus a one-time $3,000 payment to account for the delayed adjustment. The increase is due to increased court activity (over 100 cases on docket for several consecutive months, more than pre-COVID). Funded through the separate Court Fund. Council discussed the caseload increase. Action: Motion to authorize execution of the agreement. Passed 4-1 (Councilor Roden opposed). Councilor Roden stated she did not support the retroactive $3,000 payment.

7.6 Executive Session The Council recessed at 7:22 PM to meet in executive session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) for deliberations on real property transactions. The session was closed to the public, with media representatives allowed.

7.7 Potential Action from Executive Session The Council returned at 7:47 PM. No action was necessary based on the executive session.

7.8 Proposed Resolution 26-1661 (Volunteer Policy and Recreational Immunity) City Attorney Greg Goebel presented information on recreational and discretionary immunity. The proposed resolution opts the City into expanded recreational immunity protections (addressing a loophole from a court case, fixed by 2024/2025 legislation). A draft parks volunteer policy was discussed but not part of the resolution; additional work is needed on labor agreements, insurance, oversight, and equipment before a volunteer program can be implemented. The resolution only covers the expanded recreational immunity. Action: Motion to adopt Resolution 26-1661. Passed 5-0. Councilor Roden expressed concern about making decisions without complete financial information on insurance costs and savings, but it was clarified the resolution has no expected fiscal impact.

7.9 League of Oregon Cities (LOC) Legislative Priorities Having discussed the LOC legislative priority ballot at a prior work session, the Council considered the motion to submit the ballot. Action: Motion to authorize the City Manager to submit the City's LOC Legislative Priority Ballot with five issues: Public Meeting Law Clarity, Land Availability and Land Use Streamlining, Strengthening Economic and Workforce Development, Infrastructure Funding, and Ratepayer Assistance. Passed 5-0.

Council Announcements

• Councilor Roden acknowledged the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and noted the downtown Independence mall's women-owned businesses, encouraging attendance at a Ladies' Night Out event on October 1 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Little Mall on Main.
• Councilor Boisvert announced he would be at the Farmers Market on Saturday to speak with community members in his role as a Councilor and invited other Councilors and staff to participate.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar (previous minutes).
• Approved Pacific Power LED streetlight conversion project (5-0).
• Approved Resolution 26-1660 for budget amendment to fund streetlight project (5-0).
• Approved Resolution 26-1659 to apply for Regional Infrastructure Fund grant for wetland feasibility study (4-1).
• Approved Resolution 26-1662 to apply for Regional Infrastructure Fund grant for Habitat for Humanity infrastructure (5-0).
• Approved agreement for Municipal Judge Services with increased compensation (4-1).
• Held executive session on real property; no action taken.
• Approved Resolution 26-1661 opting into expanded recreational immunity (5-0).
• Approved LOC legislative priority ballot submission with five priorities (5-0).
• Adjourned at 8:21 PM.