Building With Future Generations in Mind
Shaping Policies, Regulations, And Services That Directly Impact The Well-Being Of Residents
Building With Future Generations in Mind
Shaping Policies, Regulations, And Services That Directly Impact The Well-Being Of Residents
To apply, complete the application form (provided below) by selecting the ones you are interested in and submit it to the city hall or email it to Myra Russell, City Recorder/Executive Assistant to the City Manager.
City Council Vacancy
An open Council position occurs upon the incumbent’s resignation or other circumstance specified under Section 30 of the Independence City Charter. A majority of the remaining council shall appoint a successor to the position, who will then serve the remaining term of that position.
Length of Appointment: Remaining term of vacated position:
Expected time commitment:
- Attendance at two Council meetings per month; and
- One monthly committee meeting as Council Liaison; and
- Attendance at Special Meetings, including work sessions, as needed; and
- Multiple annual Budget Committee meetings in the Spring; and
- Meeting preparation for each of the above meetings which will include, at a minimum, review of the agenda packet.
Meeting days/times:
- City Council Meetings:
- 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm
- 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm
- Committee Liaison Meetings:
- Schedule depends on assignment
Qualifications for office:
- Registered Oregon voter; and
- City of Independence resident for 12 months prior to taking office.
City Councilor responsibilities:
- Develop knowledge of diverse issues affecting the City
- Consider differing perspectives to make decisions in the best interest of the community as a whole
- Understand the City’s operations, including the City Charter and Council functions
- Understand the relationship between the City, the State of Oregon, and the Federal Government.
Background / Experience Which Will Be Useful:
- Decision making skills and acceptance of majority decisions by fellow Councilors
- Strong communication abilities
- Prior experience in a private or public organization or committee
- Capacity to accept public criticism
- A sense of humor
2025 Timeline
- January 14, 2025 City Council Meeting. Inform the Council of the updated application and process.
- January 15, 2025 Begin publication of the vacancy and recruitment of applicants for the vacant position.
- January 28, 2025 City Council Meeting. Applications are due by Noon. Applications will be provided to the City Council for their review.
- February 4, 2025 Each Councilor shall provide the City Recorder with their Top 2 candidates by 3:00 pm on February 4, 2025. A failure to provide the names by this timeline will result in the Councilor’s choices not being tabulated.
- February 11, 2025 A Special Meeting will be held prior to the scheduled City Council meeting with the City Council meeting starting late. The interview of the Top 2 candidates will be undertaken at the Special Meeting.
- February 11, 2025 City Council Meeting. The Council will consider the Top 2 applicants and make a decision on who will be appointed to fill the vacant position.
City Budget
This committee is composed of the council and an equal number of city residents. Terms are for 3 years.
The Budget Committee key duties include:
- Hold public meetings.
- Hear public comments/input.
- Hear the budget message and accept Budget Officer’s proposed budget.
- Review and discuss the Proposed Budget.
- Make revisions to the Proposed Budget.
- Approve each tax rate or dollar amount.
Meeting Details
Meeting Dates as determined by Budget Calendar, approved by the City Council annually.
Event Center, Civic Center
Heritage Museum
The committee is composed of seven members who serve 3-year terms. A majority must reside within the city.
The Heritage Museum Advisory Board key duties include:
- Adopt rules governing the transaction of the board’s business.
- When needed and requested, recommend sites for museum facilities to the City Council.
- Recommend to City Management various types of museum services that could be provided by the museum to the community.
- Recommend to City Management policies for the acceptance and use of gifts for museum purposes.
- Recommend to City Management policies conducive to the efficient and effective operation of the museum.
- Submit other reports as requested by City Management or the City Council.
- Recommend to City Management museum admission charges.
- Recommend to City Management maintenance policies sufficient to keep the museum presentable and in a proper state of repair and adopt rules to carry out the policies approved by the City Management or the City Council.
- Review and comment on budget as developed by City Management; receive a financial report of the museum on a monthly basis, but have no spending authority.
Meeting Details
Every Second Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
Independence Heritage Museum
Preserving Historical Buildings
The Independence Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) works to:
- Protect significant elements of Independence’s history.
- Celebrate the accomplishments of the past.
- Foster public appreciation and civic pride in the beauty of historic properties.
- Enhance the visual character of the city.
The Independence Historic Preservation Commission also acts decision-maker for certain land use applications such as the review of new development within the Independence Historic District, additions to structures within the district, and alterations to historic structures. To find out whether Historic Preservation Commission review is required for a project, please contact Fred Evander at (503) 837-1168.
Slide the arrows left and right to view the two images.
Meeting Details
Third (3rd) Mondays at 5:30 PM
Council Chambers at City Hall
Fireworks, Food, and Family Fun
The committee is composed of an odd number of seven to fifteen members who serve 1-year terms. A majority shall be Independence residents. These meetings are dedicated to planning the annual event held during the 4th of July holidays.
Access official notice of this meeting, view an agenda or download an agenda packet on the City of Independence’s meeting schedule website.
Meeting Details
Second Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Heritage Room Event Center, Civic Center
Library Time
The committee is composed of seven members who serve 4-year terms. These members are city residents or residents of the county area surrounding the city who have Independence as their post office address.
Library Board key duties include:
- Keep informed about current trends in library administration
- Study library growth and needs in the city and its vicinity
- Develop and recommend to the Council long-range plans for library services and facilities consistent with city priorities and with state, regional and national goals pertinent to libraries
- Recommend sites for library facilities to the Council
- Participate in the planning for library facilities
- Recommend to the Council types of library services for the city and its vicinity
- Investigate sources of funding for library services and facilities
- Recommend to the Council policies for the acceptance and use of gifts for library purposes
- Participate in the annual budget process of the city as that process pertains to the library
- Recommend to the Council policies conducive to efficient and effective operation of the library
- Review and recommend to the Council terms for contracts and working relations with other public agencies regarding library service
- Submit reports as requested by the Council.
Meeting Details
Every Fourth Monday, 5 p.m.
Independence Public Library
Parts & Recreation
The committee is composed of seven members who serve 3-year terms. These members reside, work, or own property within the city.
Parks and Recreation Key Duties:
- Make regular inspections of the park facilities of the city.
- Make recommendations to the Council with respect to the development, improvement, extension and promotion of all park facilities.
Tree Advisory Board Key Duties:
- Duties established by Article VIII of IMC Chapter 26;
- The Board shall study, investigate, counsel, develop and/or update annually a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal of disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets, and in other public areas.
- Present the aforementioned plan to the City Council and, upon its acceptance and adoption by Council resolution, shall constitute the official Comprehensive City Tree Plan for the city.
Meeting Details
Third Thursdays, 6:00 p.m.
Ash Creek Meeting Room, Civic Center
Growing and Development
The Independence Planning Commission is a citizen board, appointed by the city council to help plan for growth and development within the city. Members of the planning commission advise the city council and city staff on a variety of subjects, making policy recommendations on important matters affecting the livability of Independence. The Commission also acts as a decision-maker for certain land use applications such as the review of subdivisions and larger land use applications.
Planning Commission meetings are always open to the public, and members of the community are welcome to share their thoughts about the issues being considered. The Independence Planning Commission meets on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the chambers at the Independence Civic Center. If the Monday is a legal holiday, the meeting is moved to the second Monday. If no business is scheduled or a quorum of Commissioners is not able to attend, the meeting may be canceled.
The Planning Commission is composed of seven members, no more than two of whom may be non-city residents. Planning Commission members are appointed to three-year terms.
Planning Commission key duties include:
- Make studies, hold hearings, and prepare reports and recommendations on its own initiative or at the request of the Council.
- Make recommendations to the Council, to public officials, and to individuals regarding land use, location of thoroughfares, public buildings, parks and other public facilities and regarding any other matter relating to the planning and development of the city and the surrounding area.
- Control the subdivision of land and land use actions
Meeting Details
First Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
If the Monday is a legal holiday, the meeting is moved to the second Monday. If no business is scheduled or a quorum of Commissioners is not able to attend, the meeting may be canceled.
Independence Civic Center ChamberSafety Matters
The committee is composed of seven members who serve 3-year terms. The commission is composed of three city residents, one person residing or working within the city, one Police Department employee, one Public Works employee and one Community Development employee.
Traffic Safety Commission key duties include:
- Research, develop and recommend implementation of coordinated traffic safety programs to meet local needs.
- Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and the City Manager in the coordination of traffic safety activities in the city.
- Foster public knowledge in support of traffic law enforcement and traffic engineering problems.
