City snapshot

• Sisters City Council has reaffirmed that no new mayor will be selected to serve between now and December 31. There are only three more Council meetings; there is only one meeting in both November and December because of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Council President Nancy Connolly will continue as acting mayor.

• City Attorney Jeremy Green presented Council with recommendations regarding System Development Charges (SDC) waivers for affordable housing. The waivers may be made as long as the property remains affordable for 50 years. If the property sells to a new owner, that person must meet the qualifications for purchasing affordable housing. If it is not a permitted transfer, the waiver plus interest must be paid.

At this point in time, the total SDCs per unit amount to $8,000-$10,000. The interest rate (generally between 9 and 18 percent) should be high enough to be a penalty. It is up to the Council to decide which fees will be waived - park, transportation, water, or sewer. The City doesn't have to manage the transfers because the developing agency - HousingWorks, Habitat for Humanity - has to ensure compliance. The draft plan will be able to serve as a template for future affordable-housing developments.

• Chuck Ryan, the sole applicant, was interviewed and sworn in to fill the Council chair left empty by the resignation of Chris Frye. Ryan will hold that position until December 31. In response to his interview questions, Ryan stressed the importance of Council determining, and operating according to, a long-term strategic plan.

He identified three main issues he sees in the next two to three years - business diversification, affordable housing, and working to establish process before decision-making, strategy before budget. He would like to see the councilors communicating with one another and working as a team. Ryan also thinks it will be important to have some training for both Council and staff as to their roles and responsibilities both alone and together. Proper planning for public outreach is another area for consideration.

• Rick Allen, interim city manager, presented to Council his suggestions regarding the search for a permanent city manager. He recommended putting out a request for proposal (RFP) to outside consulting firms that deal with cities all over the West to conduct the search. The $20,000-$30,000 expected price tag buys the expertise, connections, and time saved for staff by an unbiased third party that will handle the entire process.

There is one company that guarantees if the new manager doesn't work out within one year from hire, there is no charge.

Allen recommended waiting to start the process until the new Council is seated in January. They will meet with the chosen firm to discuss what they are looking for in a city manager. The entire process is expected to take about four months with the new hire hopefully on board in May.