October 18, 2024 3:30 a.m.
The News Review is reporting:
Roseburg City Manager Nickki Messenger’s job could be in jeopardy.
During Monday’s Roseburg City Council meeting, councilor David Mohr asked to consider the termination of Roseburg City Manager Nikki Messenger at the next council meeting, October 28th.
This consideration came at the end of Monday’s meeting. Messenger did not attend Monday’s meeting and was unavailable for comment.
Mayor Larry Rich said, “When this one came up, and I personally believe that if it’s at this level, where it causes a termination, where it causes somebody’s career to be affected, it won’t be me and it won’t be Mohr putting it on the agenda,” “It’s going to take a majority. Tonight council is being asked to say yes or no.”
The decision to consider Messenger’s termination was put to a vote and needed a majority of council to vote in favor of putting it on the next agenda. This majority was achieved with councilors Ruth Smith, Tom Michalek, Ellen Porter and Mohr voting in favor. Councilors Andrea Zielinski, Shelley Briggs-Loosley and Kylee Rummel voted against the consideration. Councilor Patrice Sipos was absent from the meeting.
According to City Attorney Jim Forrester, a discussion around Messenger’s termination will likely happen in executive session.
There was no further discussion about Messenger’s possible termination on Monday.
Since June 17, select members of council and city staff have been reworking the city manager evaluation process. No evaluation of Messenger took place since Oct. 30, 2023, according to City Recorder Amy Nytes.
Messenger was named interim city manager in April 2019 and officially took over the role Sept. 1, 2019.
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