At Tigard Life’s July press time, King City City Manager Mike Weston was in contract negotiations to become the city manager of Troutdale.
On June 26, the City of Troutdale issued a press release stating that the Troutdale City Council had voted unanimously to offer Weston the city manager position “pending contract negotiations.”
Weston emailed Tigard Life on July 1, “I am in negotiations with Troutdale and have tentatively accepted the position, there are a couple minor details we are still working out. If everything comes together as planned, I will submit my resignation to King City and plan to start in Troutdale when possible.”
Mayor Rachel Kazmierski emailed Tigard Life on July 1, “Mike was offered the position as city manager in Troutdale but has not yet given notice of resignation to the city of King City. We won’t be taking any action to fill his position until the position formally exists.”
The City of Troutdale press release added, “The Mayor and City Council, together with citizens, city staff and regional professionals, interviewed several well-qualified candidates for the position. The Mayor and Council unanimously agreed to offer the position to Mike Weston, who is currently City Manager of King City, Oregon.
“Thanks to all who participated in this important selection process and Welcome to Troutdale, Mike Weston! Mike Weston expressed, ‘I am thrilled to accept the position of City Manager for the City of Troutdale. The city has such an exciting future and a vibrant culture, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
“‘Thank you to all the community members, leaders, staff, and Council who participated in this process. I truly hope that together, we can continue to build on Troutdale’s strengths and shared vision to shape a bright and thriving future.’”
Weston has been King City’s city manager for nearly 10 years, with the most significant action of his tenure adding the 528-acre Kingston Terrace between the western city limits, the Tualatin River, and Roy Rogers and Beef Bend roads into the city’s urban growth boundary. The subsequent adoption of the Transportation System Plan that included the controversial extension of Fischer Road in the Edgewater development into Kingston Terrace led to successful recall elections of most of the City Council and the resignation of one mayor. One recalled city councilor who was reappointed to the council was forced to to step down after a Washington County Circuit Court judge ruled against the appointment.
After three newly elected councilors joined the City Council in January, there was increased acrimony between them and Weston. He was repeatedly asked to provide financial information on how much money the city had paid in legal fees, which was never disclosed. Another controversial issue was Weston’s request this year for the City Council to approve the purchase from Washington County of a one-acre parcel at the end of 131st Avenue. Over several meetings, dozens of people spoke against the purchase and held up “NO FORCED ANNEXATIONS” signs, fearing the purchase would lead to the annexation of other areas.
Weston was asked to prepare a resolution stating that the city would not pursue forced annexation or forced island annexation and would only pursue voluntary annexation; at the next meeting, Kazmierski said, “I don’t think this resolution adequately reflects the council’s vote” and asked that it be revised.
At a special May 13 City Council meeting, Kazmierski made a motion to place Weston on paid administrative leave and bring in an outside consultant to look into management issues at City Hall, but the motion failed.
A City Council executive session was called for May 21 and then canceled, and on that day Weston filed a notice of potential tort claims against the City of King City “and individuals and elected officials.” According to the tort claims notice, these individuals include Kazmierski, City Councilor Jessica Braverman, and Kazmierski’s husband John Kazmierski, who is a King City police officer.
In the tort claims notice, Weston states that he has been the city manager for nine-plus years, and “over the course of the last 12 months, there has been a dramatic decline in the overall functionality of the organization, the consequence of multiple hostilities from internal and external parties, constant interruptions of business, personal threats, personal attacks, baseless accusations against me and other City employees, and displays of constant bullying behavior toward me, the staff, the City Attorney, and some councilors.”
In an email to Kazmierski, Tigard Life asked if Weston’s potential exit from the city meant the tort claims issue was now a moot point, and she replied, “I apologize for not being able to fully answer your questions at this time.”
City Attorney Peter Watts died suddenly June 12, and a notice was posted on the King City website that City Hall was closed the afternoon of June 27 for city employees to attend a memorial service for their “beloved colleague.”
