By Jo Garcia-Cobb
In spite of the tough economy, Mount Angel is enjoying a springtime as far as city administration goes.
After a difficult period of conflict and controversy that embroiled past city administrations, there’s popular
consensus City Administrator Susan Muir has given Mount Angel the lift it needed.
Muir has been Mount Angel’s city administrator for a year now and was offered a pay raise at the city council’s last meeting. “We made a feeble attempt to provide some economical lift to Susan, but she flat-out refused. So we said OK,” Councilor Andrew Otte said.
“Susan is doing a heck of a job as city administrator working with the community and the public, so we gave her seven pats on the back and told her to keep up the good work,” Otte added.
Muir said she’s had a great first year serving the city of Mount Angel. “It’s been a whirlwind of a year as I became familiar with the people and the issues of the city. I have appreciated the time the elected officials, staff, and community have given to help me get up to speed on the issues,” she said.
What stands out the most from Muir’s record of accomplishments is her expertise in improving the flow of communication in the city. The city survey that Muir and the city council initiated in the fall gave everyone a chance to help frame the city vision and goals. “It was a good start,” said Muir of the survey that yielded about 100 responses.
Other accomplishments include the completion of a water master plan, a communication plan, grantwriting proposals, and helping to update the council’s goals, mission and vision.
“The city’s mission and goals are the framework of everything that we do,” Muir said. The city’s mission is: “preserve the small town quality of life; strategically plan for the future; recognize community diversity; provide timely, quality, efficient and fiscally sound services; and to be responsive to citizens and customers.”
City hall is now open during lunch hours because Muir saw the need to make it more convenient for residents to do business with the city.
The city’s goals for this year are to improve and enhance communication with the community, as well as the livability of the community; strategic planning; and increase revenue and funding.
“At this point, I’m looking forward to digging in on some larger projects over the next year. These would include looking at long-term alternative revenue sources that can help to address challenges posed by the tough economy,” Muir said.
As far as state grants go, Muir’s proposal for funds for a Taylor Street overlay brought in $25,000 for the
city.
“Susan is the person we have been looking for in an administrator. She is self-motivated, hard working and cares about what is best for the city to move forward in a positive manner. She has achieved many of our council goals,” Council President Ray Eder said.
