By Don Murtha
Eileen Stein knows her way around city government.
And what she knows will bring a new outlook to Mount Angel, she said.
Susan Muir, a friend and former Mount Angel city administrator, in several conversations urged Stein to apply for the job.
“The city council hired Eileen to be the new city administrator because Eileen has the contacts around the state to bring new resources to the city,” Muir said.
Stein appreciates the faith and confidence the council has placed in her. She had plenty of backing for the job before she ever applied.
City Councilor Kelly Grassman told her she would be suited for the job. Jenny Messmer, interim Mount Angel city administrator following Muir, also approached her to apply.
“All of those people told me this was the place for me, so I applied and here I am,” she said
Stein’s first day was July 1 and since then she has had time to get acquainted.
Speaking of her staff, she said, “They are all gems.”
“It is a dream situation for a new city administrator. I am really looking forward to working with them. They are all dedicated to working with the city and their hearts are all in the right place,” Stein said.
She comes to Mount Angel from Sisters, where she was city manager for 11 years. There she had an operating budget of $13.5 million and a staff of 20. She was in charge of community development, planning, economic development and pubic works including streets, water and sewers.
During her tenure, the population of Sisters grew rapidly.
Stein also has worked for the cities of Springfield, as senior management analyst; Rio Rancho, N.M. as budget analyst and Pasadena, Calif.
“Here in Mount Angel, the city council has given me license to become involved widely,” she said. “The more I can be involved, the more resources I can bring to Mount Angel.”
Stein already has her contacts through various state and national organizations like the League of Oregon Cities and the International City Managers Association (ICMA). The ICMA, she said, has a small city support program to bring more resources to communities.
“I knew about Mount Angel before I came here because the city has an excellent reputation throughout the state,” she said. “Mount Angel is well respected in the city managers association in which I was once president.”
Mount Angel and Sisters each have major festivals and events. Sisters has a rodeo in June, a week-long quilting festival in July and a folk music festival in September. Mount Angel has its Oktoberfest, which is known through the Northwest, as well as Wurstfest and the recently added Hazelnut Festival.
On the down side, Stein said, both cities need some improvements to street and sidewalks.
“We would like to make it easier to walk from here to there,” she said. “Also the city council wants the downtown to be a little more vibrant in appearance. There are many ways to improving the downtown and community block grants is just one of them. When you have a need for improving the community, you have to find the resources. I will make every effort to explore resources available.”
Stein knows how to go about securing funding – such as applying for grants.
She said there are a variety of outside sources to bring improvements to the city, but there are also resources within the city that should be explored.
“I will work with the staff to look at ways to raise revenues that won’t hit the taxpayer too much,” Stein said. “Are we collecting everything we should?”
Stein said Mount Angel has much to build on with Oktoberfest, the Abbey and the Benedictine Sisters presence.
“There are all kinds of reasons for people to come here. We should make them want to stay a little longer. Enjoy the restaurants and do some shopping. Maybe we need more benches in town,” she said. “For instance, there is more bicycle tourism in the East Willamette Valley and there is no reason why Mount Angel should not take advantage of that.”
To enhance tourism, Stein said, Mount Angel should partner with Woodburn and Silverton. In her personal view of Mount Angel, Stein said the city has a strong sense of community.
“The people have a strong sense of history, there are a lot of family connections which creates a huge sense of stability and legacy,” she said. “Mount Angel has a special resonance with people. It is a nice place to live, a little off the I-5 corridor so it is peaceful, not like Salem or a big city. It has a good quality of life.”
