The council’s decision to hire Paul Sandy as the Public Utilities Director was a focal point of the meeting. Sandy, who was interviewed on October 16th, received a conditional offer that includes a signing bonus, with the stipulation that he must remain employed with the city for at least two years, or repay the bonus. Sandy’s position recognizes his previous tenure with the city, allowing him to accrue paid time off as if he had worked for six years. He is set to start his new role on November 4th, pending official notice to his current employer.

Another topic was the approval of Northwest Partners as the health insurance broker for 2026. The council noted that the broker’s recent negotiation efforts resulted in a $150,000 savings for the city. The broker fee, shared between the city and public utilities based on employee enrollment, was set at $11,000 for the city.

The council also addressed the upcoming retirement of HR Director Chris Schubert, set for January 2026. An internal hiring process will be initiated to find a replacement, with the council agreeing that the current HR department structure is adequate.