Council votes to hire Kee

Kee, 52, is a 1976 Baker High School graduate.

He has worked for the Ontario Police Department since 1983, and as its chief since 1998.

Kee served as Ontario’s interim city manager for about seven months in 2008.

He will replace Steve Bogart, who announced in late June that he will resign Sept. 23.

Kee, who could not be reached for comment this morning, said last week that he has been interested for some time in returning to Baker City.

Dorrah said Kee indicated during his interview with the Council on Aug. 4 that he would need little more than a month to move into the position.

“I think he’ll be here soon enough that Sept. 23 won’t be an issue,” Dorrah said.

Councilors have not officially discussed Kee’s contract or salary.

On Wednesday, Dorrah said he suspects it would be similar to the package offered to Tim Johnson.

The salary range the city advertised last year was $80,000 to $100,000.

The Council offered the city manager’s job to Johnson last December, but he turned down the offer because he had to care for his ailing mother.

The Council then hired Bogart, who had worked as interim manager in 2004 and 2005, when Gillham was serving in Iraq with the National Guard.

Councilor Milo Pope, who during the Council’s July 27 meeting voted against a motion to interview Kee and Gillham, saying that the Council should instead hire a private firm to recruit more candidates, said Tuesday that he is pleased with the decision to hire Kee.

Councilor Beverly Calder said she is excited to work with Kee. She said she’s proud of the Council for reaching a unanimous decision.

“What it came down to was which candidate was best for the city,” she said.

Councilor Gail Duman thanked Mayor Dennis Dorrah for drafting the letter that was mailed last month to about 160 city managers and departments in small Oregon cities — including Kee — soliciting interest in the Baker City job.

Kee said he learned of the impending opening through that letter.

Duman said she believes the council came together in the interest of the community.

Dorrah agreed.

“I feel confident about the council’s choice,” he said. “I believe Mr. Kee will be an excellent city manager.”

Dorrah did take a moment to reflect on the recent heated debate between Pope and other councilors concerning the hiring process.

“After all these hours, it almost seems like a let down not to argue about it,” Dorrah said.

In other business Tuesday the Council unanimously approved the second of three readings of a revised tree ordinance.

Councilors approved the first reading of the ordinance, which updates a 1985 law, on July 27.

Councilor Clair Button said that some citizens had called with questions about spacing and identifying hazardous trees.

Long said the spacing portion of the ordinance had not changed and identifying hazardous trees were based on recommendation by the state safety board.

Bonebrake asked Long what the penalty would be if a citizen tops a tree.

“If anyone illegally tops a tree there is a $500 fine,” she said.

Calder reiterated that the sections of the ordinance involving spacing affects only those trees planted after the ordinance takes effect, not trees in place now.

The Council is scheduled to vote on the final reading Aug. 24. If they approve the ordinance, it would take effect 30 days later.

The council also voted unanimously to appoint Richard Langrell to the Public Works Advisory Committee and to approve a sidewalk grant which will pay for 32 sidewalk repairs.

The council also heard a report by Bogart regarding removing annexed property from the Baker Rural Fire District.

The property does not collect taxes and no money will be removed from the fire district.