HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item - 2026-02-17 - Number 05.5 - RES 26-11, City Manager Pro Tem 5.5
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Subject: Resolution 26-11, Approving the Appointment of Megan Phelan as the City Manager
Pro Tern
Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Staff Member: Martha Bennett, City Manager
Report Date: February 6, 2026 Department: City Manager's Office
Action Required Advisory Board/Commission Recommendation
❑ Motion ❑ Approval
❑ Public Hearing ❑ Denial
❑ Ordinance ❑ None Forwarded
❑X Resolution ❑X Not Applicable
❑ Information Only Comments:
❑ Council Direction
❑X Consent Agenda
Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 26-11
Recommended Language for Motion: Move to adopt Resolution 26-11 Approving the
Appointment of Megan Phelan as the City Manager Pro Tem
Project/ Issue Relates To: NA
Issue before Council (Highlight Policy Question):
❑Council Goals/Priorities ❑Adopted Master Plan(s) ❑X Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
I have resigned my employment, and I will perform services as the City Manager through
February 20, 2026. The Mayor, with advice and consent of the City Council, has the ability to
appoint a City Manager Pro Tem per City Charter, Section 20 City Manager. The Mayor is
proposing the appointment of current Assistant City Manager, Megan Phelan, to serve as City
Manager Pro Tem until the next City Manager Pro Tern is hired.
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503-635-0215 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
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DISCUSSION
City Charter, Section 20 City Manager, states that the Mayor, with advice and consent of the
Councilors, shall appoint a City Manager Pro Tern, who shall possess the powers and duties of
the City Manager. The City Manager Pro Tern may not appoint or remove a City employee
except with the approve of a majority of the entire Council and the person selected to hold the
City Manager Pro Tern position cannot do so for more than six months or have their term
renewed.
Given her current role in the organization, her qualifications, and prior experience serving as
Acting City Manager, the Mayor proposes to appoint Megan Phelan as the City Manager Pro
Tern until the next City Manager Pro Tern is hired. The proposed resolution also delegates
authority to the Pro Tern City Manager to make hiring and firing decisions for City staff; the Pro
Tern City Manager would have no such authority concerning department directors. City staff
(other than department directors) are subject to the City's personnel policies, which generally
provides for progressive discipline before the City may terminate their employment for those
employees that are not considered at-will. The delegation of authority in the proposed
resolution will allow the City to continue to run efficiently while the City undergoes a formal
search and recruitment process for City Manager.
FISCAL IMPACT
Consistent with City Policy, passage of this resolution results in a 10% increase to Ms. Phelan's
base pay for the duration of time she serves as City Manager Pro Tern; and this fiscal impact will
be absorbed by the City Manager's Office Budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution 26-11 Approving the Appointment of Megan Phelan as the City Manager Pro
Tern
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 26-11
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503-635-0215 380 A AVENUE PO BOX 369 LAKE OSWEGO, OR 97034 WWW.LAKEOSWEGO.CITY
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION 26-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO APPROVING THE
APPOINTMENT OF MEGAN PHELAN AS THE CITY MANAGER PRO TEM AND DELEGATING
AUTHORITY TO MAKE HIRING AND FIRING DECISIONS OUTSIDE OF DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS
WHEREAS, due to the resignation of the City Manager, a vacancy will exist in that office as of
February 23, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City Charter specifies in section 20(D) that, upon the City Manager's resignation,
"the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Councilor's, shall appoint a City Manager Pro Tern,
who shall possess the powers and duties of the City Manager. No City Manager Pro Tern,
however, may appoint or remove a City employee except with the approval of a majority of the
entire Council"; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that Megan Phelan currently serves as the City's Assistant City Manager
and Director of Human Resources, the Mayor proposes to appoint Ms. Phelan as the City Manager
Pro Tem, and seeks the City Council's consent; and
WHEREAS, without delegation from Council, all hiring and firing action at the City would require
Council review and approval causing significant delays in hiring and burdening Council with non-
policy-making decisions; and
WHEREAS, for the City's operations to continue to run efficiently while the City undergoes a formal
search and recruitment process for a replacement City Manager, Council finds it necessary to
delegate hiring and firing authority to the Pro Tern for all employees except for department
directors. Under this system, for those leadership positions, the Pro Tem takes a recommendation
to Council in executive session for discussion and review, with final adoption on the dais, thereby
allowing the City to function efficiently as to rank-and-file employees, but ensuring additional
oversight for key leadership positions;
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lake Oswego that:
Section 1. The City Councilors consent to the appointment of Megan Phelan as City Manager
Pro Tem, effective February 23, 2026; and
Section 2. The Council assigns a salary to Ms. Phelan, commencing on February 23, 2026, of
$17,223.58 per month for the duration of her services as City Manager Pro Tern; and
Section 3. The Council delegates to the City Manager Pro Tern authority to make hiring and
firing decisions outside of department directors; and
Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect upon passage.
Resolution 26-11
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Considered and enacted at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Oswego on
the 17th day of February, 2026.
AYES:
NOES:
EXCUSED:
ABSTAIN:
Joseph M. Buck, Mayor
ATTEST:
Laural Hawkins, City Recorder
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Erica Tatoian, Special Counsel
Resolution 26-11
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