In a brief meeting on Monday, April 8, the Salem City Council approved a $325,000 settlement with a former 911 dispatcher and read proclamations for National Library Workers Day and International Dark Sky Week.
Councilor Jose Gonzalez wasn’t present for Monday’s meeting, making unanimous votes 8-0.
Several public commenters urged the council to back a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. One shared recent events including a recent Israeli airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers delivering food to Palestinians, and saying she didn’t want her state tax dollars going toward the conflict. Multnomah County Commissioners in Portland passed a similar resolution last month. Mayor Chris Hoy thanked them for their testimony, but didn’t comment further.
Settlements
Councilors unanimously authorized a $325,000 settlement with a former 911 dispatcher at the Willamette Valley Communications Center, who sued the city of Salem and her supervisor, Scott Leavell, alleging that she was denied a promotion after department leaders refused to reschedule an exam so she could testify against her accused rapist in court.
She said in her lawsuit that she requested a different interview and exam date that did not conflict with the trial, which was refused. The victim is named in public documents, but Salem Reporter does not generally identify victims of sexual assault.
All parties agreed during March mediation to resolve the claims with the $325,000 payment “and other non-financial terms,” including a neutral job reference and participation in a one-hour crime victims’ rights training for “certain city staff” according to a staff report from Krishna Namburi, Enterprise Services Director.
Councilors also approved a workers’ compensation claim payment of $175,000 to Nathaniel Chrowl, including an agreement and employment release. The payment will come from the city’s self-insurance claim fund, according to a staff report from Namburi. He was hired by the Salem Police Department as an officer in 2015, according to state records.
Proclamations
The council also made proclamations in honor of National Library Workers Day and International Dark Sky Week.
Library workers day comes amid heightened community attention toward the library budget. The budget committee will be considering cuts to library funding as part of its process to present a balanced spending plan by July.
Alyssa Cokinis, a senior library assistant, testified as a private citizen during the meeting. She said the proclamation felt performative if the city didn’t take further library cuts off the table during budget committee meetings.
“I believe if you cared more about your library workers, your public library and the community that we serve, there would be no further cuts to Salem Public Library,” she said. “To lay off more people would be a detriment to library services and function.”
Cokinis was among several library employees who rallied in opposition to library cuts on Sunday, April 7.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Salem City Council meets Monday to consider a $325,000 settlement with a former 911 dispatcher and to read proclamations for National Library Workers Day and International Dark Sky Week.
READ IT: Agenda
Settlements
Councilors will consider whether to authorize a $325,000 settlement with a former 911 dispatcher at the Willamette Valley Communications Center, who sued the city of Salem and her supervisor, Scott Leavell, alleging that she was denied a promotion after department leaders refused to reschedule an exam so she could testify against her accused rapist in court.
The lawsuit was filed in Marion County Circuit Court on Dec. 21, 2023, and sought $1 million in damages including loss of future income, benefits and emotional distress. According to the lawsuit, the dispatcher’s employer scheduled an interview and written exam the same day she was already scheduled to testify during her abuser’s criminal trial in Multnomah County.
To participate
The council meets Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. in-person at the city council chambers, 555 Liberty St. S.E., room 220, with the meeting also available to watch online.
The meeting will be livestreamed on Capital Community Media’s YouTube channel, with translation to Spanish and American Sign Language available. Anyone may attend the meeting to listen or comment.
The public comment portion of the meeting takes place after opening exercises, such as roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Residents are invited to comment on any topic, whether it appears on the agenda or not. If a public comment does not relate to an agenda item, it may be saved for the end of the meeting.
To comment remotely, sign up on the city website between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday.
For written comments, email [email protected] before 5 p.m. on Monday, or on paper to the city recorder’s office at the Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. S.E., Room 225. Include a statement indicating the comment is for the public record.
She said in her lawsuit that she requested a different interview and exam date that did not conflict with the trial, which was refused.
All parties agreed during March mediation to resolve the claims with the $325,000 payment “and other non-financial terms,” including a neutral job reference and participation in a one-hour crime victims’ rights training for “certain City staff” according to a staff report from Krishna Namburi, Enterprise Services Director.
The victim is named in public documents, but Salem Reporter does not generally identify victims of sexual assault.
Councilors will also consider a workers’ compensation claim payment of $175,000 to Nathaniel Chrowl, including an agreement and employment release. The payment will come from the City’s self-insurance claim fund, according to a staff report from Namburi. He was hired by the Salem Police Department as an officer in 2015, according to state records.
Proclamations
After council and city manager comments, Monday’s meeting will begin with proclamations in honor of National Library Workers Day and International Dark Sky Week.
Library workers day comes amid heightened community attention toward the library budget. The budget committee will be considering cuts to library funding as part of its process to present a balanced spending plan by July.
Over a dozen librarians, teens and community members shared their support of the library during the last council meeting on March 25. There is also a citizen-organized library support rally planned for Sunday, April 7, from 1-3 p.m. at the main branch of the library, 585 Liberty St. S.E.
The dark sky proclamation says that “light pollution wastes energy, increases our carbon footprint, and has widespread and deleterious impacts on health and safety for human and wildlife.”
Read Harry Fuller’s column on the impact of artificial light on Salem’s environment below:
Other items
-On Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 10 will present Mayor Chris Hoy with a plaque to recognize the city’s efforts to reduce flood risk and provide discounts for flood insurance for property owners.
-Councilors will hear the city’s monthly purchasing activity report for February, including for contracts, for all transactions over $25,000.
CORRECTION: The Urban Renewal Agency is not meeting on April 8. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
