The Oregon City Police Department is undergoing change as long-time chief Jim Band is retiring in August. Taking his place is Captain Shaun Davis, another long-time officer with the department. Inside City Hall talks with Capt. Davis about his views and plans for the department moving forward. 

Oregon City's Economic Development department has a lot going on right now. While the nature of their work often requires confidentiality due to the businesses involved, they've recently made some big announcements that will have positive impact for residents. One of those announcements, the partnering with Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, has positive implications for workforce development in Oregon City.

The new fiscal year starts July 1! In advance of the new year, the City Commission recently approved the City's budget. Finance Director Matt Zook explains the extensive process that goes into preparing that budget, and the many other things his department oversees.  

When people think of city functions, parks and recreation is often one of the first services they think of. But there is far more to Oregon City Parks and Recreation that many people realize. 

Crews oversee 38 parks which includes developing and maintaining the parks, open spaces and trails. What many people don't realize is that Oregon City's Parks crews oversee a 58 acre cemetery, which is uncommon for most cities, an RV park, pool, the Ermatinger House and all of the City's 12 facilities, which totals to more than 350,000 square feet. That doesn't include all the programming, events and camps that they oversee. 

Listen as Oregon City Parks and Recreation Director Kendall Reid shares everything that Parks is working on, their ongoing Parks Master Planning process, new apps for public engagement and more. 

It's a common misconception that library's aren't as important as they used to be when the fact is, they offer even more resources for community members than ever before. You won't find anyone shooshing you here, there's much to see and do at the Oregon City Library. Listen as director Greg Williams shares everything that the library has to offer. 

May is Historic Preservation Month, and that's an important thing for Oregon City and its residents.

Oregon City is the oldest incorporated city west of the Missouri River. Home to many historic buildings and heritage sites from pioneer times as well as from the Native American tribes that called this area home for centuries before that, the residents care about the history here and strive to protect it.

One of the people who has been most involved is Mayor Denyse McGriff. Even before her time as a City Commissioner and then Mayor, she was involved in protecting and sharing the City's rich heritage with residents and visitors alike. In the second episode of Inside City Hall, Mayor McGriff talks about the city's history and offers ways that people can mark Historic Preservation Month. 

Trees are an important part of Oregon City. So much so that the City has several codes dedicated to ensuring our urban canopy is healthy and sustainable. Trees help lower heat island effects, prevent erosion and add substantial value to properties.  

Jude Thaddaeus is an assistant planner with Oregon City Community Development. He explains the ordinances regarding trees, and why they are so important to the community. 

The first episode of Inside Oregon City City Hall focuses on something that pretty much everybody uses on a daily basis: roads. 

How does Oregon City's Public Works Department prioritize its road work? We're coming off a busy winter, what effect does weather have on repairing potholes? Which roads in Oregon City fall under the City's responsibility versus roads that don't? These questions and others will be answered in the first podcast from Oregon's first city.