Tom Kissinger is the new Deputy Director of the Oregon City Parks and Recreation Department

Oregon City, ORE. - The new Deputy Director for the Parks and Recreation Department has been announced, and that person will already be a familiar face within the department. Tom Kissinger, who is currently the Parks and Cemetery Manager, has accepted the position. 

Parks and Recreation Director Kendall Reid said Kissinger’s experience will make him an ideal fit for the role. “He has managed and administered operations, programming, and maintenance services for park systems or similar organizations for 7 years, in addition to 10 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, strategic planning, project management, and customer service. Combined with his passion for public lands and community engagement, he has been a great asset for our department and will and even greater one in this new capacity,” said Reid.

Reid went on to cite Kissinger’s track record of post-fire recovery efforts, park management, as well as success in securing outside funding for various projects as additional skills that will benefit to the department, and residents. 

Kissinger was one of several candidates applying for the position who went through an extensive recruitment and interview process. City leadership said ultimately it was his experience, both with the City and prior, that put him at the top of the list.

Recruitment to fill Kissinger’s prior position, Parks and Cemetery Manager, has begun.  

City of Oregon City Engineer Dayna Webb has been announced as the new Public Works Director, effective Sept. 1.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 23, 2024, Oregon City, ORE. – The City of Oregon City officials were pleased to announce Tuesday the appointment of Dayna Webb as the new Public Works Director. Dayna will be succeeding John Lewis, who will be retiring at the end of August after a “remarkable” 20 years of dedicated service to the community.

Webb brings more than nine years of experience working with Oregon City to her new role. She began her journey with the City as a project engineer, where her exceptional skills and dedication quickly propelled her to the position of senior project engineer. Most recently, Webb has served as the City Engineer, where she has been instrumental in leading key projects and initiatives that City officials say have significantly contributed to the growth and development of Oregon City.

City Manager Tony Konkol expressed his enthusiasm for Dayna's new role, stating, "We are thrilled to have Dayna Webb step into the position of Public Works Director. Her extensive experience and proven leadership within our organization make her the perfect fit for this role. We are confident that Dayna will continue to build on the strong foundation laid by John Lewis and lead our public works department with vision and integrity."

Konkol went on to say that Webb's tenure with Oregon City has been marked by her commitment to excellence and her proactive approach to addressing the community's needs. Her leadership has been crucial in numerous infrastructure projects, including the enhancement of the city's transportation network, water and wastewater systems and public facilities. Dayna's collaborative style and dedication to sustainable development have earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and community members alike.

In her new role as Public Works Director, Dayna will oversee the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the City's infrastructure. She will continue to focus on delivering high-quality public works services that ensure the safety, sustainability and prosperity of Oregon City.

"I am honored and excited to take on the role of Public Works Director," said Webb. "I look forward to continue working with the talented team at Oregon City and our community to build on our successes and address the challenges ahead. Together, we will collaborate to enhance the quality of life for all our residents."

The City of Oregon City extends its heartfelt gratitude to John Lewis for his two decades of dedicated service and significant contributions. His leadership has left a lasting legacy, and we wish him all the best in his retirement. 
 

Oregon City is currently accepting applications for the next round of City Sponsored Public Event Grants. 

City Sponsored Public Event Grants are funded through lodging tax receipts, and are part of the City’s strategy to increase visitation to the community. Events must be open to the public, with the goal of attracting 1,000 – 5,000 visitors from across the region. 

“The City’s financial support is meant to foster a growing, stable and viable ongoing public event that can demonstrate public support and demand. This in turn helps bring new dollars to our community and enhances the quality of life for residents,” said Economic Development Manager James Graham. 

Both non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses can be eligible to receive grants, however the latter are not permitted to charge an admission fee while receiving grant funding. Representatives from any organization receiving grant funding must demonstrate how visitor attendance count will be verified and also demonstrate the event’s financial performance.

“Because these grants are coming from tax dollars, ensuring transparency through the entire process, from awarding the grants to measuring the results, is the top priority,” said Graham. 

Applications are due Oct. 23. Review of the applications by the City Commission is scheduled for early November, with funding happening shortly after.

More information regarding the grants, including guidelines and the application, can be found on the City’s tourism website at www.traveloregoncity.com/cspep.