Keizer officials vote to retain outside investigator; ask counsel to draft preliminary scope

Shami Star, the newly elected chair, led Keizer members in a motion to authorize city staff and outside counsel to secure an outside investigator to review matters referenced during a recent executive session. The motion passed on a verbal roll call; members said they want a preliminary scope that could include both fact-finding and recommended next steps.

The move began after Joseph Lindseay, the city attorney, introduced outside counsel Shandra Hatfield and noted Hatfield’s availability to assist. Hatfield told the committee she could not personally conduct the investigation within the required time frame but could propose qualified outside investigators and help shape the scope of work. “My schedule just doesn't allow me to do that,” Hatfield said, adding that she had “some good options” for investigators with local government experience who could preserve privilege depending on how the engagement is structured.

Hatfield explained that a clear written scope typically sets who the investigator reports to, the questions to be answered and whether the deliverable will be a written report or an oral briefing. She said, “you can do an oral briefing, or you can just go straight to a written report of the findings,” and recommended that the investigator’s role be limited to fact-finding (with the option to include recommendations if requested) to maintain neutrality.

Staff presented two candidates they said were available within the committee’s time frame: Connie Kong of the firm Barry Ellner, described as certified in workplace investigations, and Laura Westmire of Cable Houston, recommended by a local peer. One member voiced a preference for Connie based on additional employment-investigatory experience. Committee members also discussed continuity while city staff are on leave: they noted a vacation window for the city attorney and proposed overlapping points of contact so communications would continue if an individual becomes unreachable.

A member moved to direct staff legal counsel to work with outside legal counsel to secure the investigator judged to be the best fit for the need; the motion was seconded and carried after members signified their approval verbally. The committee asked Hatfield to draft at least a preliminary scope for review; she said she would provide that and that she expected to be available to continue the conversation tomorrow. The committee confirmed a follow-up meeting for tomorrow and indicated virtual participation would be acceptable.