City Council

The City Council is the governing body of Rainier and consists of seven elected representatives of the community and a Mayor elected at large.  Each Council member are elected to four-year staggered terms.  The Mayor is elected for a term of two years at each biennial general election. 

The City has all powers that the Constitution, statutes, and common law of the United States and of the state expressly or impliedly grant or allow municipalities.  The City has all powers that cities may assume pursuant to the laws and to the municipal home-rule provisions of the constitution of the state of Oregon.

The City Council appoints the City Administrator, makes appointments to Boards and Committees, enacts local legislation, adopts the budget, determines the policies and the types and levels of services to be provided by the City and is generally responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the City.

The City Council regularly meet the first and third Mondays of each month except when a holiday falls on the first or third Monday, then the regular Council meeting date is on the day following.

Meet the Council

Mayor Jerry Cole - mayor@cityofrainier.com

Term: January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008

Mayor Cole is chairman of the Council and presides over its deliberations.  He has the authority to preserve order, enforce the rules of the Council, and determine the order of business under the rules of the Council.  Mayor Cole votes only in case of a tie.

The Mayor appoints the committees provided for under the rules of the Council subject to Council approval.  The Mayor signs all approved records of proceedings of the Council, has no veto power and signs all ordinances passed by the Council within three days after their passage.  Failure to sign within the allotted time after passage by the Council, the ordinance automatically goes into effect 30 days after its passage by the Council.

Mayor Cole oversees the general administration of City activities and works closely with the City Administrator on day to day issues.

Position 1 - Dave Langford - langford1325@msn.com

Term: January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2010

Councilor Langford was appointed the City Council to fill a vacant position on the Council and has previously served the City as a member of the Rainier Planning Commission.

Position 2 - Mike Avent - rwdland@mpcu.net

Term: January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2008

Councilor Avent is responsible for the public works operations of the City including water treatment and distribution and the wastewater treatment and collection systems.  The water treatment plant has previously been upgraded to 2 million gallons per day and Rainier will soon construct a new wastewater treatment plant.  Councilor Avent also serves as Chairman of REDCO, the City’s urban renewal agency.

Position 3 - Russ Moon - rmoon@cascadenetworks.net

Term: January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2010

Councilor Moon is responsible for the public safety activities of the City including the Police Department.

Position 4 - John Holmes - jholmes@pcc.edu

Term: January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2010

Councilor Holmes was recently appointed (August 6, 2007) to the position vacated by Randy Hamlin.  He is responsible for transportation and street related activities including roads, curb, gutter, sidewalks and storm drainage.  He moved to Rainier with his family in June 2006.  Dr. Holmes is the Director for NAMI Multnomah in Portland and he teaches ethics and philosophy at Portland Community College.   He and his wife Christine are currently active with Friends of Fox Creek.

Position 5 - Sloan Nelson - zoie@opusnet.com  

Term: January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2010

Councilor Nelson was recently appointed (August 6, 2007) to the position vacated by John Slape.  He is responsible for planning and community development activities including land use and development, zoning and comprehensive planning for Rainier.  Councilor Nelson is a longtime resident of the area.  He grew up in Goble.  He is an electrician by trade, currently serves on REDCO, and he and his wife are active with Friends of Fox Creek. 

Position 6 – David Qualman - dqualman@redco-or.org

Term: January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2008

Councilor Qualman is responsible for economic development activities in Rainier.  He is currently a member of the City’s Urban Renewal Agency (REDCO) and serves as the Council's Secretary.  Councilor Qualman has also served on the Rainier Planning Commission.

Position 7 - Rob Piercy - robertfpiercy99@msn.com

Term: January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2008

Councilor Piercy is responsible for parks and recreation activities including the Rainier Marina and boat launch, Riverfront Park and acts as liaison with many of the youth sports.