North Plains Residents Deserve Answers from Hagedorn Before Friday’s Special Council Vote
Council President Mandy Hagedorn will preside over a noon, Zoom-only meeting to appoint an interim city manager—with written comments accepted, but no live public comment.
This Friday at noon, the North Plains City Council intends to appoint another interim city manager during a Zoom-only special meeting.
Residents may watch. They will not be permitted to speak or ask questions.
The agenda expressly states: “No public comment will be taken during the special meeting.” Written comments must be emailed before the meeting begins.
That is extraordinarily unusual. We have found no comparable example in the city’s history of a North Plains City Council prohibiting live public comment while considering an appointment this consequential.
The meeting itself appears unnecessary. The Council has a regular Monday-night meeting only three days later.
Why is Council President Mandy Hagedorn pushing this through at noon on Friday, online only, without the normal opportunity for residents to address their government?
If you thought the process to hire Gary Marks was rushed and conducted behind behind closed doors, this one looks even worse.
This piece is not primarily about Ross Schultz. His résumé reflects substantial municipal and financial experience, and he very well may be exactly the professional North Plains needs. But no résumé eliminates the need for an open, documented vetting process—especially after Gary Marks resigned only four days into the job.
The difference is striking.
Before appointing Marks, city officials reportedly contacted 15 prospects and interviewed four. The appointment occurred at a regular evening meeting with the normal public-comment process. Even then, Marks was appointed pending a background check—and apparently departed before signing his negotiated agreement.
For Schultz, the public packet does not identify:
Who first contacted or selected him.
Whether he was among the previous 15 candidates.
Who interviewed him.
Whether references and a background check were completed.
Whether the full Council participated in the selection.
What information he received about the city’s finances, staffing crisis, unfinished audits and service disruptions.
Why the decision cannot wait until Monday.
The paperwork places Hagedorn at the center of the process. As Council president following the mayor’s departure, she has the responsibility to explain who chose Schultz, how he was evaluated and why residents are being denied an opportunity to speak before the vote.
North Plains is operating without an elected mayor, with multiple appointed councilors, continuing vacancies, severe staffing problems and unfinished financial audits. That makes transparency more important—not less.
Residents should email info@northplains.gov before noon Friday. Include your name and address, and use the subject line:
Public Comment — July 31 Special Meeting
Ask President Hagedorn and the Council:
Who identified, contacted, interviewed and recommended Ross Schultz?
Was he considered during the Gary Marks recruitment, and if so, why wasn’t that disclosed?
Have his references and background been fully checked?
Which councilors participated in the selection?
Why is this vote occurring Friday at noon instead of Monday evening?
Why is spoken public comment prohibited?
Will every communication concerning the recruitment and selection be released?
What is the Council’s written plan—and timeline—for restoring services, completing the audits and recruiting a longer-term manager?
Residents are also entitled to ask a harder question: Has the present Council lost the capacity and public confidence necessary to govern?
If Schultz is appointed and an orderly operational handoff is secured, should the entire governing body consider resigning so North Plains can receive a genuine reset?
This is a serious option with serious consequences. But after repeated resignations, failed appointments and mounting dysfunction, residents have every right to demand that it be discussed openly.
Friday’s vote is not merely another personnel decision. It is a test of whether President Hagedorn and this Council view North Plains residents as participants in their government—or spectators.
Email info@northplains.gov before noon Friday. Demand answers, transparency and accountability.
