August 29, 2026 4:00 p.m. 

The Roseburg City Council will have a special meeting on Wednesday evening to consider employing a new city manager.

The council will meet in Executive Session, which is closed to the public, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the matter. At 6:30 p.m. the council will move into a public meeting to take a vote and announce their decision.

Former City Manager Nikki Messenger’s upcoming retirement was announced in March. Her last day on the job was June 30th. Police Chief Gary Klopfenstein was appointed city manager pro-tem effective on July 1st, while the search for a permanent city manager continued.

August 4th the city unveiled six candidates at an open house event. They were identified as:

*Fred Ventresco, current county administrator for Otesgo County, Michigan

*Robert Field, former Medford city manager

*Annette Spickard, current city manager in Sedona, Arizona

*Jamie Lee Stickel, current economic development director and communications specialist for the city of Canby, Oregon

*William Homka, former city manager of Unalaska, Alaska.

*Sam Kim, former county administrator of Grays Harbor County, Washington

A series of interviews came next as the candidates were interviewed by the council, a panel of city staff and a group of community members selected by the council. Two Executive Sessions followed for the city council that week. An additional Executive Session was held on August 24th for further discussion and now it appears the council is ready to make a final vote on their selection.

The public portion of the evening can be seen on the city’s Facebook page, or viewed later at www.roseburgor.gov