City Council

City Council

The Council is the policy-making body of the city. They adopt laws and regulations, adopt annual City goals and objectives and adopt budgets providing a wide range of public services. They give direction to city staff through the City Manager who serves at the pleasure of the City Council. The Mayor is the leader of the governing body and presides over the council meetings. The mayor only votes in the case of a tie vote by the city councilors.

Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the McMinnville Civic Hall at 200 NE 2nd Street. City Council meetings are a foundational element of McMinnville governance allowing Citizens an opportunity to speak to their elected officials directly and to watch governance in action. Each session is open to the public, streamed live and replayed on local community TV channels. All material is also posted on the City's website before each meeting and material is retained on the site for historical purposes.

Find your ward easily by entering your address on the interactive ward map:
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Mayor, City of McMinnville
Remy Drabkin Phone: (971) 901-2084
Email: Remy.Drabkin@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

McMinnville's Mayor is elected at large for a four-year term and does not receive compensation for his or her service. The mayor presides over the Council and is responsible for preserving order, enforcing the rules of the Council and determining the order of business under the rules of the Council.

Mayor Remy Drabkin is a McMinnville native, Mac High and Linfield College Graduate. Her public service includes two terms on McMinnville Planning Commission, two terms as Councilor for Ward 3, one term as Council President. She was appointed by the Governor to the Oregon Wine Board for one term, has acted as Chair of the McMinnville Affordable Housing Comission since it's inception, and was formerly liaision to the McMinnville Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force and Visit McMinnville.

Remy is an entrepenuer and started her eponymous Remy Wines in 2006, she is nationally recognized as an industry leader in equity and climate action. Remy is also co-founder of the non-profit, Wine Country Pride.

Term expires: 12/31/2024

Council President, Ward 3
Adam Garvin Phone: (503) 560-8281
Email: Adam.Garvin@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

Council President Garvin was elected by the Council to serve as its president on June 14, 2022. In the Mayor’s absence, Council President Garvin presides over Council deliberations, preserves order, enforces the rules of the Council and determines the order of business under the rules of the Council while continuing to vote as a Councilor

McMinnville native Adam Garvin got his first taste of civic engagement at age 19 when he began a stint as volunteer for the McMinnville Fire Department. From there he has broadened his community involvement to include serving on the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Treasurer of McMinnville Jaycees, Board Member of the McMinnville Noon Kiwanis Club, and member of the McMinnville Chamber Government Affairs Council.

Adam decided to run for City Council after attending council meetings regularly for the last four years. He won election in November 2016 and joined Councilor Remy Drabkin in representing Ward 3. “I am committed to an open and transparent process promoting a flourishing city and economic prosperity for many generations to come. Our city provides a unique atmosphere and culture. I will honor the legacy of my predecessors while keeping a keen eye on strategic innovation and growth opportunities moving forward.”

Adam’s entrepreneurial spirit was rewarded nine years ago when he successfully established his full-time business, Xtreme Auto Spa. When not tending to business matters or civic duties, Adam enjoys outdoor activities. An avid Portland Trail Blazers and Timbers fan, you can likely catch him at one of their many home games throughout the season. Adam resides in northeast McMinnville with his partner Trish, son Aidan, and their beloved German Shepherd, Carrera, happily awaiting the arrival of a baby boy in July 2017.

Term expires: 12/31/2024

Councilor, Ward 1
Sal Peralta Phone: (503) 437-2833
Email: Sal.Peralta@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

Sal Peralta was appointed city councilor in Ward 1 to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Councilor Kevin Jeffries. Ward 1 is in the southwest corner of the city and is bounded by Davis St. to the east and SW 2nd St to the north. Major features include Linfield College, City Hall, Discovery Meadows Park, McMinnville's Police and Fire stations along with several of the city's churches, retail shopping centers and businesses. Peralta is McMinnville's representative on the Mid-Willamette Council of Governments.

"It is the honor of a lifetime to be appointed to serve in this position. Although this is a volunteer board, I am passionate about the work and I am very interested in learning all sides of the issues on matters that come before the council. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions, comments or concerns you may have."

Term expires: 12/31/2026

Councilor, Ward 1
Chris Chenoweth Phone: (971) 287-8671
Email: Chris.Chenoweth@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

"As a 35+ year resident of McMinnville every aspect of my life is entwined with this community. I am excited to bring my experience as a business owner to my first term as your city councilor. I believe in the servant leader model of leadership and look forward to serving McMinnville residents. I’m committed to the community in which I live and have been involved with the business community as well as the faith community. This has included being active in the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce and an being an active member of Abundant Life Pentecostal Church. In McMinnville I graduated from high school, married my wonderful wife Kamie and with her raised our amazing girls."

Term expires: 12/31/2024

Councilor, Ward 2
Kellie Menke Phone: (971) 517-0609
Email: Kellie.Menke@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

"I retired as a Certified Public Accountant in January 2014 with the sale of my public accounting business of 27 years. I have served on the McMinnville City Council for almost 12 years representing the City's Ward 2. I love McMinnville and it's great community spirit. I currently enjoy serving in the community as a treasurer, board member and volunteer for The Soup Kitchen at St Barnabas Episcopal Church. I have served as a treasurer and board member for the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity and the Library Foundation. I served 5 years on the McMinnville Budget Committee prior to being initially appointed a member of City Council. I have served on numerous City committees and as Council President. I am also a member of the McMinnville Sunrise Rotary for 19 years chairing many of the Club's fundraisers and held the office of president twice. I have raised our daughters, Major Taunja Menke and Mrs. Tricia Brost in McMinnville with my husband Gene Menke."

Term expires: 12/31/2024

Councilor, Ward 2
Zack Geary Phone: (503) 560-0617
Email: Zack.Geary@mcminnvilleoregon.gov

I am passionate about service to our city! I have been working hard for years to give back and do my part to create and sustain a McMinnville in which we all can thrive. Community service is important to me as a husband, father, and citizen.

I am proud to be a native McMinnvillian. After graduating McMinnville High School in 2004, I attended the University of Oregon to study Political Science and History. Professionally, after working with a local construction firm for nearly a decade, I have partnered to start my own construction company, Branch Geary Inc. Prior to my governmental services, I have spent time on the boards for McMinnville Downtown Association, the McMinnville City Club, Yamhill County Parks and Recreation, Nourish Yamhill Valley, and the Walnut City Music Festival. In addition, prior to my election to City Council, I served as vice-chair of the McMinnville Planning Commission. I bring my passion, energy, and creativity to the McMinnville City Council, continuing to work hard to keep our town unique and livable for current and future residents.

We all recognize that McMinnville is a special place. I intend to preserve, enhance, and build on the things that make us special – parks, schools, services, people, and vision. McMinnville is ready to move forward together, towards a bright future, where we provide for all our citizens in a comprehensive way. I am eager to do my part.

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife Samantha and our son Hiram – reading, playing, running, exploring, and laughing.

As your City Councilor, it is my goal to fully represent you. Your input will always be welcome and deserving of my response.

“The strength of government and the happiness of the governed is the freedom of the common people to mutually and naturally support each other.” – Thomas Paine

Term expires: 12/31/2026

Councilor, Ward 3
Jessica Payne Phone: (971) 517-0957
Email: Jessica.Payne@mcminnvilleoregon.gov