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City Council

Happy Valley’s safe, livable community is the outcome of decades of thoughtful planning and steadfast leadership.

We work hard to create a livable and vibrant community.

The City of Happy Valley is governed by the Happy Valley City Council, which is comprised of three City councilors, one Council president, and the mayor. All councilors and the mayor serve four-year terms and are elected by the voters of the City of Happy Valley in the general election in November.

The Happy Valley City Council serves the City on a voluntary basis and dedicates a considerable amount of time in their involvement not only at Council meetings but also as representatives of the City in regional and statewide capacities.

Mayor & City Council

The council consists of a mayor and four councilors nominated and elected by the city at large. Terms are staggered so that term expiration occurs every two years. This ensures that the City has at least two experienced Council members at all times.

Tom Ellis

Mayor
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

Tom Ellis was elected to serve as Mayor beginning January 2019 and re-elected to serve beginning January 2023. Tom served on the Planning Commission for six years, including one year as Chair. In 2011, he was appointed to the City Council, was elected to City Council in 2012 and re-elected 2016, and served as Council President 2017-2018.

Tom, a small business owner, and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran, and his wife, Jennifer, have been married 33+ years. They have called Happy Valley home for more than 18 years.

“As an appointed committee volunteer and then an elected city councilor, my interests have always been to ensure taxpayer funds are well spent, growth is managed, and citizens are heard. I look forward to carrying these same values as your Mayor.”

Term expires 12/31/2026

Brett Sherman

Council Position 3
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

Brett Sherman was first elected to City Council in 2014, and was re-elected beginning January 2019 and January 2023. Brett was appointed Council President January 2019 - 2020. Prior to that, he had served four years on the Traffic and Public Safety Committee.

Originally from Minnesota, Brett majored in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. In 2002, Brett and his family, wife Stacy and daughter MacKenzie, moved to Happy Valley.

Brett has spent over 30 years in the investment industry and is a proud Rotarian, a Mensan, and a member in good standing with the Investment Management Consultants Association.

An avid hiker, Brett assumed the administrator role of the local hiking group, Happy Valley Hikers, in 2006. Brett’s other interests include biking, photography, music, movies, and service as a Rotarian.

Term expires 12/31/2026

             
     

Joshua Callahan

Council Position 1
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

Joshua Callahan was elected to City Council beginning January 2023. Joshua Callahan is a Civil Trial Attorney and US Army Combat Veteran who grew up in the Oak Grove area of Clackamas. He and his wife Annie have lived in Happy Valley since 2012 where they have raised their three boys Brady, Patrick, and Lucas. With much of their family moving into Happy Valley along with them, you will often see Josh, Annie, and the extended family and cousin group at youth sporting events or restaurants taking up the table of 20. Josh has a background in Law Enforcement from his time in the Army and started his first business a year after leaving the service. He attended Portland State University where he finished his degree after the Army and attended Lewis & Clark Law School in the night program, working full-time during the day. In his practice as an attorney, Josh represents individuals in Civil cases across the state of Oregon with injury and medical malpractice claims. When he is not coaching one of his son's teams, Josh spends his time on the golf course or in the outdoors fishing and hunting with his childhood friends. Josh strongly believes in service to his community and plans to engage in as much as he can during his time as a City Councilor. Keeping the neighborhood feel to Happy Valley is important to him and making sure the voice of the community is always heard will be his number one goal. As a seasoned negotiator and litigator, Josh will make sure The City of Happy Valley reaps the benefits of his tried and tested skills as a litigator. "It is a great honor to serve my community on the City Council and be a voice for my neighbors."

Term expires 12/31/2026

David Golobay

Council Position 2
Term expires 12/31/2024

[email protected]

David Golobay was elected to serve on the Happy Valley City Council with a term beginning January, 2017.

David, along with his wife and two sons, have resided in Happy Valley for over nine years. The Golobay family have given years of service to school fundraising and youth coaching. David is a business owner and Happy Valley Concerts in the Valley sponsor. His service to the community includes volunteering on the Happy Valley Traffic and Public Safety Committee, coaching local youth sports, volunteering on the PTO, past President of the Happy Valley Business Alliance and past Chair of the North Clackamas County Chamber of Commerce.

As a business owner, “I know how to set a budget and follow it, manage multiple projects, and build professional relationships. I am ready to bring my knowledge and skills to Happy Valley City Council to help continue to make this a great place to live and work.”

Term expires 12/31/2024

     

David Emami

Council President, Position 4
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

     
     

David Emami was re-elected to City Council in 2022 for the 2023 four-year term. David was first appointed to City Council in 2019 and elected to a four-year term in 2020. David, along with his wife, Susie, and two daughters have resided in Happy Valley since 2013. Prior to his appointment, David served on the Planning Commission, Parks Advisory Committee, Clackamas County Street Light Budget Committee and was President of his HOA. David also has extensive volunteer experience with local schools, state educational programs, local charities and non-profit organizations. David believes “Diversity in our thoughts and opinions is what makes us stronger as a community.” During the day, David is an Account Manager at a local plumbing company, where he has worked for 16 years and has over 25 years of experience in the private sector. “My entire career is based on providing solutions for people in all walks of life and bringing individuals together towards a common goal.” Born and raised in Oregon, David attended Oregon State University and received his Bachelor’s of Science in Economics, and has a minor in Chemistry. David is a member of the Board of Directors for the League of Oregon Cities and is proud to be a strong voice for Happy Valley residents. In his spare time, David enjoys being with his family, volunteering at school functions, basketball and hiking. "I look forward to bringing fresh new ideas from a different lens and I have the knowledge, passion and experience to serve our city. I am determined and motivated to ensure Happy Valley is a safe community where all people are welcome and respected. I am honored to serve our fine city.”

Term expires 12/31/2026

Tom Ellis
Mayor
David Golobay
Council Position 2
Joshua Callahan
Council Position 1
Brett Sherman
Council Position 3
David Emami
Council President, Position 4

The council meets at city hall on the first and third tuesday of each month.

Every bi-monthly city council work session begins at 6:00 pm and is followed by the regular business meeting at 7:00 pm.

 

VIRTUAL ATTENDEES: If you would like to provide general comments or public testimony, please fill out this form at HTTPS://DOCS.HAPPYVALLEYOR.GOV/FORMS/SPEAKERREGISTRATION
No later than 12:00 pm on the meeting date.

Council Goals

Much of the look and feel of the city took decades of thoughtful planning and steadfast leadership to instill development standards that reflect the community values.

1

Managed growth and economic development

2

Employee development in a quality work environment

3

A safe, livable community with a sense of pride and strong identity

4

Effective relationships with local, regional, and state partners

5

Fiscal responsibility and stewardship

6

Environmentally-sensible practices

7

Effective, efficient, and readily available services

Council Priorites

2021-2022

Tom Ellis

Mayor
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

Tom Ellis was elected to serve as Mayor beginning January 2019 and re-elected to serve beginning January 2023. Tom served on the Planning Commission for six years, including one year as Chair. In 2011, he was appointed to the City Council, was elected to City Council in 2012 and re-elected 2016, and served as Council President 2017-2018.

Tom, a small business owner, and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran, and his wife, Jennifer, have been married 33+ years. They have called Happy Valley home for more than 18 years.

“As an appointed committee volunteer and then an elected city councilor, my interests have always been to ensure taxpayer funds are well spent, growth is managed, and citizens are heard. I look forward to carrying these same values as your Mayor.”

Term expires 12/31/2026

Brett Sherman

Council Position 3
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

Brett Sherman was first elected to City Council in 2014, and was re-elected beginning January 2019 and January 2023. Brett was appointed Council President January 2019 - 2020. Prior to that, he had served four years on the Traffic and Public Safety Committee.

Originally from Minnesota, Brett majored in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. In 2002, Brett and his family, wife Stacy and daughter MacKenzie, moved to Happy Valley.

Brett has spent over 30 years in the investment industry and is a proud Rotarian, a Mensan, and a member in good standing with the Investment Management Consultants Association.

An avid hiker, Brett assumed the administrator role of the local hiking group, Happy Valley Hikers, in 2006. Brett’s other interests include biking, photography, music, movies, and service as a Rotarian.

Term expires 12/31/2026

             
     

Joshua Callahan

Council Position 1
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

Joshua Callahan was elected to City Council beginning January 2023. Joshua Callahan is a Civil Trial Attorney and US Army Combat Veteran who grew up in the Oak Grove area of Clackamas. He and his wife Annie have lived in Happy Valley since 2012 where they have raised their three boys Brady, Patrick, and Lucas. With much of their family moving into Happy Valley along with them, you will often see Josh, Annie, and the extended family and cousin group at youth sporting events or restaurants taking up the table of 20. Josh has a background in Law Enforcement from his time in the Army and started his first business a year after leaving the service. He attended Portland State University where he finished his degree after the Army and attended Lewis & Clark Law School in the night program, working full-time during the day. In his practice as an attorney, Josh represents individuals in Civil cases across the state of Oregon with injury and medical malpractice claims. When he is not coaching one of his son's teams, Josh spends his time on the golf course or in the outdoors fishing and hunting with his childhood friends. Josh strongly believes in service to his community and plans to engage in as much as he can during his time as a City Councilor. Keeping the neighborhood feel to Happy Valley is important to him and making sure the voice of the community is always heard will be his number one goal. As a seasoned negotiator and litigator, Josh will make sure The City of Happy Valley reaps the benefits of his tried and tested skills as a litigator. "It is a great honor to serve my community on the City Council and be a voice for my neighbors."

Term expires 12/31/2026

David Golobay

Council Position 2
Term expires 12/31/2024

[email protected]

David Golobay was elected to serve on the Happy Valley City Council with a term beginning January, 2017.

David, along with his wife and two sons, have resided in Happy Valley for over nine years. The Golobay family have given years of service to school fundraising and youth coaching. David is a business owner and Happy Valley Concerts in the Valley sponsor. His service to the community includes volunteering on the Happy Valley Traffic and Public Safety Committee, coaching local youth sports, volunteering on the PTO, past President of the Happy Valley Business Alliance and past Chair of the North Clackamas County Chamber of Commerce.

As a business owner, “I know how to set a budget and follow it, manage multiple projects, and build professional relationships. I am ready to bring my knowledge and skills to Happy Valley City Council to help continue to make this a great place to live and work.”

Term expires 12/31/2024

     

David Emami

Council President, Position 4
Term expires 12/31/2026

[email protected]

     
     

David Emami was re-elected to City Council in 2022 for the 2023 four-year term. David was first appointed to City Council in 2019 and elected to a four-year term in 2020. David, along with his wife, Susie, and two daughters have resided in Happy Valley since 2013. Prior to his appointment, David served on the Planning Commission, Parks Advisory Committee, Clackamas County Street Light Budget Committee and was President of his HOA. David also has extensive volunteer experience with local schools, state educational programs, local charities and non-profit organizations. David believes “Diversity in our thoughts and opinions is what makes us stronger as a community.” During the day, David is an Account Manager at a local plumbing company, where he has worked for 16 years and has over 25 years of experience in the private sector. “My entire career is based on providing solutions for people in all walks of life and bringing individuals together towards a common goal.” Born and raised in Oregon, David attended Oregon State University and received his Bachelor’s of Science in Economics, and has a minor in Chemistry. David is a member of the Board of Directors for the League of Oregon Cities and is proud to be a strong voice for Happy Valley residents. In his spare time, David enjoys being with his family, volunteering at school functions, basketball and hiking. "I look forward to bringing fresh new ideas from a different lens and I have the knowledge, passion and experience to serve our city. I am determined and motivated to ensure Happy Valley is a safe community where all people are welcome and respected. I am honored to serve our fine city.”

Term expires 12/31/2026

Tom Ellis
Mayor
David Golobay
Council Position 2
Joshua Callahan
Council Position 1
Brett Sherman
Council Position 3
David Emami
Council President, Position 4