On Monday, Spencer Kyle, Seaside’s new city manager, attended his first Seaside City Council meeting.

The meeting was the start of Kyle’s second week in Seaside. He was greeted by Mayor Jay Barber and city councilors.

“We have a new city manager on the job tonight,” Barber said. “Spencer, welcome. We’re glad you’re here. Great to see you sitting at that desk.”

Kyle’s predecessor, Mark Winstanley, filled the chair for 37 years, as finance director and city manager.

“First of all, I came back today, so that was a success,” Kyle said. “I will say the staff and the council have made it very welcoming, both for myself and for my family.”

As director of administrative services in South Jordan, Utah, Kyle helped manage 16 departments, including emergency management, parks and recreation and IT facilities.

Kyle has a master’s in public administration from Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business and is a credentialed city manager from the International City/County Management Association.

He was selected by the City Council from a national pool of candidates using Jensen Strategies, a Portland-based recruitment firm.

His first council meeting included a ballot measure for a moratorium on psilocybin dispensaries, changes to the city’s homeless camping ordinance and an appeal to a vacation rental approval.

“There are a few procedural differences, but the work we’re doing is about the same,” Kyle said after the meeting. “What I appreciated tonight was we had some vigorous debate on some important issues, and I think some minds were changed in the process. That’s what the process is for and I think it’s good for our community.”

The Kyles have found a rental home in Gearhart and plan to buy.

“Our kids are loving all the amenities, the beaches and everything else in particular,” Kyle said. “This would be a great experience. We’re excited to put some roots down here. So I’m just excited. I’m drinking from the fire hose right now and a little overwhelmed with everything, but I can’t wait to be better up to speed and really be able to serve you and the community.”