A screengrab of the Salem City Council at its first meeting of the year 2021.

The Salem City Council meets Monday to consider a city planning vision, funding security and cleaning at downtown parkades and adopt a strategic plan.

AGENDA

Councilors will decide whether to adopt the “Our Salem” vision, a planning document that will guide an update to the city’s comprehensive plan.

If council accepts the vision, city staff will develop more detailed policies, update the zoning map and make revisions to zoning code this year.

The council will also consider adopting a strategic plan designed to help the city identify major priorities and determine actions to achieve those goals until 2026. During a Nov. 16 work session, the council identified five priority areas for action including addressing homelessness, creating community resilience in the aftermath of Covid, increasing equitable delivery of service, building great neighborhoods and taking on climate change.

In January, the council also added addressing anti-racism in value statements; priority for bicycle, pedestrian and sidewalk projects; and supporting small businesses in Covid recovery.

The council will also consider transferring $200,000 out of the general fund to pay for security and cleanups at city parkades until June.

The money would pay for 24/7 security at the Marion, Chemeketa, Pringle and Liberty Parkades because of increased vandalism and garbage, according to a city staff report.

The council will also consider a proclamation to declare March as Women’s History Month. 

To participate: The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday and is streamed live on YouTube. Submit comments on agenda items by 5:00 p.m. the day of the meeting at [email protected]. Public comment and testimony may also be provided during the meeting via Zoom. Please pre-register between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting at the following link: https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-CouncilMeeting.aspx

-Saphara Harrell

By Salem Reporter