Councilors approved the next step for major projects at Geer Park and the Civic Center, heard an update on the revenue task force and approved appointments to committees and boards for the year during their meeting on Monday, Jan. 8.
Next steps in Geer Park skate park, Civic Center projects – APPROVED
Councilors approved different contracting methods for upcoming projects in Geer Park and at the Civic Center, and after public testimony emphasized that the bidding process is fair and competitive. With their approval, the contractors who are selected would work as a team with the architects and engineers designing the project rather than coming in later.
The same contracting method was used during renovations to the Salem Public Library and the new public works building, according to a report from Public Works Director Brian Martin. He said the method allows for quicker feedback during the design process, quicker builds and cost savings.
The method will be used for the new skate park in Geer Park, located in the North East Salem Community Association neighborhood. The total project budget is estimated to be $4.25 million, paid for out of parks system development charges, which are fees paid by developers, and a $500,000 grant from the state.
During the meeting, staff said the project would start construction next year for a planned grand opening in fall 2025.
Councilors also approved a resolution to use the method for the Salem Civic Center Improvement Project, which will be funded using $39.5 million from the infrastructure bond voters approved November 2022.
The Civic Center project includes a seismic retrofit, replacing the roof and windows, repairing the parking garage and upgrading Peace Plaza. Construction would start in summer of 2025 and would be ready for staff to move back in by fall of 2026 or early in 2027.
Update on revenue task force – INFORMATION ONLY
Nearly 160 people applied to be on Salem’s revenue task force, which will seek ways to add money to the city’s general fund which pays for services like parks, the library and emergency services, according to an update by Annie Rose Favreau at the managing consulting firm Moss Adams.
The first task force meeting is planned for Jan. 30, where members will hear about the process and goals for the team. They will be meeting at least once a month before providing recommendations around July.
During a Tuesday, Jan. 9, meeting from 1-3 p.m., the Board & Commission Appointments Committee discussed the applicants’ life, work and volunteer experience and the diversity of the overall makeup of the group. They selected 25 applicants and two alternates for recommendation, who will go before the City Council for approval on Jan. 22. Candidates were referred to by number during the meeting.
Rose Favreau said that focus groups would start in February, a community survey will be distributed in March and they will hold town hall meetings in April on the 10th, 16th and 23rd.
Updating council priorities – APPROVED
Councilors unanimously approved an update to their policy agenda for the next year, which changed the order of priorities to emphasize the city’s revenue issues and its goal to sustain infrastructure and services.
Repairs to bridges over creeks – APPROVED
Councilors approved a resolution declaring a public need for properties that will allow the city to reinforce four bridges. Councilor Julie Hoy voted against the resolution, which was packaged in the consent calendar with a lease with the Navigation Center that she expressed wanting more time to consider.
The city plans to reinforce the bridges at Northeast Liberty Street over Mill Creek, Northeast 15th Street over Mill Creek, Northeast 17th Street over Mill Creek and Southeast Mission Street over Pringle Creek. The bridges currently have load limits, which will be removed after construction, according to Allen Dannen, city engineer. Construction is scheduled for 2025, and will use infrastructure bond funds.
Appointments to committees and boards – APPROVED
Councilors unanimously approved appointing and reappointing applicants to multiple boards and committees, including:
- John Lattimer (reappointment), Jason Allen and Cheryl Hummon to the Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission for terms ending in 2026.
- Ryan Shands, Oni Marchbanks (reappointment), Mel Gregg (reappointment) and Elizabeth Infante (reappointment) to the Community Police Review Board for terms ending in 2026.
- Rory McManus (reappointment) and Laurie Miller (reappointment) to the Downtown Advisory Board for terms ending in 2026.
- Kelly Raths and Dana Castano to the Salem Public Library Advisory Board for terms ending in 2026.
Other agenda items
-Councilors approved annexation of a 0.78 acre territory at 572 Hile Lane N.E. and changing its its zoning to multiple family residential.
-Councilors approved a lease with the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency for the Navigation Center, which opened last year at 1185 22nd St. N.E. The lease would expire in 2030. The agency will not pay rent to the city, according to the lease, but will pay to maintain the facility. Councilor Julie Hoy voted against it, saying she wanted more time to see the results of the facility given the length of the lease.
Original Story:
Councilors will discuss upcoming road and parks projects, their goals for the coming year and appointments to various city boards at their Monday, Jan. 8, meeting.
How to participate
The council meets Monday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. in-person at the city council chambers, 555 Liberty St. S.E., room 220, with the meeting also available to watch online. The meeting will be livestreamed on Capital Community Media’s YouTube channel, with translation to Spanish and American Sign Language available. Anyone may attend the meeting to listen or comment.
The public comment portion of the meeting takes place after opening exercises, such as roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Residents are invited to comment on any topic, whether it appears on the agenda or not. If a public comment does not relate to an agenda item, it may be saved for the end of the meeting.
To comment remotely, sign up on the city website between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday.
For written comments, email [email protected] before 5 p.m. on Monday, or on paper to the city recorder’s office at the Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. S.E., Room 225. Include a statement indicating the comment is for the public record.
READ IT: Agenda
Next steps in Geer Park, Civic Center projects
The council will hold public hearings and consider different contracting methods for projects in Geer Park and the Civic Center. With their approval, the contractors would work as a team with the architects and engineers designing the project rather than coming in later.
The same contracting method was used during renovations to the Salem Public Library and the new public works building, according to a report from Public Works Director Brian Martin. He said the method allows for quicker feedback during the design process, quicker builds and cost savings.
The method is being considered for the new skate park in Geer Park, located in the North East Salem Community Association neighborhood.
The total project budget is estimated to be $4.25 million, paid for out of parks system development charges, which are fees paid by developers. Half of the funds were allocated in previous years, and the plan was also awarded a $500,000 grant from the state. The skate park would include a paved path, spectator viewing, a picnic shelter and new trees and vegetation. Construction could start in the summer, at the earliest with completion around 2026.
Another resolution they’ll consider would use the contracting method for the Salem Civic Center Improvement Project, which will be funded using $39.5 million from the infrastructure bond voters approved November 2022. Martin recommended the method because of the complexity of seismic improvements and because it “will likely result in substantial cost savings.”
The Civic Center project includes a seismic retrofit, replacing the roof and windows, repairing the parking garage and upgrading the Peace Plaza.
Update on revenue task force
In December, the city council approved the formation of a revenue task force to seek new ways to bring money into the city to support services like parks, police, fire and the library. Applications closed on Jan. 4, and councilors will see the recommended list of members on Jan. 22. Councilors will hear an update about the task force and key dates on Monday.
Updating council priorities
Councilors will consider their policy agenda for the next year, which lists the council’s priorities for projects and resources.
This year, the city’s first priority is to sustain infrastructure and services by increasing revenue, sustaining the budget and working on infrastructure bond projects.
The second priority is community engagement, including expanding participation and connections with neighborhood associations.
The third priority is planning for transportation, adding housing and the climate action plan.
The city’s fourth priority is responding to the housing and sheltering crisis. Its strategy includes expanding affordable housing and to “respond to community complaints for clean up at scattered unmanaged tent, car and RV camping sites.” It also lists transitioning more people into supportive housing and keeping existing shelters open.
In 2023, the city listed responding to the sheltering crisis as its first priority, followed by planning for the future, community engagement and sustaining infrastructure and services. The city’s overview of work in those areas is compiled in the 2023 Community Report.
Changes to council rules
Councilors will hear potential changes to city council rules, as recommended by the city rules committee which includes Mayor Chris Hoy and Councilors Virginia Stapleton, Deanna Gwyn and Trevor Phillips working with City Attorney Dan Atchison. The council will have a chance to provide feedback on the changes, and will vote on them at a later meeting.
Many of the changes are clarifications that don’t substantively change the substance of the rules, according to a committee report.
Changes include requiring in-person attendance at executive sessions for all participants, unless the city manager, Keith Stahley, determines that there are unusual circumstances warranting remote participation. The change was made to limit the risk that someone who is not permitted to attend view and record the session, according to the staff report.
Another change is that groups such as neighborhood associations will share public testimony time, limiting an entity’s ability to have multiple people speak on the same subject.
Councilors will also have new guidance to avoid “serial public meetings through email or other communications between councilors” and will have to include a disclosure on their social media accounts that they are not an official City of Salem account.
Repairs to bridges over creeks
The city plans to reinforce four bridges in the city, and would need to negotiate with property owners for public right-of-way and easements to access the sites. On Monday, councilors will consider a resolution declaring a public need for the properties.
The city plans to reinforce the bridges at Northeast Liberty Street over Mill Creek, Northeast 15th Street over Mill Creek, Northeast 17th Street over Mill Creek and Southeast Mission Street over Pringle Creek. The bridges currently have load limits, which will be removed after construction, according to Allen Dannen, city engineer. Construction is scheduled for 2025, and will use infrastructure bond funds.
Update on bond spending
Councilors will hear a progress report on projects paid for by the 2022 infrastructure bond, from the Bond Oversight Steering Committee. The group met nine times last year, and includes Mayor Hoy, Councilors Stapleton and Micki Varney, and community members Bob Cortright and Mike Herron.
The presentation shares upcoming transportation projects, such as 2024 pavement rehabilitation on Southeast Commercial Street between Southeast Fabry Road and the Interstate 5 Ramp, and Parks improvements such as resurfacing parking lots at Minto-Brown Island Park.
Appointments to committees and boards
Councilors will consider appointing and reappointing applicants to multiple boards and committees, including:
- John Lattimer (reappointment), Jason Allen and Cheryl Hummon to the Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission for terms ending in 2026.
- Ryan Shands, Oni Marchbanks (reappointment), Mel Gregg (reappointment) and Elizabeth Infante (reappointment) to the Community Police Review Board for terms ending in 2026.
- Rory McManus (reappointment) and Laurie Miller (reappointment) to the Downtown Advisory Board for terms ending in 2026.
- Kelly Raths and Dana Castano to the Salem Public Library Advisory Board for terms ending in 2026.
They will also hear about appointments which have been made, including:
- Charles Weathers, Cara Kaser and Jessica Curteman (reappointment) to the Historic Landmarks Commission for terms ending in 2026
- Hamadi Jackson (reappointment), Laura Fouts (reappointment), Jackie Leung (reappointment) and Joaquin Lara Midkiff (reappointment) to the Salem Human Rights Commission for terms ending in 2026, and Kaitlin Strathdee for a partial term ending on Dec. 31, 2025.
Mayor Hoy and councilors Stapleton and Phillips have been appointed to the Advisory Committee for the Regional Scenario Plan, a state-required plan outlining changes needed to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The city will work with Keizer, Marion County and the Salem Area Mass Transit District on the plan.
Other agenda items
-Councilors will consider whether to annex a 0.78 acre territory at 572 Hile Lane N.E. and change its its zoning to multiple family residential
-Councilors will consider a lease with the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency for the Navigation Center, which opened last year at 1185 22nd St. N.E. The lease would expire in 2030. The agency will not pay rent to the city, according to the lease, but will pay to maintain the facility.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
SUPPORT OUR WORK – We depend on subscribers for resources to report on Salem with care and depth, fairness and accuracy. Subscribe today to get our daily newsletters and more. Click I want to subscribe!
Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
