Category City Hall
City council moves toward declaring state of emergency over increased ICE arrests
More than 200 people packed into Monday’s city council meeting, with many offering emotional testimony about the impact of immigration arrests on their families, friends and peers. Salem city councilors split 6-3 on taking steps toward a declaration of emergency.
City leaders get to work charting Salem’s course ahead for the next five years
Salem city councilors held a work session on Monday night to begin setting goals and priorities, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and developing a mission statement and vision that will guide Salem services.
Council approves plan for Wallace Marine Park improvements as encampments in SE portion decrease
Salem city councilors voted to start developing a plan to pave a pathway through the southern part of the Wallace Marine Park natural area, which city leaders say has seen a decrease in encampments.
UPDATED: Salem city councilors direct staff to draft gift policy, continue “no-mow” program at Bush’s Pasture Park
Salem city councilors on Monday will also vote on extending the No Mow program at Bush's Pasture Park to promote ecological restoration.
Hoy claims statewide petition to remove standards for homeless sweeps is about ‘local control,’ not criminalization
Over the course of an hour during a recent city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 27, over a dozen Salem residents questioned Mayor Julie Hoy’s decision to lead a statewide effort to repeal a state law that sets standards for when and how cities and counties can move homeless encampments. Hoy maintained that the petition doesn’t relate to encampment sweeps.
Months of private counseling between Julie Hoy and former city manager preceded his abrupt resignation
Documents obtained from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission showed that Council President Linda Nishioka told ethics investigators that Salem Mayor Julie Hoy desired former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley’s ouster long before she lied to force his removal. Nishioka told investigators Hoy was prepared to do anything to get rid of him.
Salem city councilors accept a largely anonymous donation to pay for more police
Salem city councilors voted 6-3 in favor of accepting a largely anonymous $180,000 gift from mostly unidentified Salem businesses to help support two more police officers for the city’s Homelessness Services Team.
UPDATE: Salem city councilors accept private funds to pay for two police officers
Salem city councilors will consider accepting $180,000 in private funds on Monday to pay for two new police officers to bolster the police department’s Homelessness Services Team. Councilors will also consider a contract with newly-appointed Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi that would pay her $305,000 annually.
Fire department response times will get worse as call volume continues to rise, chief says
Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth provided Salem city councilors with an overview of the Salem Fire Department on Monday night during a council work session. Gerboth updated councilors on the status of the department’s new ambulance service, and also discussed the fact that as call volumes continue to increase while staffing remains stagnant, response times will continue to get worse.