Category City Hall
Salem city councilors to discuss future of commercial air service Monday night
Salem city councilors will discuss commercial air service as Travel Salem courts multiple airlines in an effort to bring flights back to Salem following Avelo Airline’s departure earlier this month. Avelo ended its service on Aug. 10 after less than two years flying out of Salem - Willamette Valley Airport.
Homeless advocates say mayor’s rhetoric during council meeting was “inflammatory”
Salem Mayor Julie Hoy said during an Aug. 11 meeting that placing more public restrooms downtown is not a viable solution to perceived unsanitary conditions because people have ‘firebombed’ them in the past. Salem police said they had one record of a fire reported in a portable toilet in Marion Square Park last year, which was out when officers arrived.
UPDATED: Council, city leaders will evaluate interim city manager
Council President Linda Nishioka said she hopes to appoint Krishna Namburi as Salem's permanent city manager.
City councilors told they can resume attending neighborhood association meetings
Salem city councilors feel more at ease but still hope for more clarity on state public meetings law after the Oregon Government Ethics Commission issued new guidelines Friday.
Salem will speed up water system upgrades to prepare for Detroit Reservoir drawdown
Salem city councilors unanimously authorized a state of emergency Monday night over a deep drawdown of the Detroit Reservoir scheduled for next year which is expected to render Salem’s current drinking water system inoperable.
Travel Salem working with new airline with hopes of resuming commercial air service
Travel Salem is currently negotiating with a new airline and raising money for a revenue guarantee of $1 to $3 million. City councilors on Monday gave little indication of how they’re leaning on approving a new agreement.
Salem city councilors discuss Avelo, public meetings law and city drinking water Monday
Salem city councilors will discuss new public meetings requirements and Avelo Airlines’ departure on Monday at an upcoming city council meeting. The council will also consider declaring a state of emergency over a planned 2026 drawdown of Detroit Reservoir meant to improve fish passage.
Salem councilors staying mum in instances, fearing ethics trouble
Salem city officials are temporarily avoiding neighborhood association meetings and other engagements out of fear they might inadvertently participate in illegal serial communications. The concern stems from a recent Oregon Government Ethics Commission training that left councilors uncertain about the rules. The state agency says it will clarify matters soon.
City councilors consider pairing mental health professionals with emergency responders
Salem city councilors weighed the costs and benefits of creating a program pairing mental health specialists with first responders to answer mental health and homelessness related calls. Such a program would help free up strained police and fire resources currently burdened by numerous mental health related calls, department leadership said.