Salem City Council Chambers. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Salem City Council meets Monday to accept millions of dollars approved during this year’s legislative session, an agreement to construct a new pump in Turner and new ward boundaries.
Councilors will consider accepting $13 million in grants from the state Legislature that will go toward body cameras for police, homeless sheltering programs, a rental assistance program and motel improvements for homeless shelter.
Read more about plans for the body camera program here and ward redistricting proposals here.
The grants include:
–$816,000 for a police body camera program
-$10.5 million for homeless sheltering programs. Money can also be used for camp cleanups, a sobering center or crisis response
-$1 million for the Salem Housing Authority’s Homeless Rental Assistance Program and housing navigators
The councilors will consider new ward boundaries. There are three alternatives councilors will consider.
Councilors will also consider changing a tax incentive program that offers property tax breaks to multifamily housing projects to include affordable housing.
They will consider an intergovernmental agreement with Turner to construct a new water pump station.
They will also consider approving a 5% pay raise for Salem police lieutenants.
To participate: The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday and is streamed live on YouTube. Submit comments on agenda items by 5 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
