Salem City Council Chambers. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Salem City Council meets Monday to continue a hearing on proposed changes to its unified development code, consider garbage rate increases and vote to appoint members to boards.
During the council’s Dec. 6 meeting, councilors heard more than an hour and a half of testimony on the proposed changes which include updates to comply with a state law that requires cities make it easier to build housing like duplexes and cottage clusters, reduces the size of Oregon white oaks that can be cut, and expands the types of poultry residents can keep to include birds like pheasants, pigeons and quail.
The council will also consider proposed increases to garbage rates starting in 2023.
Mid-Valley Garbage and Recycling Association, the body comprised of the six solid waste haulers serving Salem, are proposing a 4.2% increase for roll cart services and a 2% increase for container services provided in Marion County. No rate increase is proposed for Polk County.
A Salem resident on the Marion County side of the Willamette River with a typical, 35-gallon cart can expect to pay more than $1 more each month in 2023, with rates rising from $32.05 to $33.40.
Mid-Valley is also requesting 95-gallon residential service be added as a new service in Salem starting in the new year as more people working from home wanted larger garbage cans.
The council will vote to recommend appointments and reappointments to the Citizen Budget Committee, Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission, Downtown Advisory Board, Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board, Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Salem Public Art Commission.
How to participate: Watch meeting online on YouTube or CC:Media Channel 21. 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. Pre-register between 8 a.m. and 2 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
