Salem City Council Chambers. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Salem City Council will hold a public hearing Monday on code changes that would allow street paintings around the city.
The changes would let artists paint directly on city streets as part of a program intended to brighten neighborhoods and allow for community art projects. Paintings would be subject to city rules governing timing and the location.
Following the hearing, the council would vote on the changes at a later meeting.
Councilors will also consider a request to gather more public input on a proposed list of projects for a $300 million infrastructure bond before finalizing a package to put before voters in the fall. The package is intended to repair city streets and sidewalks as well as some aging city facilities. It would replace other city bonds that are expiring and wouldn’t raise local tax rates.
The council discussed the proposed project list during a May 16 work session, where councilors wanted additional polling data to help them finalize a project list. If the council votes to conduct polling, councilors serving on a steering committee for the bond would meet again in early June to review feedback.
Councilors on Monday will also have a first reading of Our Salem, an overhaul of the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning code intended to guide growth in the city in the coming years.
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
-Rachel Alexander
