Councilor Sarah Jobe receives Trammart News' "Golden Lark Award" for ensuring city debt transparency
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
City Councilor Sarah Jobe was awarded Trammart News’ “Golden Lark Award” Tuesday for bringing to public light a nearly $3.9 million loan that she and other councilors were asked to approve from 2017, for which no record of authorization could be provided or reason for the money to be taken from the General Fund and placed in Urban Renewal.
The Golden Lark Award is bestowed on individuals who have received a swell of public support for an action they have taken in civic service. Jobe, who didn’t seek re-election this year, was repeatedly mentioned during the recent city council campaign by residents who called her a loss to the city for her watchfulness over city finances.
In perhaps the most public display of that, Jobe refused to support a loan of unknown origin. “I don’t know what this $3.9 million was for,” Jobe told City Manager Kenna West nearly a year ago, before casting a “no” vote on a resolution transforming it into an official loan. City Councilor Dawn Roden also voted no on the proposal.
The sum was a transfer out of the General Fund to the Urban Renewal account eight years ago, explained Rob Moody, the city’s finance director.
A hunt for the past city council action approving this transfer-turned-loan had yielded nothing in the city records, which were searched by City Recorder Karin Johnson.
The new action was described as “housekeeping” by City Manager West, who explained it was done to create a current "trail” for the money. West explained that the finance department was short-staffed and unable to easily research the issue.
“Every time I’ve asked a question, I have been repeatedly been advised that the finance department is understaffed,” Jobe told West during the city council meeting in which the issue arose. “I feel questions are valid and should not be discouraged with this type of warning,” she added.
Jobe also expressed doubts about other financial aspects of the city. In a statement she read last December, she also cited a mistaken representation of city debt that attributed more than $18 million – half of the city debt – to Minet. After noticing the debt for the Independence Civic Center was missing from a previous, debt-listing document, Jobe asked that it be revised to include debt for the Independence Civic Center.
An error had been made – the debt owed by Minet was about $8.4 million – it eventually was corrected. The debt for the Civic Center – the building containing city hall, the police department and the event center – was then included, for about $10.8 million.
Prompted by Jobe’s impassioned plea to learn where the $3.9 million originated, Trammart News sought an answer. Assisted by Stanford University’s Big Local News program, the matching amount was found this past summer by researcher Jonas Pao. The debt was incurred for construction of the Independence Civic Center, according to the Urban Renewal Agency notes accompanying the basic financial statements in 2023.
Mayor John McArdle, City Council President Marilyn Morton and City Manager Kenna West, as well as communications director Emmanuel Goicochea, all have been asked to respond to this finding. None has replied thus far.
Trammart News has informed these city officials that the figure of $15 million as a cost for the Independence Civic Center will be used in future references – unless a clarifying reply is received from the mayor, the council president, the city manager or the communications director.
The Golden Lark Award is a cash award, with $500 evenly divided to a recipient and the charity of their choice. Jobe was given the award at the most recent Independence City Council meeting.
The Golden Lark Award was established by Trammart News in 2016. It has been given three times previously. The nomination process is by popular support for actions taken by an individual that made a significant difference in the lives of those in the community. Prior recipients are Ed Propst, for positive transformation of band and symphony musicality at Central High School; Karin Johnson, for remarkable and trusted service as city recorder for Independence; Megan Watkins Smith, for providing outstanding leadership as a role model and cheer coach at Central High School.
(Note: Sarah Jobe leaves the city council at the end of December. On Dec. 2, the recent vote for three seats is scheduled to be certified by the Polk County Clerk.) ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
City Councilor Sarah Jobe was awarded Trammart News’ “Golden Lark Award” Tuesday for bringing to public light a nearly $3.9 million loan that she and other councilors were asked to approve from 2017, for which no record of authorization could be provided or reason for the money to be taken from the General Fund and placed in Urban Renewal.
The Golden Lark Award is bestowed on individuals who have received a swell of public support for an action they have taken in civic service. Jobe, who didn’t seek re-election this year, was repeatedly mentioned during the recent city council campaign by residents who called her a loss to the city for her watchfulness over city finances.
In perhaps the most public display of that, Jobe refused to support a loan of unknown origin. “I don’t know what this $3.9 million was for,” Jobe told City Manager Kenna West nearly a year ago, before casting a “no” vote on a resolution transforming it into an official loan. City Councilor Dawn Roden also voted no on the proposal.
The sum was a transfer out of the General Fund to the Urban Renewal account eight years ago, explained Rob Moody, the city’s finance director.
A hunt for the past city council action approving this transfer-turned-loan had yielded nothing in the city records, which were searched by City Recorder Karin Johnson.
The new action was described as “housekeeping” by City Manager West, who explained it was done to create a current "trail” for the money. West explained that the finance department was short-staffed and unable to easily research the issue.
“Every time I’ve asked a question, I have been repeatedly been advised that the finance department is understaffed,” Jobe told West during the city council meeting in which the issue arose. “I feel questions are valid and should not be discouraged with this type of warning,” she added.
Jobe also expressed doubts about other financial aspects of the city. In a statement she read last December, she also cited a mistaken representation of city debt that attributed more than $18 million – half of the city debt – to Minet. After noticing the debt for the Independence Civic Center was missing from a previous, debt-listing document, Jobe asked that it be revised to include debt for the Independence Civic Center.
An error had been made – the debt owed by Minet was about $8.4 million – it eventually was corrected. The debt for the Civic Center – the building containing city hall, the police department and the event center – was then included, for about $10.8 million.
Prompted by Jobe’s impassioned plea to learn where the $3.9 million originated, Trammart News sought an answer. Assisted by Stanford University’s Big Local News program, the matching amount was found this past summer by researcher Jonas Pao. The debt was incurred for construction of the Independence Civic Center, according to the Urban Renewal Agency notes accompanying the basic financial statements in 2023.
Mayor John McArdle, City Council President Marilyn Morton and City Manager Kenna West, as well as communications director Emmanuel Goicochea, all have been asked to respond to this finding. None has replied thus far.
Trammart News has informed these city officials that the figure of $15 million as a cost for the Independence Civic Center will be used in future references – unless a clarifying reply is received from the mayor, the council president, the city manager or the communications director.
The Golden Lark Award is a cash award, with $500 evenly divided to a recipient and the charity of their choice. Jobe was given the award at the most recent Independence City Council meeting.
The Golden Lark Award was established by Trammart News in 2016. It has been given three times previously. The nomination process is by popular support for actions taken by an individual that made a significant difference in the lives of those in the community. Prior recipients are Ed Propst, for positive transformation of band and symphony musicality at Central High School; Karin Johnson, for remarkable and trusted service as city recorder for Independence; Megan Watkins Smith, for providing outstanding leadership as a role model and cheer coach at Central High School.
(Note: Sarah Jobe leaves the city council at the end of December. On Dec. 2, the recent vote for three seats is scheduled to be certified by the Polk County Clerk.) ▪
City asked to consider revising system development charges to make housing more affordable
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
Less than a year after the Independence City Council approved building fees that were reported to be the highest in Oregon, a consulting firm hired by the city suggested that reducing them could help meet affordable housing goals.
The fees had been protested by local builders, including Dalke Construction, which stopped work on the Brandy Meadows subdivision. The Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties called the increases “massive” and attributed their rise to the need for a new water treatment plant in order to draw water from the Willamette River.
City officials have acknowledged a need to raise revenue for the water-treatment facility. The land for it currently is in litigation as the result of an eminent-domain action by the city.
The option to lower the building fees was offered during a work session Tuesday on housing production strategies – an effort required by state rule to demonstrate how the city plans to promote the creation of housing to meet future needs.
Members of the city council and planning commission attended the session, which was held prior to the city council meeting on Tuesday.
A recent analysis of building within the city shows that housing construction all but shut down after Independence enacted building fees of about $54,000 per home unit. In contrast, those for Silverton are $24,000; for Dallas, about $20,000; and for Lebanon, just over $19,000.
Lowering these fees, which are called system development charges, appeared to be one of the highest-priority actions that could be undertaken to increase housing production, according to the consultant, Cascadia Partners of Portland.
“This is a plan to take a look at plans,” commented Mayor John McArdle, noting that there are several alternatives.
Two other potential strategies also were considered “high impact” by the consulting team.
One would utilize a multi-unit property tax exemption that would allow higher-rise buildings to forego city taxes or have them reduced for a number of years; The other recommendation called for declaring a new Urban Renewal Area that could possibly allow higher-density housing, less parking space requirements, smaller lots and more development of accessory dwelling units.
A final report for helping the city reach the best housing production method is scheduled to be published in early 2025 for review and possible adoption. ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
Less than a year after the Independence City Council approved building fees that were reported to be the highest in Oregon, a consulting firm hired by the city suggested that reducing them could help meet affordable housing goals.
The fees had been protested by local builders, including Dalke Construction, which stopped work on the Brandy Meadows subdivision. The Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties called the increases “massive” and attributed their rise to the need for a new water treatment plant in order to draw water from the Willamette River.
City officials have acknowledged a need to raise revenue for the water-treatment facility. The land for it currently is in litigation as the result of an eminent-domain action by the city.
The option to lower the building fees was offered during a work session Tuesday on housing production strategies – an effort required by state rule to demonstrate how the city plans to promote the creation of housing to meet future needs.
Members of the city council and planning commission attended the session, which was held prior to the city council meeting on Tuesday.
A recent analysis of building within the city shows that housing construction all but shut down after Independence enacted building fees of about $54,000 per home unit. In contrast, those for Silverton are $24,000; for Dallas, about $20,000; and for Lebanon, just over $19,000.
Lowering these fees, which are called system development charges, appeared to be one of the highest-priority actions that could be undertaken to increase housing production, according to the consultant, Cascadia Partners of Portland.
“This is a plan to take a look at plans,” commented Mayor John McArdle, noting that there are several alternatives.
Two other potential strategies also were considered “high impact” by the consulting team.
One would utilize a multi-unit property tax exemption that would allow higher-rise buildings to forego city taxes or have them reduced for a number of years; The other recommendation called for declaring a new Urban Renewal Area that could possibly allow higher-density housing, less parking space requirements, smaller lots and more development of accessory dwelling units.
A final report for helping the city reach the best housing production method is scheduled to be published in early 2025 for review and possible adoption. ▪
Planning for parks that don't follow the plans. An Editorial by Trammart News
By Anne Scheck, Trammart News Editorial
Trammart News Service
Last night, an open house on the Parks Master Plan was held to determine public preferences in the years ahead for green spaces and recreational sites.
It’s a wonderful way to receive residential input. But just how definite is it?
I’m asking myself this question due to a recent visit to Sunset Meadows Park, the linear park in Southwest Independence that for years was promised a nature-oriented playground so inclusive that children with mobility difficulties could use it.
This past month, the neighborhood rightly seemed excited about completion of the new construction of it – a swing set, a slide, a climbing structure of logs. However, to me, the difference between what was planned and what eventually was built proved somewhat jarring.
Years ago, I’d attended an open house for residents who wanted to pitch in and select the play-area components for Sunset Meadows. That gathering was not unlike the one on the parks master plan last night. But the document that was produced based upon those early Sunset Meadows’ preferences was nothing like the result.
Sunset Meadows Park initially was planned to have a climbing net, a log crawl, stepping logs, a balance beam, a play canoe, a basalt crawl and a small swing set with an ADA-accessible swing. In short, the playground was designed to be accessible to all children, as a hub for families with a child that needed that kind of playground.
“There is a lot of support in the community to get this park and playground up and running as there are no other playgrounds or all-accessible playground equipment nearby,” was the observation in one of the city’s grant applications for developing the park.
Last year, at a meeting of the Independence Park Board, which is made up of community volunteers, Public Works Director Gerald Fisher was asked to share with that group the plans for Sunset Meadows Park going forward, plans that eventually were awarded to the only bidder for the project.
Fisher pointed out that the planning was well established, with the bidding process underway.
A news release about this special park can still be found on the city’s website, dated in 2022.
“The city conducted a survey in 2019 that allowed the community to weigh in on the final designs of the park,” according to the statement.
In fact, I was on hand in 2019 when those residents met and made their wishes known.
Today, there is no ADA-accessible swing at Sunset Meadows Park and, just as some parents have noted, one section has a row of jagged rocks. Also missing is the canoe to help prompt recollection of the original land dwellers, Native Americans.
Asked to comment several times, City Communications Director Emmanuel Goicochea failed to respond to the comparison between the original plan and the current Sunset Meadows Park.
So, how much weight will residents have with the Parks Master Plan currently being offered for public comment? Time will tell. ▪
By Anne Scheck, Trammart News Editorial
Trammart News Service
Last night, an open house on the Parks Master Plan was held to determine public preferences in the years ahead for green spaces and recreational sites.
It’s a wonderful way to receive residential input. But just how definite is it?
I’m asking myself this question due to a recent visit to Sunset Meadows Park, the linear park in Southwest Independence that for years was promised a nature-oriented playground so inclusive that children with mobility difficulties could use it.
This past month, the neighborhood rightly seemed excited about completion of the new construction of it – a swing set, a slide, a climbing structure of logs. However, to me, the difference between what was planned and what eventually was built proved somewhat jarring.
Years ago, I’d attended an open house for residents who wanted to pitch in and select the play-area components for Sunset Meadows. That gathering was not unlike the one on the parks master plan last night. But the document that was produced based upon those early Sunset Meadows’ preferences was nothing like the result.
Sunset Meadows Park initially was planned to have a climbing net, a log crawl, stepping logs, a balance beam, a play canoe, a basalt crawl and a small swing set with an ADA-accessible swing. In short, the playground was designed to be accessible to all children, as a hub for families with a child that needed that kind of playground.
“There is a lot of support in the community to get this park and playground up and running as there are no other playgrounds or all-accessible playground equipment nearby,” was the observation in one of the city’s grant applications for developing the park.
Last year, at a meeting of the Independence Park Board, which is made up of community volunteers, Public Works Director Gerald Fisher was asked to share with that group the plans for Sunset Meadows Park going forward, plans that eventually were awarded to the only bidder for the project.
Fisher pointed out that the planning was well established, with the bidding process underway.
A news release about this special park can still be found on the city’s website, dated in 2022.
“The city conducted a survey in 2019 that allowed the community to weigh in on the final designs of the park,” according to the statement.
In fact, I was on hand in 2019 when those residents met and made their wishes known.
Today, there is no ADA-accessible swing at Sunset Meadows Park and, just as some parents have noted, one section has a row of jagged rocks. Also missing is the canoe to help prompt recollection of the original land dwellers, Native Americans.
Asked to comment several times, City Communications Director Emmanuel Goicochea failed to respond to the comparison between the original plan and the current Sunset Meadows Park.
So, how much weight will residents have with the Parks Master Plan currently being offered for public comment? Time will tell. ▪
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