Independence sweeps MI community awards due to 2023 community contributors
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, April 26, 2024
MI Chamber Community Award Recipients this year were dominated by people who work or live in Independence, from Independence-based Manuia Support Services, the community provider of assistance for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, which was recognized as the 2023 outstanding organization of the year to the “Business of the Year,” Brew Coffee & Tap House, the downtown coffee shop-tavern that’s known as the town’s go-to spot.
“It’s been nothing but a good time,” said Mitch Teal, who co-owns the “Brew & Tap” with his wife, Cathy Teal. The pair opened the establishment eight years ago, and soon after that it became Independence’s meet-up hub.
Just across Main Street from the “B & T” is the proprietor of the new business of the year, Emily Samuelian, whose Little Pumpkin Cat Café appears to be the only one of its kind in the state, offering cat adoptions from her cozy notions shop.
And the innovative non-profit of the year, Ash Creek Arts Center, is in downtown Independence, too – at the former library building, now a place that holds art workshops for children and adults. This year’s prestigious “Legacy Award” went to the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation. Though technically located in Monmouth, the powerhouse force of the foundation, board member and immediate past president, Vern Wells (in photo), is a resident of Independence.
He spent two decades helping build the foundation, which enriches K-12 education programs through grants and other funding to the Central School District. Two members of CSD won education awards: Monica Rodriguez, an Independence resident who was named outstanding educational staff member, and Central High School’s band-orchestra teacher Ed Propst was awarded “Educator of the Year.” (Both are pictured in the inset photo with CSD Superintendent Jennifer Kubista.) A few years ago, Propst was given the “Golden Lark Award” by Trammart News, for making a community difference by transforming the Central High School band into a top-notch performing group of young musicians.
Two award winners from outside Independence were Rick Gydesen, who owned Rick’s Place in Monmouth for nearly 30 years; Joshua Brandt, of Brandt’s Sanitary Service in Monmouth, was named community member of the year. Youth community member-of-the-year went to Haven Winslow.
Phyllis Bolman, Monmouth’s City Recorder, was given the “Distinguished Service Award.”
The event was held in mid-April at the Eola Hills Wine Cellars in Rickreall, and the awards were bestowed by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nicki Marazzani. A presentation by a polished emcee, Sabra Jewell, the communications coordinator for Monmouth, can be found in a professionally produced video of the winners available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQeaIbc9fQI ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, April 26, 2024
MI Chamber Community Award Recipients this year were dominated by people who work or live in Independence, from Independence-based Manuia Support Services, the community provider of assistance for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, which was recognized as the 2023 outstanding organization of the year to the “Business of the Year,” Brew Coffee & Tap House, the downtown coffee shop-tavern that’s known as the town’s go-to spot.
“It’s been nothing but a good time,” said Mitch Teal, who co-owns the “Brew & Tap” with his wife, Cathy Teal. The pair opened the establishment eight years ago, and soon after that it became Independence’s meet-up hub.
Just across Main Street from the “B & T” is the proprietor of the new business of the year, Emily Samuelian, whose Little Pumpkin Cat Café appears to be the only one of its kind in the state, offering cat adoptions from her cozy notions shop.
And the innovative non-profit of the year, Ash Creek Arts Center, is in downtown Independence, too – at the former library building, now a place that holds art workshops for children and adults. This year’s prestigious “Legacy Award” went to the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation. Though technically located in Monmouth, the powerhouse force of the foundation, board member and immediate past president, Vern Wells (in photo), is a resident of Independence.
He spent two decades helping build the foundation, which enriches K-12 education programs through grants and other funding to the Central School District. Two members of CSD won education awards: Monica Rodriguez, an Independence resident who was named outstanding educational staff member, and Central High School’s band-orchestra teacher Ed Propst was awarded “Educator of the Year.” (Both are pictured in the inset photo with CSD Superintendent Jennifer Kubista.) A few years ago, Propst was given the “Golden Lark Award” by Trammart News, for making a community difference by transforming the Central High School band into a top-notch performing group of young musicians.
Two award winners from outside Independence were Rick Gydesen, who owned Rick’s Place in Monmouth for nearly 30 years; Joshua Brandt, of Brandt’s Sanitary Service in Monmouth, was named community member of the year. Youth community member-of-the-year went to Haven Winslow.
Phyllis Bolman, Monmouth’s City Recorder, was given the “Distinguished Service Award.”
The event was held in mid-April at the Eola Hills Wine Cellars in Rickreall, and the awards were bestowed by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nicki Marazzani. A presentation by a polished emcee, Sabra Jewell, the communications coordinator for Monmouth, can be found in a professionally produced video of the winners available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQeaIbc9fQI ▪
Increasing costs for city services prompts difficult questions at recent budget meeting
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, April 26, 2024
No Independence budget of the past decade appears to have so starkly highlighted the need for new revenue sources as the one this year – if adopted, it includes a $27-per-month fee for public safety, plans for a tax levy to rescue the library and museum from closure and, in an entirely separate action, a water-rate increase of 5.5%.
The $27 public safety fee is scheduled to revert to $10 per month, potentially after the first year.
At the center is a shortfall that needs shoring up – $400,000 already has been taken from the General Fund in a one-time transfer – shrinking financial reserves to below the policy-set limit. The plummet is partly the result of “significant fluctuations” that occurred during an influx
of federal money from the American Rescue Plan in the pandemic, which made the “base budget” for the 2023 fiscal year “harder to see,” explained Rob Moody, Independence’s new finance director.
Independence City Manager Kenna West repeatedly has referenced tax Measures 5 and 50 – strict limitations on the level of tax increases – as causing depletion of city coffers. Many cities are suffering under the same constrictions but two in Polk County – Dallas and Monmouth – took different approaches to deal with the looming financial strain, according to a review of the cities’ records.
Monmouth voters passed a bond for their new city hall, putting it on a long-term tax roll. And, with a square footage of 15,200, it’s substantially smaller than the loan-financed Civic Center in Independence, which is about 38,000 square feet. Monmouth’s police station, unlike the police department housed in the Independence Civic Center, was relocated to a refurbished building that also was bond-approved by voters, for the renovation.
In Dallas, a series of “road shows” to determine budget-tightening public preferences occurred at various venues over the past year, after the city forecast shortfalls. Each of four alternatives was presented in forums, ranging from presentation on an operations levy to creation of a parks and recreation district.
Efforts by Trammart News to obtain a reply about outside commentary on Independence’s recently released budget information went unanswered by the city’s communication coordinator, Emmanuel Goicochea. However, City Manager West acknowledged at the first budget meeting that it is “easy to look back and say ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda.’”
Instead, West advised members of the budget committee to “give the people before you some grace that you would like to have in five years, 10 years and 20 years and focus on moving forward.”
The move by Dallas seems to have dampened concerns like those that arose at the most recent Independence budget meeting: that a city-proposed levy may be difficult to pass. It was introduced as part of the budget process. “How do we set this up for success?” asked committee member Erin Seiler.
Outside the meeting, a few residents wanted answers to that question, as well. As prices tick up for gas, electricity and water, will public support go down for paying more for other service costs? Some saw the probable need for a school bond as possibly interfering with support for a city levy.
However, "we don’t see this as competing but more as a structural issue with state funding that leads public agencies into trying to find creative solutions to pay for needed services," stated School District Superintendent Jennifer Kubista, who was asked about whether the city levy might splinter votes for funding school improvements.
Another issue has been raised, as well – budget priorities set solely by top city administrators, none of whom live in Independence. Both City Manager West and Public Works Director Gerald Fisher, for example, live outside Polk County – an observation made by certain residents who agree with former City Manager David Clyne that resources have been directed away from popular facilities like the swimming pool.
Clyne wrote a letter to the budget committee requesting that greater priority be given to parks and recreation. Asked to elaborate on his message, he acknowledged that the city is in a financially tight spot, adding that the argument for the current decision-making is to follow a “best practice” strategy. However, “my response is that virtually all cities experience structural deficits due to the impacts of measures 5 and 50, but nonetheless there are creative and appropriate means of balancing services and finances to better meet the needs of the community,” he stated.
Clyne has been an advocate for completion of the Willamette River Trail, near his home. At a recent Parks and Recreation Board meeting, there was a near-unanimous vote in favor of the trail by board members, with only one dissenting vote, by Erin McIntosh.
Though a balanced budget now has been provided to the budget committee, it will meet again over the next few weeks, including May 1, for input from the public and committee members.
( A third article in a series on city debt will appear next week.)▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, April 26, 2024
No Independence budget of the past decade appears to have so starkly highlighted the need for new revenue sources as the one this year – if adopted, it includes a $27-per-month fee for public safety, plans for a tax levy to rescue the library and museum from closure and, in an entirely separate action, a water-rate increase of 5.5%.
The $27 public safety fee is scheduled to revert to $10 per month, potentially after the first year.
At the center is a shortfall that needs shoring up – $400,000 already has been taken from the General Fund in a one-time transfer – shrinking financial reserves to below the policy-set limit. The plummet is partly the result of “significant fluctuations” that occurred during an influx
of federal money from the American Rescue Plan in the pandemic, which made the “base budget” for the 2023 fiscal year “harder to see,” explained Rob Moody, Independence’s new finance director.
Independence City Manager Kenna West repeatedly has referenced tax Measures 5 and 50 – strict limitations on the level of tax increases – as causing depletion of city coffers. Many cities are suffering under the same constrictions but two in Polk County – Dallas and Monmouth – took different approaches to deal with the looming financial strain, according to a review of the cities’ records.
Monmouth voters passed a bond for their new city hall, putting it on a long-term tax roll. And, with a square footage of 15,200, it’s substantially smaller than the loan-financed Civic Center in Independence, which is about 38,000 square feet. Monmouth’s police station, unlike the police department housed in the Independence Civic Center, was relocated to a refurbished building that also was bond-approved by voters, for the renovation.
In Dallas, a series of “road shows” to determine budget-tightening public preferences occurred at various venues over the past year, after the city forecast shortfalls. Each of four alternatives was presented in forums, ranging from presentation on an operations levy to creation of a parks and recreation district.
Efforts by Trammart News to obtain a reply about outside commentary on Independence’s recently released budget information went unanswered by the city’s communication coordinator, Emmanuel Goicochea. However, City Manager West acknowledged at the first budget meeting that it is “easy to look back and say ‘shoulda, coulda, woulda.’”
Instead, West advised members of the budget committee to “give the people before you some grace that you would like to have in five years, 10 years and 20 years and focus on moving forward.”
The move by Dallas seems to have dampened concerns like those that arose at the most recent Independence budget meeting: that a city-proposed levy may be difficult to pass. It was introduced as part of the budget process. “How do we set this up for success?” asked committee member Erin Seiler.
Outside the meeting, a few residents wanted answers to that question, as well. As prices tick up for gas, electricity and water, will public support go down for paying more for other service costs? Some saw the probable need for a school bond as possibly interfering with support for a city levy.
However, "we don’t see this as competing but more as a structural issue with state funding that leads public agencies into trying to find creative solutions to pay for needed services," stated School District Superintendent Jennifer Kubista, who was asked about whether the city levy might splinter votes for funding school improvements.
Another issue has been raised, as well – budget priorities set solely by top city administrators, none of whom live in Independence. Both City Manager West and Public Works Director Gerald Fisher, for example, live outside Polk County – an observation made by certain residents who agree with former City Manager David Clyne that resources have been directed away from popular facilities like the swimming pool.
Clyne wrote a letter to the budget committee requesting that greater priority be given to parks and recreation. Asked to elaborate on his message, he acknowledged that the city is in a financially tight spot, adding that the argument for the current decision-making is to follow a “best practice” strategy. However, “my response is that virtually all cities experience structural deficits due to the impacts of measures 5 and 50, but nonetheless there are creative and appropriate means of balancing services and finances to better meet the needs of the community,” he stated.
Clyne has been an advocate for completion of the Willamette River Trail, near his home. At a recent Parks and Recreation Board meeting, there was a near-unanimous vote in favor of the trail by board members, with only one dissenting vote, by Erin McIntosh.
Though a balanced budget now has been provided to the budget committee, it will meet again over the next few weeks, including May 1, for input from the public and committee members.
( A third article in a series on city debt will appear next week.)▪
Water rates to rise 5.5% to help pay for planned $40 million water treatment plant
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, April 26, 2024
A projected 5.5% increase in water rates is needed to support a $40 million loan expected to be taken out by the city for building a new water treatment plant – amid hope that future partnerships with other Polk County cities and state or federal money will help reduce that coming debt.
That was the message from the city’s water-engineering consultant, Steve Donovan, who confirmed that the water rates need to rise during a city council work session this past Monday. For now, the “whole strategy is that we are going it alone” without outside assistance, he said.
However, Polk County has agreed to donate to the project “instream water rights” held by the county, which would benefit the public as a water source. Additionally, there are “conversations with Monmouth” about becoming a partner or contributor to the project, Donovan said.
At the earliest, the new rates will be presented to the city council in May, with an effective date of July. However, it may take far longer to implement a new rate schedule, he observed.
In the meantime, conversations are underway with Monmouth as a possible participant and the city will seek revenue from the state legislature and through federal grants. However, though federal funding is a possibility, “it isn’t what it used to be,” Donovan said. ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service, April 26, 2024
A projected 5.5% increase in water rates is needed to support a $40 million loan expected to be taken out by the city for building a new water treatment plant – amid hope that future partnerships with other Polk County cities and state or federal money will help reduce that coming debt.
That was the message from the city’s water-engineering consultant, Steve Donovan, who confirmed that the water rates need to rise during a city council work session this past Monday. For now, the “whole strategy is that we are going it alone” without outside assistance, he said.
However, Polk County has agreed to donate to the project “instream water rights” held by the county, which would benefit the public as a water source. Additionally, there are “conversations with Monmouth” about becoming a partner or contributor to the project, Donovan said.
At the earliest, the new rates will be presented to the city council in May, with an effective date of July. However, it may take far longer to implement a new rate schedule, he observed.
In the meantime, conversations are underway with Monmouth as a possible participant and the city will seek revenue from the state legislature and through federal grants. However, though federal funding is a possibility, “it isn’t what it used to be,” Donovan said. ▪
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