MONEY ALLOCATED FOR WATER AND SEWER
A bid for wasewater-and-sewer improvements near downtown that exceeds $1 million -- by about $160,000 – is likely to be awarded the contract for the Riverview Pump Station, said Kie Cottam, public works director for the City of Independence. Though city officials last year delayed approving a million-dollar-plus contract for the same work, the current proposal saves money, compared with the bids last year. “We are very happy that we saved $100,000.00 dollars,” said Mr. Cottam. The low bidder this time around is Trench Line Excavation.
In another pending expenditure, water rights that city councilors agreed to buy months ago will require a bank loan of about $800,000, said Gloria Butsch, Independence finance director. She also reported that the “Storm Drain Fund” beginning fund balance is $34,541 over the budget estimate, which exceeds the 16% policy for unrestricted fund balance ($98,521).
However, taxes on marijuana – which were expected to come in lower than the budget estimate – actually were $22,000 more than anticipated, putting the tax revenue from cannabis and related products “a little bit more on track compared to the budget,” according to Ms. Butsch.
In another pending expenditure, water rights that city councilors agreed to buy months ago will require a bank loan of about $800,000, said Gloria Butsch, Independence finance director. She also reported that the “Storm Drain Fund” beginning fund balance is $34,541 over the budget estimate, which exceeds the 16% policy for unrestricted fund balance ($98,521).
However, taxes on marijuana – which were expected to come in lower than the budget estimate – actually were $22,000 more than anticipated, putting the tax revenue from cannabis and related products “a little bit more on track compared to the budget,” according to Ms. Butsch.
OSPREY RELOCATION
The nest of a long-dwelling pair of Ospreys, who have returned to a platform above the Riverview parking lot year after year, will be moved to accommodate the new hotel at Independence Landing.
The platform upon which the birds build their nest will be placed at a nearby location, in a tall tree, across C Street but by the Willamette River, explained Shawn Irvine, Independence economic development director. They will be able to adjust to their home, he was told, if the relocation is “within the proximity of a football field.”
The platform upon which the birds build their nest will be placed at a nearby location, in a tall tree, across C Street but by the Willamette River, explained Shawn Irvine, Independence economic development director. They will be able to adjust to their home, he was told, if the relocation is “within the proximity of a football field.”
DEVELOPMENT CODE: Scores of Changes, Corrections Approved
Dozens of changes to the city’s development code were approved by the city council in an effort to clean up old language, revise inadvertent errors and generally modernize the document, said Zach Pelz, the city’s contracted urban planner. The nearly 200 pages were tough reading for councilors and city staff alike – City Recorder Karin Johnson was tasked once again with making changes after councilors spotted words like “nursery,” which still needed a written definition to distinguish between a plant-growing area from a daycare center.
COMMING UP
Want to take a more in-depth look at the development code changes and new ordinances passed by the City Council this month? Pick up the March issue of The Independent. Available March 1.
FINAL NOTE:
Welcome Jennifer Ranstrom-Smith, who was selected and sworn in as a city councilor at the meeting. She is the youngest councilor now – beating Michael Hicks for that spot by a mere month or two. Both are 37 years old.
FINAL NOTE:
Welcome Jennifer Ranstrom-Smith, who was selected and sworn in as a city councilor at the meeting. She is the youngest councilor now – beating Michael Hicks for that spot by a mere month or two. Both are 37 years old.
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