City Planner Departure
The first onsite certified city planner in Independence’s history will be leaving his post at the civic center shortly. Zach Pelz, who has worked under a contractual agreement the City of Independence forged with AKS Engineering in Tualatin, confirmed he is “winding down” office hours between now and December while the city looks for a replacement. Meanwhile, he will be working alongside a planner from the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments to provide planning services. “I’ll certainly miss it,” said Mr. Pelz, who was widely regarded for his urban planning expertise and his amiable and authoritative presence at meetings of the Independence Planning Commission.
City Manager Search
The search for a new city manager became an all-day affair this past Saturday, when city councilors interviewed all the candidates at the event center in sessions that started at 8:45 am and ended at 5:45 pm. The meeting adjourned without a final selection. A second session that was scheduled for Tuesday night was cancelled. The announcement, which will name an individual to succeed current city manager David Clyne, is expected in November.
Airport Expansion Considered
State-wide eyes seemed to be on the Independence State Airport this month, and for the very same reason – its potential as a hub. In separate meetings, the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA), the City of Independence and the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association (OAPA) zeroed in on the airport as a site for growth.
Airports like the one in Independence were singled out by a special panel at the annual OAPA meeting in Bend, which cited high-functioning municipal airports – like the one in Independence – as a valuable “asset” that can no longer feasibly be built. The consensus of OAPA panelists was that these small airports require protection and support; replacement costs are prohibitive.
Shortly after the OAPA conference, ODA executives held a meeting at the civic center, to continue charting a master plan that will allow for the construction of more hangars at the airport, and to extend the current runway.
A few days later, another airport-related meeting was held. The city’s economic development director, Shawn Irvine, along with two analysts from the consulting firm FCS Group -- which has worked with other communities serviced by airports -- met with local pilots to kick off a series of “targeted industry” discussions for land near the airport. The gathering was held to generate ideas for businesses on a 43-acre property that currently is for sale west of the airport. No decisions were reached. However, there was general agreement that residential development wasn’t a good fit, and that airport-related commerce might be the best use of the area.
(Disclosure: the publisher of The Linking Letter, a non-flyer, resides in the airpark).
Airports like the one in Independence were singled out by a special panel at the annual OAPA meeting in Bend, which cited high-functioning municipal airports – like the one in Independence – as a valuable “asset” that can no longer feasibly be built. The consensus of OAPA panelists was that these small airports require protection and support; replacement costs are prohibitive.
Shortly after the OAPA conference, ODA executives held a meeting at the civic center, to continue charting a master plan that will allow for the construction of more hangars at the airport, and to extend the current runway.
A few days later, another airport-related meeting was held. The city’s economic development director, Shawn Irvine, along with two analysts from the consulting firm FCS Group -- which has worked with other communities serviced by airports -- met with local pilots to kick off a series of “targeted industry” discussions for land near the airport. The gathering was held to generate ideas for businesses on a 43-acre property that currently is for sale west of the airport. No decisions were reached. However, there was general agreement that residential development wasn’t a good fit, and that airport-related commerce might be the best use of the area.
(Disclosure: the publisher of The Linking Letter, a non-flyer, resides in the airpark).
Funding Request Withdrawn
Independence City Councilor Marilyn Morton’s bid to give more city funding to the Monmouth-Independence (M-I) Chamber of Commerce was withdrawn by her at the last meeting, but she reported the request would be re-introduced in early 2019. In a strongly worded memo, city Manager David Clyne had recommended against allocating the money.
Councilor Morton, who proposed $2,500 dollars be awarded to the M-I Chamber, called it an organization “worthy of this city’s support beyond a membership fee.” Several years ago, Ms. Morton managed the M-I Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Clyne countered that the city already has staff fulfilling similar functions. “The City is partnered with Monmouth, Dallas and Polk County to hire a county-wide tourism professional in partnership with Travel Salem,” he wrote. Independence also has a downtown manager and an event coordinator, he added. “In truth I don’t see the benefit,” he concluded. Councilor Morton’s postponement of the issue was seen as a way to delay the vote until new city manager is in place.
Councilor Morton, who proposed $2,500 dollars be awarded to the M-I Chamber, called it an organization “worthy of this city’s support beyond a membership fee.” Several years ago, Ms. Morton managed the M-I Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Clyne countered that the city already has staff fulfilling similar functions. “The City is partnered with Monmouth, Dallas and Polk County to hire a county-wide tourism professional in partnership with Travel Salem,” he wrote. Independence also has a downtown manager and an event coordinator, he added. “In truth I don’t see the benefit,” he concluded. Councilor Morton’s postponement of the issue was seen as a way to delay the vote until new city manager is in place.
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