COUNTY CORRECTIONS PROVIDING LABOR IN CITY LANDSCAPE WORK
Independence is contracting with Polk County Corrections to provide court-ordered community-service workers for tree-trimming and other environmental needs, according to a report at the Polk County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.
“It’s restorative to the community and provides offender accountability,” explained Jodi Merritt, director of community-service programs for the county. Independence was listed as one of five designated sites, along with a cemetery, several county areas and the fairgrounds.
“It’s restorative to the community and provides offender accountability,” explained Jodi Merritt, director of community-service programs for the county. Independence was listed as one of five designated sites, along with a cemetery, several county areas and the fairgrounds.
ANNEXATION WILL ADD 70 ACRES, NEW HOUSING TO INDEPENDENCE
A public hearing to bring 70.2 acres previously zoned for farming use into the city limits will be held at the city council meeting Tuesday night. A proposal to deem the land “mixed-residential use” also is scheduled for a vote.
The annexation area, south of the city, includes several relatively extensive wetland areas, prompting some residents to express concern. “Our question here is, has an environmental impact report been done on those areas? Are there any wetlands being impacted for this annexation?” asked Stephen Westfall, who sent a letter to the council. Mr. Westfall, who resides outside of Independence, lives in a neighborhood adjacent to the planned project.
Wetland delineation – the means for determining the precise size of natural water-collection used by wildlife – was the subject of some discussion at the annual meeting of the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association last week; City planners noted wetlands can be challenging and costly to mitigate. Estimates put delineation at $40,000 to $100,000, depending on the area of study.
The annexation area, south of the city, includes several relatively extensive wetland areas, prompting some residents to express concern. “Our question here is, has an environmental impact report been done on those areas? Are there any wetlands being impacted for this annexation?” asked Stephen Westfall, who sent a letter to the council. Mr. Westfall, who resides outside of Independence, lives in a neighborhood adjacent to the planned project.
Wetland delineation – the means for determining the precise size of natural water-collection used by wildlife – was the subject of some discussion at the annual meeting of the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association last week; City planners noted wetlands can be challenging and costly to mitigate. Estimates put delineation at $40,000 to $100,000, depending on the area of study.
INDEPENDENCE HOTEL
The Independence Hotel has begun promoting the city’s “Event Center” for hotel guests – it’s the floor below City Council chambers at the Civic Center. The hotel website lists it as “a great space to hold your next meeting, conference or event,” with over 4,300 square feet of “modern, high-quality meeting space.” Terms of the hotel’s proposed contract with the city for use of the civic center’s lower level are expected soon.
FINAL NOTE~High Number of Impaired Driver Arrests~
Hundreds of traffic stops have been made by the Independence Police Department this year – 23 of them resulted in arrest for “driving under the influence of intoxicants” (DUII), according to the Independence Police Department, which issued a news release this past month. Of the nearly two dozen arrests, 18 were alcohol-related and five were for drug impairment. Eight motorists were found to be in violation of “Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock Device,” meaning these DUII offenders were not abiding their conviction conditions. There were 14 arrests for driving during a license suspension.
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