By Anne Scheck
CITY COUNCIL DIVIDED, MAYOR DECIDES VOTE
A divided city council approved the sale of a city-owned lot at the Independence Landing project – but the deciding vote was cast by the mayor after two councilors turned thumbs down on the proposal and a third one abstained.
The lot was sold for $185,000 to the Young Development Group LLC, 235 S. Main Street. The purchase price is set to be fully refunded once certain milestones are met, such as deeding back a planned parking lot there for public use and laying underground utilities at the site, according to City Manager Tom Pessemier.
The buyer, Aaron Young, already owns a similarly-conveyed lot now known as Osprey Point, which has had construction delays. That fact apparently prompted City Councilor Jennifer Ranstrom-Smith to vote no. “I am concerned the Youngs have entirely too much on their plate right now,” she said.
Ms. Ranstrom-Smith was joined in her “no” vote by Councilor Shannon Corr, who voiced worry over the proposal itself, which initially was considered “light on detail” when first submitted, she observed. Though it was revised, “I find this proposal light in detail,” Ms. Corr said, adding that it looked like it used boilerplate language “and I have some real concerns about that.”
Councilor Marilyn Morton, who co-owns the commercial office space where Mr. Young’s business is located, spoke in favor of the sale. Asked a few days later if she was under obligation to disclose the fact that she co-owns a commercial building near the lot purchased by Mr. Young, and that she has what might be perceived as a business relationship with him because he is her tenant, Ms. Morton answered “no.”
The tie vote over Mr. Young’s proposal occurred because City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis cited a conflict-of-interest on her part – she’s a trustee of the Elks Club, which occupies a building on Main Street adjacent to the lot being sold, slated to be the site of a new meeting hall for the Elks. As a result, Ms. Martin-Willis abstained. Mayor John McArdle cast a yes vote to break the tie.
A state “government ethics” law identifies a conflict of interest as occurring when a public official takes an action in an official capacity that could financially impact that public official or any business with which the public official is associated. The law distinguishes between an actual conflict of interest and a potential one: an actual conflict of interest occurs when a public official participates in an official action that would have a direct financial impact on that official. A potential conflict of interest occurs when a public official’s action, decision or recommendation could have a financial impact on that office-holder. Public officials must publicly state the “conflict” when either situation arises, according to Oregon law.
The Elks Club building, a few doors down from Mr. Young’s office, will be re-purposed in this process, Mr. Young affirmed, but he declined to provide any further description, citing “proprietary” reasons. Mike Lodge, who co-owns the commercial space with Ms. Morton, said he believes the sale will be of great benefit to the Elks Club.
During the meeting, City Manager Tom Pessemier said the plans include a smaller building for the Elks, where they would relocate and “then sell their other building to the same developer, is my understanding, to be modified and put back into constructive use.”
Mr. Young also confirmed that he plans to stay at his current location, where his firm now offers real estate sales and services.
The lot, called parcel 7, was purchased along with other land along the Willamette River a few years ago as part of an ambitious urban renewal project by the city – property that now includes the Independence Hotel, a 75-room lodging facility that opened for business last fall, and an apartment-townhome complex, which is nearing completion.
HANDS-ON HELP FOR INDEPENDENCE BUSINESSES
Free technical assistance for businesses impacted by COVID-19 – financed with CARES Act money – is being made available through a city-backed plan that connects applicants with local experts who can give them knowledgeable help, according to Kate Schwarzler, who owns Indy Commons. Ms. Schwarzler, who will serve as paid administrator of the program, said the expertise largely will come from skilled and experienced individuals in Independence. They haven’t been identified yet – their hiring depends on what’s requested, she explained. However, “clearly-defined support services” range from the means to move to digitalization to ways to broaden marketing opportunities. The application forms are available at this link: https://forms.gle/JHcTfmfXDXp7WxGd8.
THE MILLION-PLANT PLANTING
The amazing milestone of a million plantings has been reached by the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC). How will they commemorate it? With another planting, this time with an Oregon White Oak Tree. Previous efforts have involved soil-enriching, watershed-enhancing plants. “The oak tree is our symbolic millionth plant, and although most of our plantings are riparian species, the tree silhouette in our logo is an oak,” explained Suzanne Teller, outreach coordinator for the LWC. The festivities have been scaled down due to pandemic precautions, but not the event itself. And also from the LWC, comes this announcement:
Virtual Sips 'n Science: What Birds Reveal About Floodplain Function
6:30 - 8pm, Oct 13, via Zoom (registration required)
Grab your favorite beverage and tune into this evening presentation by USGS forest ecologist, Joan Hagar, from the comfort of your own home! Joan will introduce her research into bird diversity at Luckiamute State Natural Area, and how different species use the floodplain forest habitat that is a focus of one of our long-term restoration projects. More details and registration link at https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/sips-and-science-lsna-birds.html
EDITORIAL---------------------------
As election time nears, the national ballot is generating more local buzz than the pollinator garden at Mount Fir Park. But here at Trammart News & Publishing, which is a person-plus-laptop, it’s the local contest that’s on my mind. It’s caused me to start re-thinking some of my thinking (with regard to my own policies, such as never connecting people because my standard answers in newsrooms of the past was to say: “Sorry, that would be participating in the process itself”).
However, I have done just the opposite when I’ve been asked by candidates – over the course of the past few weeks – to provide everything from emails for certain people being sought (including but not limited to our City Recorder Karin Johnson). I’ve had copies of my paper delivered, when they are requested by those vying for a council seat (which I now can provide by PDFs instead of printed paper). I’ve been told by community members that all this competition over unpaid positions on our city council – the mayoral spot and open seats on the city council – seems surprising (I've confirmed that, but shared my view that it’s good to see democracy in action).
So, since I am trying to be a good citizen as well as a suitable publisher, I thought I’d write a letter to our future elected city councilors, whoever they may be, long before the ballots are counted. –Anne Scheck
Dear Councilor,
I have been attending city council meetings for four years now and, with a few notable exceptions, I rarely hear the residents themselves mentioned. I usually hear how great this-or-that would be “for the city” or “for the community.” Can you reference actual people, occasionally? Instead of an amorphous municipality? Maybe even give an example of how your friends and neighbors might be affected by an action?
Also, councilor, I’d like to hear some straight talk on the money pinch we’ll likely be facing as life in COVID-19 inflicts its ugly toll. The city manager, Tom Pessemier, takes a whack at it once in a while. But I look across the river to Salem’s financial director, Robert Barron, and he's been fearless about describing the financial shape of things. For example, when I asked him at a Salem City Club meeting how to know when city debt gets too high, he had a formulaic way I couldn’t quite understand. So, he simplified it: an amount that pencils out to less than or at $3,500 per person is a pretty good measure – exceeding that population-based debt can be an indicator for careful re-examination.
And by the way, councilor, if you’d like a good example of one of your former occupants on the dais, I’d recommend former City Councilor Ken Day. He lives elsewhere now. He was a guy who always seemed to point out the elephants and gorillas in the room. Once I heard him ask our city’s economic development director just-exactly-what was being accomplished by trying to turn our town into an Agricultural Technology Hub center, which has been an ongoing project. When Mr. Day failed to get what he thought was a concrete response, he followed it up with something like: Are you sure this is the best allocation of your time? On another occasion, Mr. Day asked how much it cost to refinance a bond – something I’d wondered about, too. He got his answer eventually, and now I routinely request the same re-financing information, calling it the “Ken Day” rule.
Finally, councilor, please stay in touch with those who lack your visibility here in Independence, will you? The people here generally are kind and generous, and it’s okay to make a big deal over how this pandemic may be affecting them, and especially their children. This happens all the time at the Polk County Board of Commissioners. In fact, there was so much hand-wringing the other day over the plight of families that Commissioner Craig Pope confessed: “I realize I am showboating here.” True, but it was nice to hear. It reminded me of one of my favorite maxims, by the great magazine editor Michael Kinsley, who said that insincere flattery is more flattering than sincere flattery because it’s a testament to the power of the people being flattered. So, go ahead, councilor-to-be, lay it on thick for the voting public once in a while. Michael Kinsley is right. -- AS (end)
CITY COUNCIL DIVIDED, MAYOR DECIDES VOTE
A divided city council approved the sale of a city-owned lot at the Independence Landing project – but the deciding vote was cast by the mayor after two councilors turned thumbs down on the proposal and a third one abstained.
The lot was sold for $185,000 to the Young Development Group LLC, 235 S. Main Street. The purchase price is set to be fully refunded once certain milestones are met, such as deeding back a planned parking lot there for public use and laying underground utilities at the site, according to City Manager Tom Pessemier.
The buyer, Aaron Young, already owns a similarly-conveyed lot now known as Osprey Point, which has had construction delays. That fact apparently prompted City Councilor Jennifer Ranstrom-Smith to vote no. “I am concerned the Youngs have entirely too much on their plate right now,” she said.
Ms. Ranstrom-Smith was joined in her “no” vote by Councilor Shannon Corr, who voiced worry over the proposal itself, which initially was considered “light on detail” when first submitted, she observed. Though it was revised, “I find this proposal light in detail,” Ms. Corr said, adding that it looked like it used boilerplate language “and I have some real concerns about that.”
Councilor Marilyn Morton, who co-owns the commercial office space where Mr. Young’s business is located, spoke in favor of the sale. Asked a few days later if she was under obligation to disclose the fact that she co-owns a commercial building near the lot purchased by Mr. Young, and that she has what might be perceived as a business relationship with him because he is her tenant, Ms. Morton answered “no.”
The tie vote over Mr. Young’s proposal occurred because City Councilor Kathy Martin-Willis cited a conflict-of-interest on her part – she’s a trustee of the Elks Club, which occupies a building on Main Street adjacent to the lot being sold, slated to be the site of a new meeting hall for the Elks. As a result, Ms. Martin-Willis abstained. Mayor John McArdle cast a yes vote to break the tie.
A state “government ethics” law identifies a conflict of interest as occurring when a public official takes an action in an official capacity that could financially impact that public official or any business with which the public official is associated. The law distinguishes between an actual conflict of interest and a potential one: an actual conflict of interest occurs when a public official participates in an official action that would have a direct financial impact on that official. A potential conflict of interest occurs when a public official’s action, decision or recommendation could have a financial impact on that office-holder. Public officials must publicly state the “conflict” when either situation arises, according to Oregon law.
The Elks Club building, a few doors down from Mr. Young’s office, will be re-purposed in this process, Mr. Young affirmed, but he declined to provide any further description, citing “proprietary” reasons. Mike Lodge, who co-owns the commercial space with Ms. Morton, said he believes the sale will be of great benefit to the Elks Club.
During the meeting, City Manager Tom Pessemier said the plans include a smaller building for the Elks, where they would relocate and “then sell their other building to the same developer, is my understanding, to be modified and put back into constructive use.”
Mr. Young also confirmed that he plans to stay at his current location, where his firm now offers real estate sales and services.
The lot, called parcel 7, was purchased along with other land along the Willamette River a few years ago as part of an ambitious urban renewal project by the city – property that now includes the Independence Hotel, a 75-room lodging facility that opened for business last fall, and an apartment-townhome complex, which is nearing completion.
HANDS-ON HELP FOR INDEPENDENCE BUSINESSES
Free technical assistance for businesses impacted by COVID-19 – financed with CARES Act money – is being made available through a city-backed plan that connects applicants with local experts who can give them knowledgeable help, according to Kate Schwarzler, who owns Indy Commons. Ms. Schwarzler, who will serve as paid administrator of the program, said the expertise largely will come from skilled and experienced individuals in Independence. They haven’t been identified yet – their hiring depends on what’s requested, she explained. However, “clearly-defined support services” range from the means to move to digitalization to ways to broaden marketing opportunities. The application forms are available at this link: https://forms.gle/JHcTfmfXDXp7WxGd8.
THE MILLION-PLANT PLANTING
The amazing milestone of a million plantings has been reached by the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC). How will they commemorate it? With another planting, this time with an Oregon White Oak Tree. Previous efforts have involved soil-enriching, watershed-enhancing plants. “The oak tree is our symbolic millionth plant, and although most of our plantings are riparian species, the tree silhouette in our logo is an oak,” explained Suzanne Teller, outreach coordinator for the LWC. The festivities have been scaled down due to pandemic precautions, but not the event itself. And also from the LWC, comes this announcement:
Virtual Sips 'n Science: What Birds Reveal About Floodplain Function
6:30 - 8pm, Oct 13, via Zoom (registration required)
Grab your favorite beverage and tune into this evening presentation by USGS forest ecologist, Joan Hagar, from the comfort of your own home! Joan will introduce her research into bird diversity at Luckiamute State Natural Area, and how different species use the floodplain forest habitat that is a focus of one of our long-term restoration projects. More details and registration link at https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/sips-and-science-lsna-birds.html
EDITORIAL---------------------------
As election time nears, the national ballot is generating more local buzz than the pollinator garden at Mount Fir Park. But here at Trammart News & Publishing, which is a person-plus-laptop, it’s the local contest that’s on my mind. It’s caused me to start re-thinking some of my thinking (with regard to my own policies, such as never connecting people because my standard answers in newsrooms of the past was to say: “Sorry, that would be participating in the process itself”).
However, I have done just the opposite when I’ve been asked by candidates – over the course of the past few weeks – to provide everything from emails for certain people being sought (including but not limited to our City Recorder Karin Johnson). I’ve had copies of my paper delivered, when they are requested by those vying for a council seat (which I now can provide by PDFs instead of printed paper). I’ve been told by community members that all this competition over unpaid positions on our city council – the mayoral spot and open seats on the city council – seems surprising (I've confirmed that, but shared my view that it’s good to see democracy in action).
So, since I am trying to be a good citizen as well as a suitable publisher, I thought I’d write a letter to our future elected city councilors, whoever they may be, long before the ballots are counted. –Anne Scheck
Dear Councilor,
I have been attending city council meetings for four years now and, with a few notable exceptions, I rarely hear the residents themselves mentioned. I usually hear how great this-or-that would be “for the city” or “for the community.” Can you reference actual people, occasionally? Instead of an amorphous municipality? Maybe even give an example of how your friends and neighbors might be affected by an action?
Also, councilor, I’d like to hear some straight talk on the money pinch we’ll likely be facing as life in COVID-19 inflicts its ugly toll. The city manager, Tom Pessemier, takes a whack at it once in a while. But I look across the river to Salem’s financial director, Robert Barron, and he's been fearless about describing the financial shape of things. For example, when I asked him at a Salem City Club meeting how to know when city debt gets too high, he had a formulaic way I couldn’t quite understand. So, he simplified it: an amount that pencils out to less than or at $3,500 per person is a pretty good measure – exceeding that population-based debt can be an indicator for careful re-examination.
And by the way, councilor, if you’d like a good example of one of your former occupants on the dais, I’d recommend former City Councilor Ken Day. He lives elsewhere now. He was a guy who always seemed to point out the elephants and gorillas in the room. Once I heard him ask our city’s economic development director just-exactly-what was being accomplished by trying to turn our town into an Agricultural Technology Hub center, which has been an ongoing project. When Mr. Day failed to get what he thought was a concrete response, he followed it up with something like: Are you sure this is the best allocation of your time? On another occasion, Mr. Day asked how much it cost to refinance a bond – something I’d wondered about, too. He got his answer eventually, and now I routinely request the same re-financing information, calling it the “Ken Day” rule.
Finally, councilor, please stay in touch with those who lack your visibility here in Independence, will you? The people here generally are kind and generous, and it’s okay to make a big deal over how this pandemic may be affecting them, and especially their children. This happens all the time at the Polk County Board of Commissioners. In fact, there was so much hand-wringing the other day over the plight of families that Commissioner Craig Pope confessed: “I realize I am showboating here.” True, but it was nice to hear. It reminded me of one of my favorite maxims, by the great magazine editor Michael Kinsley, who said that insincere flattery is more flattering than sincere flattery because it’s a testament to the power of the people being flattered. So, go ahead, councilor-to-be, lay it on thick for the voting public once in a while. Michael Kinsley is right. -- AS (end)
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