By Anne Scheck
FUNDING FALLS THROUGH FOR MINET
Outside funding being sought by MINET to finance new technology for its system has fallen through, delaying some upgrades for the municipal broadband, Independence City Manager Tom Pessemier announced at the last city council Meeting.
“It turned out MINET was not able to get that funding,” said Mr. Pessemier. The city council had voted to guarantee a line of credit for $350,000 to MINET – an action not needed until a loan is secured.
“It turned out MINET was not able to get that funding,” said Mr. Pessemier. The city council had voted to guarantee a line of credit for $350,000 to MINET – an action not needed until a loan is secured.
UPDATE: FLOOD PROTOCOL
A protocol for dealing with fast-rising waters of the Willamette River will be followed in the future, preventing “portable potty” bathrooms at Riverview Park from being dislodged under such circumstances, City Manager Tom Pessemier said in a report at the city council meeting.
The public works team at the city – which scrambled to clear culverts, storm drains and remove the boat dock – is developing a protocol that will be followed in the future when increasing water threatens to “reach action levels,” he said, adding that it wasn't expected to do so recently -- but did.
Residents who snapped pictures of the submerged parking lot and water-covered park grounds had expressed worry over possible fecal contaminants from the park's temporary restrooms -- playground equipment was exposed to the roiling water.
The public works team at the city – which scrambled to clear culverts, storm drains and remove the boat dock – is developing a protocol that will be followed in the future when increasing water threatens to “reach action levels,” he said, adding that it wasn't expected to do so recently -- but did.
Residents who snapped pictures of the submerged parking lot and water-covered park grounds had expressed worry over possible fecal contaminants from the park's temporary restrooms -- playground equipment was exposed to the roiling water.
AG-TECH GRANT SOUGHT
A federal grant of $650,000 dollars, which also will require matching funds in either cash or in-kind services, is being sought by the city for its move to build an agricultural technology hub.
The hub would be housed at Indy Commons, with other locations also providing space, said Shawn Irvine, economic development director.
The city was one of only 11 chosen by an East Coast-based non-profit for providing assistance in submitting the application for the federal grant. (The effort will be covered in more detail in the May 1 issue of The Independent.)
The hub would be housed at Indy Commons, with other locations also providing space, said Shawn Irvine, economic development director.
The city was one of only 11 chosen by an East Coast-based non-profit for providing assistance in submitting the application for the federal grant. (The effort will be covered in more detail in the May 1 issue of The Independent.)
COMING UP
This Tuesday there will be a joint work-session & council meeting with Monmouth City Council and Independence City Council at the Polk County Fire Station, Monmouth Avenue, 5:30 p.m.
FINAL NOTE
Objections voiced by Mayor John McArdle at the last city council meeting -- over a legislative bill that would mean multi-family housing could be placed in zones once reserved for single-family homes -- may pass, Mayor McArdle acknowledged. “We’ve had extensive conversations,” he said, noting that the new law could have significant impact on the city. “Many legislators have no understanding of how local governments and cities work – that is as polite as I can be,” he said.
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