NEW MONEY OK’D FOR MINET UPGRADE
Independence will guarantee a $350,000 line of credit to MINET so that the fiber optic company can begin upgrading its system by installing new technology known as gigabit passive optical networks (GPONS).
The decision, made during a special city council meeting that’s held around this time every year at Central High School, means the city’s obligation is 45% of the sum MINET will seek by setting up a credit line through a bank. Recent outages by MINET require a faster move to GPONS than originally had been planned, said Tom Pessemier, Independence city manager.
The upgrade is needed for two main reasons: To reduce the need for periodic fixes to the aging system and to provide a way to repair it more quickly when needed in the future, said City Councilor Michael Hicks, the council’s liaison to MINET.
The decision, made during a special city council meeting that’s held around this time every year at Central High School, means the city’s obligation is 45% of the sum MINET will seek by setting up a credit line through a bank. Recent outages by MINET require a faster move to GPONS than originally had been planned, said Tom Pessemier, Independence city manager.
The upgrade is needed for two main reasons: To reduce the need for periodic fixes to the aging system and to provide a way to repair it more quickly when needed in the future, said City Councilor Michael Hicks, the council’s liaison to MINET.
UPDATE: HB 2001
Concern expressed by Mayor John McArdle over a legislative proposal that would require cities to offer multi-family housing in single-home residential zones prompted Rep. Paul Evans to announce that he is working to ratchet up the population level that would trigger such a provision if it becomes law.
Under House Bill 2001, duplexes, triplexes and accessory units with single-family homes would be allowed in areas designated for single-family housing. But this would apply only to towns of 10,000 or more, Rep. Evans noted. He’d like to see that limit kicked up to 25,000, he said.
Rep. Evans, who represents Independence and neighboring areas in the Oregon House of Representatives, was a featured speaker at the city council meeting Tuesday.
Although city officials often cite Independence as having a population of around 10,000, the most current Oregon census count -- released last December – puts the number of people living in the city at approximately 9,300. Reaching a population of 10,000 would place the city under tighter state restrictions, from pollution-control measures to infrastructure regulations.
Under House Bill 2001, duplexes, triplexes and accessory units with single-family homes would be allowed in areas designated for single-family housing. But this would apply only to towns of 10,000 or more, Rep. Evans noted. He’d like to see that limit kicked up to 25,000, he said.
Rep. Evans, who represents Independence and neighboring areas in the Oregon House of Representatives, was a featured speaker at the city council meeting Tuesday.
Although city officials often cite Independence as having a population of around 10,000, the most current Oregon census count -- released last December – puts the number of people living in the city at approximately 9,300. Reaching a population of 10,000 would place the city under tighter state restrictions, from pollution-control measures to infrastructure regulations.
STUDENTS’ VIEWPOINTS VOICED AT CHS MEETING
A majority of students at Central High School (CHS) don’t wish to live in their hometown as adults, according to an electronic poll of the CHS juniors and seniors who filled the CHS auditorium Tuesday. The poll also showed the student group overwhelmingly endorsed a “can-do” attitude and “entrepreneurial spirit.”
Later, in public testimony, the students asked city councilors about the city’s role in social causes, inquiring about provisions for easier access to mental health services and asking for more support for the elderly and disabled. Other concerns ranged from worries over speeding cars around CHS to the odors of the allegedly dirty Willamette River during summer months (see “COMING UP” below for City Manager Tom Pessemier’s response to the last assertion.)
Later, in public testimony, the students asked city councilors about the city’s role in social causes, inquiring about provisions for easier access to mental health services and asking for more support for the elderly and disabled. Other concerns ranged from worries over speeding cars around CHS to the odors of the allegedly dirty Willamette River during summer months (see “COMING UP” below for City Manager Tom Pessemier’s response to the last assertion.)
UPDATE ON LAND ADJACENT TO AIRPORT
When will proposed commercial development west of the Independence Airport proceed? Not any time soon, it seems. The land will require a wetland analysis, confirmed Shawn Irvine, the city’s economic development director. At the most recent meeting on the issue, several local pilots inquired about portions of the 43-acre parcel tentatively identified as wetland. Additionally, land allocated as a runway-protection zone would preclude substantial construction there.
Until the actual amount of buildable land is sorted out, “we could be wasting our time,” said David Ullman, an airpark resident who is a member of the group charged with doing a “target industry analysis” on the property. Mr. Irvine said the wetland survey may qualify for grant funding. (Disclosure: the publisher of The Linking Letter, a non-flyer, resides in the airpark).
COMING UP
Liquid from lagoons now used for wastewater collection will be treated through a new process, making water clean enough to be used on farm fields and avoiding discharge into the Willamette River in the future, City Manager Tom Pessemier said. The announcement was made in response to a student’s concern about contamination in the river at the city council meeting, which was held at CHS. There’s no precise dateline for implementing the new purifying technology, but it should begin within the year, according to previous estimates.
FINAL NOTE
The Independence City Council approved an agreement to pay $8,000 per year to the Gate Youth Association for use of its facility across from the high school on Monmouth Avenue as an overnight warming center for the homeless. The Gate, under planned construction, will be an 11,000-square-foot multi-purpose building. Because about $7,500 is likely to be due in system-development charges for the project, there won’t be much difference in outgoing money from the city compared with the fees collected, observed Councilor Tom Takacs.
FINAL NOTE
The Independence City Council approved an agreement to pay $8,000 per year to the Gate Youth Association for use of its facility across from the high school on Monmouth Avenue as an overnight warming center for the homeless. The Gate, under planned construction, will be an 11,000-square-foot multi-purpose building. Because about $7,500 is likely to be due in system-development charges for the project, there won’t be much difference in outgoing money from the city compared with the fees collected, observed Councilor Tom Takacs.
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