SEWER FEE TICKS UP; BUDGET SUPPLEMENT
By Anne Scheck
The monthly cost of a residential sewer charge is increasing by about $2, from a base rate of $49.89 to $51.96 -- but it won’t take effect immediately. At its meeting a week ago, the Independence City Council decided to delay the new billing till March.
In a separate action, the city council also added $1.35 million to the 2019-2020 budget in the following way: Building Repair-Replacement Fund; $650,000; General Fund: $400,000; Economic Development Loan Fund: $300,000.
This supplemental budget also included receiving a community development block grant of $400,000 for affordable housing, and a grant of $300,000 for a feasibility study on a proposal for a trolley line to link Independence to Monmouth, as well as to other locations.
The supplemental budget was needed to “provide purchase and improvements of property for relocating the museum, and for appropriating for the expenditure of unanticipated grants,” according to the report submitted to the city council.
The monthly cost of a residential sewer charge is increasing by about $2, from a base rate of $49.89 to $51.96 -- but it won’t take effect immediately. At its meeting a week ago, the Independence City Council decided to delay the new billing till March.
In a separate action, the city council also added $1.35 million to the 2019-2020 budget in the following way: Building Repair-Replacement Fund; $650,000; General Fund: $400,000; Economic Development Loan Fund: $300,000.
This supplemental budget also included receiving a community development block grant of $400,000 for affordable housing, and a grant of $300,000 for a feasibility study on a proposal for a trolley line to link Independence to Monmouth, as well as to other locations.
The supplemental budget was needed to “provide purchase and improvements of property for relocating the museum, and for appropriating for the expenditure of unanticipated grants,” according to the report submitted to the city council.
$300,000 REBATE OKAYED FOR OLD CITY HALL SALE
The same amount of rebate guaranteed to the former developer of the old city hall -- $300,000 – will be passed on to the new owners of the site, which is next to the post office and across Monmouth Street from the long-unfinished Independence Station. At a work session prior to the last city council meeting, councilors agreed they would support the monetary allocation, which will include funds to re-instate sidewalks around the former city hall building.
Though no formal vote was taken, the councilors concurred the money will help set refurbishment on course for the building, which currently houses a brewery not yet open to the public – a business operated by the brother-in-law of one of the new investors. The brewery, Parallel 45, was facing eviction due to the recent foreclosure proceedings against the building’s former owner.
Ryan Booth, the head brewer for Parallel 45, said he was close to losing the business until the new buyers of the building – his brother-in-law Patrick Carney and Mr. Carney’s partner, Kelly McDonald – stepped forward to make the purchase. The pair’s firm, Salem-based Gomacgo LLC, also purchased Independence Station, as well as property near it. When asked about when work would commence on Independence Station, Mr. Carney said the site at the old city hall is a priority – and that it would be premature to propose any timeline beyond that. In a previous interview, Mr. McDonald said a thorough analysis is required for Independence Station, and it could take up to two years before definitive decisions can be made.
Though no formal vote was taken, the councilors concurred the money will help set refurbishment on course for the building, which currently houses a brewery not yet open to the public – a business operated by the brother-in-law of one of the new investors. The brewery, Parallel 45, was facing eviction due to the recent foreclosure proceedings against the building’s former owner.
Ryan Booth, the head brewer for Parallel 45, said he was close to losing the business until the new buyers of the building – his brother-in-law Patrick Carney and Mr. Carney’s partner, Kelly McDonald – stepped forward to make the purchase. The pair’s firm, Salem-based Gomacgo LLC, also purchased Independence Station, as well as property near it. When asked about when work would commence on Independence Station, Mr. Carney said the site at the old city hall is a priority – and that it would be premature to propose any timeline beyond that. In a previous interview, Mr. McDonald said a thorough analysis is required for Independence Station, and it could take up to two years before definitive decisions can be made.
BRANDY MEADOWS APPEAL
A proposed trail in the Brandy Meadows development that allegedly didn’t coincide with a map approved years ago for the “Southwest Independence Area Concept Plan” nonetheless fits the city’s intent for the area and accomplishes a number of goals for it. That seemed to be the conclusion reached by the Independence City Council, which denied the appeal. However, the councilors also adopted a condition that establishes more-precise setbacks along the banks of Ash Creek in the subdivision. Councilor Jennifer Ranstrom-Smith voted against rejecting the appeal, which was filed by Sunset Meadows resident Rich Clark. The appeal drew objections by residents from the surrounding area, including Chad Ludwig, who told the Planning Commission he believed citizen views were being disregarded. (The land-use questions that surfaced in this appeal will be covered in the February issue of The Independent).
Dates to Note
Wednesday, Jan 22 at 6:30 pm, the Independence-based Luckiamute Watershed Council will hold a “Sips-and-Science” session on worm-bin composting at Pressed Coffee Roasters Café in Dallas OR.
Free health screenings, pet care, a dental van and other services will be provided at the Polk County Connect and Resource Fair on Thursday, Jan 23, from 2 pm to 6pm at the “Academy Building” in Dallas, 182 SW Academy St.
Special meetings to envision the next two decades for the city will be held in the Independence City Council chambers on Monday, Jan 27, the other on Wednesday, Jan 29, both at 3:30 pm.
Free health screenings, pet care, a dental van and other services will be provided at the Polk County Connect and Resource Fair on Thursday, Jan 23, from 2 pm to 6pm at the “Academy Building” in Dallas, 182 SW Academy St.
Special meetings to envision the next two decades for the city will be held in the Independence City Council chambers on Monday, Jan 27, the other on Wednesday, Jan 29, both at 3:30 pm.
FINAL NOTE
City To Sell Lot #7 In a preliminary decision, local realtor Aaron Young won tentative approval to purchase lot #7 of Independence Landing from the city, a parcel across from the current construction site of Tokola’s townhome-and-apartment complex along the riverfront. Mr. Young is the owner-developer of Osprey Point, which hasn’t been built but is east of Brew Coffee & Tap House at the corner of Main and C Street. The transaction for Lot #7 is scheduled to take place at a future executive session.
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