Salem, Ore. -- Earlier this afternoon, some social media sites were falsely stating the City of Salem has drinking water test results it is not releasing that shows cyanotoxins in the drinking water and that the water is unsafe.  This is false.

For the most up-to-date water quality information, go to https://www.cityofsalem.net/drinking-water

Small amounts of cyanotoxins (at levels below OHA health advisories) have been detected at the entry point into the Geren Island Water Treatment Plant. The treatment systems are working and the water leaving the water treatment facility is clean and safe to drink.  

We’re testing seven days a week and will continue to post results as quickly as possible (within 24-hours) on our webpage. For more about treatment in place to protect drinking water go to: https://www.cityofsalem.net/drinking-water.

Salem, Ore. — On June 17, 2019, the Salem City Council will hold a work session to consider options for new revenues to support City of Salem services. Without additional revenue, the City will have to reduce services available to our community.

Why are we looking at revenue options now?

The City’s financial health is at risk. How much we have left after we pay the bills for the year in the City’s General Fund, the working capital or rainy day fund, is one way to measure the City’s financial health. We will not be able to continue doing all we do. Spending more now accelerates the need to cut services or add revenue in the next year.

We must move quickly to align our services with available funding within the next two years, by FY 2022. Without changes to the services we provide our community or to our revenue sources, the City’s General Fund working capital will be gone by June 30, 2022 and we will not have enough resources to fund these services.

Being more efficient helps but, is not enough. We continue to fine-tune and improve services to our community and reduced costs, moving some resources to new needs along the way. To be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, we’ve been using technology in new ways and changing the ways we provide services, using more energy efficient products, charging for services that make sense, and engaging volunteers and foundations to support community services.

How much revenue do we need?

1. Fill the gap: $8.2 million by 2020. Additional revenue would provide missing funding for existing services and the City could continue to provide existing services. At this amount, there would be no noticeable change in services and the City would be less likely to eliminate or reduce services available to our community in next year’s (FY 21) budget.
2. Keep pace: $16.2 million by 2022. Fund more services to catch up and meet demand in our community. With added revenue, the City could add, over the next few years, fire fighters, police officers, Library hours and maintain more parks.

How can the revenue target be achieved?

Together, the options can help fund existing City services, be fairly shared among Salem residents and businesses, and provide the most flexibility in raising revenue. These options would provide more funding to meet more of our community needs for public safety, parks and the library, and planning and development services to our neighborhoods. Revenues generated by these options would be dedicated to support General Fund services.

What are the options?

1. Operating Fee. A City operating fee is a separate fee to support City services. In Oregon, 50 cities use an operating fee to help pay for city services. The operating fee could be based on the type of building (a single family house could pay a different rate from an apartment building, for example) or be the same for everyone (a flat rate). The operating fee would not be based on the value of the property.
   
   When: by January 2020, if enacted by Council. A flat rate for each customer type, the fee could be implemented within six months. With added complexity to the fee amount or application to customer class, the fee could be implemented within a year. It may be possible to sunset the fee in future years, if other revenue sources are available.
   
   How: collected through City of Salem utility bill
   
   New Revenue: $8.2 million in 2020 at $10/month on residential units and $30/month for public, commercial and institutional accounts
   
   Who Else: In Oregon, 50 other cities use an operating fee to raise revenue for municipal services.
    
2. Employee-Paid Payroll Tax. Based on a percent of total wages paid, an employee-paid payroll tax could be paid by all employees in Salem’s private and public sectors. All residents – day-time and full-time – benefit from the services provided by the City. Full-time residents share in some of the cost to provide services with property taxes. Day-time residents enjoy the same benefits. Salem is home to more than 60,100 daytime residents who commute to Salem for work. By including those in the public sector, the cost of providing service would be shared by those who commute to Salem for work. As our economy grows and more jobs are available in Salem, revenue from this source will grow to cover some of the cost of growth in services.
   
   When: by July 2021, if enacted by Council or referred to voters in August (for November 2019 special election or May 2020 general election). If not referred to voters, the funding source could be available as early as spring 2021.
   
   How: collected by Department of Revenue
   
   New Revenue: $8 million in 2022 at 0.3% on income for all employed within the City limits
   
   Who Else: In Oregon, Lane Transit District (LTD), the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TRIMET), and the State of Oregon use payroll taxes to help cover costs of services.  LTD and TRIMET use the employer paid payroll tax method, while the State of Oregon uses a payroll deduction from employee wages. The City of Eugene is looking at both an employee-paid and an employer-paid payroll tax.

How did we get here?

• We are spending more than we are taking in. This year (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019), expenses are estimated to be $5.4 million more than the revenues we take into the General Fund to support Police, Fire and emergency medical services, the Library, operating Salem’s parks, and supporting Salem’s neighborhoods.
• We have stepped in where our community has asked the City to fill gaps. In the 2017 Strategic Plan, residents looked to the City to do more to provide affordable housing and serve the homeless in our community. Traditionally, this valuable work has been outside the City’s core service areas. This continuing commitment, in addition to ongoing services, outpaces our available funding.
• We’ve restored services. We made big changes in 2009 to align services with the drop in revenues from the recession, and made further changes again in 2013. We closed two fire stations, reduced library hours, reduced recreation services and support to neighborhoods. Since that time, we’ve re-opened the two fire stations and have continued to make improvements to services the community expects and values.
• Costs of services are increasing. Expenses for our services, which rely on our people, have increased as Salem remains a competitive employer in a robust job market and as the cost of public sector retirement escalates.
• Making what we do better and more efficient. We are always looking at operations across the organization for opportunities to do things more efficiently and continue to provide high quality services the community has come to expect.  In the past five years, we’ve improved services and reduced costs, shifting some resources to new needs by using technology in new ways, using more energy efficient products, changing the ways we provide services, and engaging volunteers and foundations to support community services. While important, these changes are not enough to bring costs in line with available revenues.
• Revenues are not keeping pace. Revenues from taxes are disconnected from the growth in our community. As more people move here, and as more property development occurs to support our growing population, the City continues to provide public safety, parks and library, transportation, planning and development services to our neighborhoods.  The two primary drivers for more City services, population and development growth, do not generate enough revenue to support the growing needs. This situation we are in has taken time to develop and is rooted in property tax ballot measures of the early 1990s.
• Other sources of funding are limited to specific services or projects. For example, a portion of State-collected gas taxes helps to pay for streets and bridges. Water fees paid by residents, businesses and other local customers help to pay for new drinking water treatment, equipment, and pipes to get the water to your home and business. And, funds from recent voter-approved bonds for a new police station and upgrades to the Salem Public Library are dedicated only to those projects.

Who recommended these revenue options?

A 14-member Sustainable Services Revenue Task Force was tasked with identifying revenue options to sustain services that provide for a safe, welcoming and livable community, with a strong and diverse economy, a commitment to natural environment stewardship, and safe, reliable and efficient infrastructure. After looking at details of 13 options, the Task Force recommended two options for General Fund revenues and one option for transportation projects. The General Fund revenue options were recommended as methods to fund about $6 to $8 million in City services, share cost of service among Salem residents and businesses, and provide the most flexibility in raising revenue. The group included representatives from:

• Salem City Council and Budget Committee
• Salem 350
• Straub Environmental Learning Center
• Salem Fire Foundation
• Salem Police Foundation
• Marion and Polk Counties Homebuilders Association
• SEDCOR
• Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
• Oregon Marshallese Community Organization

Look for a Team, Work on Your Idea, and Receive Feedback from Experienced Entrepreneurs Jun. 21-23

Do you have an idea for a startup business, but don’t know where to start? Marion and Polk County residents are invited to attend an upcoming workshop Jun. 21 - 23.

Techstars Startup Weekend, in partnership with Google for Startups, is being held Jun. 21 – 23 in Independence at Indy Commons (278 S Main St.). The weekend event is $20 and includes meals. Applicants can learn more and register online. This workshop is designed for attendees to test their business ideas and take the first steps in launching their own startup. Receiving feedback and support from experienced entrepreneurs along the way, participants will have an opportunity to collaborate and brainstorm with like-minded individuals, validate their business idea, create a prototype, and pitch their business idea to judges.

The City of Salem offers several resources for small businesses and startups in our community on our website. Salem is a partner for the Techstars Startup Weekend through the Launch Mid-Valley collaborative.

# # #

Salem, Ore. — In a Jun. 3, 2019 proclamation, Oregon Governor Kate Brown recognized the City of Salem for taking action to be a better place to live for residents of all ages. Known as the Age-Friendly Initiative, the world-wide program helps communities prepare for a rapidly aging population and give increased attention to the environmental, economic, and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.

City of Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett said, “I am proud to be a part of a community that recognizes and values older adults and makes a conscious and deliberate effort to help everyone live and thrive where they choose.”

Through Center 50+, Salem’s premier non-membership community center providing programs and serves to adults age 50 and older, the City of Salem looked at eight categories to evaluate livability in Salem. The categories included housing, transportation, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and health services, outdoor spaces and buildings. Beginning in 2018, the City interviewed community experts, held community forums, and conducted online surveys and personal interviews. The final assessment is available at http://bit.ly/agefriendly-cos.

On Fri., Sept. 6, 2019, the Salem Age Friendly Assessment Team will present their report at a celebratory luncheon from 1-3 p.m. The community is invited to attend and RSVPs are requested. To reserve your space please call 503-588-6303.

The next phase of this project will require the formation of an action team that will respond to the assessment’s findings. Those interested in being a part of the action plan team should contact Marilyn Daily-Blair at Center 50+, 503-588-6303.

Center 50+ is located at 2615 Portland Road NE, serves more than 850 people a day and host more than 150 programs and activities each term. Call 503-588-6303 for more information.

Salem, Ore. — The community is invited to join the City of Salem Public Works Department for the 16th Annual Public Works Day at Riverfront Park on Jun. 20, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Public Works services impact all Salem residents. Come learn what the Public Works Department and its employees do for you and the City of Salem.

Enjoy a multitude of family activities including exhibits from various divisions of Public Works:

• Claudia the 29-foot Chinook Salmon;
• “Be a Clean Stream Superhero” photo booth and free child-size hard hats;
• Water pipe repair demonstrations; play with an augmented reality sandbox;
• See and sit in Public Works equipment on display, such as backhoes, plows, and dump trucks;
• Learn what City is doing to protect Salem’s drinking water.

There is no charge for attending, but canned food or cash donations to Marion-Polk Food Share are encouraged. Call Salem Public Works at 503-588-6211 for more information. 

Painting by Master Li, Wu-jiu

Salem, Ore. – On Thursday June 13, 2019, Mayor Chuck Bennett and the City of Salem will welcome Master Li, Wu-jiu of Beijing, China to Salem with a warm reception from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Salem Convention Center. This event is free and open to the public.  Master Li will provide an inspiring demonstration of his Chinese brush painting technique.  This will be followed by a painting donation ceremony to Mayor Chuck Bennett and the City of Salem, and a showing of Master Li’s artwork.  This event will feature live music, hors d’oeuvres, and international artwork and guests.

Master Li, Wu-jiu is China’s leading contemporary brush painter of horses.  In 2014, his paintings were selected to be used for national postage stamps for the Year of the Horse. Master Li has graciously offered to donate one of his original brush paintings to the City of Salem. Mayor Bennett stated, “This is a unique opportunity for Salem’s residents to enjoy a cultural expression of art and community engagement. We are very honored that Master Li is sharing his time and beautiful artwork with the residents of Salem.”

Please join the City of Salem in welcoming Master Li, Wu-jui and colleagues of China to our community.  Reasonable accommodation and accessibility services will be provided upon request.

Salem, Ore. — The City of Salem is pleased to announce that Robert Barron has been selected to serve as its Chief Financial Officer. Selected from a pool of talented candidates from across the country, Barron quickly rose to the top during the rigorous and thorough hiring/due diligence process. His first day is June 3, 2019.

 “Bob’s combination of experience, skills and accomplishments will be invaluable in guiding Salem’s budget and finances,” said Salem City Manager, Steve Powers. “We are thrilled to add him to our team.”

He has a wide breadth of experience in public and private sectors. Most recently, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Norwalk, CT. Previous experience includes Director of Finance for West Haven, CT., Director of Finance for FSI Holding, and multiple high-level management positions at FedEx Express. Barron holds a Master of Business in Finance from the University of Missouri and is a Certified Public Finance Officer.

The Chief Financial Officer position is a new position for the City that oversees the City’s contracts and purchasing, accounting, investments, debt management, financial planning and reporting, and budget. The new position repurposes the Deputy City Manager position and incorporates the duties of Budget Officer.

Salem, Ore. — Beginning, Mon. June 3, 2019, motorists will be asked to use caution as they travel along Center Street NE between 23rd Street NE and Jason Street NE due to upgrades being made to underground utilities. Please watch for shifting lanes and flaggers. The project will also close 23rd Street between Center Street NE and B Street NE from June 5 to June 19. Please plan ahead and consider alternate routes such as State Street or Market Street. The City thanks commuters for their patience as it makes improvements to Salem’s underground infrastructure. The project is expected to be complete by September 2019.

These improvements are part of the 2019 Capital Improvement Plan and is funded by Wastewater rate revenue.

This project adds to the list of ways the City is continually improving utility infrastructure in Salem.

Other improvements currently under way include:

• A water main replacement on 45th Avenue NE (will be completed by July 2019);
• Wastewater force main improvements on Cordon Road SE (will be completed by September 2019);
• A water main rehabilitation on Oxford Street SE (will be completed by November 2019);
• Water pump station upgrades on Boone Road (will be completed by the end of 2019).

Other projects completed in the past year include:

• Water main replacements on Willa Lane SE;
• 15th Court S water main replacements on 15th ;
• Water main replacements on Lee Street SE;
• A water main loop at the Mill Creek Corporate Center.

Please contact the City of Salem Public Works Department at 503-588-6211 for additional information.

Salem, Ore. – The Salem Municipal Airport will be hosting the Wings of Freedom vintage aircraft tour Fri. Jun. 14 – Sun. Jun. 16. Event visitors will have the rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about a variety of treasures from WWII aviation history including a B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, P-51 Mustang, and P-40 Warhawk. The event begins with the arrival of the aircraft at 2 p.m. on Fri., Jun. 14.

Visitors to the event can explore interior and exterior of the aircraft for $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Discounted rates are available for school groups. 30-minute flights in these aircraft are also available for an additional fee. For reservations and information on flight experiences, contact the Collings Foundation at 800-568-8924.

Ground tours and displays are available to the public Fri., Jun. 14 from 2 – 5 p.m., Sat., Jun. 15 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sun., Jun. 16 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Further information about the event is available on the Collings Foundation website, or by calling 800-568-8924 or emailing hchaney@collingsfoundation.org. Information about the Salem Municipal Airport is available online or by calling 503-588-6314.

# # #

Salem, Ore. — The City of Salem’s Youth Development Services will award 50 12th grade students with the 2019 Service Honorees award for their service to our community. These students represent six local high school campuses including Early College, North Salem, McKay, McNary, South Salem, Sprague, and West Salem. 

Graduating seniors who contributed at least 40 hours of volunteer time and training to the City of Salem during their high school careers earned a commemorative graduation sash pin and congratulatory letter from Mayor Chuck Bennett. This is the 2nd year the Youth Development Services’ Teen Action Team (TAT) Initiative has sponsored the award.

Teen volunteer time was devoted to one or more of the following City programs and events:

• Salem Public Library;
• COUNTRY Financial Kids Relays Event;
• ILEAD Youth Leadership Summit;
• Human Rights Commission;
• Center 50+;
• One Thousand Soles Shoe Drive for Youth In-Need;
• Shoe Battle of the Schools;
• TAT Service Leadership Clubs;
• The CAREcorps program.

The TAT Initiative seeks to empower and equip young community members to partner with their peers, schools, businesses, nonprofits, and local government to create a more positive and healthy community while developing into service leaders.

For more information on how to volunteer with the City of Salem, go to https://www.cityofsalem.net/volunteer.

2019 City of Salem Service Honors Recipients

Early College High School                                                      

• Andrea Cervantes

• Destiny Goodell
• Flor Maciel
• Ruby Pascual

McKay High School

• Angelica Brown Vidaña
• Aurora Sirgo
• Bryan Gaona Herrera
• Christopher Marker Names
• Dorion Bell
• Dulce Garcia
• Erika Figueroa Rice
• Esther Ceron
• Giselle Quevedo
• Janet Flores
• Jasmin Ramos
• Katia Rodriguez
• Marissa Brown Vidana
• Oscar Figueroa
• Rosa Gonzalez
• Serena Miser
• Shaylee Lathrop
• Stephanie Warren
• Tiffanie Eaton

McNary High School

• Emily Daniels

North Salem High School

• Alexa Ruiz
• Divinity Rodriguez
• Susan Thao

South Salem High School

• Amy Rodriguez
• Amy Zhen
• Andrew Nguyen
• Benvolio Bourque-Valente
• Deanna Chavez
• Juan Vargas
• Kevin Foster
• MacKenzie Rolf
• Maddie O’Donnell
• Madyson Arnheim
• McKenzie Ellis
• Melina Montiel-Gomez
• Pedro Espino
• Samantha Riesterer
• Sonia Boeger
• Tama St. Onge

Sprague High School

• Angie Fox
• Darin Oakes
• Lindsey Williams

West Salem High School

• Ashton Valentine
• Donovan Allen
• Hannah Wakefield
• Sophia Hawley

Salem, Ore. — The City of Salem is beginning the process to develop a master plan for Battle Creek Park, a 56-acre undeveloped park site located in south Salem at the former Battle Creek Golf Course. The Salem community is invited to come to the first of three public meetings on Wed., Jun. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at South Salem Senior Center, 6450 Fairway Ave SE. Attendees will learn more about the project and can share their priorities for future development of the park.

The master plan will guide future park development including potential recreational amenities and proposed features that will help control flooding.  The community is invited to take an online survey between June 6, 2019 and June 26, 2019 about what they would like to see in the park.

Planning Battle Creek Park presents big opportunities and major constraints. Due to its designation as an urban park, a wide-range of popular recreational uses could be considered, including a dog park, disk golf course, skate park, and ball fields. The park may also feature restored or protected natural areas with paths that provide opportunities to access nature.

Sign up to receive email updates about Battle Creek Park’s Master Plan, or visit CityofSalem.net/park-planning.

(Reissued to correct the date of the event)

Salem, Ore. —  On Wednesday May 29, 2019, you are invited to share words or phrases to be featured in the public artwork that will welcome visitors to the new police station currently under construction.  Come to the Salem Convention Center Courtyard to meet artist Blessing Hancock from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and share your ideas for her concept sculpture titled Equitas.

Community engagement is an essential component of the new sculpture, Equitas. The surface pattern of the 12’ high by 18’ wide lighted sculpture will incorporate text submitted by the Salem community relating to the themes of honor, protection, and service. Equitas will incorporate LED lighting in order to illuminate the messages provided by the community. The community will also be able to share their thoughts through an online survey that will remain open until August 1, 2019.

“Blessing Hancock’s site-specific sculpture will be an elegant addition to the new Police Facility.  Shaped like an oculus, through which the public can see, the artwork will be lit from within so it’s appreciated year-round and at all times of day.  By including text collected from the broader community, the piece looks at how language and form can be combined into contemporary art.  I look forward to seeing what important themes are reflected in the artwork,” said Christine D’Arcy, Chair of the Salem Public Art Commission.

Equitas was selected by members of the Police Facility Design Team and members of the Salem Public Art Commission from more than 30 concepts submitted by artists across the country. The sculpture will join a collection of nearly 100 pieces of public artwork in Salem.

In Salem, one-half of one percent of the funding for a public improvement project is dedicated to public art. Construction of Salem’s new Police Station is expected to be completed by the Fall 2020. Equitas will be placed at the station entrance, and visible from Commercial and Division Street. 

Stay up-to-date on the latest developments for Salem’s new police station by subscribing to the project email list and check out their ongoing video series, #BuildingBuzz.

Construction begins on May 28, 2019

Salem, Ore. — On Tues., May 28, 2019, the City of Salem will begin widening Brown Road NE from Sunnyview Road NE to San Francisco Drive NE. The project includes building sidewalks and bike lanes, and adds a dedicated left-turn lane at Sunnyview Road NE. The project will also make streetlight, stormwater, and water system improvements. The work is scheduled to be completed by November 15, 2019.

Motorists are asked to use caution and plan for delays due to a northbound lane closure and flagger-controlled delays southbound on Brown Road NE. Motorists should consider alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion such as Hollywood Drive NE or Cordon Road NE.

The improvements are part of the 2020 Capital Improvement Plan. A combination of Federal funds, City bond savings, transportation system development funds, and water rate funds have been allocated for this construction project.

This project adds to the list of ways the City is making it safer to walk and bike in Salem. Other pedestrian safety and bike improvements currently under way include:

• Speed bumps within the Winter-Maple Neighborhood Greenway will be completed by the end of May 2019;
• Pedestrian safety crossing at the Commercial Street SE and Royvonne Avenue SE intersection will be completed by September 2019.

Other projects completed in the past year include:

• New speed signs along the Winter-Maple Neighborhood Greenway;
• Rapid-flashing beacons on Portland Road;
• Stop signs and radar speed signs along Fisher Road NE;
• Stop signs at the intersection of D Street NE and Winter Street NE, and at six intersections along Maple Avenue NE, completing the first phase of the Winter-Maple Neighborhood Greenway;
• Improvements to sidewalks and street lighting on 12th Street SE Southbound.

Contact City of Salem Public Works at 503-588-6211 for more information.

Construction to begin on May 20, 2019

Salem, Ore. — On Mon., May 20, 2018, the City of Salem will begin construction of pedestrian crossing improvements at the intersection of Commercial Street SE at Royvonne Ave SE. This work includes constructing a striped crosswalk with American with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps, a median island, and rapid flashing lights to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians crossing the street. The work is expected to be completed by the end of July, 2019.

Motorists are asked to use caution and plan for delays due to intermittent traffic shifting and lane closures in both directions on Commercial Street SE. Motorists should consider alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion.

The improvements are part of the 2020 Capital Improvement Plan. The project budget is $150,000 and funded through the City of Salem’s share of Oregon Gas Tax revenue. In the past year, the City of Salem made several other improvements to make it safer to walk and bike in Salem, including:

• New speed signs along the Winter-Maple Neighborhood Greenway;
• Rapid-flashing beacons on Portland Road;
• Stop signs and radar speed signs along Fisher Road NE;
• Stop signs at the intersection of D Street NE and Winter Street NE, and at six intersections along Maple Avenue NE, completing the first phase of the Winter-Maple Neighborhood Greenway;
• Improvements to sidewalks and street lighting on 12th Street SE Southbound.

Contact City of Salem Public Works at 503-588-6211 for more information.