August 31, 2020

Safe Routes to Schools – We are submitting our Safe Routes to school grant through the state this week. We’re grateful for schools involved for submitting letters of support.  

Overpass Lighting – We haven’t talked about it in a while, but I reached out to some lighting companies to see about lighting up the overpass. I had an onsite visit with one vendor. This will be brighten the exit to our city as we attract visitors off of I-84.

Downtown Attraction – Also, the Mayor and I talked about the downtown attraction that got a little waylaid by COVID. I have been talking to one company about a tower concept that was presented to us by the study. I’ll continue the conversations.

Police
Aug 24th- Chief Romero worked with CIS (Risk Management Consultants for the city) on training for understanding and respecting diversity in our workplaces and communities. This will be provided to all police personnel at OPD.

Chief Romero met with members of the American Legion Post (Ontario) to discuss possibly hosting a joint “9-11” ceremony this year. Venue and ceremony details are being discussed and worked out with Fire Chief Leighton, City Manager Adam Brown and other stakeholders.

Aug 27th-Chief Romero developed a new uniform policy for the Ontario Code Enforcement personnel. Chief Romero feels that a change in uniform for the two code enforcement officers will enhance their safety and create a distinction between sworn police officers and code enforcement officers.
 
Field Services
Officers were confronted by a suspect with a shotgun in the 600 block of SW 24th Street. The suspect ran and was able to elude pursuing officers. Suspect has been identified and is being sought.

OPD had a short pursuit where the driver exited his vehicle armed with a knife. The subject was taken into custody without incident after numerous orders to comply.

OPD continues to field numerous calls at our retailers regarding homeless individuals who are committing thefts. OPD has noticed an increase in the number of new homeless individuals arriving in Ontario from other parts of the state and Idaho.

Code Enforcement
Code enforcement continues to work towards the “Making Ontario Shine” campaign through concepts such as “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design” and “assisting the elderly.”

Aug 26th- Officers Reyna, Brocket, and Chief Romero conducted a pre-abatement inspection W Idaho. This property is a long-standing empty residence that has a severe weeds, grass, and bushes overgrowth issue. The city has struggled to locate the current owner(s) and the city has been seeking out a feasible abatement service.

Aug 26 & 27th- CEO’s conducted a 5 X 5 initiative (5 block radius) in the southeast area of the city, addressing chronic abandoned vehicle issues. 20 + vehicles were marked and noticed for removal.

Aug 27th- Code enforcement responded to issue an abatement notice. When the CEO’s realized the owner was an elderly female (90+) that was unable to care for her yard, CE officer’s Reyna and Brockett went into rescue mode and removed the “Goat head” noxious weeds from her property. Officers will be working with the resident to develop a future maintenance plan for her property, through her family or friends.

Aug 26th- Code enforcement conducted an agency assist for DHS regarding a male subject living in filth at the location. Officers Reyna and Brockett located the property owners and issued a notice to correct. The primary owner is in an assisted living facility and the grandson is currently trying to squat in a camper on the property.

CEO handled 1 dog abuse case this week in the southeast area of the city. Citations pending.

Airport 
We had our very first completely virtual Airport Committee meeting Monday evening. It worked well. Thanks to all who helped make that happen.

The last of the spraying for weeds at the Airport is now complete and the sprayer was cleaned, parked, and winterized.

We said goodbye to our wonderful airport volunteer who is now taking up his academic studies. This mentorship program was truly a success this year.

​The donated building from the FAA to the city of Ontario is now ours to use completely. Electricity has been changed this week and put in the city’s name. The only thing left is for the FAA to remove a very tall tower. That will probably not happen for at least a year.

Community & Economic Development
The office is open, but the door is locked. However, we are allowing customers to come in one at a time. Foot traffic is still at a minimum with most still calling in and/or making appointments.

Staff is reviewing 20 building applications this week and has issued 8 building permits this past week.

The Planning department is keeping busy processing 33 land use actions. Staff is handling many phone calls and walk-ins dealing with planning issues and/or questions.

The contract with DLCD on the $50,000 grant we were awarded to update our codes has been signed and staff is working with the consultant to put together the TAC committee and schedule the project.

Staff is still working with Jacobs and Keller & Associates on the STP Updates for the East Idaho Traffic Study area as well as updating planning codes associated with the Comp Plan update.

This was the first week of part-time Planning Technician, Marc Berg, helping us in the office. We think he will be a great asset to our office. He is very much needed and appreciated during this very extremely busy time of all the code updates required. Staff thanks the City Council and Budget Committee for approving this part-time help.

Economic Development
Staff continues to work on the Ontario Townhouse project which received a $5,325,000 LIFT (Local Innovation and Fast Tract) housing project grant. Staff is working with the developers to see what utilities may need to be upgraded for this project.

Staff is working with Kit Kamo of SREDA on several large firms looking for sites in Oregon and have submitted serval sites to these projects.

Public Works
Field Services
Hot taping for directional arrows took place around town. Garbage cans, bike racks, and benches have been installed on South Oregon. All bulb outs on the South Oregon Street project have the fabric and chips in place. Planting of ornamental vegetation is scheduled for later in the fall.

Crews have been working to build a storage area for bio-solids at Skyline Farms. Crews are also working on the Skate Park bathroom.

Water
The #2 Booster Pump at Westside Reservoir is still down. The vendor supplying repair parts does not have an estimated time when parts will be onsite.

Wastewater
The contractor for the pH adjustment project is finishing up the final installation. Programming for the pH adjustment system is scheduled to be complete by September 1st.

Parks and Cemeteries
Staff are working to keep up with the mowing and weeding at the parks and cemeteries. One of the large mowers went down last week and is being repaired. Crews were catching up on trimming city properties.

Engineering
Oregon DEQ has approved the bio-solids removal plan as written. Four vendors submitted qualifying bids for the bio-solids removal project. Those bids are being compared and reviewed.