February 3, 2020

Code Enforcement Officer
We had a huge crowd to swear in our new code enforcement officer. Apparently, he is well known in the community. I can tell you he has passion and drive. We can teach people jobs, but it’s hard to find that passion.

SEACT Meeting 
Dan Cummings and I were in the SEACT meeting on Monday in John Day. I was able to get some support for the marijuana distribution from the County Judge and the Chamber of Commerce.

Airport Committee 
The committee met this week and determined to push the construction back one year to get the full FAA funding. Otherwise we would have to split the project in two to do it and it would likely be wasteful to some extent as two separate projects.

Chamber of Commerce
Board met this week on Tuesday morning.

Budget Committee
Great job to Kari for preparing the forecast part of our budget process. I hope those who were not able to make it are feeling better.

Citizens Coalition of Ontario
I presented Council's strategic priorities at the community forum Wednesday night. Councilor Rodriguez was able to make it and the Mayor also. 

Skate Park Bathroom Grant Work progresses now between the Architect and the Recreation District and City on design.

Downtown Attraction Study and Wayfinding – We had an exciting meeting with our consultants.

Transportation System Plan 
We had a kick off meeting for the Transportation System Plan this week. This will be a year long process. Focus is a lot on East Idaho and I think we can get some trail focus in there too to coordinate with the Tater Tot Trail.

Homeless Shelter
At least one shelter was finished. I believe 5 more are very close. 

Budget 
Our staff leadership team reviewed all the new requests in the budget and made some prioritization based on the Council’s strategic plan.

Oregon Public Broadcast 
The Mayor spoke with OPB about our marijuana state distribution formula issue. I’ve had several comments from people that heard it.

Trail Webinar 
I participated in a trail funding webinar from the state. It gave me a few additional ideas and possible funding sources to pursue for our trail system.
 
Airport 
The Airport committee met Monday night and elected new officers. Jim Bain remained as chair, John Freeburg remained as vice chair and Barb Brody was elected to the position of secretary. The meetings will continue on the fourth Monday of each month through 2020 however the venue will change to the city council chambers. The Airport Committee made a recommendation to the City Council to delay the next phase of capital improvement until it could be fully funded in 2021. 

Work continues on updating hanger leases and managing compliance issues.

The installation phase of the security cameras is complete.
T
he equipment is in place to begin laying the sewer line that will connect the life flight hanger, FBO and then be stubbed out for future growth at the airport.

The grass is beginning to grow on our new runway.
 
Fire & Rescue 
This week was full of meetings, these included the Oregon state fire marshal hazmat rail car representative, three future Ontario development projects, and budget planning.  The Malheur County Ambulance District met to plan for some future preventative education. The Chief and Rural Board met with legal-council to progress on the SRCI fire protection contract. 
 
The staff had a great hands-on hose class at the practice burn house.  A few new members also worked on personal protective equipment. 
 
The staff responded on three false alarms and a burning complaint along with our normal numerous medical calls.   
 
Public Works
Field Services
A series of storm water lines at TVCC are being jet rodded to clear the silt from the summer irrigation season. This a continuation from last week , we have approximately 40 % of the lines cleared and will be working on this task as time allows through the coming month. This is a work in progress that will continue throughout the winter.

Sign maintenance, replacing faded signs throughout the community with new signs that meet reflective codes. This is a work in progress.

Trees along the northern section of  East Idaho were taken down this week as we move forward with our tree project, a total of 22 trees were removed and will be replaced with 10 trees. This project will move forward with new tree wells and grates, irrigation systems, and new ground cover in the coming weeks.
A new water main was cut in for the TVCC expansion

Water
We experience a power spike that has caused issues in multiple area of the water plant. We are working through those issues and treatment process is good. We believe this spike is related to a transformer that was blown in the area.
Mercury samples were taken as per state and federal regulations

​Wastewater
One of our chlorine contact basins were taken off line and cleaned.
Parks and Cemetery
The sewer line at the Beck Park bathrooms was replaced in connection with the bathroom remodel project.  End goal here is to put the Beck Park bathrooms back in service.
We are working with the new surveillance camera system installer to help in the installation process.  This continues as a work in progress.