January 21, 2020

Ontario’s First Multi-Purpose Trail
We received bids for the Treasure Valley Connector Trail. 

Housing Incentive Program 
I was invited to meet with a group in another county who was interested in how our housing incentive program worked. It was good to listen to them talk about their challenges, because they are very similar.
 
Budget 
We began budget meetings with departments on Thursday and Friday. We had our first meetings with everyone but Public Works who we will catch next week.

Marijuana Letter
The marijuana letter Council approved last week was sent both by hard copy and email to all the legislators listed and Governor Kate Brown. I also copied the Argus Observer, Malheur Enterprise and the Oregonian. We are going to come in over our estimates (because we estimated conservatively) on the local tax more than enough to make up for the lack of State Revenue sharing. Of course, I would have been happier to underestimate both!

Transitional Housing Pilot Project 
​Things are moving at the site and we could see the first shelters on site as early as next week. We convened a meeting on Thursday night for the public to ask questions of Community in Action and Origins.

Police
Chief Romero conducted an in-person interview with Argus Observer reporter to discuss Chief’s 2020 OPD goals and objectives.

Chief Romero attended Steering committee meeting at TVCC for the new Athlete Mentorship Program (AMP), in order to finalize details for the program kick off on January 22nd, 2020 @ 4:00 pm at the TVCC Gym. Chief Romero invites all community members to come out and support this new outreach program and the TVCC athletics programs. TVCC will have a basketball game after the kick-off against Columbia Basin College.

OPD held a swearing in ceremony for new police officer Adam Clinton and new reserve officer Wesley Shaw. 

Chief Romero worked with OPD staff to review and develop updated public education literature and platforms for parking, animal control, and abatement concerns. Draft literature and ordinance amendment proposals have been submitted to the city manager for review, feedback, and additional development. The goal is to update and provide policies and protocols that are current and fall under “Best practices” standards. 

Ordinance efforts this week were focused on RV camping enforcement and evaluating permit fees for various community activities and violations. 

The background check process for the second ordinance officer and intends to offer an unconditional employment offer to the applicant. Onboarding of new ordinance officer can be as early as next week.

Jan 17th- OPD conducted directed enforcement in southeast region of city for continued complaints of slurry loads from commercial haulers.

OPD was involved in a foot pursuit in the central area of the city. OPD Officer observed a known, wanted male felon, who was disguised in a wig and female attire inside the truck of an associate. Upon contact, the suspect fled on foot, but the driver was arrested for also having an outstanding felony warrant. Locating and arresting felony suspects remains a high priority for OPD.

Airport
A one-day advisory NOTAM was published for work-in-progress as snow removal was taking place this week.

The rotating beacon, PAPI lights, runway and taxi lights are working well as students are meeting their night flying requirements.

The snow blade has been reattached to the dump truck and weight has been put back as well as new batteries in preparation for snow removal. The bucket of the loader has been repaired and is also ready to keep the airport open during the snow.
 
I have received the grant application for the next FAA funded project starting this year which will include a new taxiway and a hold apron at the end of runway 33.

Fire & Rescue
The crews prepped a house that we will be using for practical skills training for the next two months. 

A couple of members attended the Elks public service awards banquet.  Staff burned the slash piles down by the river at the waste water treatment plant, that were from the river clean-up project.

Incidents: The crew responded to shrub fire that also burned up a vinyl fence. They also responded to a couple of false alarms and a burning complaint.  

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.

Trenching and conduit were installed at the old shop site, it is ready for electrical lines to be pulled and final panel installation.

We are working on water service for this site, we may have to install a new service line based on what we have found so far. Fencing will be installed after shelters are delivered.

Crews trouble shot and replaced some fittings at the lift station on 4th and Verde Ave.

Water
A new water heater for our chlorine generation system arrived and was found to be defective, a new one is on its way and will be installed as soon as it gets here. This replaces a unit that has been in service since 2004.

Wastewater
Bids were received on the Farming operations at the Malheur and Skyline properties. They need to be evaluated.

Parks and Cemetery
New tables that have been purchased are being put together and placed throughout the city. New ones can be seen under the new shelter at Lions Park.

We are working with the new surveillance camera system installer to help in the installation process.  This continues as a work in progress.

Crews supported the Ordinance officer with boarding up a derelict property at 46 NW 9th.

​Engineering
The engineer has been busy. There are so many projects right now being overseen. The SE 2nd St sewer and paving project, the airport sewer, and the Treasure Valley Connector Trail will all be under construction soon. Final design is going on for the South Oregon safety improvement project. Our Engineer is awesome!