June 15, 2020

COVID-19 – I said a few weeks ago that we should have a good idea of what happens when we open things back up because of the range of strategies across the US. We are seeing the impacts of those decisions this week as some states see a surge in cases. Not sure what kind of impact that will have going forward, but at least it gives us information.

Council Meeting – Council meeting is on Tuesday. It’s most likely that we will need to have a meeting on the 23rd since we missed the work session. There are some timely items that need to be addressed that won’t be ready for the 16th.

Downtown Project – Most of the equipment was removed as work was completed. Paving will occur after the 4th of July. The farmers market will be open for the first day tomorrow.

Playgrounds Open – Our outdoor playgrounds were allowed to open as of Wednesday.

Merchant McIntyre – We held the grant resource inventory all day today. It was very efficient. They started off with our leadership team and then had 20-minute interviews with each department and with 10 minutes in between each. We wrapped up with a review of the day and next steps. They will create a plan of attack in the next 30 days. In the meanwhile, they will be fleshing out data and information. They plan to meet bi-weekly with us, which is a big commitment. Staff did a great job of throwing everything out there.

Parks Committee – As we head into Phase 2 of reopening, our committees will begin meeting again. The Parks Committee will have its inaugural meeting in July. Members are already enthused by the opportunity to serve.

Franchise Agreement with Idaho Power is finished and in the packet for Tuesday

STF/STIF – Transportation meetings were on Wednesday. As you can imagine, they like others have been impacted by COVID, but they have found innovative ways to provide service like picking up groceries for seniors.

Finance – Kari did a good projection of the finances and went over them with me on Tuesday. We should be all right for the year end with a few minor adjustments.

Homeless Meeting – Our smaller work group had a check in on our transitional shelter location. We have the meeting on Wednesday night at 6:30 at the Cultural Center to receive feedback. Community in Action is putting together different options and reviewing the pros and cons of each. More to come.

Airport
Both of our single engine air tanker planes are now stationed at the airport with the 690-Commander aircraft coming in later today or tomorrow.

Boise River Fence Company came out and found a bad circuit board in the keypad. They have ordered a replacement and will seal all the other keypads as well as the Knox boxes for the fire department. This should stop moisture from reaching the keypads in the future and prevent the reoccurring malfunction.

Wednesday was a very productive day helping hanger owners learn what fire extinguishers they need for their hangars, hazardous materials restrictions, and other FAA regulations regarding the use of airplane hangars on a federally assured Airport. The Fire Chief, Police Chief, and City Manager were all on hand to assist with the hangar inspections. 

Fire & Rescue
Meetings
6/10 The staff attended a PDAC meeting for a future project at the old movie theater on SW 1st Street.

Inspections
6/10 Multiple departments did inspections of the airport hangers.  6/12 Chief and the building officials did a pre-inspection walk through for a project on NE 1st Street.

Training
6/9 The staff did a live fire training with multiple sets at the practice burn house.  6/10 The crews did a joint training with Treasure Valley Paramedics on Covid-19 and the first Covid rated death we had in Malheur County.

Incidents
6/5 The crews responded to two different electrical issues, a transformer fire and down power lines.  6/9 Rescue 1 responded to some false medical alarms.  6/11 The staff responded to a gas line that was hit by a backhoe leaking, and a fire on I-84 at MP 378.  

Administration
June 8th-Chief Romero completed a workbook for an upcoming Business Watch initiative that will be presented in July by the chief at TVCC Small Business Center. The program is built on a similar concept as the Neighborhood Watch concept but focuses on preventing commercial crimes and improving business information sharing throughout the business community.

June 10th- Chief Romero assisted airport management and FD services with safety inspections of hangars at the airport. Inspections went well with no major concerns identified. Airport appears safe and without vulnerabilities.

June 10th- Chief Romero met with a representative from the Oregon Department of Corrections to conduct a mandatory jail inspection of OPD’s detention facility. These inspections area required every three years and OPD passed with flying colors.

June 12th- Chief Romero met with the Ontario Black Lives matter representatives to discuss their planned candlelight vigil at Lions Park on June 13th. Chief Romero was informed that the group had requested the appropriate permits and a safety plan was discussed with the host and the chief. No issues are anticipated. 

Field Services
June 11th—OPD Assisted the FD with the car seat fitting station. Several community members were assisted and issued new car seats. Great community work and car safety education by our staff.                                                                                                                 
Patrol officers remained busy all week with a steady stream of calls. No major events to report this week.

Code Enforcement:
Active week for code enforcement with a steady load of property abatement activities.

Public Works
Field Services
Scheduling of work crews continues to be driven by COVID 19. Daily checks on staff and operations related to the pandemic are in place.

Curb and sidewalk bulb-out work continued on the Oregon Street project. All concrete placing and asphalt patch-back around the new curbs was completed this week. Oregon Street traffic returned to normal  flow for Saturday. Asphalt milling and repaving phase of Oregon Street is scheduled to begin after the July 4th holiday weekend. The full project is slated for completion by mid-July.

Water
Due to unseasonable temperature variations and precipitation, the water level in the Snake River is changing daily.  This river level fluctuation adds complexity to the water treatment process. Treatment plant staff have increased daily and weekly process testing to ensure optimal operation.

Production Wells #6 and #15 are going through a sanitation cycle and should be available for production next week.

Wastewater
Aerator repair and troubleshooting continues in Lagoon #1. Aerator repositioning work has been completed for Lagoons #2/3, #4A and #4B.

Parks and Cemeteries
The playgrounds at the parks opened Friday, June 12th.

Facilities
Additional pea gravel is needed around the new play structure at Lions Park. Landscaping and seeding are also needed around the new sidewalk at Lions Park. The prep work for the walking path around Laxson Park is finished. Paving should be completed in the near future.  Ameresco was on site at the beginning of the week working on the energy audit.

Engineering
Work on the skate park restroom is under way. Work has begun on the Mercury Minimization Plan. That plan is due to ODEQ by August 31, 2020. Members of the Public Works Committee were presented with a draft of the Water Master Plan.