Salem Comprehensive Park System Master Plan Public Forum

Salem Comprehensive Park System Master Plan Public Forum

The Draft Comprehensive Park System Master Plan will be presented to the public on Thursday, December 6, 2012, at Pringle Community Hall beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Pringle Community Hall is located in Pringle Park at 606 Church Street SE.  Parking is available.

This is an opportunity for the public to participate in planning the future of Salem's parks system.  Salem residents are encouraged to come and share their visions for Salem parks. 

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Toni Whitler, Parks Operations, at 503-588-6336.

Special Transportation Funds Available for Marion and Polk Counties

Special Transportation Funds Available for Marion and Polk Counties

Salem Area Mass Transit District (SAMTD) announces the availability of funds from the 2013-2015 State Special Transportation Fund (STF). 

These funds are managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Public Transit Division, in partnership with SAMTD to plan, maintain, or improve transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. SAMTD is the designated STF Agency with the authority to allocate STF revenues throughout Marion and Polk counties. Eligible applicants include public and private non-profit entities. Eligible projects include vehicle purchase, preventative maintenance, mobility management, purchased services, facilities and other capital equipment purchases.

Any organization, public or nonprofit, interested in submitting a proposal should contact Mona West, SAMTD, 925 Commercial Street SE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97302, phone 503-588-2424, e-mail westm@cherriots.org.  The STF Application must be completed and received by 12:00 noon, December 18, 2012.

Sandbagging Sites Established in Salem

Sandbagging Sites Established in Salem

Due to the possibility of local flooding occurring over the next few days, the City of Salem Public Works Department has set up three temporary satellite sandbagging locations as follows:

*     Lowe's Home Improvement Center-1930 Turner Road SE

*     Courthouse Athletic Club-6250 Commercial Street SE

*     Salem Chinese Evangelical Church-6836 Sunnyside Road SE

As always, sand and sandbags are available at the City's Operations Division Complex located at 1420 20th Street SE.

Salem residents can also help prevent local flooding when heavy rains and lots of leaves combine to clog the storm drains.  Simply rake leaves that have fallen in the street to the lower side of the storm drains.  This helps prevent clogging until City street-sweeping crews come to your neighborhood.

Please report any local flooding or down trees to Salem Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6333.

For additional information, please contact Mike Gotterba at 503-588-6347, mgotterba@cityofsalem.net.

2012 Holiday Book Drive: Twelve Thousand Books in Twelve Days

2012 Holiday Book Drive: Twelve Thousand Books in Twelve Days

The Marion, Polk and Yamhill Reading for All Initiative will launch the fourth annual Holiday Book Drive on Thursday, December 1.  The goal is to collect 12,000 new or gently used children’s books that will be distributed to local kids who need them.  READ MORE.

Extended Hours for Downtown Parking for the Holidays

Extended Hours for Downtown Parking for the Holidays

Salem City Council President, Chuck Bennett, announced today that downtown on-street parking limits will be extended from the present 2 hours to 4 hours during the holiday shopping season.  READ MORE.

Mid-Willamette Valley Erosion Control Summit

Mid-Willamette Valley Erosion Control Summit

Registration is now open for the second annual Mid-Willamette Valley Erosion Control Summit.  Construction and landscape professionals are invited to attend the event and earn up to six continuing education credits through the Construction Contractors Board (elective) or Landscape Contractors Board (technical) while learning about the top-performing Best Management Practices for erosion prevention, sediment control, and low impact development from area specialists.

Municipal representatives from the City of Salem, City of Keizer, and Marion County will inform participants about updates on local erosion control regulations and will host a question and answer session on erosion control permits.  This event also provides an opportunity for attendees to connect with product suppliers and network with local professionals.

One of the best deals in town, the Erosion Control Summit takes place on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.  Early-bird registration costs just $40 through December 7, 2012.  The standard price of $65 begins on December 8 through the deadline of December 31, 2012.  Breakfast and lunch are also included.

This event is brought to you by the Mid-Willamette Outreach Group (MWOG), an inter-agency partnership that provides environmental education and activities.  MWOG is made up of representatives from the City of Salem, City of Keizer, Marion County Environmental Services, and Marion Soil and Water Conservation District.

Join us for the 2013 Erosion Control Summit and see why last year's summit was called "one of the best."

To register for the event or for more information, go to www.cityofsalem.net/erosionsummit.

For more information, contact Deborah Topp, Natural Resources Outreach Specialist, at 503-588-6211 or dtopp@cityofsalem.net.

Invitation to Participate in the Pioneering Healthy Communities Initiative

Invitation to Participate in the Pioneering Healthy Communities Initiative

A grant was received this year for the YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties Pioneering Healthy Communities Initiative. 

Neighborhoods are invited to the next Pioneering Healthier Communities meeting on December 4, from 3 to 4:30 pm at the YMCA, 685 Court St NE.  This meeting will be discussing what has been learned and where the information is leading.

Two goals have been decided on for our projects.  One is nutrition based and the other is physical activity based. The goals are broad statements and there are objectives for each goal.  More information will be sent out around both subjects soon.

Please consider helping move this initiative forward by joining a subcommittee.  For more information, please contact Janice Naimy, Community Wellness Director, Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties, at 503-581-9622 or 503-588-4302.

17th Annual Riverfront Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

17^th Annual Riverfront Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Annual Riverfront Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Friday, November 30 at the Riverfront Park Pavilion at 6:30 pm. It will include free refreshments, activities and entertainment. 

   

This ceremony is sponsored by the City of Salem and will feature the following:

*Roth's Fresh Markets will provide free hot chocolate and cookies for the first 500 people.

*Santa Claus will arrive to top the Holiday Tree with assistance from the Salem Fire Department.

*Free candy canes will be provided to children.

*A local youth group will perform holiday songs.

*A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village will assist attendees in making environmentally friendly ornaments for the Holiday Tree.

*City Parks staff will assist in hanging environmentally friendly ornaments.

*Children can receive a ticket at the event for a chance to "flip the switch."

*Mayor Peterson will preside at the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

For more information, SEE FLYER or please contact Becky George, Recreation Supervisor, at 503-588-6261 or bgeorge@cityofsalem.net.

Warehouse Jamboree: A Community Gardens Volunteer Celebration

Warehouse Jamboree: A Community Gardens Volunteer Celebration

What: A delicious meal and square dance celebrating our volunteers.

Where: Marion-Polk Food Share, 1660 Salem Industrial Dr. NE

When: Monday, Nov. 26th, 6-8pm

Who: Anyone who volunteered with the community gardens program over the past year, or would like to volunteer in the future, is invited!

· burn off those Thanksgiving calories with square dancing

· Meet other amazing volunteers

· Celebrate your accomplishments

· Learn about future community garden projects

· Enjoy a healthy meal prepared by Chef Steve Morton

For more Information SEE FLYER or contact Ingrid at 503-798-0457 or ievjenelias@marionpolkfoodshare.org

Community Development Block Grant application cycle open Dec 3 to Jan 7

City of Salem Program Funding Application Cycle Begins December 3
2013-2014 Program Year Application Cycle Open Dec. 3, 2012 - Jan. 7, 2013

Salem, Ore. – The City of Salem Urban Development Department will soon be accepting Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership and Social Service applications for the 2013-2014 program year. The application cycle opens December 3, 2012 and closes at 4 pm. on January 7, 2013.

Applications will be available online December 3, 2012 at www.salemgrants.org or www.cityofsalem.net/federalprograms. Projects or programs applying for funding must be located, and serve persons at/or below 80% median family income, living within the city limits of Salem and Keizer.

Special consideration may be given to projects or programs aligned with the priority goals of the 2009-2013 Consolidated Plan and/or those that serve individuals and families that are homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Additional information can be found at www.cityofsalem.net/federalprograms.

For more information, contact Rena Peck at 503-540-2446 or rpeck@cityofsalem.net. Si necesita ayuda para comprender esta información, por favor llame 503-588-6178.

The Urban Development Department administers and oversees a variety of programs and services aimed at strengthening Salem's economy including Salem's seven urban renewal areas. In addition, the Department provides loans and grants to finance activities that create emergency, transitional and permanent affordable rental housing for low and moderate income families in Salem and Keizer; allocates funds to non-profits to provide emergency services to homeless and families at-risk of being homeless; facilitates economic opportunities and reinvestment; invests in economic empowerment for individual prosperity and small business growth; issues commercial loan and grant programs; performs real property management, acquisition, sales and leasing services for the City; manages downtown parking services and revitalization; manages Salem's Municipal Airport; and functions as the liaison to community organizations, businesses, and City Council and Agency Board appointed advisory groups.

Liquor License Renewal Comments Due by Jan 11

Liquor License Renewal Comments Due

Do you have a concern about a store, restaurant, or other facility that dispenses liquor? If so, your comments are needed by January 11.

Each December, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) sends the City of Salem a list of liquor licensees whose licenses are eligible for renewal. The City has 60 days to forward comments to OLCC about renewing the licenses. At the end of 60 days, OLCC will complete the investigation process considering all comments submitted. During the 60-day period, the City can request an additional 45 days to investigate specific licensees, if they are considering an unfavorable recommendation.

In order to meet the above deadlines, the liquor licensees bring their applications to the City between the first of January through the first week of March. Therefore, it is very important for citizens to express any concerns early (by January 11, if possible) to avoid missing the limited deadline for comments. This process affords neighborhood associations and individuals the opportunity to comment on liquor licenses before they are reissued by OLCC.

Comments about liquor establishments should not be "saved up" for the renewal process, but should be shared with the Police Department as they are brought up. Comments can also be made known to the City Councilor of the ward where the liquor establishment is located. In the Police Department, the comments go to the Crime Prevention Unit at 503-588-6175; crimeprevention@cityofsalem.net; or Salem Police Department Crime Prevention Unit, 555 Liberty Street SE, Room 130, Salem OR 97301.

Emergencies or in progress criminal activity should be reported to the Police Department immediately by dialing 9-1-1. If the incident is no longer in progress, call the Police business line at 503-588-6123.

Make a Difference Day Recap

Make a Difference Day Recap

This past Saturday was Make A Difference Day.  Despite the wet weather, volunteers were busy all over town.  This included three Neighborhood projects.  

Lansing Neighborhood

Lansing neighbor, Patty Tipton and City Parks Staff, Leonard Raggatt led 62 volunteers in planting 25 trees, spreading three units of fall material under the play structures, raking leaves, pulling weeds and picking up litter at Eastgate Basin Park from 9 am to noon.  Volunteers also enjoyed coffee and donuts.  This is the fourth year that Lansing has planted trees and done other maintenance at this park for Make A Difference Day.

North East Neighbors (NEN)

 Seven volunteers planted three trees at McRae Park in two hours.  The volunteers were Nancy McDaniel, Bill Holmstrom and Joan and Evan Lloyd (NEN Board); Lara and Tanner Million (very helpful neighbors); and Rick Watkins (teaches at Willamette).  Roger Cedillo, City employee of 45 years, oversaw the planting of three oak trees. 

Northgate Neighborhood

At Northgate Park Annalivia Palazzo-Angulo, neighbor and coordinator for this event; Carol Horning, neighbor and Master Gardener; Sam, Willamette University environmental studies student; Beth, a South Salem mom with her four-year-old son on his first volunteer project; Cliff and his three small children, new neighbors; a displaced family from California; and a Beaverton man who was passing through the park visiting a relative, raked mountains of leaves in the pouring rain and hauled them to the Northgate Forgiveness and Peace Garden for composting. Hotdogs and chili rounded out the day.  The volunteers were also appreciative of the wonderful support from City of Salem staff.

For more opportunities to make a difference in your neighborhood check out the City’s Neighborhood Beautification Opportunities Booklet for ideas or visit HandsOn Willamette to find volunteer opportunities or recruit volunteers for your project.  

Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission Meeting

The Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission will be holding a public hearing on Thursday, November 8  from 6 to 7 pm.  

The Citizens Advisory Traffic Commission Meeting will be holding a public hearing on Thursday, November 8, 2012, from 6 to 7 pm in Community Development's conference room (Room 305).

Public testimony will be received concerning the proposed expansion of RP-10 Residential Parking District to include Church Street NE between Electric Avenue SE and Hoyt Street SE.  Please see the AGENDA for more information.

If you have questions regarding the meeting and/or public hearing please contact Dave Kinney, Traffic Engineering Assistant, at DKinney@cityofsalem.net, or 503-588-6008.

Volunteers Victims Needed for CERT Exercise

Salem CERT Members - CERT Exercise at Willamette University

Volunteers are needed to simulate victims for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class on November 3. 

WHO?

Volunteers are needed to simulate victims for the CERT class that is currently coming to a conclusion.

WHAT?  &  WHERE?

The exercise will be held at the former YWCA building on the Willamette University campus.  The building is located at 768 State Street, just east of the Cottage St intersection, on the south side of State.

WHEN?

Time:  Meet at the alley between the buildings at 9:30 am.  Plan to be moulaged, so wear older clothes.

HOW?

In order for us to keep track of folks, please RSVP to;

Steve Felton – Safelton@yahoo.com  - he will be back from vacation on 10/30

and copy Roger Stevenson – rstevenson@cityofsalem.net