11/20/18 Minutes

Members: Deb Comini, M. Bryant Baird

Organizations: Alan Mela, Grocery Outlet

City and County Representatives: Councilor Kaser; Sheri Wahrgren, Urban Development Department

Guests: none

The regular meeting of the CANDO Board of Directors was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at the First Christian Church at 685 Marion Street NE, Salem.  The Chair and Secretary-Treasurer were present.  

The minutes of the October meeting were approved by unanimous consent.

Councilor Kaser reported, among other things, that she had asked staff during the 11/23 work session on the Council Policy Agenda to prioritize the Downtown Homeless Solutions Task Force’s Good Neighbor Partnership recommendation, as well as the recommendations to provide public restrooms and storage facilities downtown, which are on the agenda of the next meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency and City Council.  There will be another work session on the Council Policy Agenda on January 23.     

In public comments, Alan Mela, told the board and Councilor Kaser about problems that  Grocery Outlet had been having (for example, trespassing and break-ins), and that he expected would continue for the next three years, until the new police facility and the new UGM Men’s Mission have been completed.  Councilor Kaser said she was well aware of the situation, having spoken with Mr. Mela previously, and told him she would be following up with him and certain City divisions.

The board heard a presentation by Sheri Wahrgren on the proposed amendments to the Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal Plan, which have already come before the Downtown Advisory Board, and will be coming before the Urban Renewal Agency and City Council at their next meeting (Monday, November 25).  In response to a question, Wahrgren said that the Project 1110 amendments will permit the City to use Urban Renewal funds for the sobering center renovations, or even purchase a building, as long as the purchase is  consistent with the project purpose. The Project 1110 plan amendments are necessary because non-profit organizations like the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (which owns the building that will house the sobering center) are normally not eligible for urban renewal investments, as they don’t pay property taxes.  

   

There being no other business before the board, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m.