9/19/23 Minutes

Individual Members: Woody Dukes, Deb Comini, Rosa Leonardi, Rebekah Engle, Joel and Jess Weiss

Organizations: none

 

City, County and State Representatives:  Chris Hoy, Mayor; Virginia Stapleton, Ward 1 Councilor; Linda Nishioka, Ward 2; Sgt. Robert Dowd, Salem Police Department  

 

Guests: none

The regular meeting of CANDO was called to order at 6:02 p.m., on Tuesday, September 18, 2023. The meeting was conducted by Zoom video-conference.  The Chair and Secretary-Treasurer were present.  

The agenda and minutes of the August meeting were approved unanimously.

Sgt. Dowd reported that the Community Action Unit, which during the summer was focused on the central area, will return to citywide patrol. He also reported on actions taken in response to Alan Mela’s complaint regarding the 200 block of D Street (concerning Grocery Outlet and UGM Store) and answered questions.

Councilor Stapleton and Councilor Nishioka reported on recent City Council actions and the upcoming reconsideration of the Council’s decision not to repeal SCAN’s overlay zones which limit density growth and thus “protect the character of the neighborhood.”  Councilor Nishioka will propose, by way of a compromise, what amounts to a 45’ height limit, which is higher than currently allowed, but not as high as permitted in most other areas of the City.

Mayor Hoy talked a little bit about his background in public service, and answered a number of questions.    

The Chair’s motion to take a position on whether Salem should affirm the enactment of Ordinance Bill 12-23 (Safe Salem Payroll Tax) passed unanimously, following which the board voted unanimously to take the position that Salem should affirm the enactment of the Bill (and the payroll tax).

The Chair acknowledged Rebekah Engle’s resignation from the board, and thanked her for her long service.

There being no further business before the board, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:12 pm.