Busy Summer in the City
This past spring and into summer there are numerous important and exciting projects happening in McMinnville. If you have had a chance to visit the downtown area you more than likely have had to face detours, construction equipment, and rough streets. These detours, the use of heavy equipment and the rough streets are the result of a continued effort to rehabilitate McMinnville’s Sanitary Sewer System which will result in the separation of storm water runoff from the sanitary sewer system. During the Winter this will help to minimize the number of times the Wastewater Reclamation Facility and the various drainage basins experience a sewage overflow.
The final draft of the Northeast Gateway plan was reviewed by the Advisory Committee which was appointed by the City Council and tasked with development and review of the Northeast Gateway Master Plan. It was then reviewed by the Planning Commission and then the City Council. At a joint work session a final draft presentation of the plan from the project's consultants, OTAK was reviewed and discussed. The PowerPoint Presentation as well as the Draft Plan can be viewed by clicking on one of the links above.
At the June 26th City Council meeting, the City Council reviewed and discussed the status of the City’s street system, including needs and funding. City staff presented the Council with a comprehensive report that described current transportation funding (“gas taxes”) levels and trends, and the City’s use of those funds. Also reviewed were the City’s pavement maintenance approach and activities, as well as our needs related to Street Department vehicles and equipment; storm drainage improvements; accessibility improvements; and system transportation capital needs. A copy of the staff report to the Council can be viewed here, and the presentation slides from the meeting are available here.
The City’s annual pavement preservation projects have been awarded for this construction season, and will be constructed during July and August of 2012. Neighborhood residents will receive project information by mail, with a specific schedule update in mid July. Annual preservation work includes slurry seal projects and pavement overlay work. Slurry seals are preventative maintenance, and are an asphalt emulsion with small aggregate that is applied to streets that are in good condition. This treatment can extend pavement life from 7-10 years. Pavement overlays are rehabilitation work and are applied to streets that are in fair or poor condition. Overlays will add 10-20 years of life to a pavement. Overlay work also includes updating ADA curb ramps with the project area to current standards. Slurry work will be conducted this season in the West Hills and Hillsdale areas in west McMinnville. For project information, please click here. Overlay work will be conducted in the Rob’s Orchard area (26th-27th, Evans-Hembree) and the 6th & Donahoo area. For project information, please click here.
In May and June, the City Council completed deliberations and discussion of McMinnville’s financial participation in the much anticipated construction of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass which was authorized by the passage of House Bill 2001 (The Jobs and Transportation Act) by the Oregon Legislature in 2009. After deliberations, the Council voted unanimously to authorize City Staff to move forward with the consideration of a Intergovernmental Agreement with Yamhill County, and the Cities of Newberg and Dundee to fund a local match of the four organizations of 16 Million Dollars and to work with the State of Oregon in a loan application to the Oregon Infrastructure Bank for the amount of the participation with funds to pay the loan coming from future additional Gas Tax and Vehicle Registration funds that were authorized again by the passage of HB2001. A summary of the Bypass Project and additional links can be found on the Oregon Department of Transportation website for Region 2.
And more importantly, please join other citizens and visitors in enjoying McMinnville’s Summer Concert Series at Linfield College. Bring a picnic dinner or early evening snack and your chairs or sit on the grass cooling off in the early evening breeze. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are located on the Linfield Green on the corner of Linfield Avenue and Founder's Way. Note: This is a NEW location for 2012 concerts. For the enjoyment of all attending, no alcohol, smoking, or pets are allowed.
Wishing You a Safe and Cool Season
Mayor Rick Olson
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
City Council and Governance
City Directory
Employment Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
|