MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011

1. Wastewater Treatment Plant and Collection System Improvements Completed. Completion of modifications to the Water Reclamation Facility resulted in increasing the plant’s wet weather capacity.  Continued efforts to remove unwanted water inflow and infiltration from the sewer system were completed with construction projects completed in the Three Mile Lane area and the High School basin.

2. New Ambulance Substation Reduces Response Times on North End.  A 24-hour ambulance is now being deployed from a residential area near the intersection of Baker Creek Rd and Westside Road.  This has resulted in significant improvements to ambulance response times in the north end of town.

3. Private Donations Fund New Statue at the McMinnville Library.  A statue of a young boy reading, entitled “Bookworm,” was placed on the corner of NW 2nd and Adams.  The project was financed through a private donation, in cooperation with the McMinnville Library Foundation and the Public Art Committee.

4. Redevelopment Plan Drafted for the “NE Gateway District.”  A preliminary vision and development concepts were completed for the 70 acre neighborhood located generally west of Lafayette Ave, east of the railroad tracks, north of 3rd Street and south of NW 14th Street.  A draft plan will be reviewed in the Spring of 2012.

5. City Earned Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. For the 22nd consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association recognized the “spirit of transparency and full disclosure” of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report that the City prepares and has reviewed by its independent auditor.

6. Police Department Implements New E-Ticketing System.  The Police Department, in conjunction with the Municipal Court and Information Systems Department, began using a system that enables traffic citations and accident reporting to be electronically made and processed through the Municipal Court.  This use of electronic information provides for a more accurate and efficient system.  It is part of a statewide effort and largely funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

7. New On-Line Registration System Implemented by the Parks and Recreation Department.  Participants in Parks and Recreation Department programs now have the option to conveniently register from home.  On-line registration instructions and a link to on-line registration services are both found on the City of McMinnville web-site under “Parks and Recreation Department.”  (www.ci.mcminnville.or.us)

8. NE 8th Street Railroad Crossing Improved.  In partnership with the Portland & Western Railroad company, the NE 8th Street railroad crossing was improved.  Associated pedestrian improvements were also constructed.

9. McMinnville Youth Baseball Program Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary.  The 20th season of the Parks and Recreation Department’s youth baseball program was successfully completed.   It has grown from the original 180 participants in the first year to over 500 during the 2011 season.

10. Fourth Annual City Faire Another Success. An estimated 2,000 citizens of all ages participated in the fourth annual City Faire, held on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Discovery Meadows Park.  This popular event is designed to recognize volunteers, to celebrate community, to provide information and City services and to just have family-oriented fun!

11. Police Department Detectives Recognized. The Police Department’s Detective Division was honored at a City Council meeting for their exemplary work.  The detective team was recognized for their work in solving several burglary sprees; arresting a homicide suspect and their overall effective and team-oriented effort.

12. Information Systems Department Helps Prepare City for Emergencies.  Additional technological improvements were implemented to ensure reasonable continuity of City operations in the event of a disaster.  The improvements will allow more rapid restoration of computer systems and for the City to reasonably continue to serve citizens during what would likely be a period of high demand by the public.

13. Community Attitude Survey Conducted.  In February of 2011 nearly 1000 residents completed a written survey which asked opinions about the community and the services provided by the City.  The survey results have been reviewed by staff and elected officials and will be used to help with community planning, resource allocation and program decision and policy making.