The City of McMinnville Planning Department is currently preparing a grant application that would allow for funding to be directed to historical preservation projects.  A portion of this grant money may be used to assist property owners within the Downtown Historic District with façade remodel projects.  However, before requesting grant funds for projects of this nature, we are reaching out to those who own properties that are primary or secondary contributing buildings to the historic district as a way to gauge if any such projects are under consideration during the upcoming grant cycle (April 2012-August 2013).  This is a matching grant, with 50 percent of the project cost coming from the property owner.  

For more information about this grant, and to determine if your building is eligible, and/or to inform Planning Department staff that you are planning such a project and have interest in applying for such a grant, please contact Jennifer Lynagh, Associate Planner, by calling (503) 434-7311, or by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or stop by the Community Development Center at 231 NE Fifth Street by February 6, 2012.

The City of McMinnville continues to work to accomplish its goals of promoting sustainability and reducing green house gas emissions as described in its adopted “Sustainability Action Plan.”  An update on steps taken by individual departments toward these goals was provided to the City Council by the Sustainability Committee chair, Diana Anderson, on December 13, 2011.  In summary, the update noted the following highlights:

• Public Works’ NW Fenton Street paving project - use of a warm mix asphalt.

• The Police Department’s “prescription drop off” program collection of nearly 1500 pounds of medications that were destroyed at an incinerator facility rather than being dumped in the water system or in the landfill.

• Information Systems  - significant progress in the use of “virtual” servers to reduce energy consumption.

• Wastewater Services - work with Energy Smart Industrial Partners on a Pump Station energy efficiency project that reduced energy use.

A copy of the complete update report can be viewed here.

The Mayor's Charity Ball, an annual fundraiser for Kids on the Block, will be held Saturday, February 4, beginning at 6 p.m. at the McMinnville Community Center. 

This fun event will include a delicious dinner and dessert buffet, local wines and beers, music, dancing, silent auction, raffles and more. Tickets are $80 per person. 

Live music from In The Mood will be on stage from 6 to 9 p.m., and High Street, one of the Northwest's most entertaining bands, will bring a mixture of rock, blues, swing, R&B, Latin and oldies until 1 a.m. 

Kids on the Block is a safe, after-school enrichment program that helps build successful kids. 

To find out more about the Mayor's Charity Ball and Kids on the Block, visit www.MayorsBall.com. You can buy tickets through the website beginning December 27.