TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Bond Oversight Steering Committee
SUBJECT:
title
Summary of recent activity and progress on 2022 voter-approved Safety and Livability Bond measure.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
end
SUMMARY:
summary
In 2023, the City established an oversight committee to guide spending, timing, and prioritization of projects to be funded with the voter-approved Safety and Livability Bond measure. Also in 2023, the first of three bond sales occurred, design work began on several bond-funded projects, and fire trucks and equipment were purchased. City Council received updates from the Bond Oversight Steering Committee in April and August of 2023.
end
ISSUE:
Receive a progress report on the 2022 Salem Safety and Livability Bond measure.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
body
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Voters approved ’’Salems safety and livability measure <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/2022-community-infrastructure-bond> in November 2022, setting in motion a ten-year plan for $300 million in infrastructure investment in Salem. As part of the community conversation about the measure, voters were assured the City would establish a committee to provide oversight and accountability about spending proposed in the measure.
The ’Salems Bond Oversight Committee <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/boards-commissions/other-advisory-groups/bond-oversight-steering-committee> met for the first time on February 24, 2023. The Oversight Committee includes Mayor Chris Hoy, Councilors Stapleton and Varney, community members Bob Cortright and Mike Herron. Councilor Nishioka serves as an alternate. Altogether in 2023, the Committee met nine times to receive updates and consider criteria to prioritize future projects to construct missing sidewalks, repair sidewalks, improve pedestrian crossings, and mixed use paths and trail projects. An update to City Council and the community was provided on April 24, 2023 and again on August 14, 2023. In 2024, the Oversight Committee’s work will continue on a monthly meeting basis.
Since the last update, the following activity has been accomplished on the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond:
• Union Street Family Friendly Bikeway: Construction of the Union Street Family Friendly Bikeway is complete from Commercial Street to Summer Street. Design is underway for the portions that connect from Summer Street to 12th, and from Commercial Street to Front Street.
• Pringle Creek Path. In July 2023, the City of Salem was awarded a $6 million grant from the Oregon Transportation Commission. Construction of this multi-use connection from the end of the existing pathways under the Commercial Street SE Bridge to Riverfront Park near the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary amphitheater is tentatively planned for 2028. From the Community Safety and Livability bond, $3.58 million is also programmed for this project.
• McGilchrist Complete Street. The first phase of the work is underway to realign the intersection of 22nd Street SE at McGilchrist Street SE, improve to stormwater facilities, and build a replacement crossing over the east fork of Pringle Creek. The Phase 1 construction contract was awarded to Carter and Company, a local firm. A designer for the second and third phase has been selected, with construction anticipated for 2025 through 2027. More information about the McGilchrist Complete Street project <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/safety-and-livability-bond/mcgilchrist-complete-street-project> is available on the City’s website.
• Replacement of financial reporting and accounting system. One of the technology and cybersecurity projects anticipated in the bond was to replace out-of-date financial reporting, procurement, and accounting systems - the software backbone for day-to-day operations. For this project, we anticipate releasing an RFP in February, with the solution acquired July 2024, and a years-long systems transition to follow.
• Design Underway. We are staging other projects for construction beginning spring 2024 and beyond. Design of the following construction projects is underway:
o Mill and Pringle Creek Bridges to strengthen bridges to meet new Federal Highway Administration and ODOT load rating requirements.
o Commercial Street, Liberty Street, Silverton Road, and Doaks Ferry Road pavement resurfacing of the roadway and replacing non-compliant Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps. Construction is anticipated for these projects in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
o Replacing multi-use athletic courts at Highland, Hoover, River Road, Morningside and Sumpter parks
o Repairing or installing pavement at parking lots serving Minto-Brown Island Park Parking Lot 2 (dog park area) and 3 (river access area)
o Geer Park dog park, shelter and sports fields.
• Civic Center Seismic Retrofit. On December 11, 2023, Salem City Council received an update on Civic Center master planning effort <https://salem.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6444436&GUID=763B6034-9AD8-4CC1-9540-37DDD6023103&Options=&Search=> to develop a vision and blueprint for future use of the building. The master plan focuses on delivering the commitment of a resilient, safe and secure Civic Center. If possible, within the scope and budget, the project may also result in a more inviting, accessible and modern facility with a more flexible work space for a 21st century work environment. In January, City Council will consider whether a design-build contracting method is appropriate for this work. The goal is to have a contractor on board in 2024, with construction to begin as early as 2025.
• Prioritizing Safer Crossings, Sidewalks, and Parks Paths and Trails. On October 23, 2023, City Council approved the Oversight Committee’s recommendations for criteria to prioritize Safer Pedestrian Crossings, Sidewalk Infill, and Sidewalk Replacement projects <https://salem.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6386534&GUID=3F104C3C-FC59-4862-A70B-AD1E46B262AD&Options=&Search=> for construction, with special attention to incorporating equity. In November 2023, the Oversight Committee looked at similar criteria for Parks Paths and Trails project selection. Next, staff will engage our community to help develop the list of projects for consideration. The Committee will recommend priority projects to Council. The Committee’s recommendation will include a handful of projects near other, early Bond-funded projects to save money by including them with larger construction efforts.
• Local Contracting Update. In a December 7, 2023, presentation to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 1), staff reported local contractors were awarded 77% of contracts to-date. Working with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Salem will host a Contractor Forum on January 31, 2024 to raise awareness of local contracting opportunities. Staff will also regularly conduct outreach with the Salem Capital Connection and Latino Business Alliance.
BACKGROUND:
The City plans to issue two more bond sales within the next ten years to support ’Salems safety and livability measure <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/2022-community-infrastructure-bond>, passed by voters in November 2022. In addition to fire trucks and equipment, the bond includes investments in Salem’s streets, sidewalks, parks, two new fire stations to improve responses times, affordable housing, purchase of sites for affordable housing and branch libraries, cybersecurity for City operations, and Civic Center seismic improvements. Because payments for existing bonds are decreasing in the future, the City committed to keeping Salem's bonded tax levy rate at or below the 2022 rate of approximately $1.20/$1,000 of assessed value.
Courtney Knox Busch
Strategic Initiative Manager
Attachments:
1. Salem Area Chamber of Commerce December 7, 2023 presentation.