TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Kristin Retherford, Interim City Manager
FROM: Dan Atchison, City Attorney
SUBJECT:
title
Referring the Community Improvement Bond to Salem voters.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
Resolution No. 2022-42 refers the $300 million Community Improvement Bond measure to Salem voters for the November 8, 2022 election.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-42 calling for a measure election to be held on November 8, 2022 to consider a $300 million general obligation bond to finance capital improvements and other capital costs?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2022-42 calling for a measure election to be held on November 8, 2022 to consider a $300 million general obligation bond to finance capital improvements and other capital costs.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
At its June 27, 2022 meeting, City Council approved a list of projects to include in the Community Improvement Bond and directed staff to prepare a resolution to refer a general obligation bond measure to Salem voters at the November 2022 election. The $300 million Community Improvement Bond would provide funding for capital improvements for a wide variety of capital projects, including; improvements for new and existing streets, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and parks; acquisition of fire engines and equipment; establishing an affordable housing opportunity fund; acquisition of sites for affordable housing and shelter, with funding to establish branch libraries at two sites; acquisition of sites for and construction of two future fire stations; construction of earthquake safety improvements for the Civic Center; and upgrades to information technology to provide cybersecurity for City infrastructure.
Since December 2021, the Infrastructure Bond Engagement Steering Committee (“Steering Committee” or “Committee”) held seven meetings, receiving testimony in writing and virtually, before developing a recommendation for the Salem Community Improvement Bond in April 2022 and adjusting the recommendation at their June 10, 2022 meeting. The Committee is comprised of Mayor Bennett and Councilors Gonzalez, Hoy, Stapleton and former Councilor Lewis. Councilor Varney was appointed in March 2022 to fill the position vacated by Councilor Lewis.
All material considered by the Committee, in its original form, is featured on the Infrastructure Bond Engagement Steering Committee <https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/infrastructure-bond-engagement-steering-commitee.aspx> web page on the City of Salem’s website. Recordings of the meetings are available on the ’City of Salem’s public meeting channel on YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQLj9RKZNHu4wfYcs_TC0TA>.
At the June 27, 2022 meeting, City Council adjusted the project list for the proposed bond to include improvements to Davis Road SE, the Peace Plaza area on the Civic Center campus, and Union Street family-friendly bikeway project.
If Resolution No. 2022-42 is adopted by City Council, the ballot title for the measure will be published in the Statesman Journal, and the appeal period for the ballot title will begin. Staff will return to City Council on July 25, 2022 to request approval of the explanatory statement, which will be included in the election materials for the measure. A draft of the explanatory statement is currently being reviewed by the City’s bond counsel for legal compliance. The draft, which is limited by Oregon law to 500 words, is attached to this report, for City Council’s information and review.
BACKGROUND:
For the November 8, 2022 election, the Marion County elections calendar has established August 30, 2022 as the deadline to submit the measure to Marion County. In order to provide for time periods required under the Salem Revised Code and Oregon law, it is necessary for City Council to adopt Resolution No. 2022-42 to refer the measure to Salem voters in order for the City to meet the August 30, 2022 filing deadline.
Dan Atchison, City Attorney
Attachments:
1.Resolution No. 2022-42.
2. Measure - Exhibit A to Resolution No. 2022-42
3. Draft Explanatory Statement