TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Approve a request from the North Santiam Watershed Council for City Council representation on the Mill Creek-Waller Advisory Committee.
Ward(s): Ward 1 and Ward 2
Councilor(s): Councilor Tigan, Councilor Nishioka
Neighborhood(s): NEN, CANDO, SESNA
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship; Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
The North Santiam Watershed Council (NWSC) has requested one or more representatives of Salem City Council to serve on the Mill Creek-Waller Advisory Committee. The purpose of this committee is to bring together watershed partners, technical experts, community leaders, and local voices whose experience will help guide alternate development, analysis, and design for projects involving fish passage and habitat restoration at Waller Dam and nearby reaches of Mill Creek and the Mill Race. The committee will serve as a collaborative forum to share knowledge and perspectives. Committee members will serve as volunteers and will:
• Attend quarterly meetings during the study and design phase (2026-2027);
• Review and provide feedback on project materials;
• Represent their community or organization in good faith; and
• Collaborate respectfully with other members and project partners.
The project is part of NSWC’s Mill Creek Fish Passage Barriers Improvement Project. This project is funded by the Restoration Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council appoint Councilor Linda Nishioka (Ward 2) to serve as a member of the Mill Creek-Waller Advisory Committee, appoint Councilor Paul Tigan (Ward 1) to serve as the alternate member, and authorize the appointment of one Planning Commissioner to the Mill Creek-Waller Advisory Committee?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Appoint Councilor Linda Nishioka (Ward 2) to serve as a member of the Mill Creek-Waller Advisory Committee, appoint Councilor Paul Tigan (Ward 1) to serve as the alternate member, and authorize the appointment of one Planning Commissioner of the Mill Creek-Waller Advisory Committee.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. In a letter dated December 12, 2025, the Mayor and City Council received a request from the Executive Director of the North Santiam Watershed Council to appoint one or more member of Council to serve on the Mill Creek-Waller Advisory Committee. Additionally, the Planning Commission received a request to appoint one member to the committee.
2. Attachment 1 contains the letter and an enclosure. This letter provides information regarding the project, the work of the North Santiam Watershed Council, and the anticipated role of the committee.
3. The purpose of the committee is to help guide planning and design work for improved fish passage and habitat restoration at Waller Dam and nearby reaches of Mill Creek and Mill Race.
4. The project is funded by a grant through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Restoration Center and is part of the Mid-Valley River Connections Collaboration Award.
5. The Waller Dam complex includes associated Mill Creek and Mill Race structures. The complex is a City-owned and City-maintained asset located primarily within Ward 2, with Mill Creek continuing downstream of the dam into Ward 1.
6. The committee will be composed of watershed partners, technical experts, government representatives, community leaders, professional staff, and local voices.
7. The broad purpose of this effort is to consider options at the site to improve fish passage and restore habitat at Waller Dam and nearby reaches of Mill Creek and the Mill Race.
8. The committee will serve as a collaborative forum to provide knowledge, share perspectives, and make recommendations. This work is part of NSWC’s Mill Creek Fish Passage Barriers Improvement Project.
9. Councilor Nishioka (Ward 2) and Councilor Tigan (Ward 1) have both expressed their interested in being engaged in this project.
10. If authorized, the Planning Commission will pick a member to represent the Commission on the committee.
BACKGROUND:
The North Santiam Watershed Council has requested City Council representation on a committee formed to help guide planning to improve fish passage and habitat at Waller Dam and nearby reaches of Mill Creek and the Mill Race in Salem. The project is funded by a grant from the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Letter to Mayor and City Council from Executive Director, North Santiam Watershed Council. December 12, 2025.