By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor — Grant funding from both federal and county agencies were among the topics of discussion in the evening meeting. Two separate active and proposed projects for the city were announced.
The railroad trestle bridge across Salmon Creek is being evaluated by an engineer who is being paid for with grant funding. The project’s ultimate outcome is to refurbish and reuse the bridge as a bike and walking path that will connect the Uptown District of Oakridge with a connecting trail along the Oakridge Industrial Park on the south side of the creek.
Also brought before the Council was a request that Oakridge agree to join Lane County in an application for funding to install electric vehicle charging stations in three locations in Oakridge. The proposal envisions placing four EV chargers in Greenwaters Park, one or two at Banner Park in the Uptown area, and three at the Willamette Activity Center. The half-million-dollar project, if funded, would also come with five years of paid maintenance. The Council voted to join in the application.
Work already approved to place utilities along Kokanee Drive in the industrial park will be performed by River Bend Construction. OIP funds will be used for the infrastructure project.
A $500K U.S. Department of Agriculture Block Grant, secured by congresswoman Val Hoyle, was unanimously approved during the session for needed work on the Willamette Community Center’s extensive remodel that will ultimately become a hub of community services.
An initial investigation was conducted on a member of the Oakridge EMS, brought about by a citizen calling for the dismissal of Christina Hollett. The investigation, as well as a discussion by the Council, determined that procedures and protocols were followed, and that no further action was required. The citizen has been advised that an appeal may be filed with the Oregon Health Authority.
City Administrator James Cleavenger announced that Lane County has formed a mobile crisis service team that will respond separately from police calls. Three mobile units will be at the ready starting this Sunday to respond to crisis calls. See more details at LANE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF MOBILE CRISIS SERVICES OF LANE COUNTY (MCS-LC) • Highway 58 Herald. Additional information and updates will be available on the MCS-LC website at lanecountyor.gov/mobilecrisis.
Cleavenger also stated there are currently two applicants to date that have applied for the City’s Finance Director position. An interview committee will be formed with Councilor Brewer as the council representative.
During an abbreviated staff report, Public Works Director Rick Zylstra noted that two persons have been hired to fill positions in the PW department.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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