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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 2017)
Polk County News 2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • September 20, 2017 NEWS IN BRIEF SW Polk, Falls City to negotiate contract Ghost walk, scarecrow contest Friday INDEPENDENCE — The Hop & Heritage Festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, is taking a year hiatus because of a lack of volunteers to organize the annual event celebrating the his- tory of Independence as the “Hop Capital of the World.” But that doesn’t mean other events traditionally held around the festival are canceled. The annual Ghost Walk is still on for Friday, with tours starting every 15 minutes from 6 to 7 p.m. The tour is free, with donations welcome. The Independence Public Library will host a the annual scare- crow contest, another event traditionally associated with the Hop & Heritage Festival, but going on without the festival. The annual contest will be Friday. Entries must be turned in by 6 p.m. For more information: ci.independence.or.us/library. Curves celebrates milestone MONMOUTH/INDEPENDENCE — Curves International Inc. is celebrating its 25th birthday during the month of September. Curves of Monmouth/Independence, located at 155 C St., In- dependence, will mark the occasion by offering a number of promotions and events: Those include an in-club party and special workouts on Sept. 28. Nonmembers can join for 25 cents to celebrate the day. The party begins at 5:30 p.m. The first 25 members who join Curves through Sept. 27 can join for free with the purchase of an annual membership. Follow Curves on Facebook for giveaways and more infor- mation. Community fund names Hatfield Fellow GRAND RONDE — The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Mountain Community Fund selected Karlen Yallup as the 2017-18 Hatfield Fellow. Yallup, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, is a graduate of the University of Idaho, where she re- ceived a double bachelor of science degree in forest resources and fire ecology and management. The Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship was established in 1998 as a tribute to Sen. Hatfield. The Hatfield Fellow goes to a highly motivated and capable Native American who will intern in a congressional office for eight months. This year’s Fellow will serve in Sen. Ron Wyden’s office. Yallup will begin her fellowship in November Yallup plans to attend law school in 2018. For more information: www.thecommunityfund.com. Indy skate park meeting Monday INDEPENDENCE — A design meeting for an Independence Skate Park will be held Monday at 6 p.m. at the Event Center in City Hall, 555 S. Main St., Independence. Enter from the rear of the building. Pizza will be provided. For more information: www.dreamlanskateparks.com. Mid-Valley Quilt Guild holds sale SALEM — The Mid-Valley Quilt Guild, which includes mem- bers in Polk County, hosts the Stash N Go Sale Saturday. The sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Center in Salem, 4090 Commercial St. SE, Salem. Crafting and sewing materials will be on sale, including fab- ric scrap book supplies, partially completed projects and a few finished projects. A stand-up quilt frame will be offered. By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer FALLS CITY — The South- western Polk Rural Fire Pro- tection District Board meets Monday to discuss a new agreement between the dis- trict the city of Falls City. The current agreement, which allows the district to store equipment and re- spond to calls from Falls City’s station, will expire at the end of this month. The two entities often as- sist each other on calls The city and district have had a difficult time coming to agreeable terms, which is jeopardizing a partnership that has been in place for 80 years, said Falls City Mayor Terry Ungricht. Fred Hertel, Southwest- ern’s fire chief, said the Southwestern Polk board could extend the current agreement or discontinue it if the two sides can’t find common ground. The contract has already been extended once, for three months ending on Sept. 30. If it is discontinued, Southwestern would pull its equipment from Falls City and respond to calls in the Falls City area of the district from the stations in Dallas or Rickreall, Hertel said. Ungricht said that could affect the ISO rating, which insurance companies use to set insurance rates, for peo- ple who live in the district within five miles of the Falls City Station. Ungricht and Falls City Fire Chief Bob Young would like to see the current agree- ment extended and oppose changes that would give more administrative author- ity to the district. They said they would prefer the work out a deal. Hertel said that two sides met on Monday (Sept. 18) to discuss the agreement and, in his opinion, made some progress. Monday’s meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at the Falls City Fire Station, next to the Community Center at 320 N. Main St. Indy considers utility increases By Stephanie Blair The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — A water rate presentation ana- lyzing the effect of the city’s purchase of a water right last month, as well as the poten- tial building of a new waste- water pumping plant, was given at the Sept. 12 Inde- pendence City Council meeting. Steve Donovan, of Dono- van Enterprises, conducted and presented the study. Within Donovan’s presen- tation were breakdowns of how much money the city would need to pay each year to execute both the water and wastewater capital im- provement plans that the public works department has slated for the next five years, as well as a proposed plan of where to get the funds. For the water CIP, the total cost over the next five years — adjusted for inflation — is $2,273,377. More than half of that cost would come in 2018. Donovan’s suggestion of sources for money was a combination of obtaining revenue bonds, using sys- tem development charges and pulling money from res- ident water rates. The proposed amount of funds from the water rates was 28.85 percent of the total needed. This would result in a rise of approximately 2.5 percent per year until 2022, making the average monthly bill $7 higher than it is at present. Revenue bond proceeds would cover the bulk of the cost at 53.46 percent, and system development charges would pay for 17.69 percent. For the wastewater CIP, the total cost over the next five years is $9,696,516. While this amount is sig- nificantly higher than the water CIP, Donovan suggest- ed that the city could use the DEQ’s Clean Water State Re- volving Loan Program with a sponsorship option. This would allow the city to borrow nearly $1 million more than they would with a conventional SRF loan, with a 1 percent principle and in- terest rate rather than a 2.53 percent rate. Revenue bond proceeds, including the aforemen- tioned DEQ loan, would ac- count for 75.97 percent of the required funds for the wastewater CIP, while sys- tem development charges would cover 21.13 percent, and residential water rate increases would pay for 2.9 percent of the total. To provide this 2.9 per- cent, the wastewater rate would rise 5.5 percent per year over the next five years. The projected monthly base rate for 2022 would be $57.02 — $11-and-change more than it is at present. After Donovan’s presenta- tion, Mayor John McArdle advised the council that, should they have detailed questions, they should ap- proach the city staff for ex- planation at a later time, and that there would be time for more discussion about the plan moving forward. “Is this helpful, outlining a business plan?” McArdle asked the council. “Is this looking — we’re not voting or anything — but does this look like a reasonable ap- proach?” Councilor Tom Takacs voiced a request to “go for- ward and do further analysis.” “It is daunting to do more debt, but I don’t think there’s any other way to accomplish this other than through debt,” Councilor Marilyn Morton said. “And it certain- ly doesn’t make us unique from other communities.” The rate increases men- tioned above are not final. The study was conducted to give the city council and community an idea of what effects the coming capital improvement plans will have on the city’s finances, as well as providing a sug- gested plan of action. The city manager and other city staff will continue to work with Donovan over the coming weeks to create a finalized plan to present to the council in October. A murder is planned for Monday night Independence Grill to host mystery dinner, written by Marilyn Morton Itemizer-Observer staff report INDEPENDENCE — A murder is planned for Mon- West Valley Housing Authority will hold their Work Session Meeting on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at 204 SW Walnut in Dallas, Oregon. The Regular Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at 204 SW Walnut in Dallas, Oregon. An Executive Session pursuant to ORS 192.660 will be held immediately following the Regular Meeting, if required. Agenda for the meeting is posted on the Housing Authority website at www.wvpha.org. The location for the meeting is handicapped accessible. Please advise the West Valley Housing Authority if you need any special accommodations to attend the meeting. For information, please call 503-623-8387, TDD 1-800-735-2900. day night at Independence Grill. Independence Downtown E VIC R E I S TAX • 24 Hour Service • Pick up Drop Off Get home safe, call your D.D. Association stands to gain from the event. An original dinner theater play, written by IDA presi- dent Marilyn Morton, will present attendees with a choice of prime rib, herb- crusted chicken, or a vege- tarian main course and plenty of action in between. Morton set the scene in 1919. “It’s a party to lament (or celebrate): the coming of Prohibition,” Morton said. “The action features the (staged) murder of a real his- toric character.” Being the “Hop Capital of the World” at the time, the residents of Independence are understandably a bit grumpy about the idea of prohibition, but trying to keep a stiff upper lip about it — perhaps the local estab- lishments can serve tea in- stead? Morton will take partici- pants through a delightful two-hours of adventure, coupled with handmade food prepared by Independ- ence Grill. Each table will have an advertisement of a business that existed in 1919. Guests are asked to take on the persona of the busi- ness owners — cast mem- bers may interact with them accordingly, Morton said. The experience begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50, with half of the proceeds going to IDA. Tickets must be pur- chased by Saturday. Merlin D. Berkey Solar Arrays on Farm Lands Public Forum Matinees are all shows before 6pm. New pricing for matinees are: Adult $8.00 Children $7.00 • Senior $7.25 Pricing does not reflect 3D showings. Independence Library Conference Room Sept. 21, 2017 • 7 PM • Sam Sweeney, Yamhill Farm Bureau • Meriel Darzen, Circuit Rider Staff Attorney, 1000 Friends of Oregon • Jeff Bissonnette, Executive Director, Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association • Tim Murphy, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Farm & Forest Specialist Each speaker will give a 10 minute overview of the utilization of solar panels on farm land from their per- spective. Topics will include economics, siting on non- high value farmland, allowed sizes of facilities, and required infrastructure for energy transmission. This will be followed by a question and answer session. Tremaine Arkley will moderate the session. Hosted by Friends of Polk County Refreshments will be provided. Friday - Saturday • September 22 - 23 MOTHER! (Digital) (R) (1:35 4:20) 7:05 9:50 FRIEND REQUEST (Digital) (R) (12:45 2:45 5:00) 7:15 9:30 LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (Digital) (PG) (12:00 1:30 2:25 3:55 4:50) 7:15 9:40 KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (Digital) (R) (12:40 3:45) 6:20 6:50 9:25 9:55 IT (Digital) (R) (1:00 4:00) 7:00 10:00 HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (Digital) (R) (1:50) 6:55 HOME AGAIN (Digital) (PG13) (4:25) 9:35 AMERICAN ASSASSIN (Digital) (R) (1:50 4:30) 7:10 9:45 Sunday • September 24 MOTHER! (Digital) (R) (1:35 4:20) FRIEND REQUEST (Digital) (R) (12:45 2:45 5:00) LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (Digital) (PG) (12:00 1:30 2:25 3:55 4:50) KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (Digital) (R) (12:40 3:45) IT (Digital) (R) (1:00 4:00) HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (Digital) (R) (1:50) HOME AGAIN (Digital) (PG13) (4:25) AMERICAN ASSASSIN (Digital) (R) (1:50 4:30) 7:05 7:15 7:15 6:20 7:00 6:55 6:50 7:10 Monday - Thursday • September 25-28 MOTHER! (Digital) (R) FRIEND REQUEST (Digital) (R) LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (Digital) (PG) KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (Digital) (R) IT (Digital) (R) HITMAN’S BODYGUARD (Digital) (R) HOME AGAIN (Digital) (PG13) AMERICAN ASSASSIN (Digital) (R) (1:35 4:20) (12:45 2:45 5:00) (1:30 2:25 3:55 4:50) (12:40 3:45) (1:00 4:00) (1:50) (4:25) (1:50 4:30) 7:05 7:15 7:15 6:20 7:00 6:55 7:10 6:50
