TEN - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 31, 2001
Questions answered on library-city hall project
(E d ito r’s note: the fo llo w in g
information concerning the proposed
city hall/library building has been
supplied by a panel o f six citizens
form ed to oversee questions and
answers regarding the proposed City
Hall / Library Project. 1'he panel
consists o f Judy Buschke, Patti
Prock. Gwen Mealy. Marsha Sweek,
Bill Kuhn and C yd e Estes. Their
objective is to identify the proper
person to answer each question and
to see that the answers get presented
in an unbiased manner. Questions
may be sent, anonym ously, to
Heppner City Hall, P.O. Box 756,
Heppner, or e-m ailed directly to
Cyde Estes at cyde(a)centurytel.net.
Names will be kept confidential and
the questions w ill not be edited.)
Jerry Breazeale, H eppner city
manager, presents the answers to
the fo llo w in g questions:
A group o f concerned citizens
voluntarily conducted a survey o f
Heppner residents asking whether
or not they favored the proposed
Library/City Hall project. O ver 400
people responded by answering the
question and signing their name.
N in e ty -fiv e percent o f those
contacted w ere not in favor o f this
proposal. These results w ere
presented to the city council in early
September. Th e city council has
responded to this input with the
promise to not raise taxes for this
project without a vote o f the people.
1) W h y are some city officia ls
unwilling to recognize the results
o f the survey conducted by a group
o f concerned citizens and presented
to the city council?
Answer The C ity C o u n c il did
not dispute the results o f the survey
presented ut the m eeting o f
Septem ber 10. The consensus o f
the c o u n c il was to con tin u e with
the scheduled mailing o f city initiated
survey s. At the next meeting. October
8. the c o u n cil was presented with
a p roposal to conduct p u b lic work
sessions to hear and discuss ideas
and con cern s about the p roje ct.
The c o u n c il voted fiv e -to -tw o to
accept a g ra n t to have an outside
fa c ilita to r
cond uct
several
com m unity w ork sessions on the
subject. Survey mailings would be
delayed until after the p u b lic work
sessions and until after questions
regarding the project were answered
in the newspaper
2) T h e city council has taken a
commendable step by requiring voter
approval o f this.project. W h y do
we continue to spend administrative
time when there are so many critical
infrastructure and personnel needs
in city governm ent?
Answer: We believe that thepublic
has a rig h t to be in form ed about
a ll aspects o f the proposed p roject
and to receive accurate and factual
informat ion Only after all the issues
are on tne table and known by a ll
those who care, should a decision
be made to proc eed o r abandon the
proje ct.
3) Some officials have discredited
the survey o f 400-plus people
because the people doing the survey
were “ known to be out to kill the
project.” What evidence do you have
to support this accusation and w hat
value is there in this making this
type o f statement?
Answer We were aware that the
survey was prepa red and ca rried
by some people who may have had
a bias against the p roje ct.
4 ) W h y haven’ t city officia ls
aggressively marketed the choice
commercial downtown property to
the private sector, thus putting it
on the tax roll and generating needed
revenue?
Answer: This lot was purchased
as p a rt o f the p ro je c t to build the
new p u b lic works shop which was
erected on the west end o f the lot.
The intention was to use the east
end o f the lo t f o r a new city hall
building As long as the site Ls being
considered f o r p u b lic use. the city
will retain ownership I f the council
determines that it does not wish to
proceed with a new building at that
site, it may wish to sell the lot and
use thefinds f o r some otherpurpose.
5) Statements have been made
by city officials that the new facility
w ou ld have a positive econom ic
impact on Heppner. The proposal
suggests that, in this case around
$300,000 plus interest, would come
from property owners to help fund
this project. This disposable income,
in most cases is money that would
normally be spent with downtown
merchants and other local businesses.
Please explain how investing this
m on ey in a project that w ill not
generate revenue, will help the local
econ om y?
Answ er U nd er the scenario
proposed, approximately $1.000,000
would com e fro m outside Heppner
and the W illow C reek V a lley 'for
ultim ate use in the city: Some o f
the m oney w ould be spent locally
Í
sewer accounts w ill pay a p o rtio n
payment, the custom er may drive
o f the upkeep o f the fa c ility also.
to M ain Street and park in fro n t o f
So lo n g as the p o rtio n attributed
the Post Office to pick up their mail.
M oving the building would possibly
elim in ate one stop
O th e r methods o j addressing
parking fo r downtown businesses
Heppner High School w ill hold
are also in the planning stage with
a special assem bly and lunch to
the p la n n in g com m ission
honor local veterans on Wednesday,
16)
Several past city council N o v. 7, at 11:30 a.m. Veterans are
members have questioned the
asked to arrive in the gym at 11:15
purchase o f the Shear property, using
a.m.
water and sew er funds. Can you
Th ose w ho have not been
address how the city was able to
purchase the property using these
funds?
Answer W ater and sew er are
integra l functions o f city h a ll AH
the billing, accounting, reception,
complaints and much o f the planning
take p la ce in city hall. Equipm ent
purchased fo r city hall is purchased
with a percentage o f funds fro m these
departments. These ju n ctio n s w ill
continue to take p la c e in the
proposed new building. Wafer and
11) Does the city have any current
cost estimates to rem odel their
existing facility?
Answer The 1996 study by
Rundquist estimated the cost f o r
m eeting A D A requirem ents at
$72,090. Im p rovin g the energy
efficiency o f the b uilding was
estimated at $36,850. M odify ing
and enlarging the work space f o r
present needs was estim ated at
$74,430. We have asked a lo c a l
con tra ctor to review the estimates
and suggest curren t costs o j the
improvements.
12) W hy is it so important for
city hall to have more office space /
Answer: Currently there is not
enough space in the existing office
to m ove around safely while
con d u ctin g rou tin e activities.
Walkways are frequ ently blocked
by chairs o r equipment that must
be ro lle d p la ced in the isles f o r
operation.
Storage f o r work
m aterials is severely limited.
F ir e p r o o f storage is needed f o r
perm anent records. There is not
enough room f o r a w heelchair to
maneuver fro m the fro n t reception
area to the rear restrooms. A private
office is neededfor those activities
which should have insulation fro m
norm al daily traffic: A conf erence
ro o m is needed f o r m eeting with
clients on p rop o se d p rojects, f o r
staff meetings and f o r staff training.
A la rg e r room is needed f o r city
council meetings which is accessible
to the public.
13) Can you explain the pros and
cons o f a general obligation bond
vs. a revenue bond and why the city
might be considering a revenue
bond?
Answer: A general ob lig a tion
bond is a bond secured by property
in the city. Payments to pay the debt
under a g en e ra l ob lig a tio n bond
are p rovid ed through assessments
against prop erty value which are
a fo r m o f property tax. The taxes
are assessed by a form ula expressed
in dollars p e r thousand dollars o f
property value. General obligation
fo r fillin g in the remaining balance. bonds can only be secured against
The Morrow/Baker Partnership will property by a vote o f the people in
G eneral
also be approached to close a gap the taxing district.
in funding.
So fa r, a ll o f the ob lig a tion bonds are considered
prospective agencies approached the most secure and also may get
The
fo r fu n d in g have been supportive the best interest rate.
disadvantage o f the general
o f the p roje ct.
8) I have been told that there is obligation bond is that it is levied
a good possibility that tw o new against p rop e rty a ccord in g to
industries may m ove into the Port's property value rather than according
industrial park at the Kinzua site. to benefit received.
A revenue bond is a bond secured
Can you address why the city is not
w aiting on this project for better by future projected revenue streams.
Revenue bonds are commonly used
econom ic times?
A nsw er: M any p e o p le and fo r water and sewer bonds and
agencies are working very’ hard to assessed according to value received.
locate industry in the South M orrow Revenue bonds are less secure than
Industrial Park. Locating industry’ general obligation bonds and may
in the fo r m e r m ill site w ill not be not have as attractive an interest
an easy task. I believe that we need rate. Revenue bonds secured by
to continue to invest in o u r a revenue stream do not require a
community in ord er to help attract vote o f the citizens unless the entity
new industry, business and residents. chooses to submit the p rop osal to
By m ovin g ahead with this p ro je ct a vote. Revenue bonds have the
we w ill be te llin g the rest o f the advantage o f being tailored m ore
world that we are here to stay and to equity o f service.
The city has proposed the revenue
u e w ill be able to meet the needs
bond as a p oten tia l fu n d in g
o f community now and in the future
9 ) The city talks about the cost mechanism due to sim plicity and
savings w e w ill realize by having equity.
14) I f the city was to decide to
a modem facility. Can you give us
an estimate o f the dollar amount the contract with M orrow County for
city w ill save with the new building police protection they have projected
vs. their current structure? This an annual savings o f $40,000.
question has been asked in a public Would the city consider using these
meeting and the answer was; "fo r cost savings to fund their portion
one thing the city will not have any o f the new structure rather than
issuing a revenue or general
maintenance for 10 years” . I am
expecting a more realistic answer obligation bond? I f no, can you
because w e all know the city has explain why?
Answer: This certainly Ls a viable
to reserve m oney for depreciable
items. I am looking for some figures option. The annual cost to retire
a $250,000 bond at 4.75 percent
on cost savings for day-to-day
functions like heating, lighting, etc. interest is approxim ately $14.000.
Answer: We do not have figures I f we used the cost savings f o r
fo r cost savings fr o m the new retirement o f the debt f o r the project,
the city would be able to construct
building al this time. What ire can
the project without increasing taxes
say is that a b uilding constructed
to current energy standards will cost o r fees.
less p er square foot to heat and c o o l
15)
1 have heard concerns that
the new structure would take valuable
A dd itional efficiencies w ill result
fro m the tw o-story con stru ction
parking spaces aw ay from the
where the tw o flo o r s w ill help
existing business. Can you address
insulate each other. O ther energy
the issue o f appropriate parking for
the new structure?
cos t saving features w ill be the
passive s o la r heat com ponent,
Answ er: P a rk in g is always a
th erm al mass and p ossib le
concern with locating any business
groundwater heat pum p Since the
and especially in a downtown
new b u ild in g w ill have a la rg e r
env ironm ent Sh ould the p ro je c t
environmentally conditioned space,
m ove fo rw a rd it w ill have to meet
the total energy cost may actually
the requirem ents o f the zone f o r
be higher In ord er to get realistic
p a rk in g
A lo t was recently
fo r lodging, meals, and supplies.
It is not known exactly how much
o f that m oney w ould fin d its wav
in to the lo c a l econom y: We are
certain, however, that it would be
m ore than would have been spent
without the p roje ct.
Ind irect benefits would include
enhanced com m unity im age and
livability . We know that community
image and livability are areas where
o u r community can set its e lf apart
fro m oth er sm all com m unities to
attract new residents and businesses.
6) I understand that the M orrow-
Baker Partnership has committed
$50,000 this year and another
$50,000 next year to the project,
i f it proceeds. I f not, the money must
be refunded. Is this correct? I f yes,
will the money be used to offset the
additional $100,000 the city needs
to earn or are these funds dedicated
to another purpose?
Answ er: The M orrow /Baker
Partnership has committed S50,000
to the p roje ct as a challenge grant
I f the citizens o f H eppner and the
O regon Tra il Library> D is trict are
behind the p r o je c t and the two
entities are ab le to raise the
remainder o f the funds needed, the
partnership w ill release the money
fo r the p ro je ct.
There is no
guarantee fo r another $50,000. The
city and library district were invited
to make another application in the
next biennium to the partnership
board.
7) T h e city talks about raising
$100,000 from private donations.
D oes the city have a firm
commitment from any organization
toward these funds? I f no, please
address why the city believes it can
raise these additional funds.
Answer: The city o f Heppner and
the O regon T ra il Library' D istrict
ini hided $100,000 o floca l donations
in the fu nd ing strategy:
The
com m itm ent o f $50,000fr o m the
Morrow/Baker partnership w ill f i l l
h alf ofthat amount. It is anticipated
that local and regional corporations
w ill he approached with requests
to water and sew er is reasonable,
this is an acceptable use o j the water
and sew er funds
Veterans to be honored at HHS
contacted and w ho w ould like to
be a party o f the assembly, may call
the high school at 676-9138 and
leave their name, rank, tour o f duty,
and i f they plan to stay for lunch.
"The high school would greatly
appreciate your attendance," said
a spokesperson.
Heppner
Hay Care
ir iff be CLOSED
H onday, Yoi*. 12
in observance o f Veteranas Day
Good Luck At District, lone Cardinali!
r
lone Cardinals Volleyball Team: back row (L-R)-Kristina Powell, Natalie M cElligott, Salli
M cElligott, Diana M cElligott, Tracy G riffith, Sara Peck; front row (L-R)-Cyndi Heagy,
Am ellia Peck, Meghan McCabe, Caitlin Orem, Emily Key, Megan McCabe.
■
lone Cardinals vs. South Wasco County Redsides
Saturday, November 3 at Sherman County
High School in Moro at approximately 3 p.m.
The winner o f this match will play the loser o f the firs t match (held, at
2 p .m .) to see who will go to State in second place. The loser is out.
DON’T MISS THE PEP ASSEMBLY!
Thursday Night, November 1 at 6 p.m. in the IHS Gym
The following individual)
8 businesses say "Good Luck"
at the District Tournament, lone Cardinals!
cost estimates f o r the maintenance
o f the new build in g we w ill need
to g o to the next level o f engineering
that goes along with proceeding with
the p ro je c t
10) Has the city considered
rem odeling theirexistm g facility?
Answer Yes we have In 1996
the city em ployed Timothy L
Rundquist, A!A, to address the needs
o f the city f o r work space, energy
efficien cy
needs,
and A D A
com pliance Those reports are on
file at H ep p n er City H a ll
4
purchased by the city which fronts
on G ale Street and cou ld he used
fo r off-street parking fo r staff and
library and city h a ll patrons
An observation o f tra ffic
generated by city h a ll patrons
revealed that m oving city hall fro m
its present loca tion to M ain Street
w ould not have much im pact on
M ain Street p arking M ost o f the
traffic generated at city hall Lx fro m
people dropping o f f their water and
sewer payments A fter p arking in
fr o n t o f city h a ll to leave the
Steve, Rose & Grace Crum
Fred A Mary Sherman
John, Janna, Jamie & Julianna VandenBrink
Anda Kay, BEO Financial Services
Mike & Diane Stuart
Scott, Cindy, Brenda, Camie, Brad, Kemmery A Logan Burright
LeRoy A Betty Smith
Gene. Kristy. Jory & Erin Cro.vell
Tom. Arlynda, Charissa A Billy Gates
Helen Pettyjohn
Hank A Kathi Pointer
Demis, Janet, Jennifer, Curtis, Jason. A Brendan Thompson
Helen Crawford
Justin. Stacie A Payton Miller
Dennis & Janet Stefani
Darrin A Henry Padberg
Pete & Laurel Cannon
Frank, Cathy, Ryan A Allison Halvorsen
Edith Matthews
Peg Leg Farms
Butch & Helen Heideman
Loren & Della Heideman
Loa A Mark Henderson
Dana & Tonya Heideman
Aaron A MaryJane Heideman
Dobyns Pest Control
Wheatland Insurance
Jordan Elevator
McGregor Company, lone
Dot Halvorsen
Joe, Linda A Stacee Halvorsen
Dustin, Karen, Ashley A Hannah Padberg
Clint A Maureen Krebs A Family
Del A Linda LaRue
Robin A Melissa LaRue A Family
Joe & Jeri McElligott A Family
Paul, Charity, Jeremiah, Salli & Diana McElligott
Joe, Anita, Marc, Caitlin A Zac.Orem A Macarena
Dick & Loa McElligott
Ashley. Cathy, Adam & Meghan McCabe
Marvin & Tanna Padberg
Kevin, Lori & Megan McCabe
Ron, Terri, Kyle A Kaylee Palmateer
Keith & Judy Rea A Koby
Bill Rietmann
John, Kerry, Nathan, Jeremy A Brenna Rietmann
Dick A Nancy Snider
Jim, Monica, Luke & Adrienne Swanson
Dorothy Stefani
Steve A Vicki Wagenblast
Tim, Shelly. Emily, Abby A Justin Key
John, Barbara, Johnny A Adam Collin
Bob A Bonnie Ball
Eric, Brandi & Morgan Orem
Steve, Camille, Amellia & Sara Peck
Lyle A Virginia Peck
Virgil, Debbie, Kelly. Korey A Karl Morgan
Kan A Sierra Morgan
Joel, Lea, Gus A Oskar Peterson
Betty, Cody A William Bergstrom
Gary, Becky, Jeff A Miranda Hunt
Morrow County Grain Growers
Les Schwab Tire Center
Skye, Penny, Sybil, Cayle & Kip Krebs
Louis & Betty Carlson
Dave Debbie A Mike Radie A Ashley
Bank of Eastern Oregon, Member FDIC
Duane. Linda. Jacob. Adam & Paul Neiffer
Jim A Gayle Eynetich
John A Rhonda Powell A Family
June Crowell
I
Dick A Jannie Allen
Fran A Dave Barnett
Skip A Barbara Pettyjohn
Doug A Nancy Mckay
Glenn, Kelly, Tracy A Jennifer Griffith
Beecher's Cafe A Staff
Betty Gray
Rod, Glenda, Jenna A Paul Taylor
John A Linda Bristow
Kevin, Linda, Stephanie, Dustin, Mason, Kirk. Bailey
A Ally Haguewood
Bob Hubbard
Jerry, Lisa A Ann Rietmann
Ken A Julie Nelson
Paul, Terry, Shannon, Kara A Tim Clay
Dean A Florene Robinson
Nancy, Kristen A Kara Miller
Dale, Karen. Barbara. Stephanie A Thomas Holland
Joe, Donna, Emily A Mary Rietmann
Ruth McCabe
Gregg, Shelly. Tanner A Evan Rietmann
Buzz, Jeanette A Jim Logan
Roland A Donna Bergstrom
Katherine Lindstrom
Brian A Lori Sullivan A Family
Terri, Ryan, Cory A Jaysi Bennetto
Perry A Kathy Morter
Keith, Yvonne A Austin Morter
Betty Rietmann
Kelly, Debbie, Richard, Derek A Dalton Campbell
Dave, Beth, Cyndi, Amanda. Ton A Aimee Heagy
lone Market. Norm, Barb A Brian
Jim, Eileen. Miranda, Colin A Taylor McElligott
Mark, Becky, Till A Cyd Tullis
David Stevens A Cynda
Brian, Sharon, Andrew, Allysa, Allen. Alex
A Anthony Rietmann
Ryan A Allison Rudolf
Howard A Dianne Mullins
Rick A Anna Peterson A Family
Wayne, Dianna A Shawn Hams
Les, Kim, Jared, Olivia, Kelly, Lacey A Seth Thompson
Gar Aviation
Jan A Bob's Signs
John A Kathy Marick
lone Band
Toni A Eva
Bink, LynDee, R J. A MaKenna Ramos
Sam A Jane Esterbloom
Loyal A Betty Burns
Craig, Theresa, Katie, Paul A Matt Hams
Clint, Sharon A Tiana Camarillo
Floyd Burright
Bill, Joan A Tim Doherty
Ralph, Ann, Clay A Beth Morter
Bob A Phyllis Ferry
Tom A Marlene Pointer
Steve, Laurie, Brown. Aaron. Tyler A Elizabeth
Dick A Rosie Graham
John, Helen A Arthur Ekstrom
Nancy A Herb Ekstrom
Cart, Kelly. Sheena A Nick Christman
Bill. Sharon A Kim Morris
Don A Eunice McElligott
Gerald A Linda Wilson
Henry A Robin Krebs A Missy
dary, Suzanne, Emily A Amanda Rea
Office Cafe
John A Chris Mollahan
Rudy A Jackie Bergstrom
Devin Oil Co
Murray's Drug
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