Monday night, Salem city councilors will consider whether to spend $1.5 million in unallocated infrastructure bond dollars to fix electrical issues discovered during seismic retrofit work on the Salem Civic Center. The money would come from the $300 infrastructure bond approved by voters in 2022, as recommended by the Salem Bond Oversight Committee last month.  The repairs are necessary to bring the civic center’s electrical system up to city safety code and standards, according to a staff report from Salem Financial Chief Officer Josh Eggleston.   Councilors will also consider adopting the city’s long-term strategic plan, and will get an update on a new $200,000 social services pilot program set up to assist the city’s most vulnerable including those affected by federal immigration enforcement.  Civic center electrical upgrades  Issues with electrical system:  Work to renovate the Salem Civic Center at 555 Liberty St. S.E. began in July last year. An initial evaluation of the roughly 54-year-old complex did not flag deficiencies in the building’s electrical system, Eggleston said.  As work progressed on a seismic retrofit of the building, it became clear that the system needed to be updated and brought into code compliance. “Additional Review by the electrical contractor revealed that the existing system is not code compliant and not safe for property or persons, which was not known during early decision making for the project and has only been discovered as the construction project has provided more access to the building,” Eggleston said.  Changes required and cost:  The total cost of the electrical work is expected to be about $1.5 million and would be paid for using infrastructure bond dollars that haven’t been assigned to approved city projects.   The electric panel and circuit breaker will have to be upgraded, and other electrical equipment will have to be replaced in order to bring the system back into compliance.  Update on social services program  What’s happening:  In February, Salem city councilors authorized the reestablishment of a social services fund which provided $200,000 in funds for vulnerable community members, including people and families impacted by federal immigration enforcement. The fund was previously cut due to city budget issues, and February’s vote relaunched the fund on a trial basis. This year’s money was split between four local nonprofits including: Mano a Mano, Salem Housing Authority, Marion Polk Food Share and Legal Aid Services of Oregon.  On Monday, councilors will get an update on how the money was spent so far, a staff report from City Attorney Dan Atchison said.  What impact has the money had so far?:  Legal Aid Services of Oregon reported spending about $41,600 to assist 31 individuals by providing free legal advice and representation in cases ranging from custody matters and domestic violence to landlord and tenant issues, the report said.  Mano a Mano said it identified and provided assistance for 30 families in Salem, or about 120 people, who had urgent needs related to housing, and gave access to legal services and food.  Marion Polk Food Share was able to provide 158,000 meals worth of food by using $10,000 of the funds to pay truck drivers to pick up donated food from local grocery stores. The Salem Housing Authority used the funding to support its Stability Support Fund Program which gives qualifying households $2,500 to pay past due rent or utilities, security deposits, eviction related costs, and other one-time costs putting them at risk of homelessness. The program has gotten more than 70 applications, the report said.   Get involved  How to watch Monday’s Salem City Council meeting When: 6 p.m. Monday, May 11 Where: In person at Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library (585 Liberty St. S.E.) Watch online: Livestreamed on YouTube in English and Spanish Public comment options In person: Members of the public can sign up to comment on any item on the council agenda. Remote comment: Sign up on the city’s website between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday Written comment: Email [email protected] before 5 p.m. Monday, or drop off a paper comment at the City Recorder’s Office, Civic Center (555 Liberty St. S.E., Room 225) Also before the council   Council considers feedback on strategic plan  What’s happening:  In July, the city began updating its strategic plan for the next five years, and the city council will consider adopting it on Monday, a staff report from Assistant City Manager Courtney Knox Busch said. Councilors will first consider input from community members and employees before they consider adopting the plan.  Community members and employees provided feedback:  In early April, community members and city employees were invited to share feedback on the draft strategic plan with over 620 people responding to a city survey, the report said.  While about 63% of respondents saw the city’s goals and direction as extremely or somewhat positive, about half of respondents were generally concerned with affordability. Those respondents also indicated they wanted to see core services and basic city functions prioritized, more transparency where money comes from, and more reporting on the value and effective management of services.  Nearly 19 acres could be annexed for housing   What’s happening:  Salem city councilors will consider whether to annex about 18.91 acres located at 2170 Walker Road N.E. and 4893 Sunnyview Road N.E. and rezone six acres for multi-family residential use, according to a staff report from Community Planning and Development Director Kristin Retherford.  If the ordinance is passed, the territory will be withdrawn from the Marion County Fire District No. 1 and the East Salem Sewer and Drainage District.  Northgate Park improvements  What’s happening:  Councilors will consider authorizing Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi to apply for an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grant to help pay for improvements at Northgate Park, a staff report from Community Services Director Gretchen Bennett said.  Potential upgrades at Northgate Park:  If funded, the city could replace the park’s splash pads or  upgrade the park’s multi-use sports court. Funds could also increase visibility and access at the park’s entryway and front gate. Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected].  SIGN UP: “Your work helps hold leaders accountable and gives citizens a voice.” Independent reporting gives Salem a stronger voice on issues from homelessness to health care. Be part of that work. Subscribe today. The post Councilors to consider $1.5 million from infrastructure bond for civic center electrical upgrades appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less