By Stephen Floyd
Mount Angel Mayor Pete Wall highlighted public infrastructure needs in his State of the City Address Jan. 2 before the Mount Angel City Council.
Wall said the city must position itself to tackle multiple priorities, chief among them the wastewater, storm drainage, transportation and parks systems.
As an initial step the council has scheduled a work session for Jan. 30 for an in-depth discussion of infrastructure, including revisions and updates to long-term infrastructure plans.
“We have a lot on our plate in the future but I am confident that we have the talent and desire in Mount Angel to accomplish great things,” said Wall.
He led the address celebrating Mount Angel’s successes such as Oktoberfest, which he described as “one of the most successful community festivals in the nation.” He said a “dedicated” Oktoberfest Board and thousands of volunteers make this possible.
Wall also highlighted the strengths of the Mt. Angel School District including the successful passage of a $7 million facilities bond last year.
He said numerous other community groups help make Mount Angel “a desirable place to live and raise a family” and he could not name them all in one address.
Wall then highlighted the challenges before the city, namely the need to upgrade aging infrastructure. He said the “costs are staggering” to address all of the city’s needs and the council must identify specific projects that can be addressed as funds become available.
He said city staff has worked diligently to identify grants and other funding sources, but even if such funds are secured the city will need to watch its spending. He also noted more funding will become available after the council updates the infrastructure master plans, a step required by many grant providers.
Related to infrastructure is the need for a new City Hall. The current building is nearly a century old and is failing. Just recently the front office was closed to remove mold-contaminated flooring. Between Dec. 14 and Jan. 4 city staff worked out of the Oktoberfest information booth.
Last year the city purchased an undeveloped lot at 295 W. Marquam St. for a new City Hall. In the Jan. 2 address Wall said the city must still finance the building, likely for millions of dollars. Wall said the community will be kept apprised of fundraising efforts “because however we decide to finance the building, they will be asked to pay for it.”
Wall then addressed projected growth in Mount Angel. According to a 2021 study by Portland State University the city is estimated to increase by 25 percent between 2020 and 2030. Wall said it will be important to foster controlled growth rather than “growth for growth’s sake” in order for the city to remain a desirable place to live.
