By James Day
Mother Nature has thrown a wrench into the city of Silverton’s ongoing project to replace its intake structure and water pumps on Silver Creek.
Recent heavy rains leading to increased creek flows have damaged the portable dam that was erected to protect the work site. City officials briefed the City Council on the issue at their Nov. 7 meeting.
The problem began when a power outage at 12:52 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 6 shut down the pumps that were keeping the water from the work area, and debris has torn the tarps that were serving as the portable dam.
City Manager Ron Chandler said city officials still are working on a mitigation plan so that work on the $5 million project can resume. A log boom might be needed to direct debris away from the dam, said Travis Sperle, director of Public Works. City engineer Bart Stepp noted that wiggle room was built into the timetable because of the in-water work windows required for the project, which is scheduled to be completed in October 2023.
Silver Creek serves as one of the main sources of water for the city.
In other action from the Nov. 7 meeting councilors:
• Unanimously approved adding Juneteenth to the list of holidays for which city employees are eligible. Juneteenth, which is celebrated June 19, notes the end of slavery in the United States. It became a federal and state holiday this year.
• Unanimously passed a supplemental budget resolution that nails down the funding for the proposed all-abilities playground at Old Mill Park. The $375,000 project is being funded by a combination of Rotary Club contributions, urban renewal funds and city funds. No timetable was available on when the project might move forward.
• Unanimously approved a resolution that will provide $450,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds for manufactured home repairs. There are income eligibility rules attached to the grants and homeowners must have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interested parties can apply to John Schmidt at the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments at 503-540-1640 or by emailing [email protected].
• Unanimously approved a new telephone franchise agreement with Ziply Fiber. The telecommunications firm pays the city 7% of its gross local revenues, which averages approximately $85,000 per year.
• Heard from members of the Silverton Mural Society who spoke during the public comment period and asked the city to pay for a mural on the new civic center building. Councilors said they will consider the proposal.
