By James Day
The City of Silverton has completed work on a new water intake project that will dramatically increase its water producing capacity as well as extend the life of the system another 50-plus years or more.
On April 5, city staff, a federal official and the project manager held a walk-through at the intake project site alongside Silver Creek adjacent to the city swimming pool.
Two new pumps have been installed, with a spot left over for a third pump should future demand require it. The Silver Creek intake system serves as the backup to the main intake spot on Abiqua Creek. Having two intake points helps the city with the redundancy it adds in case of mechanical issues. It also gives officials the ability to switch between the systems when issues such as sediment in the water emerge.
The project cost $5 million and was finished on budget and on schedule, said project manager Shannon Williams of Keller Associates of Salem.
Williams said she plans to enter the project in engineering and design awards competitions. Keller Associates also was involved in the 2018-2021 upgrade of McClaine Street, which won awards from the American Public Works Association and the American Council of Engineering Companies.
On hand for the event in addition to Williams were Brad Jensen and Travis Sperle of Public Works, City Manager Cory Misley, Finance Manager Kathleen Zaragoza and J. Wesley Cochran of the federal Economic Administration. Cochran was part of the inspection team because federal funds were used to pay for the project.
The project suffered one setback during construction. Last November heavy rains led to increased creek flows that damaged a portable dam erected to protect the work site.
Other recent action from Silverton City Council meetings:
April 1
Speed Limit: Councilors discussed and appear to be in favor of a proposal to reduce the speed limit on local streets from 25mph to 20mph in an effort to improve safety. The change would not affect arterial or collector streets, which bear more traffic. The council likely will look again at the topic at its May 6 meeting.
Transient Lodging Tax: Councilors discussed finding a way to better capture the 9 percent transient lodging tax from short-term rental units that are affiliated with entities such as airbnb. At its April 15 session councilors approved an ordinance that requires such operators to register with the city.
Ike Mooney annexation: Councilors approved a plan to annex 40 acres off of Ike Mooney Road to the city’s stock of land for park use. The move requires Marion County Board of Commissioners approval as well. The board is scheduled to review it at its May 15 meeting.
City Hall: As part of its consent agenda the council approved more than $53,000 in amendments to the construction contract on the City Hall project. The new spending moves total planned construction expenditures to approximately $15.5 million, or 4.87% above the planned $14.75 million construction budget.
April 8
City Property: Councilors and city staff discussed property issues involving city-owned buildings. When the new City Hall opens (tentatively that will be next month) the city will no longer need the old City Hall and the Fischer Building. The property is part of an 18.17-acre parcel that includes the library, the all-abilities park, the pool, the East Bank Trail and Coolidge McClaine Park. The city would have to partition the property before the city building pieces could be sold. In addition, the city is working with the library on a possible plan for the library to buy its property. Also in the mix is the fact that the city and the library co-own the parking lot next to the Community Center.
April 15
Parking: Councilors discussed the possibility of implementing a parking pilot program to address downtown parking issues. One possibility would be to cover the meters and establish free downtown parking for a to-be-determined number of hours. Councilors are scheduled to discuss the issue further on May 6.
City Hall: The construction contract for the new building was updated by councilors to add about $98,000 to pay for street work on North Water. The money is coming from the street capital improvement fund.
