By Rebecca Wallis
Newberg, OR – August 4, 2024
On August 5, 2024 at 6:00pm, the Newberg City Council will convene at the Public Safety Building beginning with the City Manager’s Report and continuing through public hearings, new business items, and continued business discussions. You can find the city agenda here.
The City Manager’s Report will provide an overview of city activities from July covering:
- The Public Safety Department is now fully staffed, with the addition of one dispatcher. The department has also been active in community events and is preparing for the 2nd Annual National Night Out on August 6th.
- The City Recorder’s office has been busy, hosting a delegation from Sister City Poysdorf, Austria, onboarding newly appointed Councilor Cloyd, and preparing for the transition to a two-year budget cycle. The office is also focused on digitizing city records and developing new procedures for public meeting agendas.
- The Finance Department is wrapping up year-end activities and preparing for the biennial budget. The department has implemented a new project accounting system in Incode to enhance fiscal monitoring of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
- Court has been working with PD to get ready for the red-light camera program to be up and running. Court is currently in the process of getting an online payment portal ready that will work with red light camera citations to allow customers to pay online as well as at the counter or over the phone.
- Public Works reported on recent projects, including the 2024 Newberg Public Works Day, waterline projects, and various maintenance tasks.
- The IT department has been working on critical projects, such as testing a new provider for Police car Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) and preparing for equipment and software upgrades.
The Library’s Summer Reading Program featured the library mascot, Turbo, and attracted nearly 4,000 families. Richard Ritchey’s Reptile Man performance drew over 350 attendees. The library also introduced “flat Turbo,” a coloring picture of the mascot for children to take on vacation. The program aims to build early literacy skills and foster community connections.
The council will hold a public hearing for Supplemental Budget #1, which proposes a $1.5 million increase in appropriations. This adjustment will bring the total appropriations to $131,684,468, covering unforeseen expenses, including the purchase of water rights. This hearing ensures transparency and provides an opportunity for public input on the city’s financial decisions.
The council will consider the redesignation of the Newberg Enterprise Zone and related applications, including a waiver request from A.R.E. Manufacturing, Inc. The company, a producer of machined components, is seeking a waiver from local employment requirements due to anticipated productivity gains and contributions to workforce training. The waiver includes commitments to increase productivity by at least 10%, allocate 25% of property tax savings to workforce training, maintain a minimum of 33 full-time employees, and support local internship programs and STEM initiatives.
Philip Higgins, a principal broker and community member, expressed strong support for the Enterprise Zone expansion in his public comment, noting, “Newberg’s lack of industrial land puts our local economy at a significant disadvantage compared to other nearby cities.” He emphasized the importance of including all M-Zoned lands in the city limits to attract more manufacturing businesses and create family-wage jobs. This perspective is shared by SEDCOR, advocating for the expansion to enhance local economic growth.
DCI International, a leading dental equipment manufacturer based in Newberg, also supports the expansion as outlined in their public comment testimony. The company’s CEO highlighted the benefits of including their potential new site at 305 N. Springbrook Rd. in the zone, emphasizing the project’s potential to generate significant economic activity, create new jobs, and enhance the site’s value. According to the CEO, this project “would generate significant economic activity and tax revenue for the city, create new jobs and retain existing ones, and enhance the aesthetic and functional value of the site and surrounding neighborhood, Strengthen Newberg’s reputation as the home of U.S. dental equipment manufacturing, and Demonstrate DCl’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.”
As part of the Newberg Enterprise Zone agenda, A.R.E. Manufacturing’s waiver request involves specific commitments aimed at economic growth and workforce development. The company plans to invest approximately $610,490 in new manufacturing equipment and aims to foster local job growth and training initiatives, ensuring continued investment in the local economy and supporting family-wage jobs.
The Robert Soppe Tree Discussion will address concerns about the city’s street tree replacement policy. Soppe provided public statement which is included on the agenda. Soppe, who voluntarily planted five street trees 25 years ago, recently removed two due to age and damage. He was informed that he must replace them, a requirement he questioned, stating, “I thought it unreasonable that the fact that I voluntarily planted trees 25 years ago placed a requirement on me to replace them now that they have been removed.” Soppe expressed concern about the financial burden, with replacement costs ranging from $150 to $1,500 per tree and argued that such policies could deter residents from planting new trees.
The council will revisit the Water Hardship Exception request for 901 S McKern Ct. Previously, the council paused work on a contract for extraterritorial water service and an annexation agreement due to a power outage. They will now reconsider the decision based on new information. Pacific Crest Real Estate Advisors highlighted the high cost of industrial land in Newberg, noting a mid-point value of $13 per square foot, reflecting the scarcity and demand for such properties.
The proposed rate increase by Waste Management, a 3.8% adjustment, has sparked significant discussion. According to Waste Management’s presentation, this adjustment aligns with market rates and addresses rising operational costs. Despite the increase, Newberg’s rates will remain competitive within the region.
Councilor Derek Carmon stated, “When municipalities are using for-profit businesses, we have to anticipate these increases. That doesn’t mean that we need to approve them, but we can’t be surprised when presented with the request.” He emphasized the need for transparency, highlighting that the increase must be justified. Carmon also expressed concerns about the potential impact on residents, stating, “I would rather smaller palatable increases rather than one large increase. A balloon increase would be more problematic and upsetting for customers.” Additionally, Carmon stressed the importance of improving customer service, noting, “Generally, we receive good value from our franchise agreement, but that doesn’t mean things can’t improve.” He called for better handling of complaints and timely responses, stating that “improving customer service is a necessary aspect of justifying any rate increase.”
The City of Newberg strongly encourages public participation in local government. Residents can attend City Council meetings in person or virtually, and the city accepts both written and in-person public comments. This open-door policy allows community members to voice their opinions and contribute to decision-making processes. The City Council also invites residents to join committees, providing a direct way to get involved in shaping the community’s future. The city provides the following on what to expect when attending a council meeting:
• Council will begin at 6pm • Audience members are asked to remain quiet during the meeting • Audience members are free to come and go at any time • Those wishing to speak must register for public comment • City Council listens to all public comments but does not decide on or
discuss them during the public comment portion of the meeting. Please do not expect an immediate response
As the city navigates these complex issues, the upcoming council meeting serves as a crucial forum for decision-making and public participation. Residents are encouraged to attend and make their voices heard, ensuring their involvement in shaping Newberg’s future. This meeting promises to be a pivotal moment for the community, with decisions that will impact various aspects of life in Newberg.
Photo Credit Yamhill County News File
Leave a Reply