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Public Policy - Session Recaps
Upcoming Public Policy Sessions
August
11th, 2008
BOLI Commissioner Brad Avakian joins Public Affairs Committee
The new head of the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) for the State of Oregon joined the Salem Chamber as the featured speaker for the August Public Policy Session on August 7th. Avakian was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2003 and elected to the State Senate in 2005. Governor Kulongoski recently appointed Avakian to fill the role left by Dan Gardner who accepted a position in Washington D.C. earlier this year.
Avakian
has asked for help in getting more small business representatives at the
table in discussions about labor and industry issues within the State or
Oregon.
One of the agency's major undertakings is to restructure the workforce development system and how it is funded through the State Legislature.
"What we are going to embark on is a new vision for workforce development," said Avakian. The new Commissioner is proposing a more streamlined process of approval for workforce development funds allocated by the Legislature. The plan is to create a 12-member board including business, labor, community colleges and various state agencies to approve funding allocations to local workforce investment boards and public/private delivery agents. The name of the Board is proposed to be the Oregon Workforce Investment Board or OWIB.
Currently, the funding approval process involves extensive review by state agency departments independently of each other which has created inefficiencies.
Other discussion did revolve around prevailing wage issues in the State of Oregon. Businesses have expressed concern that prevailing wage rates paid to workers on public projects throughout the state are too much higher than what is paid on private projects.
"My philosophy is that you pay people as much as possible without breaking the backs of business," said Avakian.
Avakian
did add that he would like to take a closer look at their wage surveys which
are sent to construction oriented companies throughout the state. Prevailing
wage rates are based on results of these surveys. Avakian said he is looking
at revamping the survey and hopes to get more participation from
businesspeople in the industry so their information is as accurate as it can
be.
In addition, Avakian said he would continue to rely on the recommendations of the Prevailing Wage Advisory Committee for setting prevailing wage rates. Currently the advisory committee recommends that wage rates be set based on wages received during the peak time of construction season. Businesses have also expressed concern with this philosophy and are interested in looking at a prevailing wage rate that is based on a year round model or an average rate at which workers are paid.
Questions were also asked as to whether Commissioner Avakian had an interest in pursuing former Commissioner Gardner's legislation in the 2005-2007 session which would have made overtime based on an anything over a 8-hour work day as opposed to a 40-hour work week.
"I am not pursuing any of the former commissioner's legislative goals," said Avakian.
If you have interest in serving as a small business representative in future discussions with Commissioner Avakian, click here.
July 3rd, 2008
Transit District Tax Levy Proposal and Health Care Take Center Stage
The Salem Area Mass Transit District will be going to the voters with a tax proposal on the November 2008 ballot. Their first presentation in preparation for that vote was held this morning at the Salem Chamber in front of the Public Policy Committee. Also featured was Senate Bill 329 which was enacted last Legislative Session regarding health care reform.
"This is a critical
levy not just for us but for the entire community," said Allan Pollock,
General Manager of the Transit District.
The tax levy proposal is .49 cents per $1,000 valuation over 5 years. In other words, the owner of a home valued at $200,000 would see a $98 increase in their taxes if the levy were to pass in November.
If they are successful, the Transit District would increase frequency of buses on high demand routes, sustain their current service hours, and work over the next 5 years to develop a balanced and sustainable funding source.
If the levy were to fail in November, Saturday bus service would be eliminated along with 3-4 weekday routes. In addition, the Transit District would need to look at internal staff and program reductions.
The Transit District has instituted a fare increase for their riders which will take effect this coming Monday, July 7th. Fares will be increased 20 to 40 percent. The Transit District expects to bring in an additional $500,000 in revenue as a result of the increase.
To date, the Salem Chamber is on record with a position that does not oppose the Transit District levy proposal. However, the transit levy is the lowest priority of the three money measures and therefore the Chamber is not in position to advocate for it due to the timing of the Transit District proposal and the Chamber's belief that three money measures will not all pass. In the way of priorities in 2008, the Transit District ranked fourth out of four proposals which have or will appear on ballots in 2008 behind the City of Salem Streets & Bridges Bond, the Salem-Keizer Schools Levy, and the Chemeketa Community College Bond respectively.
Joining the Public Policy Committee for a discussion on Senate Bill 329 was Steve Doty, President of Northwest Employee Benefits and Jane Berg, Owner of Benefits Consulting Northwest.
Recommendations for how to reform Oregon's health care system are beginning to emerge as a result of the action taken last legislative session to pass Senate Bill 329. The objectives for health care reform revolve around a desire to control escalating health care costs and provide basic essential services for all Oregonians among others.
Currently in Oregon there are roughly 3.6 million people, 680,000 of which are uninsured. That equates to roughly 18% of the population. On average, health care premiums are increasing at a rate of 13% each year.
More discussions will continue around the issue of Health Care at the Salem Chamber as the Legislature is expected to consider a myriad of funding mechanisms to accomplish the goal of providing health care for all Oregonians.
June 6th, 2008
Stormwater System staff present to Public Policy Committee
The
Salem Chamber's Public Policy Committee received an update on the City of
Salem's stormwater system as a part of June's official meeting on June 5th.
Jon Nottage (pictured at right), Stormwater Quality Manager for the City of Salem shared the facts behind the current system. Roughly 17% of the revenue collected from water/sewer bills is used to operate and maintain the stormwater system, said Nottage.
The City may be considering a new model in the future to collect revenues to ensure the formula is equitable for all properties based on their use of the stormwater system. The City is also expected to look into stormwater design standard revisions.
The Public Works Department oversees the stormwater division within the City which includes collection of water quality data as well as keeping stormwater pipes maintained. Some of the city's largest vehicles are for the transportation of hyrdo-vac pumps which use high pressure water to clear tree roots and other debris which can clog the stormwater pipes.
In other news, President elect Terri Frohnmayer of the Salem Chamber gave a report on the task force convened to look at the City Budget process. Testimony by the Salem Chamber was received by the City of Salem Budget Committee on April 30th and asked that the City take a look at broadening their 6-week intensive review of their financial data.
Interim City Manager Linda Norris will be meeting with the Chamber's task force in the month of July to discuss changes currently being implemented that she hopes will improve the process.
May 2nd, 2008
Marion County Commissioners and Administrator present challenges, overview
The Governmental Affairs Team received a "State of the County" message from Marion County officials yesterday as a part of May's Salem Chamber Governmental Affairs Session.
Also
joining the team were Bryan Colbourne and Glenn Gross with the City of Salem
Planning Department and Mark Shipman of Saalfled Griggs PC. Colbourne
presented information on the City's "Site Plan Review" process which is
meant to provide more clarity and transparency to development timelines for
local developers.
Colbourne described a process that will help streamline the City's system in dealing with private investors. The City will have a Site Plan Review team going before the Planning Commission in late May and City Council by July, said Colbourne.
City staff also described a process that included stakeholder groups. Those businesses engaged have been open to the new plan review.
"I think this process codifies what the City is already doing," said Mark Shipman of Saalfeld Griggs PC.
The majority of May's Governmental Affairs Session was focused on the Marion County budget summary with Commissioners Sam Brentano and Janet Carlson in attendance. Also joining the Governmental Affairs Team was County Administrator John Lattimer.
Commissioner Brentano (pictured above) started by addressing patrol issues facing the County. Due to the inconsistency in the City of Salem boundary on the east side of town, Marion County patrols must service residential areas that are outside the city limits but inside the Urban Growth Boundary.
"We spend 80% of our patrol time inside the Urban Growth Boundary of Salem," said Brentano. Two major pockets of residential areas known as Four Corners and Jan Ree are not serviced by the City of Salem Police Department and therefore fall into the jurisdiction of the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Brentano
also commented on the initial and ongoing success of the newly created Meth
Strike Force which has been an ongoing collaboration with public safety
officials across city and county jurisdictions.
"The law enforcement will go where the problem is," said Brentano.
Commissioner Janet Carlson (pictured at right) focused on the areas relating to children and families that face our regional area. According to Carlson, Marion County's Children and Families Commission is a working model for the state when it comes to business participation.
The county continues to face challenges of combating child abuse and neglect within families with a reported 1,662 victims this past year alone. 6 years ago that number was 943. Carlson encouraged those able to mobilize for children and families in need citing that approximately 94 organizations are posted on the United Way's "Give Back Today" website for volunteer opportunities.
April 3rd, 2008
Janet Taylor & Lloyd Chapman featured at Mayoral Debate
Taylor
and Chapman don't represent a case of two candidates running on the same
platforms. Both definitely expressed different viewpoints on a number of
issues the City of Salem faces and have different ideas about what it means
to move Salem forward.
Moderator Jim Lewis of the Chamber's Board of Directors and Executive Team asked the candidates a series of 11 questions relating to transportation infrastructure, police/fire protection, Salem's downtown core, the local economy, and a number of other issues.
"I'm running on my record," said Taylor who made note of a number of projects she has been a part of over the past 4-6 years.
Chapman's focus regarding local jobs would be to assist current employers based in Salem with the support they need to remain successful and profitable.
Although Taylor agreed with Chapman's comments about the importance of current Salem area businesses, there was disagreement about the amount of focus that should be put on the recruitment of new businesses to town.
Chapman seemed concerned with incentives offered to businesses to consider locating in the Salem area arguing that new businesses should not necessarily receive tax exemptions during their initial years of operation.
Taylor's
view was that business incentives to companies considering Salem are
necessary tools to compete with offerings of other cities also looking to
recruit businesses and expand their job base. Taylor expressed a focus on
recruiting manufacturing jobs to the Salem area so existing businesses who
could potentially partner with manufacturers as suppliers could grow more
profitable.
Another point of contention seemed to be the leadership of downtown Salem and the level of public involvement that took place in the creation of the new group, Go Downtown! Salem.
Taylor described a public process for the creation of the group as one with a high degree of public outreach stating that over 800 downtown stakeholders had a voice in who was elected to the Go Downtown! Salem Board of Directors.
Chapman expressed concern that the process for the recruitment of downtown leadership positions needed to be more open and public.
For more information about Chapman and Taylor's viewpoints on given issues, review their answers to the Salem Chamber Candidates Questionnaire through the link below. Their answers are featured on page 16.
March 6th, 2008
Interim City Manager Linda Norris speaks on City Budget
Initially,
the City of Salem faced a challenge of addressing an estimated $2.7 million
budget shortfall, but Interim City Manager Linda Norris and the City of
Salem Budget Committee has already begun to take action. With over 20
different funds including the general fund, City leadership will find a way
to 'live within their revenue', said Norris.
The City of Salem Budget Committee has held preliminary meetings to date but starts their Wednesday evening review of department budgets on April 2nd in the City Council Chambers.
Actions taken to date to address the anticipated budget shortfall for 2008-2009 include the following:
- Identified target for year end carryover of $7.5 - $8 million.
- Placed a spending hold on all departments at the beginning of fiscal year 2007-08. Anticipated a 5% savings in non-public safety departments and a 1-2% reduction in Police and Fire.
- Instituted a hiring freeze for some General Fund positions.
- Began monthly monitoring of revenue, permit activity, development activity to assess staffing levels.
- Began communication shortfall with City Council and departments.
- Implemented budget strategy for two fiscal years (2008-09 and 2009-10)
- Requested the formation of a Finance/Audit Council Subcommittee to review and establish Salem financial policies over the next 9 months.
Budget strategies that will be implemented during the next two fiscal years will be helpful in addressing shortfalls that were initially anticipated through 2012, said Norris.
Unlike other communities and counties throughout the state, Salem is poised to weather the small storm. Representative Vicki Berger of Salem addressed the issue of federal timber payments which many Oregon counties and municipalities rely upon for financial security. Salem is in much better shape than other cities, she said.
The Salem Chamber were
convene a City Budget Task Force made up of business members to address
specific issues that will be discussed this cycle as a part of the broader
budget discussion. Possible focal points include gas tax revenue allocations
as well as franchise fee allocations.
At right, Chamber Board member Jim Rasmussen, President & CEO of Modern Building Systems discusses budget issues with Linda Norris at the conclusion of her presentation to the Governmental Affairs Team.
February 7th, 2008
Governmental Affairs Team shows unanimous support for Chemeketa Levy
"Investing in quality jobs for our children's future - that should be their catch phrase," said Kevin Mannix, lead attorney of a local small business.
Chemeketa
President Cheryl Roberts and John Hawkins presented the case for a levy to
go in front of the voters in May of 2008. The move will require Chemeketa to
not only receive a majority vote for passage, but also a majority of
registered voters to cast their ballot in the tri-county area which includes
Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties.
"We need to ask the community for reinvestment. We feel like we're poised and ready," said Roberts in front of the Governmental Affairs Team.
The detailed discussion relating to the components of the levy resonated with attendees. The Governmental Affairs Team recommended support for Chemeketa's efforts to pass the levy in May by a unanimous 21-0 in favor. That recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Directors for consideration on February 20th.
Components of the levy proposal focused on professional/technical capital improvement projects. A new health sciences center, public safety building, and industrial technology building would help Chemeketa meet the growing needs and demand for occupational training in the fields of nursing, computer technology, EMT's, firefighters, plumbers, electricians, and others, said Roberts.
The
Chemeketa campuses continue to face challenges meeting industry training
standards. Inadequate facilities for donated medical and technical equipment
pose a growing concern for college educators and administrators. New
facilities designed around advances in technology are needed to prepare the
local workforce, said Hawkins.
Also, asset protection through infrastructure maintenance and new classroom and lab facilities for an expanding student base was emphasized.
"It's really important for us to be able to educate not only college transfers, but also students involved in the trades," said John Hawkins, Executive Director for College Advancement.
If passed in May, the typical homeowner would see an increase of $28.98 to their annual property tax bill. The current bond valuation rate of $.08 per $1,000 would increase to $.27 per $1,000.
"We should be very grateful Chemeketa is going on the ballot in May," said Vice President of the Salem Chamber Terri Frohnmayer. "This needs to be supported for business."
January 3rd, 2008
Salem Area Elected Officials share thoughts, expectations
The
Legislature's first supplemental session begins on February 4th and is
scheduled to last exactly 4 weeks with adjournment scheduled for February
29th. Senator Peter Courtney along with other elected officials are pledging
to meet that timeline.
Senators Courtney and Winters as well as Representatives Cameron, Berger, and Clem joined the Salem Chamber Governmental Affairs Team to discuss the issues, format, and expectations of this February session.
"I am very pleased with how it went last session," said Representative Vicki Berger. "The timelines actually meant something."
Berger expressed her support for the annual session but hopes they can stick to the thinks that really need to be dealt with.
The process for bill introduction is different when comparing the House and the Senate. While each Senator will be given the opportunity to introduce one bill, the House Representatives will only hear bills through committee.
Issues expected to be discussed include a bill creating stricter penalties for citizens who choose to drive while their license is suspended, an effort to make the Meth Strike Force a statewide effort with bail costs increased to $500,000 for mid-level drug dealers, sub-prime mortgage issue, ect.,
Some elected officials have expressed concern that as many as 100 bills could be introduced during a time period in which only 25 or so can be appropriately debated and dealt with. More difficult issues that have created partisan tension in the past will most likely be set aside, like the capital gains tax.
"We won't be dealing with the estate tax in 2008 but I'm sure we'll be dealing with the estate tax and capital gains tax in 2009," said Senate President Peter Courtney.
December 6th, 2007
Husk shares vision for Salem-Keizer School District
The
Salem/Keizer School Board has a very busy couple of months in front of them.
Coming in March will be a very important decision the board will need to
make as to whether or not they move forward with a levy before the voters in
November of 2008 and if so, how much.
Sandy Husk, Superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools focused on facility maintenance needs of the school district in her presentation to the Salem Chamber's Governmental Affairs Team this morning. Joining her was Bryan Johnston, Chair of the effort to forward a levy to the voters, and Rich Goward, Chief Financial Officer for the School District.
"We have completed two complete walkthroughs of every single facility," said Husk. "Our facilities are in appalling conditions in some areas. It was very, very concerning."
Husk shared a story which focused on specific deferred maintenance needs of facilities throughout the system. For example, 10% of rooftops which cover school facilities are beyond their expected life with another 15% due for replacement within the next 5 years.
During bad economic times in the past, deferred maintenance took a back seat to other expenses, increasing the backlog of needed repairs. School district officials are looking to change that trend despite the state of the economy into the future. Their current year's investment is $2 million but more is sorely needed.
According to a recent review of all building assets within the district, the school district would need $7 million annually to keep up with deferred maintenance. The formula used to determine the amount of dollars needed is based on the replacement value of current building assets.
"We have the second largest school district in the state," said Husk. "We'll probably pass Portland in size within 3-5 years."
Attendees
asked the tough questions as school district officials began discussing
current debt being paid by property owners and the schedule by which those
bonds will retire. Currently, taxpayers are paying off debt from the passage
of 1992 and 1998 school levies at a rate of about $1.70 per $1,000 of
assessed value.
"The tax assessment paid for schools will decrease by 72 cents per $1,000 in 2011 and by another 72 cents in 2014," said Rich Goward.
Those reductions equate to roughly a two-thirds reduction in current school system investment.
Superintendent Sandy Husk urged citizens concerned with specific problems they see at school facilities to call her directly. To contact Executive Administration, call 503-399-3001 or email paulson_mary@salkeiz.k12.or.us or husk_sandy@salkeiz.k12.or.us.
"We can turn this system around and we can do it quickly with the community's support," said Husk.
November 2nd, 2007
Vision
20/20, Water/Waterwater Infrastructure, and Transit focus of November
Governmental Affairs
Allan Pollock, new General Manager of Cherriots, was the featured speaker at November's Governmental Affairs Session. Also included as part of the monthly meeting was an update on the City of Salem Water/Wastewater infrastructure and information on Mayor Taylor's Vision 20/20 plan.
Vision
20/20 is a collaborative effort to solicit feedback from all members of the
community in order to establish a list of priorities for Salem's downtown
area. Representing the Vision 20/20 task force was Chane Griggs (picture at
right).
"There are over 30,000 people working within our downtown area today," said Griggs. "What do you want downtown to be in the future?"
Citizens and city staff involved with Vision 20/20 are looking to gather feedback from a broad base of community members. The goal being to collect a strong cross section of ideas and find commonalities in the way of planned priorities that the majority can agree with.
"The feedback you provide will be collected and report to the City Council," said Griggs.
Water/Wastewater infrastructure has also sparked attention as the City's current task force takes the next step in considering recommendations from consultants on future user rates. Representing the Salem Chamber as a part of the city's task force is JB Summers of NORPAC Foods.
"The city is currently spending $70 million a year to run our water and sewer system," said Summers, who provided an update to the Governmental Affairs team.
The
city is looking at potential rate increases again this year to cover the
costs of infrastructure construction projects. Summers (pictured at left)
explained how rate fees are helping the city shoulder the costs of improving
old worn down infrastructure, city infrastructure expansion, and
requirements mandated by the federal government.
Allan Pollock of Cherriots is the new leader of Salem's largest transit system which includes services like fixed bus routes, CherryLift, Wheels, and Cherriots Rideshare. Transit leadership has planned a December retreat to shape their plans for continuing service into the future. Discussions have also begun in an effort to define an appropriate financing mechanism for services.
"With a growing community, we need to change the way we do business," said Pollock. The transit district is looking at what they call the 3C Concept. According to their strategic business plan, the 3C Concept is an operating model which includes a network of circulators, that connect to transit centers, which are served by frequent, high-capacity corridor routes.
To view the strategic plan of the transit district, click here.
October 9th, 2007
Street/Bridge Needs for the City of Salem described in detail
The first of two October Governmental Affairs Forums focused on infrastructure needs within the City of Salem but also broadly speaking across the state. Senator Rick Metsger and Public Works Staff with the City of Salem Tim Gerling and Mark Becktel discussed the need to reinvest in our street and bridge system.
Senator Metsger solicited input and worked to open the lines of communication. "The goal is to move the transportation conversation in the interim so we can take action in the 2009 Legislative Session," said Metsger. "We need to continue having these conversations and move forward."
According to a recent study, Oregon is the 9th most dependent state on transportation. In other words, over 400,000 jobs rely on the efficiency of the street/bridge system. That equates to 1 in 5 jobs being defined as either transportation dependent or transportation reliant.
The Oregon Business Council recently conducted a comparison between Oregon and other states to communicate the differences in transportation investments. This per capita investment comparison used a percentage of the cost of each gallon of gas.
In Washington, $1 from every gallon of gas in
invested in infrastructure.
In California, it's $1.13 from every gallon
In Idaho, it's 70 cents from every gallon
In Oregon, it's 35 cents from every gallon
The state discussion on transportation investments became more localized with the presentation by City of Salem Public Works staff.
"Only 7 percent of transportation revenue comes from Salem's citizenry directly," said Mark Becktel, with the Public Works Department. "More than half of our revenue for investments in infrastructure comes from system development charges paid by private developers."
The backlog of street and bridge repair projects that have been identified totals close to $300 million. Due to budgetary constraints, Public Works staff has done what they can with the current dollars available to hold streets together using 1 to 2 inch overlays. Those overlays on city streets provide a smooth ride temporarily for drivers and passengers but do not solve structural issues that still need to be addressed.
"Most of Salem's bridges were built before the Great Depression," said Becktel.
The Salem Chamber will continue working closely with business leaders and city staff to identify future challenges and specific needs of the community's street system.
The Salem Chamber's August Governmental Affairs
Forum included discussion centered around Salem's future. The plans to
revitalize the southern area bordering Salem's downtown have gained a lot of
attention as one of Salem's industrial businesses, Boise Cascade, moves out
of their current location along the Willamette River.
The move by Boise creates an opportunity for economic development in line with Salem City Council goals to revitalize the downtown. A number of Salem residents have shared their viewpoints about the need for Salem to increase its number of destination points.
"I would like to see something to be proud of downtown by the waterfront," said AJ Nash, Campaign Director for the United Way. "We need something that gets people out there like an outdoor shopping area or restaurant experience by Riverfront Park."
Although the buyers of the Boise Cascade land have not been publicly disclosed, land use lawyer Kris Gorsuch who represents the local buyers shared some insight as part of the forum.
The mixed-use zoning designation on the Boise Cascade land will create opportunities for housing, office space, and even a restaurant on the river.
"The mixed-use zoning will help create a partnership between the city and the developer that will benefit the community," said Mayor Janet Taylor. "This is a very exciting project for Salem."
Plans for the property continue to be shaped and may include many of the components of the Urban Land Institute study which was conducted in June of 2006 regarding the Boise Cascade land.
For more information on this study, visit: http://www.cityofsalem.net/departments/urbandev/revitalization_uli.htm
The
August Governmental Affairs Forum also included discussion on the larger
issue of creating another Urban Renewal Area or URA referred to as the South
Waterfront. Pictured at right, the proposed URA would include the Boise
Cascade land, the new Meridian project and Minto Brown island.
"A lot of redevelopment will not occur without the support of urban renewal dollars to make needed infrastructure improvements," said Mayor Taylor. "We included Minto Brown in the urban renewal boundary and that could help finance trails and other amenities in the future."
For more information about the proposed South
Waterfront Urban Renewal Area, visit:
http://www.cityofsalem.net/departments/urbandev/revitalization_swf.htm
For the lineup of Salem Chamber Governmental Affairs Forums into November, click here.
Contact the Salem Chamber:
For additional information on the Chamber's business advocacy efforts, please contact Jason Brandt at 503-581-1466, ext. 304.
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