February 11, 2020 4:50 a.m.
The Roseburg City Council approved a funding recommendation for project management services for the Southern Oregon Medical Workforce Center at its Monday night meeting.
City Manager Nikki Messenger said last summer the Oregon State Legislature committed $10 million to help fund the facility which will be located in Roseburg. Last fall the Umpqua Valley Development Corporation was formed as a 501c3 to carry on fundraising efforts and to help guide program development and construction. The UVDC asked the city for $60,000 to help pay for its work on the project for the rest of the year. A vote to authorize Messenger to negotiate and execute an agreement with the UVDC for the work passed unanimously. The money will come from the Economic Development Fund.
The council also agreed to authorize staff to submit a Declaration of Official Intent to reimburse project costs for the center to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services. Messenger said that would enable the city to be paid back by the State of Oregon for expenses spent on the project, once lottery bonds are sold next year.
The council also had second reading and moved to adopt the Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Transportation System Plan. Councilors also had first reading of ordinances to amend the city code regarding Economic Development Commission membership, and to change the hours marijuana dispensaries are allowed to operate to match state rules.