March 10, 2020 4:20 a.m. (updated at 9:20 a.m.)
The Roseburg City Council approved closing out a grant for a recently completed construction project, and a new master plan for the Roseburg Regional Airport at its Monday night meeting.
Councilors heard from Child Services Director, Maureen Short of the United Community Action Network and Community Development Director Stuart Cowie. Short thanked the City for its help in assisting UCAN obtain a Community Development Block Grant, which helped pay for the construction of the new Head Start facility on the non-profit campus north of Costco. Cowie said the lengthy process began in July of 2014 when UCAN first approached city staff. A $1.5 million grant was obtained in January of 2017. Short said a number of groups, led by the Ford Family Foundation, helped fund the rest of the approximately $3 million project. Cowie said that closing out the grant, was a necessary formality to federal requirements. The move was approved unanimously.
Councilors also said yes to an ordinance that sets in place a new master plan for the airport. A planner for consultant Mead and Hunt in Portland, shared information about the plan, updates that have taken place, and what may be ahead in the future.
The council agreed to name the multi-use path that runs through the City, the Umpqua River Trail. City Manager Nikki Messenger said the Parks Commission chose the name at a recent meeting. Staff felt a name was necessary due to new signage that is being worked on. The idea passed on a 6-1 vote. Councilor Ashley Hicks cast the lone negative voter saying she felt the word “South” should be part of the name, since some of the path runs along the South Umpqua River.
Also approved was a modification to the Capital Improvement Plan so that a backup power system could eventually be constructed at critical City facilities including the water treatment plant and for the radio communications system. The modification passed unanimously.
Councilors authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement for transit services between the City and the Umpqua Public Transportation District with the City providing $60,000 for the current fiscal year.
The council also awarded a funding request in the amount of $21,500 for the Roseburg Summer Steelhead Concert Series presented by the Downtown Roseburg Association and the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers.
The annual report regarding the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership was not given. It will be moved to a future meeting.