Violence Response, Small Business, Capital Improvements, Parks Featured in January 12 meeting

Police Seek Grant to Help Stop Violence Against Women

Salem Police will apply for a $130,993 grant from the federal STOP Violence Against Women Act. The money will allow the Domestic Violence Response Team to continue to operate.

What it will do. The grant program funds projects to develop and strengthen strategies to end violent crimes against women. The money will pay for a portion of the team's coordinator position. It will also help Emergency Services provide temporary hotel stays for victims without alternative safe housing.
Salem City Council authorized the City to accept the grant funds, if approved, at its January 12 meeting. The City will provide 25 percent matching funds. The match will be met by:

• the remaining cost of the coordinator's position
• one full-time crime victim advocate's wages and benefits
• in-kind volunteer hours
• team supplies and equipment

Chamber Chief Reports on State of Small Business

At the Council'sJanuary 12 meeting, Tom Hoffert, Chief Executive Officer of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke to Salem City Council about small business challenges like higher costs, slower customer activity, worker shortages, and delays in permitting.

He said economists, state leaders and business experts agree that local decisions now have a big impact on Oregon's economy. He cited Governor Tina Kotek's Prosperity Initiative as highlighting the need for stable policies to support growth.

Learn how Oregon's Economic Context Has Changed

Other Council Business

Council updated its Capital Improvement Policy to consider the effect new projects have on the City's revenue situation: Some projects may require increased funding to operate and maintain, while others that replace or repair existing assets could reduce operation and maintenance costs. Staff must now calculate and consider those impacts in scoring new projects. The change was a recommendation from the last budget committee meeting process.

Fairview Park, an undeveloped community park in south Salem, is set to get Phase 1 improvements: The improvements will include a dog park, central play area, pedestrian paths, off-street parking, landscaping, utilities and tree preservation. Council approved acceptance of an $824,780 from the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to support improvements at the park.