City manager reports trolley backup arrival, funding confirmation and pre-application for 140-lot subdivision

City Manager Rochelle Roden updated the council on July 15 that the city’s backup trolley vehicle has arrived and is being housed at Public Works while staff work with Chariots in Minot to outfit, brand and ready it for service. Roden also said she confirmed the city still will receive “the 750 in STIF funding” the city had been awarded and that those funds are not part of a transportation bill that failed; she said the city will have that funding in addition to $1.75 million that Representative Evans assisted in securing for the Christmas tree bill. Roden reported a pre-application meeting was held with a developer seeking a 140-lot subdivision north of Gentlewoods Park and south of the storage-unit property; plans are under review by community development and the city engineer. She also noted commercial activity: a new Polynesian dance studio is opening next to Café Ayoola and the Umpqua Bank location is being considered for a restaurant. Roden said the Chamber of Commerce redirected funds originally earmarked for a Golden Gala fundraiser to an adult Halloween event in October. She reported summer-reading participation at the library with 300 children and 162 adults signed up; she also said an RFP will be installed at Ross Crossing and announced a pickleball ribbon cutting scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. Roden’s report was informational; no formal council action was taken at the meeting on the items she presented. She also announced executive session would follow to discuss labor negotiations pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(d).