Redevelopment commission shifts $480,000 from capital to staff costs; downtown small‑business grants awarded

Milwaukie — Redevelopment Commission staff told the commission they will reallocate $480,000 of existing URA capital outlay funds into personnel services to capture staff costs for ongoing redevelopment work.

Finance Director Michael Osborne said the reallocation does not increase the overall MRC budget; rather it moves $480,000 from the capital outlay line to personnel to pay for 25% of Joseph Briglio’s time, 100% of the new economic‑development coordinator once hired, and 50% of the parks coordinator. Osborne said the change reduces the capital outlay total from $5,182,000 to $4,702,000 and covers roughly the remainder of the current biennium.

Commission and advisory‑committee members also reported the MRC’s small‑business grant program (URA grants) has distributed 10 awards totaling $328,455 to businesses and organizations in the URA. Staff said two additional applications remain under review.

Commissioners and advisory‑committee members described the shift as a bookkeeping reallocation to ensure recurring staff support for redevelopment work; staff said the commission can revisit capital appropriations later in the biennium if necessary. The reallocation did not require additional formal action because it stays within the previously appropriated MRC fund total.

Milwaukie councilors and MercAC members said they intend to continue coordinating downtown capital work (sidewalks, stormwater and main‑street improvements) with business outreach because construction can temporarily affect downtown parking and access.