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City manager outlines greenscape, grant bids and interim fire leadership
Summary
City Manager Marquette updated council on Greenscape Phase 1 streetscape work, state and federal grant applications (including a roughly $325,000 recreation project with an estimated $90,000 local match and a $4.5M West Main Phase 2 effort with $2M secured), reported a yard‑waste renewal and audit estimate, and announced an interim fire leadership team following Chief Shook's retirement.
City Manager Marquette briefed the council on March 9 about streetscape and capital plans, grant submissions, procurement updates and staffing changes in the public-safety department.
Marquette said Greenscape Phase 1 work—including brick and stamped concrete sidewalks, a pocket park near the community center and waterfront tree installations at Rotary Park—has resumed earlier than anticipated and sidewalk replacement on East Side South Broadway may start the week of the meeting.
He described a recreation project under consideration for the FY 2027 state capital budget with an estimated total around $325,000 and a local match of approximately $90,000; that application was due through the state portal on March 12. Marquette also outlined a funding strategy for West Main Street Phase 2: the project’s total cost (including construction and construction management) is just over $4.5 million, of which the city has secured $2.0 million through ODOT small‑city programs; Marquette said staff will seek an additional federal community project allocation of about $1.6 million that would require an estimated $400,000 local cost share.
On procurement and operations Marquette said the refuse/recycling services procurement required a second bid extension to allow revised bid forms and the new bid deadline is noon March 12; he also reported a yard‑waste disposal renewal with Gross Enterprises for 2026 at $4,500 for the season under unchanged terms.
Marquette announced that Fire Chief Shook will retire at the end of the week and that the city will install an interim administrative leadership team on March 14 consisting of Dale Arkenberg (to serve as interim part‑time fire chief), Assistant Chief Tim Parks and Captain Aaron Leonard. He said the council would consider creating a temporary part‑time fire chief position by adding it to the compensation ordinance that evening.
Marquette also told council the 2025 financial audit is underway and auditors estimate fees will not exceed $34,440; he urged council members and staff to promptly respond to auditor requests to avoid delays.
The council did not vote on grants or staffing at the March 9 meeting; Marquette said staff will continue grant applications and follow up on procurement and construction coordination.
