Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hermiston city manager previews council onboarding, infrastructure work and retail recruitment
Summary
City Manager Byron Smith told AM 1360 KOHU the city is guiding new councilors through department tours and state training, continuing street and building upgrades, partnering to support displaced library and public-safety services, and pursuing event growth and retail recruitment including outreach on vacant retail properties.
Hermiston City Manager Byron Smith outlined the city’s near-term priorities in an interview on AM 1360 KOHU, saying staff are working to onboard new councilors, advance key infrastructure projects and support displaced city services while pursuing event and retail opportunities to strengthen the local economy. "I like to get each new counselor out to visit each department of the city," Smith said, describing tours of the wastewater plant, police department and other departments as a first step.
Smith said the city and its newly elected councilors recently attended League of Oregon Cities training in Pendleton on public meeting law, public records and ethics. He described the city’s goal-setting session as an facilitated, roughly eight-hour retreat that reconciles staff and council roles and identifies short- and long-term projects. "Our facilitator does a great job. She'll interview each of the counselors... and then she does some polling...with the staff," Smith said.
On infrastructure, Smith reported progress on multiple building-upgrade projects and work to relieve traffic pressure on U.S. 395, citing North 1st Place and street improvements on Maine and Gladys as recent examples. "I think we've really hit a lot of the areas that we knew were needs," he said. Smith acknowledged traffic along 395 is becoming residents' most frequent complaint and said the city continues to seek alternatives to reduce congestion.
Asked how the city is supporting displaced departments — including a temporarily displaced library and some police and fire operations — Smith said staff identified interim spaces and partnered with community group UEC for book storage while circulation is suspended. "We were able to partner with a great community partner in UEC. They had some available warehouse space," he said.
Smith described the city’s role at the East Oregon Trade & Event Center as evolving; Hermiston has concentrated on equestrian events such as barrel racing and ropings and has piloted a few concerts, largely Spanish-language, while exploring promoters and its event niche. On retail, Smith said attracting large retailers can take years and that the city uses consultants to work potential deals. He noted the Rite Aid building was leased (not owned by the corporation) and that the owners have been approached and are interested in selling.
Smith closed by highlighting community events such as the Land of Lights holiday program and an effort to grow participation through home-decorating contests and expanded displays. He said the city hopes such events both serve residents and draw visitors to Hermiston’s downtown and event venues.
