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Philomath community services leaders ask council for safety fixes as water-plant work restricts access
Summary
Philomath Community Services leaders told the council their clients are at risk because nearby water-treatment construction has closed parking and narrowed access; they requested a site meeting, clearer traffic and signage plans, and contingency access if a neighboring driveway is sold.
Leaders of Philomath Community Services told the City Council on July 27 that active construction at the watershed treatment plant on 9th Street has made access to the PCS building difficult and unsafe, and asked the city to prioritize immediate safety improvements and clearer communications.
Jody Russell, president of Philomath Community Services, said her organization serves families, seniors, veterans and people facing food insecurity, and that June was the highest month on record for client visits — she reported 327 visits to Nancy’s food pantry and 91 to June’s food closet. Russell told council members the project has removed “approximately 40 to 50 parking spaces,” narrowed traffic access in front of PCS and forced the organization to spend about $300 on temporary safety measures. “This is not the time to make access to our services more difficult or less safe,” Russell said, and asked for “safety improvements, clear communication, and practical solutions” for the remainder of the project.
Mike Goodrich, vice president and facilities chair for Philomath Community Services, said PCS had been given maps and an initial preconstruction meeting but not the detailed traffic and signage plans needed to finalize safe access for clients, volunteers and deliveries; he said PCS has a temporary access agreement with a neighboring property owner but that property is currently for sale and could be unavailable if sold. Goodrich urged the council to direct staff to schedule a site meeting with PCS and the project team to finalize an access plan that protects fire- and life-safety and ensures continued delivery of essential services.
Councilors and staff responded that the fire chief and public-works staff have been monitoring access and that a temporary easement and turnaround improvements are in discussion; staff committed to follow up and to route communication through city staff rather than directly to contractors so concerns are tracked and documented. Councilor Crocker and Mayor McMorant encouraged PCS to coordinate with staff and noted the city will try to ensure there is no long-term loss of emergency access.
