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Public Comments - Speeches

Monmouth Mayor's Report
March 7, 2000

Tonight - I have a somewhat lengthy report; For such a short month, a lot has happened.

Before I get to that report however, I want to formally welcome City Attorney Mark Irick back to fight.

Some of what has happened was good - some of what happened was not-so-good, and some just needs to be known.

First, the not-so-good:

1. We have a new, somewhat unexpected addition to the community; a 177' cell tower located just outside the municipal limits - staff will formally comment upon this issue a little later.
2. We had an issue with our Marion well site that Director Wilson will explain.
3. The Boise Cascade/Enterprise Initiative has been put back onto our plate, and we as a council will have some decisions to ponder.

Now the good things:

1. I got to participate in the Dr. Seuss Birthday celebration at MES, complete with the hat: In addition to reading to the first graders - which I do the first Wednesday of every month - I got to read with some energetic third and fourth graders - it was a lot of fun and I highly encourage everyone to do it next year.
2. The downtown plan is finished - and we get to begin a process this year that will hopefully transition into a semi-autonomous effort within the next few: We will finally have the tools to get to work!
3. The League of Oregon Cities "Special Committee on Youth" met and we are working on some innovative approaches to the infamous "2 p.m. to 6 p.m. window". A closer relationship with local schools and non-profits in a 'block grant' approach may be possible this next Legislature.

   I have a packet that staff will copy for the council - it is a presentation made by Dr. Hill Walker, I think you'll find it interesting.

4. The League of Oregon Cities "Finance and Taxation Committee" also met and we had a good thorough discussion of where we are at, and what the next year or so may look like in terms of challenges across the state.

In addition to the previous items, there are some housekeeping issues that I need to briefly mention:

1. There will not be a report on the Neighborhood Visioning Process tonight because of the work session scheduled immediately following this meeting; I have postponed that report until next month when we hopefully will have more time.
2. On the 18th of March, Congresswoman Hooley is coming to Monmouth for a town-meeting. Details will be forthcoming.
3. There should be a copy of a DRAFT Arbor Day Proclamation for each member of the Council. The MLF folks are here tonight to explain the background so that hopefully we can have a proclamation in place in time to support their Arbor Day Activities.

   It will be a wonderful follow-up to the October planting project - I encourage everyone that can, to take part.

4. On a more humorous note, this past month, whether we all knew it or not, we have been R & B lipsynch artists on the WIMPEG channel. A few weeks ago, I was called and told about my musical debut - our February Council meeting played to Rap music.

   I want to announce here, now, that the musical career of Snoop Paul E. Paul & The Crew is over - and while I respect the art - and treasure the multiple comments that some friends have made about our talent, I know that we are far better volunteer policy-makers than Rap musicians.