City snapshot

• City Council authorized City Manager Rick Allen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) concerning the grant awarded by WFLHD for the artwork and enhanced landscaping in the Barclay/Highway 20 roundabout. The MOU is non-binding, frames up the responsibilities of each party involved, and allows the City to proceed with procurements, including issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the artwork.

• Construction of a new Dairy Queen has begun on the southwest corner of the Highway 20/McKinney Butte intersection and is slated for completion by Memorial Day. According to Community Development Director Patrick Davenport, the project has an $800,000 job value. The fencing of the construction area has closed the informal passage between the Bi-Mart parking lot and McKinney Butte. An alternate access is under consideration.

• Former City Councilor Amy Bergstahler and former Mayor Dave Moyer have been appointed by City Council to positions on the City Budget Committee, which will be meeting on May 8 and 9, 2017, to review and approve the City budget for 2017-18. After final approval by City Council, the new budget cycle will begin July 1.

• Building permits have been issued for the nine cottage lots located in the Clear Pine subdivision east of North Pine Street. The cottages will be built in a semi-circle around an open common area and across the street from a one-acre park.

The next phase of The Village at Cold Springs will include 17 detached single-family houses, 13 attached single-family homes, nine multi-family residences and three single-story triplexes.

• The next City Council meeting marks the change to the new meeting day of Wednesday, replacing the former Thursday meetings. An extended workshop will begin at 5 p.m. and the regular Council meeting will start at 6:30 p.m., March 22.

• Plans are underway, with Councilor Richard Esterman at the helm, for a City barbecue to be held June 22, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The public will be invited and it is hoped the city will be welcoming their new City Manager.