City of Nyssa
“Gateway to Oregon”
301 Main St TDD: (541)372-2264 (541)372-2264
Nyssa, OR 97913 e-mail:NyssaManager@nyssacity.org fax (541)372-3737
To the Citizens of Nyssa:
As you know, another year is behind all of us, the City of Nyssa would like to welcome this opportunity to let all the citizens know about ongoing projects in Nyssa. It is my pleasure to share with all of you the positive steps we have taken as a City and exactly what we are doing to help make Nyssa a better place to live, own a business or to raise a family. It is also my pleasure to let you all know that you should be PROUD of the Mayor, City Council, and City Employees for all their dedication and work to make Nyssa such a remarkable place.
During the January City Council Meeting, the City Council appointed Brent Huffman to serve as Mayor of Nyssa for the next two years. Brent was born and raised in Nyssa, served as a Nyssa Police Officer and on the Nyssa City Council for several years. The Council welcomed one new member, Roberta “Bert” Purcell. Bert is a long time resident and former business owner of Nyssa who has been very active in City Government. Mary Shelton has stepped down as councilor but has agreed to continue her commitment to City Government by serving on the City’s Planning Commission. A Special Thank You to former Mayor Harry Flock for serving the past two years as Mayor for the City and to Mary for serving on the Council the past two years.
The City of Nyssa has worked hard throughout 2010 to complete several on-going projects for improved services to the residents of Nyssa. Some of these projects are very visible and citizens have been aware of the ongoing work; however, some are not quite as obvious. The City of Nyssa staff would like to share with you the projects that we have completed and some still in progress. The City’s hope is that Nyssa will be recognized as a friendly, family oriented, modern place to live and that the residents will be happy to call Nyssa home. As you read through all the projects, please keep in mind that change takes time. While City crews are working hard to facilitate completion of these projects in a timely manner, we feel that resident awareness is a vital part of the process.
As many people are aware, 2010 brought on the completion of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. This was an $8.1 million dollar project, which was funded in part from USDA- Rural Development, DEQ and Oregon Economic and Community Development Department. This included the purchase of over 220 acres, where the City located new sewer system improvements including lagoons. This is a huge asset for the City, especially since the system was oversized in order to provide for additional growth or industry. We are using grant dollars that have remained in the project, to complete some collection line improvements.
Currently, the City is working on a Transportation Growth Management (TGM) Grant through ODOT which will include paths for biking and walking around the 170 acre parameter of the wastewater treatment facility. If the City is successful in obtaining easements or rights of ways, then the trails will provide citizens a peaceful, maintained area to enjoy the outdoors. This grant also includes safe routes to school. The consultants actually held two open house meetings involving students and obtained their input on improvements and different suggestions that they would like to see – such as the Bulldog Paw print in the bicycle paths or crosswalks. (The students overwhelming want the swimming pool brought back to Nyssa!)
Another TGM grant that the City received is to update to the Transportation piece of the Development Code. The Development Code for the City is actually the guidelines for development in the City. The City is waiting for additional funding to actually move forward.
Some of you may not be aware that the Oregon state fuel tax increased January 1, 2011. House Bill 2001 from the 2009 Legislative Session provided that the state fuel tax would increase to 30 cents (up from 24 cents) per gallon after two quarters of economic growth, or January 2011, whichever came first. Economic growth never materialized, so the tax was delayed to this January. In return, local governments cannot raise their local fuel tax, or impose a new one, until 2014. After that date, any local government fuel tax proposal must go to the local voters for approval. The bill increases the car registration fee by $16 a year, increases the title fee by $22, increases the cost of replacement and vanity plates and increases the gas tax by six cents.
House Bill 2001 raises $300 million to bond and invest in Oregon’s transportation infrastructure, 50% going to cities and counties and 50% for statewide investment. The bill funds 50 projects spread across the state, equaling $960 million in investment. For the first time, this transportation package includes a list of the projects in the bill that are funded so taxpayers know exactly what their tax dollars are buying. Projects in Malheur County include Lytle Blvd., N. Oregon Street in Ontario and Locust Avenue/3rd Street Improvements in Nyssa.
The City of Nyssa will receive $1 Million in funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation, under House Bill 2001, to improve Locust Avenue between Thunderegg Blvd. and 3rd Street. These improvements will include sidewalk, curb & gutter, storm drainage, bicycle paths, road alignment and improvements. The project will then continue from Locust Avenue at 3rd Street, South to Main Street, where new ADA accessible sidewalks will be installed.
ODOT will also have a project in Nyssa from Adrian Blvd. at Thunderegg to 11th Street for ADA accessible sidewalk improvements. ODOT will resurface pavement from 11th Street to the Idaho State Line, and construct sidewalks and curbs from 11th Street to Adrian Blvd. The State shall also replace or install signs and pavement markings as needed and modify accesses at the intersections of N. 7th Avenue at Bower Avenue and also N. 8th Street at Emison Avenue.
The City looks forward to these projects in order to help make the City safer for the citizens who are walking, riding a bicycle, crossing the street at an intersection, as well as vehicular traffic.
Another major street improvement project will be funded by a Special City Allotment Grant (SCA) through ODOT. This grant will be used to make improvements to high use areas, which the City identified as Bower Avenue. A grant for $25,000 was awarded to make overlay improvements on Bower Avenue from W. 1st Street to W. 7th Street. The City will match this grant with budgeted funds.
The City currently has three (3) Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) through Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, which is now known as Business Oregon, Infrastructure Finance Authority. These grants have been and will continue be used to evaluate the City’s Water and Waste Water systems.
(1) The Water Master Plan and Conservation Plan, along with a Water Rate Study, have recently been completed. We are making sure the City is in compliance with State and Federal guidelines.
(2) The City’s Waste Water Collection Plan will be funded through the CDBG program with Business Oregon, Infrastructure Finance Authority. The City was awarded $148,500 to complete this study, which is at the beginning phase. This Plan will identify different sewer lines in the City that need to be replaced or improved. Once the City has completed both of these grants, the City will be eligible for up to $2,000,000 in grant funding for both water and sewer system improvements.
(3) Another CDBG Grant that the City of Nyssa has worked hard to make available to residents of the City is the Housing Rehab grant which is currently administered by Community in Action. In early 2010, the City of Nyssa was awarded $275,000 to help residents make improvements to their private homes. Improvements under this grant include making homes ADA accessible, fixing structural issues and replacing and/or upgrading wiring, heating, windows, door, roofing, foundations, and plumbing if needed. Some projects have been completed and others are still in progress; however, funds are still available.
The City continues to receive grant funds from the Oregon State Marine Board through their Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP). MAP funds have been awarded to the City for several years and allow the City to maintain the River Park and boat ramp. The City receives funds ranging from $3,000 to $4,500 each year and then the City uses City workers as in-kind match. Currently, the City is investigating future funding sources to expand river access within the City of Nyssa. The State Marine Board also provides grants for capital improvements and expansion of water access and the City staff is actively researching to find funding for further improvements.
The City also applied for a bicycle and pedestrian improvement project on King Avenue from 1st Street to Becks Road. We haven’t heard back from ODOT on this grant, but we are hoping to be successful.
As you can see, the City of Nyssa is working extremely hard to make improvements in Nyssa - for the citizens of Nyssa - at minimal cost. The City appreciates your patience as we work through these projects, especially the ones that affect your daily activities. Please be patient with City workers as they work hard to make Nyssa a family friendly town that everyone can be happy to call home. If you have comments or suggestions, please feel free to visit the City’s web page (www.nyssacity.org) and leave messages; or stop by City Hall and visit in person.
Respectfully,
Roberta Donovan,
City Manager
The City of Nyssa is an Equal Opportunity Provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability