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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Salem will nix free street parking later this summer
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Later this summer, Oregon's capital is dialing back on free parking. As of July 10, street parking will no longer be free in Salem's downtown district. Officials plan to begin installing pay stations, which will charge drivers $1.50 per hour, next month. I-5 bridge replacement program unveils plan to minimize impact on historic sites The change is part of officials' efforts to boost revenue for the city and increase the number of available spaces — similar to r. 'Metered parking allows downtown Salem to generate revenue that can be used to provide important city services,' the City of Salem . 'It also helps keep parking available for visitors to downtown businesses. Paid parking reduces how long people can park in an on-street parking space, thus freeing up the space more frequently for new customers.' Officials additionally claimed the changes will benefit Salem's Climate Action Plan by reducing the traffic congestion that comes with searching for a parking spot. The current 3-hour free parking will be replaced with metered spots that allow drivers to pay for up to 12 hours at a time. The new pay stations will ask users for their license plate numbers, which enforcement officers will later use to confirm the allotted time hasn't expired. Drivers can also download the yet-to-come Beep Beep Salem app to pay online. The current free, on-street spaces are covered by local businesses that pay a Downtown Parking Tax. Despite the upcoming changes, the tax is expected to stay in place for at least a year, according to Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi. Suspect still at large after April downtown Portland assault 'We need to have about a year of crossover to fund operations,' Namburi told officials during Tuesday's Salem City Council meeting. 'When you put the parking meters into play, you're not going to be having a year's worth of operational revenue in July when they're deployed, which is what the parking tax provides.' She said officials could likely remove the parking tax at a later date. The downtown parking structures owned by the City of Salem will remain free to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Salem City Council to vote on delaying recruiting for new city manager
Salem City Council will vote Monday whether to appoint acting City Manager Krishna Namburi to serve as interim city manager and delay recruiting until at least September. Councilor Vanessa Nordyke said in a motion the city needs stable leadership while it navigates the budget process — which has an estimated $13.8 million shortfall — and a May election for a livability levy to fund the library, parks and Center 50+. The move comes one month after the sudden resignation of then-City Manager Keith Stahley. Stahley, the former assistant city manager for Olympia, Washington, was picked to be the city's next manager in July 2022. He said he resigned after learning the majority of council would be calling for his ouster based on an audit of the executive leadership team. Namburi was picked to serve as acting city manager. Namburi oversees the city's Enterprise Services Department. She has been with the city for 25 years and was promoted to deputy city manager in 2022. In her motion, Nordyke said Namburi has an impressive career in executive leadership and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the community. "Her professional journey has been marked by a commitment to transforming and leading organizations toward greater efficiency and effectiveness," Nordyke said. "She has a unique ability to help departments achieve self sufficiency, ultimately fostering a culture of growth and development. Through her leadership, she not only focuses on organizational outcomes but also emphasizes the professional and personal growth of her employees." Nordyke added that under Namburi's leadership, internal services has evolved to be more proactive and efficient to become better equipped to meet the needs of city residents. "Namburi should be given sufficient time in this interim role to help lead the City through both the local option levy election and the City's FY '26 budget process and adoption," Nordyke said. "Delaying a recruitment for a new city manager until September will allow her to establish stable leadership for the organization without the added focus on a new city manager recruitment." If council passes the motion, staff would be directed to prepare an employment agreement for the interim role and provide it to council for consideration. A vote on a resolution changing certain fees for landing and aircraft parking at the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport. Airport staff estimate the fee adjustments will increase annual revenue between $50,000 to $100,000. A vote on authorizing an intergovernmental agreement between Salem and the Office of Legislative Assembly for using a portion of State Street south of the Capitol for 10 years for parking and security safeguards. The Office of Legislative Assembly will pay the city $2 million for using the property. A vote on an agreement with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and Oregon State Fair Council for the Silverton Road NE Improvement Project. A vote approving the Fairview Park Development and Management Plan. A vote approving the Fisher Road Park Development Plan. A vote approving police statements and priorities to guide Salem's federal and state agenda as well as the city's response to proposed legislation during the 2025 Oregon legislative session. Appointments to the Hospital Facility Authority Board and status of the Ward 5 Budget Committee candidates. A vote on approving a 60-day extension for the Holman Hotel for paying the Transient Occupancy Tax and Tourism Promotion Area. The meeting is at 6 p.m. It will be held in person in the City Council Chambers at the Salem Civic Center, 555 Liberty St. SE, and can be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish. Those wishing to comment in person can sign up on the rosters at the chamber entrance before the start of the meeting. Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@ Or preregister between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at to speak during the meeting via Zoom. For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@ call 503-910-6616 or follow on X at @wmwoodworth This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem City Council to vote on delaying recruiting of new city manager
