Electric Roof Offers Financial Jolt

Tube Specialties produces products for Daimler, the parent company for Freightliner Trucks and other heavy truck industry manufacturers.  This family operated business started at their Troutdale location in 1996 and also has another location in North Carolina.  Both facilities have 212,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space.  In addition to servicing Freightliner Corporation, they also make products for the construction industry and parts for agricultural equipment. Established in 1963 by their father, Mark and Gary Weyhrich are the two brothers currently active in the business.

Tube Specialities, Troutdale, Oregon

 

Each of their two plants has 150 employees providing family wage jobs.  In order to survive in the current economy they have strived to provide economies within their business to maintain those jobs. Among the concepts was the idea of utilizing the solar roof panels to offset the cost of their utilities.

Duro-Last roofing, in conjunction with Solar Nation and Competitive Commercial Roofing, replaced the entire roof of Tube Specialties Troutdale facility with a prefabricated membrane. The roofing is customized for each specific application because it is designed to have solar panels anchored to the roofing material.  All the work is done in the factory located in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is guaranteed for 25 years, plus a 15 year guarantee on the contents of the building in case the roof leaks. 

The roof is designed to last as long as the solar panels that are embedded in the membrane of the roof. This Duro-Last roof is designed to reflect 85% of the sun’s rays. This makes it the highest reflective material in the commercial roofing industry. They are unique in that they make everything within their plant including the fasteners, edge detail, plates, and screws.  Nothing is outsourced.  They have four plants within the United States and they are family owned. This company received the 2009 Oregon Sustainability Award from the governor’s office.

One of the final pieces, and the one earning Tube Specialties a return on the investment (ROI) of their new roof, is the application of solar panels generating electricity on their roof.  Solar Nation is a local Gresham company that not only provides the solar panels, but the design, engineering and financial model and the complete electrical installation. Solar Nation has built their business model on the concept of having the business owner come to them for a turnkey installation. The business owner initially has to finance the project, but 95% of the investment is financially reimbursed through the Business Energy Tax Credit, Federal Investment Tax credit or grant, and finally the Energy Trust of Oregon.  So after installation the business owner is out of pocket 1-5% for the total project.  The projected ROI is expected to be five years generating many tens of thousands of dollars in energy cost savings over the life the solar panels and roofing material.

You might question that the weather in Oregon is not conducive to generating electricity from solar panels.  Cooler climates are actually better suited to generating electricity then hot climates and that is because in very hot climates, the solar panels are designed to shut down if the sun is too intense.  Our weather mirrors the same characteristics of Germany and this year alone they are building five gigawatts of electricity (one billion watts of electricity) which is equivalent to the production of five nuclear power plants.  Like Germany, Oregon is one of the leading states in providing incentives for energy independence for our businesses.

Each of the companies providing the products, engineering, design and installation are experiencing explosive growth in their businesses.  Each business shared with me that they are hiring additional people to handle the increased customer demand for their solar products. They are providing the state of the art technology that can be delivered to a business offsetting their cost of providing electricity for their operation.  Those companies that survive this economy will do so because they taken the bold steps needed to provide efficiencies and creative sources of income for their companies.  After all, not long ago who would have ever thought your roof could generate money for your business.

 

Troutdale's Featured Business-Ristorante DiPompello, a Restaurant With a Heart

 

A grandmother's love for her grandson is responsible for the wonderful Italian restaurant we all enjoy located on our main street in historic downtown Troutdale.

 

As a little boy and later as a young teenager, Saul Pompeyo learned to cook from the hands of his paternal grandmother.  Each summer Saul's family would travel 2,000 miles from Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula to stay the summer at grandmother's house.  Guests were a common occurrence and grandmother enjoyed entertaining. At her side was her grandson who learned from the best of the best.

 

Ristorante DiPompello is owned and operated by Saul and Ruby Pompeyo.  They have achieved their dream of having their own family Italian restaurant.  As a memorial to his grandparents, the original Italian family name, DiPompello, hangs over the marquee at the entrance. Parents of two small girls Sophia 2 1/2 and Daniela 9, they work seven days a week to create a wonderful epicurean delight.  Ruby makes the homemade sauces every day and helps out part time with the cooking.

 

Saul has an extensive background in operating all phases of a restaurant.  After all, he grew up in an Italian restaurant operated by his father in Mexico City.  It provided for the family until the earthquake in 1985, which destroyed the family business.  He continued with his career until 1998, when he was recruited to manage a downtown Portland restaurant.

 

Afterwards, he opened several new restaurants then decided the time had come to take the challenge of opening his own restaurant.  He chose Troutale because he likes the small town flavor of the community.  He wants to know his customers as his friends.  Because making friends is so important to him, he stresses food quality with every meal that is prepared.  "We want to know everybody and have a relationship with our customers and provide the best food we possibly can" Saul comments.

 

He must be doing something right because the restaurant is always full at lunchtime and the business has doubled since last year. They have expanded from three employees to nine this year alone.  Maybe their success is in part due to Saul's own version of the Stimulus Package.  This special runs from Sunday to Thursday where two people can have a full dinner including appetizer, choice of two salads or soups and your choice of two pastas and a dessert all for $22.00. During his popular lunchtime they have over 20 different pasta dishes for $7.50, which includes a salad or soup.  If you are on the run they have a dozen sandwiches to choose from.

 

They receive rave reviews from their loyal customers.  Bill Flynn and his family are frequent customers.  Bill stated,"we always bring our out of town guests to Saul's restaurant for dinning and good conversation."

 

Due to the popularity of Ristorante DiPompello, Saul has expanded to the upper floor for overflow and to serve banquets.

 

My suggestion is to give the cook in your house a break and come and have a great meal at very reasonable prices.

 

You will find Ristorante DiPompello in Historic Downtown Troutdale, 177 East Columbia River Highway.

 

Bon appetit!

 

Ristorante DiPompello open Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. , Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out their 60 foot mural painted by a local Troutdale artist Roberto Herrera, who is an Italian from Argentina,  The mural depicts the city of Pompeii, Italy.

 

Saul Pompeyo, your host.





Alaska Airlines "Honor Flight"

 

Patient has it's virtue.  Nothing could be truer as in the case of Alaska Airlines. It took them 10 years but through Congressional action they  now have a direct flight from Portland International to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

 

A reception celebrating this achievement took place last evening (August 27, 2012) in downtown Portland. Hundreds of guests were invited for this milestone event. Brad Tilden, Chief Executive Officer of Alaska/Horizon was the key-note speaker along with Bill Wyatt of the Port of Portland, and Congressmen Kurt Schrader and Bill Wyatt.

 

The most interesting part of the evening was the introduction of several couples, husband and wives of World War II veterans.  Many of these unions have survived over several decades. One marriage in particular has lasted for 70 years.  They will be part of the group taking the inaugural flight back to Washington D.C. to view the World War II memorial and other sites in the city courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

 

Alaska Airlines has over 100 flights a day leaving PDX.  They serve 2.5 million passengers a year and are the largest carrier for our Portland airport.

 

As a footnote:

 

Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska,  has access to a private plane and remarked about the convenience of using our Troutdale Airport.  At the entrance to the reception was Captain Rick who learned how to fly from Troutdale Airport. Both of them commented how much the city and in particular our downtown has improved.

Mayor Jim Kight with CEO of Alaska Airlines Brad Tilden and Suzanne Waldrop Alaska Airline
employee

Our master of ceremonies for the Alaska Airlines event
Bill Wyatt, Executive Director Port of Portland

 

The Kids Had a Good Time

 

If it isn't too long ago you can remember what is was like being a kid in the summer. Mom and dad were always looking ways to keep you busy.  Maybe you worked around the house or went to the fields to pick berries.  More than likely you played with the neighbor kids or went swimming.

 

Today children have many activities to choose from that didn't exist in the past. Troutdale as an example has the only recreation program for children in East County. It is managed by our ever capable Mollie King. Now that the summer is coming to a close she provided a report on the summer program. When you look at the activities and sports you wish you were a kid again.

 

Field trips this year included the Oregon Zoo, Oaks Park, OMSI Children's Museum, Bullwinkle's, and a trip to a working farm. They played games together, did arts and crafts went swimming and just had a good time being a kid. The eight week program attracted 184 children from age's four to twelve.

 

One of the keys to the success of the program is the junior leaders.  Many of the junior volunteers attended the recreation program when they were younger. Collectively they volunteered 788 hours to the program. The age of the junior leaders was from twelve to fourteen. From the recreation manager, Mollie King, "The Camp Kaleidoscope staff and myself are truly thankful for the junior leaders and intern this summer. Their help was invaluable." Mollie also commented that she appreciated the dedication on the part of the parents of the junior leaders. They made sure they were at the camp daily and on time.

 

Next year if you are looking for a good positive outlet for your children consider our recreation program. They will have an experience that will last a lifetime.



Troutdale Happenings Featured on Comcast

Troutdale happenings were featured on TV, on Comcast Newsmakers with Ken Ackerman. I had the opportunity to present some of the best attributes of Troutdale to a regional audience.

Design Under-way On Interstate 84 Troutdale Interchange (Marine Drive)

The Oregon Department of Transportation has begun designing a project that will improve the Marine Derive/257th Avenue interchange on Interstate 84 in Troutdale at exit 17. Construction is expected to start in spring of 2014.

The project will include:

Widening of  Marine Drive between the two frontage roads to allow for two-way traffic. so vehicles exiting I-84 eastbound can turn directly on to Marine Drive instead of traveling all the way around on the frontage roads.

Replace the existing I-84 overpass bridges at Marine Drive with a new bridge that is longer to accommodate the widening of Marine Drive and to allow for the passage of taller vehicles (up to 17 fee, 4 inches)

The two Marine Drive intersections at the frontage roads also will be improved to meet current design standards.  The existing fee-flow right turn lane from the north Frontage Road onto Marine Drive will be moved closer to the intersection to increase drivers' visibility as they first yield and then merge with the new northbound traffic on Marine Drive.  Drivers on the north Frontage Road will also be given more space to merge into their desired lane.

Provide a longer left turn lane on the north Frontage Road for vehicles turning south onto Marine Drive.

Add bike lanes in both directions on Marine Drive under I-84

Add sidewalk on the west side of Marine Drive under I-84

These improvements will enhance operations and safety at this interchange and help improve freight access between I-84 and the industrial properties to the north namely Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park (TRIP).

Exit 17 before the third lane was added. The new Marine Drive improvements are to the right of this photograph.

Adding the third lane has eliminated the stacking on the freeway that was common with this exit.

\

This is exit 17 which has been changed to three lanes.

There is no more stacking on the freeway as a result

of this improvement.

This is Marine Drive heading south. It will be changed to

allow two-way traffic as you exit the freeway at exit 17.



Union Pacific Railroad: Shaping America for 150 years

 

We didn't have any difficulty spotting the Union Pacific train painted in Armour yellow with the bright signal red strip on the bottom. As you were directed on the Anniversary Special of Union Pacific at the Hoyt Street train station, we were impressed how attractive the train was. This train will travel throughout the twenty-three states that the company services.

 

Our host for this reception celebrating the 150 years of service to our country was Robert Turner, Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations. The train serves as Bob's home. His personal sleeping car was built in 1914. The Honduras mahogany paneling that surround his sleeping quarters speaks of a by-gone era when trains were the chief mode of transportation. The day quarters of the same car has elegant appointments throughout and  gas light fixtures that have been converted to electricity. Built into a cabinet is a television set that rises out of the base with the push of a button.  It seems oddly out of place, but a reminder that this is a working office with computers, and the like.

 

What follows is an interview with Robert, who is well versed in sharing the Union Pacific story.

 

Q. Bob, tell us  how Union Pacific Railroad was started.

 

A.  We attribute our beginnings with President Abraham Lincoln who, in July 1, 1862, signed the Pacific Railway Act. From that single act on the part of  President Lincoln we have grown to serve a majority of the United States with 8000 locomotives and 44,000 employees.  We are the fifth oldest Fortune 500 Company on the New York Stock exchange.

 

Q.  In a snap-shot what is Union Pacific doing today?

 

A.  At any given time throughout the day we have 140 trains a day going through the state of Nebraska.  Our headquarters is Omaha and is where the original Continental line began.  Throughout the 32,000 route miles we have 1,200 trains operating during a 24 hour period.  We move goods that keep America alive.  Literally every part of this nation's survival depends on the moving of products like food, oil, gasoline, chemicals, trucks and automobiles and a thousand other items.  In the process we save energy doing it.

 

Q.  How  efficient is moving freight on the railroad?

 

A.  We can move 1 ton of freight 500 miles on one gallon of diesel. A single freight train can take 300 trucks off of our crowded highways and freeways.  There is no doubt about the fact that trains are the most efficient means of moving large volumes of freight.  Manufacturers and shippers recognize that fact and as a result our business continues to grow.

 

Q.  What kind of growth do you see for Union Pacific?

 

A.  This year alone we will invest in purchasing 100 locomotives at a purchase price of $2.5 million each unit.  That is a real job creator at General Electric and Caterpillar which manufactures our locomotives From the year 2000 to 2011 we invested $31 billion in upgrading equipment and infrastructure to better serve our customers and provided thousands of jobs for the nation.

 

Q.  What do you see for the future of your railroad?

 

A.  We will continue to grow in order to accommodate the demands of our country.  Currently, besides purchasing new locomotives, we are building new rail cars because of the increased orders.  In part we see a change in manufacturing returning to America from foreign markets.  This is a complete turnaround from what we have experienced in the past as manufacturers were seeking a cheaper labor force to the south and overseas.  If this trend continues it will only help to strengthen our country and the railroad will continue to see prosperous times.

 

As a footnote Troutdale has twenty-seven trains on average day pass through our city.  There is also a railroad bridge traversing the Sandy River.

 

Standing is Brock Nelson and with the microphone Robert Turner both with Union Pacific Railroad.



Centennial Arch in Troutdale Receives Lighting

Before

After. The Installation was completed on Friday, August 17, 2012. The grant was provided by the IBEW local 48 who so generously provided the labor and the materials at no cost to the City of Troutdale.
Big Thanks to IBEW Local 48!!



 

TROUTDALE-Vital Partnership

 

The Port of Portland recently submitted a land use application for Phases Two and Three at the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park, also known as TRIP, an currently the home to the Fed Ex Regional Hub. The application is expected to be approved by the Troutdale Planning Commission in September.

The Port of Portland is investing more than $43.1 million at the TRIP location over the next three years. This site has the potential of creating hundreds of new job opportunities and millions of dollars being invested in East County communities.

Phase Two includes land east of Sundial Road and carves out six building lots ranging in size from five acres to thirty acres. These lot sizes are in high demand bcause there is so little inventory currently on the market. Phase Three will involve land to the west of Sundial Road and will include lots 40, 21 and 19. Also this subdivision includes three open space areas.

"Given the significant outlay associated with this site, a partnership is vital to realizing the jobs, and income tax and property tax potential of the site." said Ken Anderton, port industrial program manager for the Port of Portland.



 

New Troutdale Police Community Center

To Open

On September 7, 2012 the new Police and Community Center will have a grand opening. The community of Troutdale is invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Where: 234 S.W. Kendall Court,  one block south from Historic Downtown Troutdale.

Time and date: 6:00 p.m., Friday, September 7th. This also coincides with our First Friday Art Walk.

See you there!

.

Update on the I-84 Bridges in Troutdale

Currently ODOT has contracted for the construction and replacement of the I-84 east and west bound bridges crossing the Sandy River. This is the largest bridge re-construction project in Oregon. The cost to remove the current bridges and build and replace them with new spans is $73.6 million. Quite a boost to the local economy.

Currently, the plan is to complete the east bound bridge and then divert traffic from the I-84 west bound lanes to cross the new east bound bridge.. This would create two-way traffic.  The west bound bridge would then be removed and construction started to build the new west bound bridge.This will also save construction cost by not building a work bridge for the west bound span.

The new east bound bridge is expected to be open by mid or late September of this year. With the opening of the new east bound span there will also be a pedestrian and bike pathway that is 16 feet wide. This will provide access to one of the most popular parks in the area for hikers. Also this park is especially popular for dog owners.  The park is referred to as 1,000 acres and it was a former Martin cattle ranch.

ODOT has been a great partner in this project.  With their support they helped establish a 911 reverse notification system in case of flooding along the river. 

 Completion date for the project is estimated  to be in the spring of 2014.





Troutdale's Featured Business

Shirley's Tippy Canoe Restaurant

Shirley's restaurant is located on the Sandy River just on the edge of the city limits of Troutdale, Oregon. The eatery was purchased in January 7, 2008 after being closed for a two year period. Shirley Wilton did an extensive remodel of the property and former patrons probably wouldn't recognize the attractive new interior.

One of the features that is popular is the outside dinning with gas fire pits.  From this outside location you can see the Sandy River flowing by.

Shirley started in the food business when she was 21 years old.  She opened Sam's Hollywood Billards in Portland in 1963 and has continued in restaurant service ever since.  Both of her daughters have followed in mom's tradition and work in the industry as well.

Shirely prides herself on serving food that she describes as "darned good".  Her food is not production food from out of a can, box or freezer...not Shirley she will have none of that! She describes it as all real. She is the one that told me about cracked eggs as an example.  Some restaurants cook eggs that come out of a plastic bag.  She told me to ask for cracked eggs when I can't come to her restaurant for breakfast.

One of her signature dishes is halibut fish and chips.  The halibut is fresh right from the market and the french fries are fresh cut.  All of her serving sizes are very generous. She makes her own pancake mix, jams and fresh sliced potatoes for breakfast.  She still won't tell me what she uses for spices for her pan fried potatoes, but it sure is good.

There is a cruise-in on Wedneday's from 6-9 p.m. They will have from 30 to 40 cars in the parking lot. She has a blues and jazz band Friday and Saturday nights from 7-11 p.m and Sunday from 4-8p.m. Also she does catering.

Hours of operation are 8a.m. to 10p.m. weekdays and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. till 11 p.m.

You will find Shirley's Tippy Canoe at 28242 East Historic Columbia River Highway, Troutdale, Oregon.  Call (503) 492-2220.

Come hungry or plan on taking a box home.



Lighting of Centennial Arch

The 13-ton Tri-Cord Centennial Arch at the entrance to downtown Troutdale is having lighting installed.  The arch was dedicated in 2010 but, at that point the lighting had not been installed. As beautiful as the arch is during the daytime, it was nearly invisible at night and in particular during the dark winter months.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 48 has come to the rescue. They, along with the National Electrical Contractors Association, Oregon Columbia Chapter have donated their services and materials to complete this project. The total gift amounts to over $20,000 according to the IBEW.  We want to thank both organizations for making such a magnanimous donation.

A big shout-out to Clif Davis, who is the business manager of the IBEW local 48, for shepherding this project. Also a big thank you to Tim Gauthier manager of Oregon Columbia Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association

For those who would like to see the Centennial Arch, it is located to the east of 257th on Historic Columbia River Highway in downtown Troutdale. The project is expected to be completed by Friday, August 17, 2012.

Mayor Jim Kight says, "Thanks IBEW Local 48 & Oregon Columbia Chapter of NEC!"



Troutdale's College Nature Park Breaks Ground

The City of Troutdale is known for its beautiful parks and green ways. The city  is bordered by the Sandy River to the east and the Columbia River to the north. We are surrounded by natural features. Not the least among those natural wonders is the Columbia Gorge, which the city serves as the portal on the west end.

The newest addition to the green way and park space is the College Natural Park. The location is just to the east of Mt. Hood Community College.  The park is part of the original purchase by Metro's Oregon Green Space Bond measure.  The purchase includes 62 acres of beautiful pristine wetlands and forested area.  The college received a check for $260,000 for the parcel and the City of Troutdale had the entire parcel annexed into the city. Part of the property to the south was in the city of Gresham. The city has agreed to manage the property. The park is bordered to the north by Stark Street and to the east by Troutdale Road.

The new park will comprise of five acres and will include amenities such as trails and picnic areas for the public.  Also included will be several overlook vistas of a pond and Beaver Creek which flows north to south through the property.  Troutdale Road will also receive improvements.  On the west side it will be widened in order to allow on street parking.

Funds for the project include a $100,000 grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.  Metro Open Space Bond funds, the City Parks improvement funds provided the financial collaboration so the project would be completed.

Construction is currently underway and expected to be completed by October of this year.

Troutdale residents will be able to enjoy the natural wildlife that inhabits the protected wetland and have a picnic or two in their newest park.

Connection Study Ratified

Thursday, August 9th the Metro Council voted unanimously to adopt the study results East Metro Connections Plan. This is a study from I-84 to highway 26 which includes the four cities of east county. The influence area was also included Damascus and Happy Valley to the south of Gresham.

The purpose of the study is to identify transportation and other investments that improve economic and community development. The major participants came from the cities of Gresham, Wood Village, Fairview, Troutdale and Multnomah County.

Each of these cities including the county and Metro have voted unanimously to support the final product. This is a remarkable achievement but any one's measure. The count is 40 to 0.

At the Metro meeting yesterday giving testimony was Mayor Pat Smith of Wood Village, Mayor Jim Kight of Troutdale, and Commissioner Diane McKeel among the electeds'..

One of the major outcomes of the study was the proposed improvements to 238th Drive in Wood Village. Currently this corridor is very narrow and has drainage problems from springs that flow onto to road surface. Wood Village City Council, voted to allow design and improvements to this stretch of roadway. The changes include widening to accommodate freight traffic, sidewalks on both sides and a retaining wall on the south side. Also the water draining onto the road will be corrected.

Troutdale projects include: 257th Avenue pedestrian improvements at intersections mid-block crossings, creating a safety corridor on Cherry Park and 257th, and reconstruction Stark Street to arterial standards just to name a few.

The next step is to seek funding for the key projects from federal, state and regional sources. This will the same level of cooperation as experienced during the study. It has taken over 20 years to get to this point. The level of cooperation among the cities and elected officials that helped move this project to conclusion is now the envy of other regions throughout the Portland Metro Area. As an example there is the Southwest Corridor Study which currently is at loggerheads. One of the metro councilors commented that they need to bring a busload of east county electeds' and others involved  to the west side to teach the westsider's how to get alone.



Featured Troutdale Business

Gorge Winds Aviation, Inc.

The West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday's, hosts a Business AM. Local business owners make their business available for chamber business owners and their representatives to showcase their business. It is a great group of very positive people and they share ideas with one another.

This past Wednesday I attended the meeting at Gorge Winds Aviation. They are located on the north side of the Troutdale Airport. The airport is owned and operated by the Port of Portland. Gorge Winds on the other hand is operated by Marvin Woidyla who also happens to be an experienced pilot. His business card reads that he does charters, rental of planes, flight instruction,  and part of the anti-drug consortium. Marv started his business in 1988.  He has seen tremendous growth and provides a much needed service at the airport.

When it comes to aviation service you won't find anyone better. In the flight instruction arena he has students come from all over the world. The list of countries where the students originate from is quite impressive. Flight students arrive from Australia,  Taiwan, and Germany. They are good at what they do and the word has gotten out.

In the second level of their building they have a flight simulator. The simulator will put you in the flight seat of any type of plane and they have the ability to change the instrument panel in a just a few minutes. You can be trained on single engine or multi-engine configuration. Through a highly sophisticated computer and screen you can be flying in sunny weather or a full blown rain or snow storm.

You can rent a plane for two people which includes fuel for $81 per hour. If you need flight instruction you can choose from 17 highly experienced pilots four of which are female.

They are open from 7:00-5:30pm on weekdays and Saturday and Sunday from 8-5pm. Flight instructors are available when needed night or daytime. You will find Gorge Winds Aviation at 920 N.W. Perimeter Way in Troutdale, Oregon.  There office phone is (503) 665-2823.

Drive out to the airport and talk to Marv or anyone of his experienced staff.



Dollar Property Gets Clean-up

Troutdale enlisted the help of Multnomah County Inmate crews to wack down the blackberries and cleanup the dollar property. The 2.37 acres that is currently being stripped of the blackberries was purchased from the federal government for one dollar.

The property is located just to the west of the Waste Water Sewer Treatment plant. In a cost saving measure the city will purchase bio-bags that will allow sludge to go through a de-watering process. The cost savings comes from trucking less liquids to the agricultural fields.  The treated sludge will act as fertilizer which the farming industry really supports.

Also envisioned for this property is the installation of solar panels to offset the electrial cost for operating the treatment plant. The annual cost in electric demands is about $200k.

The inmate crews will be working for the next five days to remove all the debris and prepare the property for development. The cost savings to the city and taxpayers by having the inmate crews will be tremendous and we appreciate their hard work.



Oregon cities doing more with less 

This article was published as a op-ed in the Gresham Outlook on August 3, 2012

by Mayor Jim Kight

On an annual basis mayors throughout the State of Oregon meet at a designated location. This year the Oregon Mayor's Association met in Florence by the Pacific Ocean. The purpose of the meeting is to share ideas and concepts that will help all of our communiities to be a better place to live.

Cities do not operate in a vacuum. They depend on other government agencies for support. As a result department heads from state agencies met with the mayors to suggest ways they can offer aid. This year eighteen agencies' directors traveled to the convocation to offer their asistance.

Mayor Kathy Figley of Woodburn in starting to see a resurgence of jobs in that city of 23,000. It is located on I-5 and is home for the ever popular Woodburn Factory Outlet Mall. Woodburn is an agriculture community and the bulk of crops center around nursery stock. Because of the depressed housing market, less of that product is going to market. However, they are keeping the city pool and library open and maintaining a reduced recreation program for the children. Like other communities they are working with schools an non-profits to make sure there is no duplication of services. In their downtown they have implemented a program to upgrade the facades of the exterior of the buildings and have provided low interest loans to upgrade the interiors.

Scappoose is divided by Highway 30 and is residence to 6, 680. Mayor Scott Burgee has served as mayor for the past five and half years and is a major cheerleader for his city. His community is experiencing a growth in his industrial park which centers around the municipal airport. Just completed is a $3 million, 22,000 square foot building for the manufacture of airplane parts and military helmets. He boasts of a new pizza parlor, dance studio, Les Schwab tire outlet and a Goodwill store. His council took the proactive position to stimulate new business by eleminating fees for new business which includes the annual business license fee.  They have expanded their urban growth boundary by 350 acres near their airport to expand job opportunities. His city maintains a healthy $1.2 million balance and has suffered no layoffs of city employees.

You don't meet a mayor every day where the city owns their own railroad but they do in Prineville.

The railroad was originally purchased to haul logs to Redmond and is now used to haul freight. It is currently turning a profit for the city.

Mayor Betty Roppe of Prineville shared that they were affected by the relocation of Les Schwab corporate headquarters and the downtown in the logging industry. However, they saw that as a wake-up call and aggressively recruited Facebook to their city.  Currently Prineville is wooing a major data center to add to their portfolio. She shared they are doing everything within their power to diversify and "not put all of their eggs in one basket".

Prinveville goes to the top of the list when it comes to innovation.  Meadow Lakes municipal golf course is a great example. The city was faced with fines of $25,000 per day by the Environmental Protection Agency for discharging their treated wastewater into the Crooked River. The council funded and built a championship 18-hole golf course now used to irrigate the course with treated wastewater and provide ponds for water hazards for golfers. Problem solved.

Cities throughout Oregon are using every tool available to keep their communities livable and to create employment for their people. All of the mayors I spoke to have a positive outlook and are working diligently to preserve their economic health and to invite new businesses into their communities.

TROUTDALE'S OPEN FOR BUSINESS PLAN

'IT WORKED'

Like many of the communities throughout our nation, Troutdale faces the challenge of filling empty storefronts. The city established a business friendly incentive program on May 25, 2010 to encourage business entrepreneurs. The goal was to reduce financial barriers and government red tape in order to fill empty commercial buildings throughout the city.

IT WORKED! The publicity surrounding the program, we believe, became an attraction to small and medium size businesses alike. Throughout our city we have attracted:

• Expansion of Ristorante de Pompello which doubled the amount of square footage for this fine historic downtown Italian restaurant.

• Shaken Martini Bar and Restaurant opened at 101 East Historic Columbia River Highway.
• Breweligans Pub opened at 275 East Historic River Highway.

• Todd & Shannon opened their law offices at 111 East Historic Columbia River Highway.



• Caswell Gallery, owner Rip Caswell noted international artist, relocated to our downtown.

• Ali Peret Design, custom made jewelry, moved to our main street.
• Troutdale Market Center site of the former Troutdale Thriftway has been purchased by the Alamo Group. The new owners have signed up Grocery Depot as a new tenant.

• The new Key Bank on Stark located in front of Home Depot.

• Ally's Dog Spa, 103 East Historic Columbia River Highway. This is where your pet can get pampered!





• Ye Olde Pub is located on our main street, right in front of our Chamber offices.

The list goes on with tenant improvements by Pacific Cargo Sales on Marine Drive and the opening of a former Saturn dealership by Gresham Nissan on Stark Street.  Also HM-3 Energy, a research and testing laboratory for converting biomass such as forest waste into briquettes that can be used for a substitute fuel in coal-fired plants, located in Troutdale primarily as a result of our plan.

The investment on the part of the city is vital in order to bring the energy, vitality and most importantly new jobs to our community. 

Troutdale's New City Hall Location

The old Troutdale city hall has been vacated.  After close examination by experts they determined the 90 year old building was at the end of it's life unless extensive repairs were made.  The engineers determined that to repair the building would cost $3.4m and to tear down and replace would cost $2.4 m. Obviously we wouldn't want to replicate a design from 90 years ago for a variety of reasons.

As a result we have rented office space in our downtown.  There are two locations and operations have been split up because we couldn't find one location to house everyone.  But we are making it work.

You will find the city council chambers and courtroom on the lower level at 219 East Columbia River Highway and the administrative offices at 321 East Columbia River Highway. The 219 location is where you can go to pay your water bills and court fines. The other location houses our city manager, finance director and others.

The next step will be to determine how much office space we need currently and in the future. After all, the majority of the floor space in the old city hall was used for a dance hall. The dance hall was used as a fund raiser to pay for the building which cost $3,700 back in 1922.





Troutdale Cruz-In

Troutdale Cruz-In

On Sunday, August 5, 2012, Troutdale had their ninth-annual Cruz-In.  The weather was favorable for the event and there was a great turn-out.  The event hosted it's first electric car where the major components are made of plastic material.






There were specialty cars that were priced at $400k+. Craig Nelson of The Jag Shop brought this beautiful red Ferrari to the show.

This Cruz-In was hosted as a fund raiser for the Troutdale Kiwanis Club. The funds raised will go towards the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp for Kids.

The Troutdale Kiwanis Club, of which I am a member,  appreciates the car owners participation in order to make this a successful event. We also appreciate the many volunteers who gave so willingly of their time.

Enjoy some of the photographs taken of the event.