The Umatilla City Council moved forward this week on a plan to extend roads and utilities to tribal land east of McNary.
The road will bring access – and potential business development – to property currently accessible only by air or all-terrain vehicle.
The property is being held by the federal government in trust for the tribes. Representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservartion have said they are planning on industrial development on the property; however, they do not have a specific tenant yet.
Ryan DeGrofft, economic planner for the Confederated Tribes, said the new road could bring access and utilities to undeveloped land in the Port of Umatilla, as well.
“It’s our intent that that 195 acres will be developed as industrial land and zoned industrial,” DeGrofft said. “After (the road is developed) I think there are a couple hundred acres of port land that will now be accessible.”
On Tuesday, the Umatilla City Council approved Ordinance 808, adopting an exception to city planning documents. Umatilla City Planner Bill Searles said the revised document provides an exception for the project so the city can connect the property to its wastewater system, even though the property is outside the city’s urban growth boundary.
The first mile of the road will be built on property owned by the Department of Corrections. The state is giving the property to the city for use in the roadway. The road and utilities will remain property of the city of Umatilla.
“I think it’s fair to say that this is a win-win to everyone involved,” Searles said.
Cooperation between the city and the confederated tribes came up again during the meeting as Umatilla City Manager Bob Ward discussed a recent meeting about the Umatilla Old Town site. The tribes and the city will jointly file a permit with the U.S. Corps of Engineers for the site. Although the council will likely review the agreement in November, Ward said it will take about a year before any projects can begin.
In addition, the council also discussed the potential purchase of the Priceless Gas Station property across from City Hall. Last year, the city agreed to pick up the tax bill in exchange for a right of first refusal on the property.
The property owners are asking for about $88,000 for the property, which will become the next piece in the proposed park trail from City Hall to the Old Town Site.
The council gave a unanimous consensus for city staff to move forward with the negotiations.
In other business, the council:
- Voted to continue City Manager Bob Ward’s contract. The council met in a closed-door executive session to discuss the contract and voted in open session to continue it. Umatilla Mayor Dave Trott deferred discussion about Ward’s potential transition out of office until the Oct. 20th council meeting.
- Heard a presentation about the proposed general obligation bond for the Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District. The bond would purchase new air packs and vehicles for the district and would cost property owners annually about $54 per $100,000 of assessed property value.
- Appointed Natasha Ugarte on the Parks and Recreation Committee.
- Authorized the mayor to sign a new contract with CRIS, Inc., for operations of the Umatilla Marina and RV Park. The council also modified its fee resolution to include the Marina and RV Park officially in the city’s fee documentation.
- Adopted new park rules.
- Renewed the liquor license for Sam Stop and Shop.
