2016 Accomplishments

Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Completed.

The construction of the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Expansion project was completed in 2016. The final project cost of ~$13-million was approximately $2.5-million less than the project estimate included in the adopted 2010 Wastewater Treatment Facilities master plan. The City was awarded a "2016 Project of the Year" award by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association (OR APWA) for the project work.

Transportation Bond Fund Improvements.

During the summer, approximately four miles of City streets were repaired and repaved at a cost of $1.8 million. Additionally, construction on the NE 5th Street Improvements Project began in August 2016 (work is scheduled to be complete in May of 2017). The purpose of the 5th Street project is to improve traffic flow in the City’s core and enhance roadway and pedestrian safety. These improvements are part of the $24-million transportation bond measure approved by the voters in 2014. Thank you voters of McMinnville!

Sanitary Sewer System Improvements Constructed. The City spent over $2 million to remove unwanted storm water and groundwater (inflow and infiltration) from the sanitary sewer system in the neighborhoods near Cook School. Over two miles of sanitary sewer and storm sewer pipes were repaired and/or replaced.

City Website Updated. The City’s website has been completely updated – in addition to a new look and feel, many new online forms to facilitate citizen feedback have been added. With this new base website in place, online payment options are on the way next in late 2017.

McMinnville Fire Department Partnerships & Collaboration.

Partnerships took center stage for the McMinnville Fire Department in 2016. This year the Fire Department established a new partnership with Amity Rural Fire Protection District. They coordinated to provide a peak activity ambulanced staffed Monday - Friday in Amity that is available for the entire Ambulance Service Area. The resulting partnership improves responses to Amity and the McMinnville service area.

The fire department in collaboration with the Cascade Steel Mill completed the State certification process for a rope rescue team.

Park Development

Accomplishments: NW Neighborhood Park - Grant funds and donations totaling $493,830 to support McMinnville’s planned NW Neighborhood Park and Barrier Free Playground were received from local service clubs (Kiwanis, Sunrise Rotary Clubs), regional foundations (Collins, Ford Family, Kiwanis International , and Oregon Community Foundations), Oregon State Parks Local Govt. Grant and individual citizens. The park is currently in the final planning/construction engineering design phase with construction planned in the near future.

Senior Center

Accomplishments: Started the new, Tuesday/Thursday "Wortman Park Café", a twice a week fresh salad, soup, bread and dessert bar that has proven incredibly successful. Attendance at the Café in 2016 exceeded 5800 with a record one day attendance of 93. This new opportunity provides affordable healthy food choices for seniors.