City workers get raise (06/03/08)

Those who work for the city of Portland will see a 4 percent hike in their paychecks next year.

Members of a local board cast their final votes Monday night to increase the pay for all city employees in 2009.

With the pay increase, the police and fire chiefs and the superintendents of the street and park department, the wastewater treatment plant and the water department will make $42,979.56 per year. This year they are making $41,326.48.

Council members did not comment on the pay increases before voting. Councilman Todd Nichols abstained from voting because he works for the city's street department. Mike Brewster, another council member, is a Portland police officer. He did not abstain from voting.

The pay increase also includes the mayor's administrative assistant, the deputy clerk-treasurer, the city attorney, the city court clerk and firefighters. Members of the Portland Board of Works also will be paid $1,300 per year. Next year will be the first year that board members are paid for their service.

In other business, council members voted to temporarily close portions of two city streets for activities at two local churches.

The first request was made by Pastor Steve Arnold of Evangelical Methodist Church, 930 W. Main St., Portland.

Arnold asked for Alexander Street to be closed between Main Street and an alley located north of the church. The street will be closed June 16-20, from 6 to 8 p.m. for Bible Adventure Week. Arnold asked for the closure to make the area safe for children attending the event.

Also, Jerry Schwomeyer of First Presbyterian Church, 402 N. Ship St., asked for a half-block section of North Ship Street, between Arch Street and an alley just north of the church to be closed.

He requested the street be closed June 28, from 3 to 5 p.m., for an ice cream social. He said the street closure would make the journey from the parking lot to the church safer for those attending the event.

Also Monday, council members:

•Approved an ordinance that makes the intersection of Ninth and Bridge streets a four-way stop and changes yield signs at Ninth and Shank streets to stop signs.

At the May 19 council meeting, Phoebe Robinette, who lives in that area, asked for the changes to make the area safer for children. She said people tend to speed in that part of the city.

•Heard Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, report that portions of East Race Street, East Votaw Street, West Arch Street, South Vine Street, North Wayne Street, Ben Hawkins Avenue and Miller Avenue were recently paved. He said the work was completed on Friday.

•Heard Bruce Hosier, the city's mayor, report that the city web site has been redesigned.

Hosier said the site, which is www.thecityofportland.net, now includes information on current events and ongoing projects in the city. He also thanked Portland Police Chief Bob Sours for his help in the redesign.

•Were reminded by Hosier that signs for yard sales cannot be posted on utility poles. Signs can only be posted on the property where the sale is being held, he said.[[In-content Ad]]