<div dir="auto">Hi Shawn,<div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">We have received funds from our Cities UR fund, WRCA, Private donors and are currently also in the process of TFFF. The ask from the County ARP is the final amount needed to get the Feasibility Study going for the Underground Utilities project. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Below we have summarized the four major concerns regarding underground power:</div><div dir="auto">-Natural Disaster Preparedness</div><div dir="auto">-Promoting Economic Vitality in Gold Beach, and Curry County</div><div dir="auto">-ADA Compliant Sidewalks</div><div dir="auto">-Funding Underground Power Project to Completion </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">NATURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS </div><div dir="auto">Undergrounding the utilities will help keep the infrastructure functioning and secure our town and county during and after a seismic event. Every 350 years, on average, the coast of Oregon has had a catastrophic earthquake. Scientists claim we are overdue for a dilapidating tsunami and earthquake. Outside of earthquakes and tsunamis, Oregon has also had major wildfire problems in the past years as we are all aware- moving the utilities underground will make us less prone to pauses in power and communication that would likely be caused in case of fire.</div><div dir="auto">Gold Beach is the hub of all county emergency services: the sheriff’s department, state police, search and rescue, and hospital. These departments are critical to the county’s preparedness levels. As stated in our application, the town of Gold Beach also has the lowest elevation of all the cities in the county. The county hub should be protected and prepared to serve during a disaster. Undergrounding utilities in Gold Beach will help keep all these services functioning, to serve all areas of the county population. One of the 5 strategic plans for the county states: ‘Ensure the safety of infrastructure to improve service delivery.’ </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">PROMOTING ECONOMIC VITALITY</div><div dir="auto">Gold Beach has struggled economically since the closing of the US Champion Mill. To help the economic recovery of the county, we need to attract new business and industry, and help existing businesses to thrive. Undergrounding utilities is the single most impactful change that will keep our community competitive with other coastal towns. Most importantly, businesses will become more visible, while at the same time, making Gold Beach more inviting. Creating a mile long stretch of ocean front with lamp posts and banners, will create a cohesive design that will invite tourists to stop and spend money in the community. It will also create more accessibility for pedestrians. The Oregon towns that are presently thriving, have already improved their infrastructure, putting power and utilities underground in their downtown/business district areas.</div><div dir="auto">At its conception, GBMS met with business owners, employees, and political leaders in our community to discuss their concerns. All were united, stating that the number one improvement for Gold Beach that will help our economy is undergrounding utilities. This also directly ties into the County strategic plan: ‘Expand the local economy to creating opportunities, resources, and incentives for new businesses, jobs and tourism.’</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">ADA COMPLIANT SIDEWALKS</div><div dir="auto">Many of our sidewalks are not ADA compliant due to the utility poles located in the middle. They do not allow for wheelchairs and pedestrians to walk the full mile long stretch of our main street, and don’t allow adequate access to pass in various places. Some of our pedestrians would have to move into the road to use the sidewalk, which creates safety issues.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">FUNDING UNDERGROUND UTILITY PROJECT</div><div dir="auto">The Curry County ARP grant will be combined with City of GB Urban Renewal funds, a Wild Rivers Coast Alliance grant, and a Ford Family Foundation grant. All these funds combined will allow the hiring of Murraysmith Engineering- an experienced, credible engineering firm, to complete a comprehensive feasibility study (Murraysmith is the firm that managed the ReVision Florence project from feasibility to completion).</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Senator Wyden and Senator Neguse just passed the Disaster Safe Grid Proposal bill. This is specifically intended to fund Oregon Coastal communities. In addition, Richard Christensen, the County Roadmaster has added this project to the Transportation Plan, which will qualify Curry County for state and federal funds- including USDA, FEMA, and ODOT. There will likely never be such an abundance of infrastructure funds again in our lifetimes! If the project is to be executed, the time is now. With ARP funding, we will reach our financial goal to begin this feasibility study with Murraysmith Engineering firm in the beginning of 2022.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">We filled out the application for funds back in January. The County had an ARP committee to look over all the applications and make recommendations for which ones qualified and should be top priority. Gold Beach Main Street was one of 8 that were sent to the Commissioners with a green light to move forward on. Then, in the beginning of February the County held a workshop to discuss the applications received and the County treasurer went around the committee to say that certain projects didn't qualify. It very much felt like he just picked out a couple he didn't support, one was ours and the other was an organization that deals with homeless outreach and housing. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">I'm planning on speaking briefly at the meeting tomorrow. I appreciate all the feedback!!</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Anna Marie</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 5:35 PM Shawn Irvine <<a href="mailto:irvine.shawn@ci.independence.or.us">irvine.shawn@ci.independence.or.us</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Just noticed this reply. I’m not completely sure a feasibility study would be eligible. Undergrounding utilities definitely would be, but a feasibility study alone is tough to draw a straight line to a benefit for downtown businesses.
Can you make an argument that the funding is there, or relatively accessible to do the work if this study is completed? That this project is ready to move forward but for the completion of this feasibility study? That’s a best case scenario. Otherwise you
would have to hope that the County is willing to use some of the flexible funding strategies that David identified.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Shawn <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> OMS_MANAGERS <<a href="mailto:oms_managers-bounces@omls.oregon.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">oms_managers-bounces@omls.oregon.gov</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Business Outreach & Community Coordinator<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 01, 2022 4:57 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Oregon Main Street program managers <<a href="mailto:oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Recording, PPT, links from today's Mornings on Main call<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">We applied for funds for our Underground Utility feasibility study. Lyndsey actually put the application together. The ARP committee looked over our application and said it qualified, and gave the commissioners the green light to move forward
on the project. Now the County Treasurer is saying he doesn’t want the Commissioners to vote yes because he doesn’t think that Infrastructure is allowed. <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Mar 1, 2022, at 4:53 PM, STUART Sheri * OPRD <<a href="mailto:Sheri.STUART@oprd.oregon.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Sheri.STUART@oprd.oregon.gov</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Are you asking for funding for your organization or for a specific project?<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b><span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span>OMS_MANAGERS <<a href="mailto:oms_managers-bounces@omls.oregon.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:purple">oms_managers-bounces@omls.oregon.gov</span></a>><span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span><b>On
Behalf Of<span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span></b>Gold Beach<br>
<b>Sent:</b><span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span>Tuesday, March 1, 2022 4:52 PM<br>
<b>To:</b><span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span>Oregon Main Street program managers <<a href="mailto:oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:purple">oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov</span></a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b><span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span>Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Recording, PPT, links from today's Mornings on Main call<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi there! We are going into a meeting with the County Commissioners here in Gold Beach tomorrow. Our county treasurer is saying that Gold Beach Main Street’s project is not eligible for the ARPA funds. I was hoping to get some guidelines
that show we are eligible. We are stressing a bit about this, and trying to combat any negativity. <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks!<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Anna Curtis<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Feb 24, 2022, at 1:41 PM, STUART Sheri * OPRD <<a href="mailto:Sheri.STUART@oprd.oregon.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:purple">Sheri.STUART@oprd.oregon.gov</span></a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks to all who joined the Mornings on Main call this morning with the update on federal funding sources by Kelly Humrichouser! Attached is a copy of the PPT. Below is a link to the recording and some useful links that Kelly shared:<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Meeting recording:<span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#6e7680;letter-spacing:.1pt"><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/ZwnzYvT9S_ECTcmMga5bcIW8kjU7z8LPdnIImxDhsdoaYzfrDW8zWNB6KWQXltc.U-vstngHQiXmQSb5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:#0e71eb">https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/ZwnzYvT9S_ECTcmMga5bcIW8kjU7z8LPdnIImxDhsdoaYzfrDW8zWNB6KWQXltc.U-vstngHQiXmQSb5</span></a><span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#232333;letter-spacing:.1pt">(Passcode:
wHb?Z&s9)</span></b><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Final Rule Overview:<span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-Overview.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:#954f72">https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-Overview.pdf</span></a><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Qualified Census Tract finder:<span class="m_1962102625641151117apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sadda/sadda_qct.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><span style="color:#954f72">https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sadda/sadda_qct.html</span></a><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Best, Sheri<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><Oregon Main Street 2.23.22.pptx><u></u><u></u></p>
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