On the Agenda: Salem City Council to vote on funding for electric mini street sweeper

Whitney Woodworth, Salem Statesman Journal
·2 min read
Salem City Hall's open, U-shaped design, where citizens can “watch government happen,” encloses a central atrium covered with plexiglass roofing.
Salem City Hall's open, U-shaped design, where citizens can “watch government happen,” encloses a central atrium covered with plexiglass roofing.

Salem City Council is set to vote Monday on whether to apply for a grant and use matching city funds to purchase an electric, battery-powered mini street sweeper.

The city has the opportunity to pursue grant funds from Portland General Electric's Drive Change Fund grant program to get the mini street sweeper.

In a report to council, city staff said the narrow width and short wheelbase of the sweeper make it ideal for sweeping buffered bicycle lanes, downtown alleys, parks pathways, plazas, parking lots and public spaces.

Staff said purchasing an electric sweeper advances the city’s climate action goals by reducing emissions and being more energy efficient. It would also be 23% quieter than a similarly-sized diesel sweeper.

Local grassroots environmental organization 350 Salem OR endorsed the purchase of the all-electric sweeper.

The total cost of the purchase, including a trailer to transport it, is estimated to be $250,000. The city would utilize utility funds to pay a minimum of 10% of the total cost of the purchase or $25,000. The grant request is for up to $225,000.

The city would commit to using the sweeper for 10 years.

Other agenda items include:

  • An application for a grant for improvements at Geer Park

  • A public hearing regarding vacation of 1st Street NW

  • A presentation from Polk County Sheriff Mark Garton on the Sheriff’s Office and the upcoming Polk County levy renewal

  • An appointment of a resident commissioner to the Salem Housing Authority Commission

How to participate

The meeting is at 6 p.m. It will be held in person at the City Council Chambers at the Salem Civic Center at 555 Liberty St. SE and can also be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish.

Those wishing to comment in person can sign-up on the rosters at the chamber entrance before the start of the meeting.

Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or pre-register between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem City Council to vote on electric street sweeper funds