>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Participation in the Oregon Main Street Program and a draft action plan from the Substance Abuse Advisory Commission headline a jam-packed agenda for Wednesday’s La Grande City Council meeting.

Following up on a series of work sessions and meetings, the council will make formal decision on whether to participate in the Main Street Program, and also whether to accept the draft action plan dealing with the community’s substance abuse problems.

During its annual retreat last February, the council set economic development as its primary goal for the year, with emphasis on downtown revitalization. A decision was made to explore the Oregon Main Street program offered by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

In May, Gary Van Huffel, Main Street coordinator for OECDD, and Linda La Plante, a program officer for the National Trust, conducted a two-day seminar for the public. Other meetings and work sessions followed.

With the council’s consent, City Manager Robert Strope sent a non-binding letter of interest to the OECDD, with the understanding that formal application to the program must be submitted by Aug. 15.

On July 30, Strope conducted an open house to gauge public support for joining the program. About 30 people showed up, and some volunteered for committees.

During Wednesday’s meeting, the council likely will vote on a resolution authorizing participation in the program. The resolution names Strope as the city’s representative.

The Oregon Main Street Program provides assistance, training, technical services and grants to communities who want to preserve and revitalize their downtown commercial districts.

The program was started in 2008 to rebuild and grow the successful Main Street Program that operated from 1986-2002. It is coordinated with the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In the substance abuse advisory commission matter Wednesday, the council will consider accepting a draft action plan written by the commission, which is an offshoot of the council-appointed Ad Hoc Drug Task Force.

The commission was established in March 2007 and has been working on the action plan since then. The plan’s first two tasks will be considered Wednesday.

The first task calls for ongoing oversight for the implementation of Ad Hoc Drug Task Force recommendations. The second is to provide direction for a community response to the city’s substance abuse problems.

In other business Wednesday, the council will hold a hearing on Jack Gruszczynski’s appeal of a decision to allow the city fire department to install a training facility including a prefabricated house for smoke training purposes.

On July 8, the city planning commission approved the fire department’s request for a conditional use to locate the training facility on fire department property next to the fire hall.

Gruszczynski had objected on grounds that the smoke may be harmful to his health and that of other residents. Fire Chief Bruce Weimer countered that theatrical smoke would be used and that health risks are low to non-existent.

The planning commission approved the permit. It required there be no open burning, that exercises in the prop house involving smoke will be conducted with the structure closed and that exhaust fans will direct smoke away from residences.

Also, the commission gave itself the option to revisit the permit in a year and require the smoke be filtered if necessary.

Also Wednesday, the council will consider:

• Improvements proposed for the Carnegie Building, which is being leased by the Union County Arts and Cultural Center.

• A memorandum of understanding with the police department regarding the current salary schedule.

• A consultant agreement related to commercial and industrial land analysis.

• A resolution establishing demolition permit application, fees and inspections.

• Appointments of citizen members to the La Grande Arts Commission.

In consent agenda items, the council will consider liquor license applications for The Rock Bowling and Fun Center and Mamacita’s Grill.

Also, the council will consider authorizing Strope to execute agreements with the La Grande Swim Club and Grande Ronde Hospital.

The swim club agreement is renewed yearly, so the consent agenda item is routine. The agreement with Grande Ronde Hospital is a new one that involves use of the city pool by hospital clients.