On Monday, Oct. 5 Keizer city councilors will weigh changes to fees charged to rent the Keizer Event Center as the facility’s costs continue to outpace income.  City officials proposed in a staff report to triple the rate paid by those hosting an annual fundraiser at the facility, increasing i t from $600 to $1,800 for a 12-hour rental. A city report expects this to boost income by $10,000 each year. Changes would also prevent discounted rates for events planned on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, which a city report estimates will increase income by $35,000 a year.  Other changes would adjust the discount available to nonprofits based in or serving Keizer and increase the minimum rental period from eight to 12 hours for larger rooms on weekends. The City Council would only grant fee waivers to events that do not require entry tickets, are open to the public, are not fundraisers, involve no alcohol and are under 12 hours.  City councilors discussed the above options during an Aug. 24 meeting, where they learned that expenses are projected to be greater than income for the third year in a row. This fiscal year expenses are projected to be $241,400 more than income. Advocating for license plate readers The council will consider whether to allow city officials to send letters to state legislators in favor of allowing automated license plate reader cameras “for authorized public safety purposes.”  State legislators are considering a ban on automated license plate cameras and Flock cameras. Earlier this year, a state law regulating license plate readers took effect. It prevents license plate images from being held for more than 30 days unless part of an investigation.  A city report said Keizer Police have found the cameras improved public safety by helping to locate criminals.  Allowing land use changes for new oil change and car wash Oilstop Drive Thru Oil Change and Happy’s Drive Thru Car Wash seek to build new locations on 1.4-acre land near Keizer Station. The new buildings would be built next to the Keizer Transit Center on the corner of Northeast Lockhaven Drive and Keizer Station Boulevard The city must approve changes to a master plan for Keizer Station, property line adjustments and a permit for the project to move forward. In August, the Planning Commission heard testimony from Cherriots that the traffic brought by businesses will be greater than what is planned for by the city. Two planning commissioners shared the concern and opposed putting the project before City Council for that reason.  Keizer city staff do not believe the project will boost traffic beyond what is projected for the area after reviewing additional traffic analysis submitted by consultants hired by the allied companies.  Weighing options to collect money from tourists for ball park improvements City officials are considering different methods of collecting money from Keizer hotel guests to use for improvements to Keizer Little League Park. On Monday, city councilors will hear a presentation breaking down the options. One option would increase a tax paid by hotel guests from 6% of lodging costs to 10%. This would apply to Keizer’s three hotels, a Best Western Premier, Holiday Inn Express and the Fairfield Inn, along with short-term rentals.  The other involves a Tourism Promotion Area, allowing local hotels to collectively determine a fee to charge guests. The hotels would control how the money is used and put it toward projects aiming to draw tourism.  The hotels could either join Salem’s existing Tourism Promotion Area or form their own.  Officials recommend increasing the tax instead of the Tourism Promotion Area.  Regulations on attendee “activity” during council meetings During a meeting on Sept. 21, Councilor Lore Christopher asked city councilors to request an ordinance from officials that would limit “disruption in our building with content neutral.”  Councilors will discuss possible changes to city rules on Oct. 5. Councilors Christopher, Kyle Juran and Marlene Parsons requested the council discuss this during the meeting. City Attorney Joseph Lindsay told councilors Christopher had approached him at the start of the Sept. 21 meeting concerned over protests that could enter city hall and disrupt a council meeting.  “We’re not trying to limit any freedom of speech. What we’re trying to do is determine what is important to us in terms of time, space and manner so that our meetings are not disrupted,” Christopher told councilors. “Nor is our building potentially damaged in any way due to a peaceful protest that doesn’t stay peaceful.” A city report said Keizer Police Chief Andrew Copeland did not recommend any changes be made to existing city rules.  Extending contract with Oregon Department of Corrections to continue allowing incarcerated people to work on city projects The city currently has a contract with the corrections department broadly determining terms to allow incarcerated people to work on city projects. Specific projects must be approved through separate agreements.  The existing contract expires at the end of October. City officials propose the council extend the agreement through 2031.  Police employee union contract The council will consider approval of a new three-year contract with the Keizer Police Association.  The new agreement includes:  2.6% cost-of-living adjustment to police employee pay Reducing pay scale steps for non-sworn police positions from 10 to 7 Increasing pay incentivising intermediate certification from 2.5% to 4% of base salary Increasing pay for advanced certification from 5% to 8% of base pay. Provide 2.5% of base pay as incentive for drug recognition experts with instructor certification Increase pay by 6% of base as an incentive for on-call criminal investigations detectives, rather than $50 per day Increase pay by 3% of base as incentive for on-call community response employees, Youth Safety and Support Officers and Safety and Support Response Team employees  Cap pay for incentives, certifications and education at 21% The post Keizer City Meeting: Council to consider adjusting event center fees amid budget deficit appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less