Minutes of June 16 Meeting
Access Benton County

Present: Edith Yang, Mary Marsh King, Tony Albert, Ronald Naasko, Marlene Massey, Hugh White, Pat Shermer, Jim Smith. Special Guest, Mayor Julie Manning

ABC Minutes are intended to describe the discussions, decisions, and actions that occur during ABC’s monthly meeting. The minutes are to be considered only a draft until they are approved at the following monthly meeting. Persons who receive the draft of the minutes and see inaccuracies or omissions in them are asked to please inform ABC.

A.  Discussion with Mayor Manning.

Julie has lived and worked in Corvallis for twenty-six years. Her job has been working in public relations and marketing for Samaritan Health Services. Since Samaritan has grown to include several cities, she now represents five hospitals! She has two children and her husband is a dentist in Albany.While her position as Mayor is her first elective office, she has wide experience assisting local organizations. She has served three terms on the Corvallis Budget Commission, served on the "Vision 20/20 Commission" at the request of Mayor Helen Berg, served on the Development of Riverfront Park PAC for the bond commission, seventeen years on the School Budget Committee for Corvallis Schools, worked on the local levy for schools and local option for the City of Corvallis. She is very impressed by the "dedication to service" of the City Council.

She is excited and pleased to be working on a ten year plan to end homelessness in Corvallis. There are five major goal areas of the plan. Emphasis will be to assist people to obtain housing and then "wrap-around services". Mayor Manning outlined four points of a "facilitated goal process" for Corvallis government.

1. Take action on the recommendations of the economic development commission.

2. City's relationship with OSU. Half of Corvallis population is OSU students and OSU employees.

3. The City budget which will have 1.5 Million Dollars shortfall.

4. Availability and access to local food. Develop Council policies to help this goal. Developing a master plan for community gardens is one example of a strategy.

ABC had an opportunity to learn that Mayor Manning has a great deal of experience in health care and has good understanding of the needs for access for persons with disabilities. We also know she is concerned for the future of public transit, and side walk improvements. ABC continues to offer its input on matters of access for the citizens of Benton County!

B. Minutes of May 19 approved as submitted.

C. Treasurer's Report: Cash balance of $248.00.

Meeting Adjourned at 1 p.m. Next ABC Meeting will be August 18, 2011, Benton Plaza, Commissioner's Meeting Room, Noon to 1 p.m.

There will be no ABC meeting in July. Please enjoy the summer!