[8:18] did that. That review was success

[8:28] Uh we actually got a commendation for being embedded in the community and

[8:33] being a good community partner. And I think um

[8:37] I think the results of that um can be shown in myriad ways, but one of them I

[8:41] think is joining together this evening to discuss issues um and um

[8:47] all the services that we actually provide. Uh we gave you all a kind of

[8:52] two-pager here on this economic study that we recently had completed

[8:57] for Eastern Oregon University. And I think what it leads up to you is how

[9:03] critical we are to this community and its economic well-being. As you can see

[9:08] here, uh we're investing $9 million annually in capital projects that

[9:13] directly result in local work, local contractors, construction workers,

[9:19] suppliers, professional services, and over 45 million just between 2021 and

[9:25] 2025. So, in addition to commencement, there

[9:29] are these long-term investments in our community that we see over and over

[9:34] again year over year. I also wanted to share some of that

[9:37] larger economic impact outside of our capital improvements, which you can see

[9:42] right next to that first box on the right. Uh we're one of the largest

[9:46] employers in the community, and that means that we're generating about a $76

[9:50] million economic impact just within Union County, supporting 830 jobs that

[9:56] are again keeping this community lively and supported.

[10:01] Again, as I mentioned commencement at the beginner, we have nearly 20,000

[10:06] visitors come to this community every year. And again, they need a flat tire

[10:11] and they >> [laughter]

[10:13] » may have have other issues. They may need a pair of glasses.

[10:17] Um and all of this is going to result in uh business for the community. You can

[10:22] see some of our our top majors there. So, we're also supporting the community

[10:27] in the development of jobs. And then, if you turn the page, I would

[10:31] also point out to you um one of the things that really impressed

[10:36] our our accreditors is our support for youth and education in Union County and

[10:41] in fact in all of Eastern Oregon through projects like those STEM, which make

[10:46] actual science materials available to small communities and larger

[10:51] communities. Our reading clinic is helping support the literacy rates of

[10:55] youth, which as we know in this state have been declining dreadfully. And so,

[10:59] we're really embracing teacher education as well as student tutoring in new and

[11:04] meaningful ways. Um there's listed here the FLBA, FFA, STEM, but also athletics

[11:11] isn't even listed on this. The number of visitors we just bring to this community

[11:15] through athletics. And to be clear, we are dominating. We are number one in the

[11:20] Cascade Collegiate Conference for all sports right now. And as a result of

[11:25] that, we were able to host more schools coming to this community to use our

[11:30] services and compete. When we're not number one, they go to other

[11:34] universities and and the games are hosted there. So, we're really playing a

[11:39] a vital role in bringing those two communities and helping to lift this

[11:44] community up. Now into the deep end, John.

[11:48] Um our board has just approved um additional capital project spending.

[11:54] This spending will come from what we call auxiliaries. So, it doesn't come

[11:58] from dollars, for example, it will come from auxiliary and sports

[12:03] lottery dollars that come to the university via the state.

[12:08] And we have a pretty tight budget. And as a result, we are creating a pretty

[12:14] pared-down ball field complex. So, right now, um our men's volleyball does not

[12:20] play on campus, and this poses real issues in terms of our ability to host

[12:25] games, to bring other students into the community. It also poses issue in terms

[12:31] of travel costs for the university. It's hard to attract students when you

[12:36] share a space with others. So, having um a facility of our own will help us

[12:41] attract better baseball Well, not better, but um

[12:44] more holistic baseball athletes. And I'm not sure how

[12:49] much each of you keeps up with the AU sports, but softball has been a national

[12:53] a national player for several years now. And so, we're also upgrading that

[12:58] facility. As John has mentioned, him and Director Weisenfluh, our athletic

[13:03] director, have been talking about some of the issues that this project raises.

[13:07] There is a water main that runs through sort of the eye of the softball field

[13:14] and then right alongside the outside of where the baseball field will be

[13:18] located. This is a critical critical line for

[13:24] uh La Grande residents. And um you know, we are looking to have a

[13:30] partnership and a collaboration with the city.

[13:33] Um we have to do a lot of infrastructure work in that field to ready it for the

[13:39] ballpark. Uh so, for example, our EOU softball team,

[13:43] one of the only major games that they lost this year is when they were forced

[13:48] to move from our softball facility to the Grands. And while I don't blame the

[13:53] Grands facility for it, there were, you know, that's kind of upsetting to to the

[13:58] team, right? They're used to playing on this field, and and I think it created

[14:01] some some issues in in their flow. And so, we need to do infrastructure work to

[14:06] make sure there's no flooding there. Um but the excavation does go below the

[14:10] existing water main line. And so, this is going to cause issues in the longer

[14:15] term, particularly once we have the turf up. Um if you have issues with your

[14:20] water line through those facilities, you're not going to want to have to go

[14:23] through our softball and baseball fields. That's going to be a

[14:27] considerable expense. And so, we had hoped to have a conversation with John,

[14:33] um and and others about um collaborating on

[14:37] this to reduce costs, so that we can successfully get this field up and

[14:42] running for play. And that was what I was going to share with John. And if

[14:45] you'd like to >> Yeah, so um going back a few weeks ago,

[14:50] we met and had some conversation on it. Um

[14:54] the uh and >> White Foot?

[14:57] » Yeah, White Foot um met with us. Um absolutely shared what their budget

[15:01] looked like that was going to allow to be able to contribute to the work in

[15:05] that um in that effort.

[15:07] Um unfortunately, the estimates that we're

[15:10] getting in regards to materials um are significantly higher than what they they

[15:15] appear to have to be able to come to the table with.

[15:18] Um and so, that's where some of the rub is. But I can tell you this our team is

[15:22] eager to find ways to be able to make sure that we can be those good partners

[15:27] that they need us to be while at the same time making sure that

[15:30] we're covering the costs that we have. We're not talking about just simply the

[15:33] work costs but most more of anything from our side

[15:37] of it the material costs. But I'll pause there for a second and

[15:40] let Kyle and his team talk about that here.

[15:48] » He doesn't want the camera on him. >> But I'll listen over here closely to

[15:51] whoever's talking to me. He's already on camera.

[15:55] » So we did have the meeting with Angie and

[15:57] what I discussed with him as John said you know I know public

[16:01] works is always for senior your project's success.

[16:08] The the biggest difficulty that I run into in my position in public works is

[16:13] this was a similar stance to what we had in the freshman year.

[16:18] Is that my job is not to let the other people influence the project that we're

[16:22] needing to And so looking at the opportunities in

[16:26] which I can come forward without putting the burden of the cost of this

[16:29] not putting the cost of moving this thing onto my rate payers.

[16:34] It's it's looking at things like you know

[16:37] paying actual costs versus estimates. Getting the the approval of council to

[16:42] go away from one of my ordinances and things how we operate.

[16:45] Trying to find any overlaps in those things. But I know

[16:50] based on our original estimates I think Jake had an agreement this last

[16:54] week where we're at 90,000 just parts.

[17:01] It's a it's a significant amount. Um on top of that is it's we did I think

[17:07] we did have a discussion with Angie and John

[17:10] John Barwick who's the head of maintenance and

[17:13] facilities and things. And

[17:16] we began that conversation. I want to say around November.

[17:19] And so we got the real go-ahead somewhere

[17:22] in the last two or three months.

[17:25] We didn't figure it through our budgeting process.

[17:27] So I'm not saying it's impossible but if we find a way to move forward but

[17:31] it was definitely one that we didn't figure into the

[17:35] table in the previous 12 months. So

[17:38] those are those are initial figures that we got.

[17:41] But I always like to end on a good note.

[17:45] Again, we we are a good partner as I said. We showed up on your house.

[17:49] We will push out this project forward and we stand behind it from a public

[17:52] utilities and we'll do it again. We shall do it to

[17:57] the best of our abilities because we do want

[17:59] the partnership between our organizations grow and

[18:02] better and watch you guys find success. >> How long do you think you need to get

[18:08] permits for such a project? >> Easy peasy think about.

[18:13] I'm not 100% sure. We talked about how much footage but we just ordered

[18:18] and I want to say that it took around two months.

[18:23] » It's been a long time. A year and a

[18:25] » Yes, it is. It's slowly crawling to that.

[18:30] » So when is this project supposed to be

[18:33] » As soon as the fairgrounds are complete the

[18:36] the company is going to come over and start

[18:39] their work you know, obviously we can work a little bit around the timeline of

[18:44] the city to get this project under undertaken. But of course EAU just

[18:49] simply can't pay the entire cost of moving the water main line for all of

[18:53] the We're one of the rate payers as well.

[18:55] We're more than happy again to collaborate on costs but we won't be

[19:00] able to lift up the entire project. We simply just don't have the funds and

[19:04] so you know like I said we're we're happy to work on timelines and we're

[19:08] happy to work on even locations of the lines um that are most cost effective

[19:15] for the city. But I think you know, we need this

[19:18] conversations to move I think sooner rather than later and

[19:23] find ways that that no one is kind of over burdened with the project.

[19:29] » So we're moving the water main with moving the water main because I'm

[19:33] moving it to a narrow street or is it moving it around the ball park?

[19:38] » Yeah, we'd be moving it from through the ball park area over to the right

[19:43] away along C and Gifford.

[19:46] So it's Yeah, it's the proposal

[19:49] that has been put out there is to to bring it along the right away of C

[19:53] down to C and then along C Avenue.

[19:55] So >> And we're okay with it still remaining

[19:58] on parts of our property too as well. We're not saying, "Hey, you have to move

[20:01] that." You know, we we're part of this

[20:04] community, too. But we just need it to not run through the property.

[20:10] But And you don't want it there, either. I mean, trust me, you don't want it

[20:12] there, either. >> Has that been a problem? Has that been

[20:14] an issue? I mean, with what I've been going through this

[20:17] year and >> We have massive drainage issues out

[20:20] there. Whether or not your water pipe is causing it, I am not the right person to

[20:24] ask. Um John is an engineer, he would be able to know more about it. To the best

[20:28] of my knowledge, your water line is is okay. I feel like some of your residents

[20:33] would have noticed because it is at such a critical juncture. I feel like you

[20:36] probably would have heard complaints. But we do have just massive drainage

[20:41] issues out there. Um and that's why we have to go deeper even than the water

[20:46] pipe. But I'm not aware of your pipe having existing issues out there.

[20:51] » Yeah, for the most part. I mean, you can get small trickle leaks.

[20:54] » Yeah, I mean, I don't know if you can get

[20:58] » [laughter] >> Yeah.

[21:02] » How long has that main line been there? It's been there for a long time before

[21:06] it was built, before Maple Street was constructed.

[21:09] » Yeah, and he was in well before that. >> 40 40 plus years.

[21:12] » It was before we even had that property, before we even bought that.

[21:17] » That used to be a street. There used to be houses back

[21:21] there. >> Yeah.

[21:22] » I had no idea. >> Can you give us an estimate?

[21:26] » What's the plan? >> I assume you have an estimate that would

[21:29] be encompassing for that. >> For with the equipment and material.

[21:33] » And you've got labor and everything else in there.

[21:36] » Yeah. >> So, what are we

[21:38] » Okay. >> Bottom line number was around 260,

[21:41] 265, 270.

[21:45] » That's costly. >> Do you know how much of that the

[21:48] university can contribute? >> When we met with Andy, um she said that

[21:52] the absolute worst-case scenario ceiling for

[21:56] them would be 175. >> Yes, it's extremely generous.

[22:05] So, basically, you're talking about $100,000.

[22:08] » That's on the estimates, though. So, that's where That was where some of

[22:12] our conversation was difficult, too, is because we're trying

[22:15] hard to make sure we're giving good estimates, but it's very possible that

[22:19] it could end up costing more than desired. We do the best we can to make

[22:22] it cheaper, but there's some things we can't

[22:25] control. >> Timeline's not going to be

[22:28] » Um when we spoke about it, we all felt like we could meet the timeline, no

[22:32] problem. >> Um did you guys have a goal to have it

[22:35] all be done by November, right? >> Yeah.

[22:36] » Yeah. >> Well, I I was thinking

[22:38] for grants or other things that you can apply for.

[22:41] » Oh. >> Yeah, and we hadn't

[22:44] We hadn't found I mean, we we do a pretty good job, I would say, scouring

[22:48] for grants for for work, and this

[22:52] I think athletic complexes are not great for great investments, generally

[22:57] speaking. Do you want to speak to that?

[23:00] » Yeah. Yeah.

[23:01] » Well, this isn't revenue generating, and so it would be hard to get grants for

[23:04] it.

[23:42] So, you're you're replacing new pipes with old pipes.

[23:48] They're old. But, I know but you're What here means replace with new, you're

[23:53] hooking up the new to the old. Is that No problem. Okay.

[24:04] No, no, no. I'm not saying to reuse them. I'm just saying wouldn't that open

[24:08] up more issues? I mean, they can always potentially open

[24:12] them up, but not like

[24:22] So, how long will

[24:25] What do we have? 2,000 lineal feet I think we estimated.

[24:58] So, I have a question. So, basically if you do move the water line

[25:02] basically it just affects EOU, no residents whatsoever during that time

[25:08] with their water and all that stuff. Is that what you're saying or

[25:13] » It would be a short >> It would probably it would be very

[25:15] minimal. I mean, a day. Some residents may be out of

[25:19] water to do certain tie-ins, but as far as the overall construction, no.

[25:23] » I think the idea is that the

[25:26] water isn't turned off from this side until the new one is put in and so there

[25:31] isn't that disruption.

[25:34] » But so far it would be a couple of days is what you're talking about.

[25:37] » To do the tie-ins. That's all. >> Yeah.

[25:39] » So, there would be a couple of days you'd be out of water.

[25:50] » So, I guess what we're trying to eventually have to discuss is if it's

[25:54] going to be a good fit in our budget or not. You know, we need to stay with the

[25:58] water lines and stuff, right? >> With the self-enterprise funds,

[26:02] um we do have a healthy enterprise fund.

[26:06] Um the question is is

[26:08] do we Are we okay with um

[26:12] utilizing funds that that a greater population, arguably a

[26:17] greater population, um

[26:20] put money towards um in order to cover to subsidize the

[26:24] cost. >> So, what would we have any idea how much

[26:27] that would leave us in that fund after

[26:30] » Yeah. I mean, we're in the middle of drilling a new

[26:33] well, so that

[26:36] that project could go higher, it could go lower. It's

[26:39] haven't been bid It's still in design, so

[26:43] that's one of those where just as with this project, those

[26:46] projects sometimes take a natural

[26:50] And the well comes off the return And we have such tight

[26:55] which that I mean for this

[27:02] Possibly. I mean we haven't really

[27:06] we can get that.

[27:14] So my official answer is we would consult with the

[27:17] to determine the best place to the reserve

[27:22] for a situation

[27:24] our problem

[27:27] that we

[27:30] Yeah, I mean budget that that

[27:34] talking about work

[27:38] is we are always budgeting So

[27:46] So there there areas It's not comforting that tap

[27:53] August budget period and

[27:57] you're taking operations

[28:03] And that's not so if

[28:08] So we So we need to

[28:10] Heather

[28:16] Yeah. I think we're optimistic that we It's this It's more a matter of not

[28:21] feeling comfortable with the idea doing it

[28:25] whether we can figure out Well

[28:28] figure out But you're right. We need to come back

[28:32] with that exactly

[28:35] I think

[28:37] how where this comes

[28:41] And we can We can put that up discussion with the

[28:45] council But that

[28:47] » employer budget

[28:53] » budget >> Yeah, pretty I'm confident we can do it

[28:57] within

[29:00] » Dr. Bryan, could you speak a little bit the second floor down the stage

[29:06] address how this might benefit the community overall

[29:11] to your point John, this is a very narrow use of funds

[29:16] and and that's we like to consider that we we do have

[29:20] to realize that these are taxpayer dollars that are drawn from a much

[29:23] broader base and so the responsibility this council has is

[29:27] to make sure that we're spending money in a way that addresses the needs of

[29:32] all all of the constituents here. >> Yeah, I'd be happy to to address that.

[29:37] And I would also again remind you we've put up a substantial number of

[29:42] dollars to get this project moving for something that doesn't only affect

[29:47] EOU and we are one of your largest ratepayers as well. So so I I would ask

[29:52] you to consider that among other issues. Yeah, so I mean EOU has provided space

[29:57] for this community for many things from uh Senator Merkley's recent visit to any

[30:03] number of uh

[30:04] opportunities for local youth and adults. Uh and among those opportunities

[30:10] are our tremendous athletic facilities. As you are probably aware, throughout

[30:15] the summer many of our hotels and Airbnbs are booked by local folk who

[30:21] come or non-local folk who come and drop off their kids all throughout Eastern

[30:25] Oregon for camps that we host throughout the summer. Local kids also get the

[30:29] opportunity to take part in those events. Just this year we hosted as a

[30:34] partner to Grant uh the volleyball championships. And so now we would be

[30:40] able to support the Grant and others in baseball as well to expand the ability

[30:46] of the fields so we can currently have even on to our

[30:49] facilities. And so, it is a great opportunity. We have never boarded our

[30:54] facilities. We've always been extraordinarily generous in hosting any

[30:58] number of events or organizations, but truly our athletic camps are highly

[31:04] desired and always almost always sold out. And so, this really increases those

[31:10] opportunities for any number of

[31:15] of of softball, baseball related

[31:18] um events. And and again, it also preserves our ability to bring other

[31:24] individuals to this community to support them through things like hosting our own

[31:28] baseball games more frequently rather than being

[31:38] » I'm just wondering if there's been any discussion

[31:41] methods of

[31:44] you know, possibly like get raised ticket prices to the

[31:48] softball games $2 $3 over a amount of time,

[31:54] you're getting return on that investment.

[31:56] Uh just curious if that's been a part of the discussion at all.

[31:59] » We've talked about We've talked about fundraising for

[32:03] athletics, certainly. Um

[32:06] um a recent conversation I had with several community community members

[32:10] suggested that. But, I think as you can tell from that overhead view of the

[32:15] fields, these are not closed-in spaces where it's easy to kind of funnel people

[32:22] through entrances and exits. And

[32:26] I will share, I'm a little averse um and and obviously I would work with Director

[32:32] Weisenthal on this, but we're both a little averse to charging for those

[32:36] particular events. Um right now, softball

[32:41] and and hopefully baseball. Baseball does get some good crowds, but not like

[32:46] they would with our new fields. Um but people bring their lawn chairs and they

[32:51] bring they go to the local stores and they bring takeout and it is like a cool

[32:56] family free activity. Um sometimes they park

[33:00] their pickup trucks along the side of the road and they watch from the back.

[33:04] People bring up their dogs and just chill out for like 45 minutes and leave.

[33:10] And I like that about Yucaipa. I like that we create spaces for our rural

[33:15] community to come together and enjoy athleticism and community. And I don't

[33:20] know. I That's one of the things I mean this is not like a state-of-the-art

[33:24] park, to be clear. This is pretty basic infrastructure, but I like what we're

[33:29] offering there. And I also, you know, I I come to you as

[33:33] a collaborator and I come to you as someone who's bringing a lot to the

[33:36] table. And this is city infrastructure at the end of the day and and we're

[33:41] willing to pay for part of it, a substantial part of it, but I do think

[33:45] the city owns some part of this cost. And I'm hopeful that we can find a

[33:49] resolution together that represents the value that Yucaipa brings to this

[33:54] community. Um Yeah, I guess that would be my my

[33:58] thoughts. >> In our previous conversation I was to

[34:02] listen we'll discuss the different work that

[34:06] they're doing up on the field. Um they're not they're not building it as a

[34:10] state-of-the-art field that has all the bells and whistles. Um they're literally

[34:16] they're making it nice, but they're making it bare minimum nice. Um because

[34:20] they're their budget is something.

[34:24] Um and so >> There's not even a transformer

[34:27] scoreboard.

[34:29] We're we're putting what we can into this project and then Tim is supposed to

[34:33] find ways to help. >> Yeah,

[34:38] really.

[34:46] The setup, you know, we're waiting and pushing these things out to try to try

[34:49] to come up with additional dollars from this

[34:53] to fund those projects.

[35:00] For our alumni The fields are yeah, pretty important.

[35:04] It will help drive not only enrollment

[35:07] but yeah, the activities that Landers got.

[35:10] You go to campus during the summer and you see pretty much a lot of students

[35:14] all kinds of camps up there. So, we're looking at how we can drive more

[35:17] students in these camps.

[35:30] » Yeah, I mean as soon as the week after graduation you start seeing the

[35:35] » Excuse me? >> grass

[35:36] » turf turf

[35:40] » The outfield will be >> Yeah, it can handle the

[35:43] the rain um

[35:46] And then also like like the football field we added that and we made it that

[35:49] synthetic turf. That increased the usage

[35:52] I don't know, 10 15 fold. We have teams that are now

[35:56] coming in this fall football teams that are men's football teams they're coming

[35:59] over and having rounds of playoff games in this region.

[36:03] in the town that's because we had a synthetic turf field.

[36:08] It's beat up and then it was like you can't have it prepared and then you go

[36:11] back in. So, this will be

[36:16] And when you put those down then that's kind of like you don't want to

[36:20] cut them. So, we don't put down our tents at the

[36:23] stadium for graduation.

[36:29] Are you saying >> It's very It's unfortunate that

[36:36] » I heard you spoke really fast

[36:40] » You could just That's one of the beauty, right? You can sit out there and see

[36:43] who's coming in and who's coming in and out.

[36:49] So, the conversation that we've had this evening, unless there's more that you'd

[36:53] like that you want to be had, what I'm willing to and understanding

[36:57] from this is that we will put together the

[37:01] the route and the path and costs associated with that.

[37:05] Um on the assumption that 175 is what you're bringing to the

[37:09] to the table. Um and then give you the ability to make

[37:13] the decision on that at the council one way or the other.

[37:17] Um at the next at the our next one, I believe is the

[37:20] is it the >> Second. Sorry, the first

[37:22] » July July >> No, it's first.

[37:25] The first Oh, yeah. >> July 1st.

[37:27] » Yeah, July 1st.

[37:30] » I really appreciate this uh

[37:33] and this this I think is

[37:37] very useful for us to keep in mind as we look at the opportunities we have

[37:42] department I've been on the council for 5 years and

[37:45] I think every single day we've talked about how

[37:49] the brand doesn't yet feel like a

[37:52] university town, not the way that other university towns do.

[37:56] And how do we make it feel that way? How do we

[37:59] integrate it so that everybody in the brand knows when there's a football

[38:02] game, a softball game, whatever going on at the university.

[38:06] So that everybody's you know, what brand is synonymous with

[38:09] building. And how do we how do we do that? I I don't know the answer to it,

[38:13] but I think these are hopefully small steps forward

[38:18] toward that sort of a change in the paradigm around

[38:23] what you only needs to the city because I hear things you probably don't really

[38:27] appreciate the benefits that come to all of our residents by having your

[38:33] organization here. >> Yeah. And you know, I I believe David

[38:36] hearing you say it it reminds me when I was here last, I think we promised to

[38:40] create kind of like a bookmark or you know, like a small of the main

[38:45] events that that happened and then and we still need to fulfill that part of

[38:48] the contract, you know, giving you things like, you know,

[38:52] our volleyball games are packed with this community. I don't know how many of

[38:55] you have been out to see them. The

[38:58] the basketball games as well. Particularly, you know, in the winter

[39:01] when it gets cold, it's it's a good wholesome activity to do and um you

[39:05] know, we need to get um get you all a card cuz I think there's little things

[39:09] we can do like that to enhance the relationship and make sure that that

[39:13] it's known and maybe put those roundabout town. Um we had mentioned

[39:17] dropping them off at the hotels at one point, too.

[39:20] I think people will see them and it's all probably good for us anyway.

[39:23] » Yeah, yeah. We will. >> I think we have electronic schedules for

[39:26] them. >> Yeah.

[39:28] Mhm. >> Can we do anything with the app with the

[39:31] new app for the city? Or you know,

[39:34] what what the city uses for events and things? Is there Is there a way we can

[39:38] get some university things together? I've taken my kids before to chemistry

[39:44] shows. I've taken them to multicultural nights and and they're tremendous

[39:50] enriching experiences for my kids, for our family. We've taken

[39:55] them to the theater events there, but I found that it's difficult sometimes to

[39:59] know when those things are going on. I'm not sure how we

[40:03] how we get that a little more available, a little more accessible for our

[40:07] residents. >> But I can say we absolutely could

[40:12] leverage the app. We're working through right now. That is

[40:15] one of the things that got cut in the budget.

[40:18] So technically that runs out in December,

[40:21] but I feel like we're starting to identify and realize some savings in

[40:25] areas that we didn't before see. So I'm intending to try and keep that alive

[40:31] because I think over time it's going to end up being highly valuable to us.

[40:35] » No the chamber is trying to do the same

[40:37] thing. They're trying to tie in

[40:39] » Yeah. Yeah, okay. It so

[40:43] yeah, one way or another I feel like we make that at least some level of

[40:47] additional value. >> And it's good timing for that too I

[40:50] think. What I'm hearing from the prosperity

[40:54] council is that they're really taking a look at tourism

[40:59] and and how towns are are building out place and you know, having a having that

[41:05] kind of calendar you suggested. I was just looking at like trying to be like

[41:08] is there a band playing this weekend? You know, like you know, like and and

[41:11] then I found you know, what not. But

[41:14] you know, I I do think things like that matter and and that was a really good

[41:17] area to look at for the time.

[41:20] Oregon is just looking for those types of things.

[41:24] I did have one other item. I think that's all right.

[41:27] » That's it. >> Um so you have your third sheet to look

[41:30] at. And thank you again to my colleagues for

[41:32] creating such a beautiful set of worksheets for y'all to look at. And the

[41:37] last one's about our workforce readiness and our public assets. And I wanted to

[41:42] let you know that you know, EOU is really trying to maintain our basic

[41:46] infrastructure which is the buildings in which we we teach our students. And so

[41:52] recently we put forward three projects to the Higher Education Coordinating

[41:57] Commission for bonding. And one of them which we have listed

[42:01] here on the back page which is the Loso Hall Student Access and Resiliency

[42:05] Project was ranked number three in the state.

[42:09] Um while it remains unseen at this point whether or not number three is a winner,

[42:15] because there are only so many state dollars that the state is willing to

[42:20] invest in university infrastructure, community college infrastructure.

[42:24] There's a finite amount. It is Tim and my job in the coming months, uh no

[42:29] doubt, and in the new year, to advocate that this project, among others, really

[42:34] move to the forefront of the list. Uh Tim and I believe that we have a good

[42:38] argument. Um the first two projects that are ranked are from the University of

[42:43] Oregon and Oregon State University. And while we have no arguments with our

[42:47] peers, we do think it's a little more difficult to put forward an attractive

[42:52] project proposal with the kinds of staffing levels and budget that existed

[42:56] here at the U versus massive universities. And so, as an argument for

[43:01] equity, and I think in our case, having been looked over several years in a row,

[43:07] um we're going to really push for this project to get to get funded. And while

[43:11] it remains unseen whether or not this will be funded, we are going to work

[43:16] hard to bring those dollars to the community. When we, as I kind of

[43:19] mentioned earlier, when we get a project in this community, that means local

[43:24] contractors. That means local supplies. That means bringing a lot of money into

[43:30] this community. And so, um we're continuing to invest in our buildings

[43:35] and by such also investing in our community. So, dollars are going to flow

[43:39] right through here. And we're also in discussion about perhaps putting forward

[43:43] emergency funding for Bachman Hall because there are pretty big HVAC and

[43:46] electrical issues in that building. Um so, we're continuing to invest in the

[43:52] university to make sure that the buildings are

[43:56] viable. Um and again, um those investments are

[44:02] are are adding a lot of value to this community, let alone just

[44:07] having a recognized infrastructure for your local college, which brings in

[44:10] people and jobs. I think this is This is critical, I think, to what we bring to

[44:15] the So, I wanted to let you know that these

[44:17] could be coming down the pipeline. These would be a 2029 project with like a 2027

[44:22] funding. >> Correct. Yeah, the funding could be

[44:25] released in with the state works, it's about 2 years, so we get

[44:29] approval and funding in '27, and then they'll do the bond sales, which is

[44:33] usually 29. A lot of times you can start working

[44:37] and charge against those bonds, but that's probably

[44:39] So, we'd be looking at moving in maybe '29.

[44:41] So, yeah, it's 130-something million dollars on the books, but

[44:46] And they're still on our project list, but we got to be reporting to make sure

[44:48] that you all are raised to what's going on, so

[44:50] there's no no surprises. Oh, they're building a new

[44:53] building? We're not building

[44:56] renovating a major building on campus that's going to have a lot of impact,

[44:58] but it is a surprise. >> And our residence halls this summer are

[45:02] also undergoing construction, which again is

[45:05] is bringing a lot of work to communities as well as the supply chain. So, um

[45:10] again, just always investing, always trying to to keep not state-of-the-art,

[45:15] but certainly up-to-date, safe, pleasing facilities for to attract students and

[45:20] to keep them here and to make sure that we're offering a really great

[45:23] educational benefit. Um and there's a lot to celebrate about

[45:26] UMass Lowell right now, but um we're certainly on the hustle right now to try

[45:31] and do our best to make sure um we remain you know, viable

[45:35] community and then that's something we start for y'all.

[45:38] » And we've had discussions in the past so the brand economically

[45:44] doesn't exist without UMass Lowell.

[45:47] » Yeah, there's a I mean, the the studies show that's why I mean, you just look at

[45:50] the economic viability and the

[45:53] » Even without that study, you can kind of >> Yeah.

[45:56] I mean, it goes without saying. Yeah, it's significant.

[46:00] » And all mix is I was thinking you know what together with the hospital

[46:05] and then they bring in folks and they they said all right I want to see the

[46:07] university and the educational system and then you see it and you say oh this

[46:11] is pretty good. This is nice. We don't see this a lot of times.

[46:14] So when we hear that somewhere around when we're recruiting faculty and staff

[46:18] and you know in the hospital we staff up there too. They do the same

[46:21] thing. When you hired the therapist a few years

[46:24] back who did research on the area

[46:27] and they wanted a smallish town athletic and like a rough one

[46:32] and found a lot of places and you know

[46:35] you had a rock climbing wall and that was one of his selling points

[46:39] I mean here in town.

[46:43] Great. Yeah. And we'll get that larger to study to

[46:46] you too once it's it's almost going to be out and publishable soon and so I

[46:51] think you'll all find it interesting. We'll make sure you get that to you.

[47:03] So we're planning ahead for the

[47:08] for the church.

[47:11] I don't have anything that I would like to contribute personally to this

[47:14] particular dialogue other than I think that we're

[47:18] Tim's and my intent is to try and do something like this quarterly

[47:22] or at least twice a year. Yeah, definitely twice a year probably. Twice

[47:25] a year where we get together and then some of them wouldn't necessarily be as

[47:28] narrow in topic.

[47:38] Well, that was one thing you talked about.

[47:40] The more we're in contact the more and it doesn't they could be conversations

[47:44] with in between with the president, the deans or other people who might talk

[47:48] about what's happening in the programs on campus and just so you all know

[47:52] what's happening and then we're also looking at

[47:53] what's happening in the city too. And they give us a

[47:57] you guys want to track and give us a pretty beautiful venue to use for our

[48:01] quarterly town halls too. So, it

[48:05] takes us from being okay to being outstanding now that we have that right

[48:09] here. So, thank you for that.

[48:11] » Sure.

[48:15] That's pretty much it. Do you have any questions?

[48:18] » I think you're You're going to bring it back to us, so

[48:21] » Yes, we'll bring it back to you and we'll give you the the path of the

[48:26] risks and concerns from the staff

[48:29] as well as our recommendation.

[48:35] » If there's no more questions, you're adjourned. Thank you for coming.

City Council Work Session - EOU Partnership Discussion - June 8, 2026

Transcript