did that. That review was success
Uh we actually got a commendation for being embedded in the community and
being a good community partner. And I think um
I think the results of that um can be shown in myriad ways, but one of them I
think is joining together this evening to discuss issues um and um
all the services that we actually provide. Uh we gave you all a kind of
two-pager here on this economic study that we recently had completed
for Eastern Oregon University. And I think what it leads up to you is how
critical we are to this community and its economic well-being. As you can see
here, uh we're investing $9 million annually in capital projects that
directly result in local work, local contractors, construction workers,
suppliers, professional services, and over 45 million just between 2021 and
2025. So, in addition to commencement, there
are these long-term investments in our community that we see over and over
again year over year. I also wanted to share some of that
larger economic impact outside of our capital improvements, which you can see
right next to that first box on the right. Uh we're one of the largest
employers in the community, and that means that we're generating about a $76
million economic impact just within Union County, supporting 830 jobs that
are again keeping this community lively and supported.
Again, as I mentioned commencement at the beginner, we have nearly 20,000
visitors come to this community every year. And again, they need a flat tire
and they >> [laughter]
» may have have other issues. They may need a pair of glasses.
Um and all of this is going to result in uh business for the community. You can
see some of our our top majors there. So, we're also supporting the community
in the development of jobs. And then, if you turn the page, I would
also point out to you um one of the things that really impressed
our our accreditors is our support for youth and education in Union County and
in fact in all of Eastern Oregon through projects like those STEM, which make
actual science materials available to small communities and larger
communities. Our reading clinic is helping support the literacy rates of
youth, which as we know in this state have been declining dreadfully. And so,
we're really embracing teacher education as well as student tutoring in new and
meaningful ways. Um there's listed here the FLBA, FFA, STEM, but also athletics
isn't even listed on this. The number of visitors we just bring to this community
through athletics. And to be clear, we are dominating. We are number one in the
Cascade Collegiate Conference for all sports right now. And as a result of
that, we were able to host more schools coming to this community to use our
services and compete. When we're not number one, they go to other
universities and and the games are hosted there. So, we're really playing a
a vital role in bringing those two communities and helping to lift this
community up. Now into the deep end, John.
Um our board has just approved um additional capital project spending.
This spending will come from what we call auxiliaries. So, it doesn't come
from dollars, for example, it will come from auxiliary and sports
lottery dollars that come to the university via the state.
And we have a pretty tight budget. And as a result, we are creating a pretty
pared-down ball field complex. So, right now, um our men's volleyball does not
play on campus, and this poses real issues in terms of our ability to host
games, to bring other students into the community. It also poses issue in terms
of travel costs for the university. It's hard to attract students when you
share a space with others. So, having um a facility of our own will help us
attract better baseball Well, not better, but um
more holistic baseball athletes. And I'm not sure how
much each of you keeps up with the AU sports, but softball has been a national
a national player for several years now. And so, we're also upgrading that
facility. As John has mentioned, him and Director Weisenfluh, our athletic
director, have been talking about some of the issues that this project raises.
There is a water main that runs through sort of the eye of the softball field
and then right alongside the outside of where the baseball field will be
located. This is a critical critical line for
uh La Grande residents. And um you know, we are looking to have a
partnership and a collaboration with the city.
Um we have to do a lot of infrastructure work in that field to ready it for the
ballpark. Uh so, for example, our EOU softball team,
one of the only major games that they lost this year is when they were forced
to move from our softball facility to the Grands. And while I don't blame the
Grands facility for it, there were, you know, that's kind of upsetting to to the
team, right? They're used to playing on this field, and and I think it created
some some issues in in their flow. And so, we need to do infrastructure work to
make sure there's no flooding there. Um but the excavation does go below the
existing water main line. And so, this is going to cause issues in the longer
term, particularly once we have the turf up. Um if you have issues with your
water line through those facilities, you're not going to want to have to go
through our softball and baseball fields. That's going to be a
considerable expense. And so, we had hoped to have a conversation with John,
um and and others about um collaborating on
this to reduce costs, so that we can successfully get this field up and
running for play. And that was what I was going to share with John. And if
you'd like to >> Yeah, so um going back a few weeks ago,
we met and had some conversation on it. Um
the uh and >> White Foot?
» Yeah, White Foot um met with us. Um absolutely shared what their budget
looked like that was going to allow to be able to contribute to the work in
that um in that effort.
Um unfortunately, the estimates that we're
getting in regards to materials um are significantly higher than what they they
appear to have to be able to come to the table with.
Um and so, that's where some of the rub is. But I can tell you this our team is
eager to find ways to be able to make sure that we can be those good partners
that they need us to be while at the same time making sure that
we're covering the costs that we have. We're not talking about just simply the
work costs but most more of anything from our side
of it the material costs. But I'll pause there for a second and
let Kyle and his team talk about that here.
» He doesn't want the camera on him. >> But I'll listen over here closely to
whoever's talking to me. He's already on camera.
» So we did have the meeting with Angie and
what I discussed with him as John said you know I know public
works is always for senior your project's success.
The the biggest difficulty that I run into in my position in public works is
this was a similar stance to what we had in the freshman year.
Is that my job is not to let the other people influence the project that we're
needing to And so looking at the opportunities in
which I can come forward without putting the burden of the cost of this
not putting the cost of moving this thing onto my rate payers.
It's it's looking at things like you know
paying actual costs versus estimates. Getting the the approval of council to
go away from one of my ordinances and things how we operate.
Trying to find any overlaps in those things. But I know
based on our original estimates I think Jake had an agreement this last
week where we're at 90,000 just parts.
It's a it's a significant amount. Um on top of that is it's we did I think
we did have a discussion with Angie and John
John Barwick who's the head of maintenance and
facilities and things. And
we began that conversation. I want to say around November.
And so we got the real go-ahead somewhere
in the last two or three months.
We didn't figure it through our budgeting process.
So I'm not saying it's impossible but if we find a way to move forward but
it was definitely one that we didn't figure into the
table in the previous 12 months. So
those are those are initial figures that we got.
But I always like to end on a good note.
Again, we we are a good partner as I said. We showed up on your house.
We will push out this project forward and we stand behind it from a public
utilities and we'll do it again. We shall do it to
the best of our abilities because we do want
the partnership between our organizations grow and
better and watch you guys find success. >> How long do you think you need to get
permits for such a project? >> Easy peasy think about.
I'm not 100% sure. We talked about how much footage but we just ordered
and I want to say that it took around two months.
» It's been a long time. A year and a
» Yes, it is. It's slowly crawling to that.
» So when is this project supposed to be
» As soon as the fairgrounds are complete the
company is going to come over and start
their work you know, obviously we can work a little bit around the timeline of
the city to get this project under undertaken. But of course EAU just
simply can't pay the entire cost of moving the water main line for all of
the We're one of the rate payers as well.
We're more than happy again to collaborate on costs but we won't be
able to lift up the entire project. We simply just don't have the funds and
so you know like I said we're we're happy to work on timelines and we're
happy to work on even locations of the lines um that are most cost effective
for the city. But I think you know, we need this
conversations to move I think sooner rather than later and
find ways that that no one is kind of over burdened with the project.
» So we're moving the water main with moving the water main because I'm
moving it to a narrow street or is it moving it around the ball park?
» Yeah, we'd be moving it from through the ball park area over to the right
away along C and Gifford.
So it's Yeah, it's the proposal
that has been put out there is to to bring it along the right away of C
down to C and then along C Avenue.
So >> And we're okay with it still remaining
on parts of our property too as well. We're not saying, "Hey, you have to move
that." You know, we we're part of this
community, too. But we just need it to not run through the property.
But And you don't want it there, either. I mean, trust me, you don't want it
there, either. >> Has that been a problem? Has that been
an issue? I mean, with what I've been going through this
year and >> We have massive drainage issues out
there. Whether or not your water pipe is causing it, I am not the right person to
ask. Um John is an engineer, he would be able to know more about it. To the best
of my knowledge, your water line is is okay. I feel like some of your residents
would have noticed because it is at such a critical juncture. I feel like you
probably would have heard complaints. But we do have just massive drainage
issues out there. Um and that's why we have to go deeper even than the water
pipe. But I'm not aware of your pipe having existing issues out there.
» Yeah, for the most part. I mean, you can get small trickle leaks.
» Yeah, I mean, I don't know if you can get
» [laughter] >> Yeah.
» How long has that main line been there? It's been there for a long time before
it was built, before Maple Street was constructed.
» Yeah, and he was in well before that. >> 40 40 plus years.
» It was before we even had that property, before we even bought that.
» That used to be a street. There used to be houses back
there. >> Yeah.
» I had no idea. >> Can you give us an estimate?
» What's the plan? >> I assume you have an estimate that would
be encompassing for that. >> For with the equipment and material.
» And you've got labor and everything else in there.
» Yeah. >> So, what are we
» Okay. >> Bottom line number was around 260,
265, 270.
» That's costly. >> Do you know how much of that the
university can contribute? >> When we met with Andy, um she said that
the absolute worst-case scenario ceiling for
them would be 175. >> Yes, it's extremely generous.
So, basically, you're talking about $100,000.
» That's on the estimates, though. So, that's where That was where some of
our conversation was difficult, too, is because we're trying
hard to make sure we're giving good estimates, but it's very possible that
it could end up costing more than desired. We do the best we can to make
it cheaper, but there's some things we can't
control. >> Timeline's not going to be
» Um when we spoke about it, we all felt like we could meet the timeline, no
problem. >> Um did you guys have a goal to have it
all be done by November, right? >> Yeah.
» Yeah. >> Well, I I was thinking
for grants or other things that you can apply for.
» Oh. >> Yeah, and we hadn't
We hadn't found I mean, we we do a pretty good job, I would say, scouring
for grants for for work, and this
I think athletic complexes are not great for great investments, generally
speaking. Do you want to speak to that?
» Yeah. Yeah.
» Well, this isn't revenue generating, and so it would be hard to get grants for
it.
So, you're you're replacing new pipes with old pipes.
They're old. But, I know but you're What here means replace with new, you're
hooking up the new to the old. Is that No problem. Okay.
No, no, no. I'm not saying to reuse them. I'm just saying wouldn't that open
up more issues? I mean, they can always potentially open
them up, but not like
So, how long will
What do we have? 2,000 lineal feet I think we estimated.
So, I have a question. So, basically if you do move the water line
basically it just affects EOU, no residents whatsoever during that time
with their water and all that stuff. Is that what you're saying or
» It would be a short >> It would probably it would be very
minimal. I mean, a day. Some residents may be out of
water to do certain tie-ins, but as far as the overall construction, no.
» I think the idea is that the
water isn't turned off from this side until the new one is put in and so there
isn't that disruption.
» But so far it would be a couple of days is what you're talking about.
» To do the tie-ins. That's all. >> Yeah.
» So, there would be a couple of days you'd be out of water.
» So, I guess what we're trying to eventually have to discuss is if it's
going to be a good fit in our budget or not. You know, we need to stay with the
water lines and stuff, right? >> With the self-enterprise funds,
um we do have a healthy enterprise fund.
Um the question is is
do we Are we okay with um
utilizing funds that that a greater population, arguably a
greater population, um
put money towards um in order to cover to subsidize the
cost. >> So, what would we have any idea how much
that would leave us in that fund after
» Yeah. I mean, we're in the middle of drilling a new
well, so that
that project could go higher, it could go lower. It's
haven't been bid It's still in design, so
that's one of those where just as with this project, those
projects sometimes take a natural
And the well comes off the return And we have such tight
which that I mean for this
Possibly. I mean we haven't really
we can get that.
So my official answer is we would consult with the
to determine the best place to the reserve
for a situation
our problem
that we
Yeah, I mean budget that that
talking about work
is we are always budgeting So
So there there areas It's not comforting that tap
August budget period and
you're taking operations
And that's not so if
So we So we need to
Heather
Yeah. I think we're optimistic that we It's this It's more a matter of not
feeling comfortable with the idea doing it
whether we can figure out Well
figure out But you're right. We need to come back
with that exactly
I think
how where this comes
And we can We can put that up discussion with the
council But that
» employer budget
» budget >> Yeah, pretty I'm confident we can do it
within
» Dr. Bryan, could you speak a little bit the second floor down the stage
address how this might benefit the community overall
to your point John, this is a very narrow use of funds
and and that's we like to consider that we we do have
to realize that these are taxpayer dollars that are drawn from a much
broader base and so the responsibility this council has is
to make sure that we're spending money in a way that addresses the needs of
all all of the constituents here. >> Yeah, I'd be happy to to address that.
And I would also again remind you we've put up a substantial number of
dollars to get this project moving for something that doesn't only affect
EOU and we are one of your largest ratepayers as well. So so I I would ask
you to consider that among other issues. Yeah, so I mean EOU has provided space
for this community for many things from uh Senator Merkley's recent visit to any
number of uh
opportunities for local youth and adults. Uh and among those opportunities
are our tremendous athletic facilities. As you are probably aware, throughout
the summer many of our hotels and Airbnbs are booked by local folk who
come or non-local folk who come and drop off their kids all throughout Eastern
Oregon for camps that we host throughout the summer. Local kids also get the
opportunity to take part in those events. Just this year we hosted as a
partner to Grant uh the volleyball championships. And so now we would be
able to support the Grant and others in baseball as well to expand the ability
of the fields so we can currently have even on to our
facilities. And so, it is a great opportunity. We have never boarded our
facilities. We've always been extraordinarily generous in hosting any
number of events or organizations, but truly our athletic camps are highly
desired and always almost always sold out. And so, this really increases those
opportunities for any number of
of of softball, baseball related
um events. And and again, it also preserves our ability to bring other
individuals to this community to support them through things like hosting our own
baseball games more frequently rather than being
» I'm just wondering if there's been any discussion
methods of
you know, possibly like get raised ticket prices to the
softball games $2 $3 over a amount of time,
you're getting return on that investment.
Uh just curious if that's been a part of the discussion at all.
» We've talked about We've talked about fundraising for
athletics, certainly. Um
um a recent conversation I had with several community community members
suggested that. But, I think as you can tell from that overhead view of the
fields, these are not closed-in spaces where it's easy to kind of funnel people
through entrances and exits. And
I will share, I'm a little averse um and and obviously I would work with Director
Weisenthal on this, but we're both a little averse to charging for those
particular events. Um right now, softball
and and hopefully baseball. Baseball does get some good crowds, but not like
they would with our new fields. Um but people bring their lawn chairs and they
bring they go to the local stores and they bring takeout and it is like a cool
family free activity. Um sometimes they park
their pickup trucks along the side of the road and they watch from the back.
People bring up their dogs and just chill out for like 45 minutes and leave.
And I like that about Yucaipa. I like that we create spaces for our rural
community to come together and enjoy athleticism and community. And I don't
know. I That's one of the things I mean this is not like a state-of-the-art
park, to be clear. This is pretty basic infrastructure, but I like what we're
offering there. And I also, you know, I I come to you as
a collaborator and I come to you as someone who's bringing a lot to the
table. And this is city infrastructure at the end of the day and and we're
willing to pay for part of it, a substantial part of it, but I do think
the city owns some part of this cost. And I'm hopeful that we can find a
resolution together that represents the value that Yucaipa brings to this
community. Um Yeah, I guess that would be my my
thoughts. >> In our previous conversation I was to
listen we'll discuss the different work that
they're doing up on the field. Um they're not they're not building it as a
state-of-the-art field that has all the bells and whistles. Um they're literally
they're making it nice, but they're making it bare minimum nice. Um because
they're their budget is something.
Um and so >> There's not even a transformer
scoreboard.
We're we're putting what we can into this project and then Tim is supposed to
find ways to help. >> Yeah,
really.
The setup, you know, we're waiting and pushing these things out to try to try
to come up with additional dollars from this
to fund those projects.
For our alumni The fields are yeah, pretty important.
It will help drive not only enrollment
but yeah, the activities that Landers got.
You go to campus during the summer and you see pretty much a lot of students
all kinds of camps up there. So, we're looking at how we can drive more
students in these camps.
» Yeah, I mean as soon as the week after graduation you start seeing the
» Excuse me? >> grass
» turf turf
» The outfield will be >> Yeah, it can handle the
the rain um
And then also like like the football field we added that and we made it that
synthetic turf. That increased the usage
I don't know, 10 15 fold. We have teams that are now
coming in this fall football teams that are men's football teams they're coming
over and having rounds of playoff games in this region.
in the town that's because we had a synthetic turf field.
It's beat up and then it was like you can't have it prepared and then you go
back in. So, this will be
And when you put those down then that's kind of like you don't want to
cut them. So, we don't put down our tents at the
stadium for graduation.
Are you saying >> It's very It's unfortunate that
» I heard you spoke really fast
» You could just That's one of the beauty, right? You can sit out there and see
who's coming in and who's coming in and out.
So, the conversation that we've had this evening, unless there's more that you'd
like that you want to be had, what I'm willing to and understanding
from this is that we will put together the
the route and the path and costs associated with that.
Um on the assumption that 175 is what you're bringing to the
to the table. Um and then give you the ability to make
the decision on that at the council one way or the other.
Um at the next at the our next one, I believe is the
is it the >> Second. Sorry, the first
» July July >> No, it's first.
The first Oh, yeah. >> July 1st.
» Yeah, July 1st.
» I really appreciate this uh
and this this I think is
very useful for us to keep in mind as we look at the opportunities we have
department I've been on the council for 5 years and
I think every single day we've talked about how
the brand doesn't yet feel like a
university town, not the way that other university towns do.
And how do we make it feel that way? How do we
integrate it so that everybody in the brand knows when there's a football
game, a softball game, whatever going on at the university.
So that everybody's you know, what brand is synonymous with
building. And how do we how do we do that? I I don't know the answer to it,
but I think these are hopefully small steps forward
toward that sort of a change in the paradigm around
what you only needs to the city because I hear things you probably don't really
appreciate the benefits that come to all of our residents by having your
organization here. >> Yeah. And you know, I I believe David
hearing you say it it reminds me when I was here last, I think we promised to
create kind of like a bookmark or you know, like a small of the main
events that that happened and then and we still need to fulfill that part of
the contract, you know, giving you things like, you know,
our volleyball games are packed with this community. I don't know how many of
you have been out to see them. The
the basketball games as well. Particularly, you know, in the winter
when it gets cold, it's it's a good wholesome activity to do and um you
know, we need to get um get you all a card cuz I think there's little things
we can do like that to enhance the relationship and make sure that that
it's known and maybe put those roundabout town. Um we had mentioned
dropping them off at the hotels at one point, too.
I think people will see them and it's all probably good for us anyway.
» Yeah, yeah. We will. >> I think we have electronic schedules for
them. >> Yeah.
Mhm. >> Can we do anything with the app with the
new app for the city? Or you know,
what what the city uses for events and things? Is there Is there a way we can
get some university things together? I've taken my kids before to chemistry
shows. I've taken them to multicultural nights and and they're tremendous
enriching experiences for my kids, for our family. We've taken
them to the theater events there, but I found that it's difficult sometimes to
know when those things are going on. I'm not sure how we
how we get that a little more available, a little more accessible for our
residents. >> But I can say we absolutely could
leverage the app. We're working through right now. That is
one of the things that got cut in the budget.
So technically that runs out in December,
but I feel like we're starting to identify and realize some savings in
areas that we didn't before see. So I'm intending to try and keep that alive
because I think over time it's going to end up being highly valuable to us.
» No the chamber is trying to do the same
thing. They're trying to tie in
» Yeah. Yeah, okay. It so
yeah, one way or another I feel like we make that at least some level of
additional value. >> And it's good timing for that too I
think. What I'm hearing from the prosperity
council is that they're really taking a look at tourism
and and how towns are are building out place and you know, having a having that
kind of calendar you suggested. I was just looking at like trying to be like
is there a band playing this weekend? You know, like you know, like and and
then I found you know, what not. But
you know, I I do think things like that matter and and that was a really good
area to look at for the time.
Oregon is just looking for those types of things.
I did have one other item. I think that's all right.
» That's it. >> Um so you have your third sheet to look
at. And thank you again to my colleagues for
creating such a beautiful set of worksheets for y'all to look at. And the
last one's about our workforce readiness and our public assets. And I wanted to
let you know that you know, EOU is really trying to maintain our basic
infrastructure which is the buildings in which we we teach our students. And so
recently we put forward three projects to the Higher Education Coordinating
Commission for bonding. And one of them which we have listed
here on the back page which is the Loso Hall Student Access and Resiliency
Project was ranked number three in the state.
Um while it remains unseen at this point whether or not number three is a winner,
because there are only so many state dollars that the state is willing to
invest in university infrastructure, community college infrastructure.
There's a finite amount. It is Tim and my job in the coming months, uh no
doubt, and in the new year, to advocate that this project, among others, really
move to the forefront of the list. Uh Tim and I believe that we have a good
argument. Um the first two projects that are ranked are from the University of
Oregon and Oregon State University. And while we have no arguments with our
peers, we do think it's a little more difficult to put forward an attractive
project proposal with the kinds of staffing levels and budget that existed
here at the U versus massive universities. And so, as an argument for
equity, and I think in our case, having been looked over several years in a row,
um we're going to really push for this project to get to get funded. And while
it remains unseen whether or not this will be funded, we are going to work
hard to bring those dollars to the community. When we, as I kind of
mentioned earlier, when we get a project in this community, that means local
contractors. That means local supplies. That means bringing a lot of money into
this community. And so, um we're continuing to invest in our buildings
and by such also investing in our community. So, dollars are going to flow
right through here. And we're also in discussion about perhaps putting forward
emergency funding for Bachman Hall because there are pretty big HVAC and
electrical issues in that building. Um so, we're continuing to invest in the
university to make sure that the buildings are
viable. Um and again, um those investments are
are are adding a lot of value to this community, let alone just
having a recognized infrastructure for your local college, which brings in
people and jobs. I think this is This is critical, I think, to what we bring to
the So, I wanted to let you know that these
could be coming down the pipeline. These would be a 2029 project with like a 2027
funding. >> Correct. Yeah, the funding could be
released in with the state works, it's about 2 years, so we get
approval and funding in '27, and then they'll do the bond sales, which is
usually 29. A lot of times you can start working
and charge against those bonds, but that's probably
So, we'd be looking at moving in maybe '29.
So, yeah, it's 130-something million dollars on the books, but
And they're still on our project list, but we got to be reporting to make sure
that you all are raised to what's going on, so
there's no no surprises. Oh, they're building a new
building? We're not building
renovating a major building on campus that's going to have a lot of impact,
but it is a surprise. >> And our residence halls this summer are
also undergoing construction, which again is
is bringing a lot of work to communities as well as the supply chain. So, um
again, just always investing, always trying to to keep not state-of-the-art,
but certainly up-to-date, safe, pleasing facilities for to attract students and
to keep them here and to make sure that we're offering a really great
educational benefit. Um and there's a lot to celebrate about
UMass Lowell right now, but um we're certainly on the hustle right now to try
and do our best to make sure um we remain you know, viable
community and then that's something we start for y'all.
» And we've had discussions in the past so the brand economically
doesn't exist without UMass Lowell.
» Yeah, there's a I mean, the the studies show that's why I mean, you just look at
the economic viability and the
» Even without that study, you can kind of >> Yeah.
I mean, it goes without saying. Yeah, it's significant.
» And all mix is I was thinking you know what together with the hospital
and then they bring in folks and they they said all right I want to see the
university and the educational system and then you see it and you say oh this
is pretty good. This is nice. We don't see this a lot of times.
So when we hear that somewhere around when we're recruiting faculty and staff
and you know in the hospital we staff up there too. They do the same
thing. When you hired the therapist a few years
back who did research on the area
and they wanted a smallish town athletic and like a rough one
and found a lot of places and you know
you had a rock climbing wall and that was one of his selling points
I mean here in town.
Great. Yeah. And we'll get that larger to study to
you too once it's it's almost going to be out and publishable soon and so I
think you'll all find it interesting. We'll make sure you get that to you.
So we're planning ahead for the
for the church.
I don't have anything that I would like to contribute personally to this
particular dialogue other than I think that we're
Tim's and my intent is to try and do something like this quarterly
or at least twice a year. Yeah, definitely twice a year probably. Twice
a year where we get together and then some of them wouldn't necessarily be as
narrow in topic.
Well, that was one thing you talked about.
The more we're in contact the more and it doesn't they could be conversations
with in between with the president, the deans or other people who might talk
about what's happening in the programs on campus and just so you all know
what's happening and then we're also looking at
what's happening in the city too. And they give us a
you guys want to track and give us a pretty beautiful venue to use for our
quarterly town halls too. So, it
takes us from being okay to being outstanding now that we have that right
here. So, thank you for that.
» Sure.
That's pretty much it. Do you have any questions?
» I think you're You're going to bring it back to us, so
» Yes, we'll bring it back to you and we'll give you the the path of the
risks and concerns from the staff
as well as our recommendation.
» If there's no more questions, you're adjourned. Thank you for coming.