Benny Westcott
The Sweet Home City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, May 24, to hold a June 28 public hearing to name the city’s upgraded wastewater treatment plant the Mahler Water Reclamation Facility.
City staff, particularly the Public Works Department, recommended the name. According to a request for council action submitted by Administrative Services Manager Julie Fisher, “Staff feels [this] is an appropriate recognition for such a distinguished father and son, for their service to the community.”
The family’s enjoyed a five-decade association with the city. Businessman John Mahler first arrived from Los Angeles in 1971, purchasing Hoy’s Hardware, a local institution since 1939, that year. He also served on the city council from 1973 to 1978, during the current plant’s construction, and his name is featured on a plaque in the operations building entryway.
His son, Greg, is Sweet Home’s current mayor, elected in 2017 after multiple council stints, first from Nov. 1993 to Dec. 1994, then returning in 2008. He has also volunteered with the Sweet Home Fire & Ambulance District since 1987 and operates the longtime family business, now known as Hoy’s Hardware & Home Improvement Center.
The younger Mahler abstained from the vote due to a potential bias.
“We’ve always looked to give back because the community has been so good to us,” he said. “We’ve never really looked for recognition, so it caught us off-guard. Our family’s very humbled and honored.”
The council also recognized Sweet Home High School instructor Will Coltrin’s advanced construction class for its work assembling huts for the Family Assistance and Resource Center’s planned homeless facility behind the city Public Works yard at the north end of 24th Avenue.
According to Coltrin, 30 students have worked daily on the huts for the last two months. A video documenting their efforts was presented at the meeting and met with a standing ovation from councilors and spectators.
“I’m very proud of all the individuals within the woodshop,” Mahler said. “It shows the pride in ownership that they have for their community. I’m lost for words on how great these kids are. They’ve done a phenomenal job.”
“I get really excited when I see kids working really hard and thinking about what they want to do with their life in the future and thinking about how they can make their community a better place,” Councilor Angelita Sanchez added.
“It’s going to be a big deal for the city,” Councilor Dave Trask said. “It’s a good thing. And it is a good chance for you guys to learn some skills.”
“It’s wonderful to see our students engaged in such projects and lifelong experiences,” Councilor Lisa Gourley said. “I’m just proud to be on the council and humbled to have you here today.”
In other business:
— The council voted unanimously to redistribute $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the water treatment plant generator project to the wastewater treatment plant project and approve $10.1 million to be spent on part of the project, which would yield some functional components such as the plant’s generator, electrical equipment and an upgraded influent pump station.
The vote also included consent to authorize City Manager Pro Tem Christy Wurster to submit the 2021-23 fiscal year direct legislative appropriation information form to Business Oregon.
— As the hiring process continues for a new city manager, the council voted unanimously to authorize a one-time travel reimbursement of $1,000 to out-of-state candidates and $500 to Oregon candidates traveling more than 100 miles to interview.
— The council voted 6-1 for temporary closures of 13th Avenue between Main and Long streets for the Oregon Jamboree’s Tune It Up Tuesdays events, scheduled for June 7, 14, 21 and 28. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon the following day.
Councilor Diane Gerson voted no, saying that the affected businesses have yet to be contacted. According to Community and Economic Development Director Blair Larsen, the Sweet Home Liquor Store and Steelhead Fitness would experience the most impact.
Oregon Jamboree Festival Director Robert Shamek said that he spoke with the liquor store’s owner, James Risinger. “As long as any of his deliveries can come in the back, he’s not super-concerned,” Shamek reported.
— The council gave consensus to allow parking on Quarry Park off of Zelkova Street for the July 9 Sportsman’s Holiday Weekend fireworks display. According to a Public Works estimate, between 200 and 240 vehicles could park in the area. COVID-19 restrictions prevented access last year.
n The council voted unanimously to temporarily close 22nd Avenue between Mountain View Road and Long Street from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, for a portion of the Sweet Home High School Class of 2022 parade route. A procession of 140 vehicles will take part in the overall event.
— The council voted unanimously to appoint Sweet Home Junior High eighth-graders Serenity “Tea” Herrera and Delanie Pratt to the Sweet Home Youth Advisory Council.