Albany City Council Work Session

At a Glance

Who: City Council members and the public
What: Albany City Council Work Session
When: November 16 at 4:00 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers at City Hall, 333 Broadalbin SW, Albany, Ore.
Why: Work sessions provide opportunities for members and the public to learn more about various topics and discuss them without having to make any final decisions.
Key Topic: What will happen to the International Paper Mill and its property now that it is closing.

The primary topic of discussion at the Albany City Council's November 16 work session was the future of the International Paper mill and its property after the plant closes.

City Manager Wes Hare presented possible responses to that question in his report on Business Oregon.

"In working with the governor," Hare said, "IP should be contacted to put the site into productivity as soon as possible" and preferably something that would "create jobs and possibly a paper mill that wouldn't compete with IP."

It is hoped that the owners will divest of all property, including the valuable ponds with the island. The council is also hoping that the old Millersburg school will be returned to the town along with land that was used for the treatment process.

Hare said he believed that possible contamination "should not be an issue, with the resources that are available for cleanup."

Other topics discussed included:

• Annual performance benchmarking
• INFOHUB
  
• Letter of thanks to the veterans group for their "super job" on the Veteran's Day parade

City council work sessions are held most Mondays to give the council members and the public opportunities to present and debate pertinent issues without needing to make decisions about them.

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Pictured:
Mayor Konopa and council members Collins, Olsen, Reid, and Coburn,
stenographer and citizen