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JULY 2025 |
We Hear You. Tell Us More! |
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Last week we held our fourth City Chat to give Hermiston residents the opportunity to ask questions, bring ideas, share concerns, and enjoy a coffee, tea or frozen yogurt with city leaders.
About 25 residents participated in the quarterly Chats, and we have greatly enjoyed these conversations throughout the year. We planned each Chat at a different local business and at a different time to accommodate as many schedules as possible.
Now that we’ve completed a year of Chats, we’re reflecting on their value and how to continue making opportunities like these available. We believe the community grows stronger when take the time to talk about our vision for the future and how we can get there. (We’d love to hear your ideas.)
I want to thank those who attended over the past year, including the city councilors and mayor who made time to be available for their community. It opened some very productive dialogue that I look forward to seeing continue.
— Byron Smith, Hermiston City Manager |
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YOUR CITY |
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Here Come the Fireworks |
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The City of Hermiston is offering two great ways to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday this weekend. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Friday from the top of the Butte with patriotic music on 93.7 FM, The Q.
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The Stars & Stripes Celebration starts at 3 p.m. at Butte Park and features family activities and food vendors. Live music from the Wasteland Kings starts at 6 p.m.
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The Fourth of July Pool Party is a family-friendly ticketed event that begins at 6 p.m. at the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center. Dinner is included and concessions are available. Tickets are $15 for teens and adults and $10 for children and must be purchased at the Aquatic Center by July 3.
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Hermiston Police Sergeants Graduate ILEA Training
On June 24, Hermiston Police Sgt. Jarrod Flatau (8-year officer hired by HPD in 2020) and Sgt. Doug Gill (24-year officer hired by HPD in 2012) graduated from the 147th School of Police Supervision at the Institute of Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA). Sgt. Gill was also recognized by the class of about 40 supervisors from all over the country with the sole Award of Professionalism.
For more than 20 years, Hermiston Police Department sergeants have attended the month-long ILEA training at the Center for American and International Law in Plano, Texas.
Investment Grows at South Hermiston Industrial Park
The City of Hermiston showcased the South Hermiston Industrial Park with an open house on June 23. Since 2018, private investment from the information, transportation, warehousing and utility sectors have committed to more than $4.5 billion in projects. This has played a role in the 3,000 jobs added in Umatilla County over that time. (Read the article) |
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Pickleball Courts Ready for Play
The 10 courts at the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex opened on June 14 at Theater Sports Park. The courts are open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free lessons from members of the 541 Pickleball Club are available every Tuesday at 6 p.m. (Read the article)
Sherman Park Honors Educators, Community Leaders
Hermiston's newest park will bear the last name of Ric and Karen Sherman, two of Hermiston's longtime champions. The Parks & Recreation Committee conducted a public survey and recommended Sherman Park in honor of the retired educators. Sherman Park (previously known as Cimarron Park) will be developed at 1552 NE 8th Place south of Loma Vista Elementary School. (Read the article) |
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Feedville Road Closure in July
Watch for detour signs in south Hermiston next week. The road will be blocked on Feedville Road at the railroad crossing, and through traffic will be directed onto Hermiston streets as part of the detour. Dates may be subject to change. |
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You Got a License for that Forklift?
Hermiston's Public Works personnel participate in regular trainings to ensure their skills and safety knowledge stay fresh. The departments took part this June in forklift, confined spaces, and flagging training, and in the months ahead they will train for defensive driving, first aid, CPR, CDL and drug & alcohol awareness (to name a few). |
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Pay-by-Text Option Now Available
Water, sewer and garbage payments are now the click of a button away. The City of Hermiston through Xpress Bill Pay have added the pay-by-text option for utility bills. Once you're signed up, you will receive a notification when the bill is due, and you can make the payment directly from your device. Save time and never miss a payment!
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CITY COUNCIL REPORT |
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Airport Land Purchase Complete |
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The City of Hermiston completed a $2.1 million purchase of 140 acres of agricultural land across Ott Road from the Hermiston Municipal Airport that includes a portion of the Runway Protection Zone. Federal and state grant funds covered 95% of the cost of the land, giving the airport the opportunity to generate lease income on the farmland while protecting the airport’s future.
The City Council approved the purchase of this land in May with the intent to continue leasing it for farm use. A preliminary market review shows the City will earn back its investment of $100,000 in 3-5 years, helping make the airport a self-sustaining community asset.
Quite a bargain: In 1946, the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce Airport Committee purchased the 260-acre airport property for $3 per acre. |
| Read the Staff Report |
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Adopted IT service agreements with several local entities. Since 2022, the Hermiston IT Department has contracted services to meet the needs of nearby cities, districts and other agencies.
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Renewed contracts with Echo, Stanfield, Umatilla, Morrow County, and Umatilla County Fire District #1.
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Increased the service level contract with Horizon Project.
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Entered a new contract agreement with the Port of Umatilla.
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Approved a supplemental budget request for the Regional Water System, Enterprise Zone, and Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center. These requests for additional funds will cover unanticipated engineering and maintenance costs to balance those budgets. The costs for the Regional Water System will be reimbursed by Amazon Web Services. (Read the staff report)
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Created six Council subcommittees — Public Finance, Public Infrastructure, Public Safety, Community Accountability Board, Public Transit, and Sanitary Disposal.
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Accepted the Monthly Financial Report. (Read the financial report)
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The Hermiston Civic Leadership Academy Class of 2025
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Received a report from the Hermiston Civic Leadership Academy Class of 2025 on future use of the Carnegie Library.
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Recognized Hermiston High School student Nathan Brown for his winning design for the Hermiston Downtown banner contest. His work has also been used for apparel available at Hermiston City Hall. (See photos below)
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Adopted the 2025-26 city budget and employee compensation plan. (View the interactive city budget)
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Adopted a Umatilla County Dispatch Agreement for dispatch services at $505,453, an increase of $28,611 from the previous year.
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Adopted the Hermiston Urban Renewal Agency budget for 2025-26.
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JULY 2025 MEETINGS |
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Wednesday, July 2, 4 p.m. — Airport Advisory Committee (Hermiston Municipal Airport)
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Wednesday, July 9, 7 p.m. — Planning Commission (City Hall)
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Thursday, July 10, 5:30 p.m. — Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee (Hermiston Community Center)
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Monday, July 14, 7 p.m. — City Council meeting & Urban Renewal Agency (City Hall)
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Wednesday, July 23, 5 p.m. — Library Board (Hermiston Library)
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Monday, July 28, 7 p.m. — City Council & Urban Renewal Agency (City Hall)
The City of Hermiston is currently seeking members for the following committees: Parks & Recreation, Hispanic Advisory, Library, Airport Advisory, and Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center. Learn more and apply to join. |
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COMING UP |
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Summer movies at Butte Park return this July with three family-friendly features. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks and join us for a movie under the stars! Showtimes at 8:45 p.m.
Umatilla County Fair Parade on Saturday, August 2
The Umatilla County Fair begins Saturday, Aug. 2 with the Kick-Off Parade through downtown Hermiston. The new route begins at Hermiston High School, heads east to Highway 395, and loops through Main Street and Gladys Avenue. (Learn more)
Want to see what's happening or add your event to the Hermiston Live calendar? Click the link below! |
| Hermiston Live Calendar |
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SURVEY |
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Share Your Thoughts on Hermiston's City Chats |
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Over the past year, Hermiston has hosted quarterly City Chats at different local businesses and at different times of day to give residents the opportunity to bring questions, ideas, comments and concerns to city leaders in an informal environment.
Now we're asking for your help to make these as valuable as possible. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and let us know the best way to be available for these types of conversations. |
| Take the Survey |
June Survey Says ...
We asked for your feedback in June on the city's sidewalks and trails. We appreciate your responses and the specific ideas the community shared on how to make foot travel safer and more accessible. We're pleased to see that, overall, respondents feel safe walking in Hermiston during the daytime. We're reviewing your responses as we continue to develop a walkable community.
You can view all the responses at the Inside Hermiston Community Surveys Hub. |
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NEWS & NOTES |
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Job Openings
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