Council approves $1.08M federal grant; votes to move committee meetings to 5 PM
City Council · Meeting of April 9, 2026
Salem City Council approves $1.08M federal grant; votes 7-3 on committee meeting times. Council President Alice Rose Merkl led approval of the Community Development Block Grant application for $1.08 million covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with Councillor Andrew W. Varela recusing himself.
In a separate vote, the council moved the earliest allowable committee meeting start time from 6 PM to 5 PM, with Councillor Varela arguing the change provides flexibility for varied work schedules and childcare obligations; Councillors Lydia C. King, Conrad J. Prosniewski, and Erin Turowski opposed it, citing scheduling conflicts with other municipal meetings.
Councillor Ty Hapworth was absent.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 683 words
Source: the City Council meeting of April 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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