The City of Creswell received a $5,000 grant from the Siletz Tribe for a ”floating floor,” or dance floor, and mirrors at the Cobalt Activity Center where Vicente Rubio currently teaches Aikido, a form of martial arts. From left: a Siletz Tribe representative, Ewa and Vicente Rubio and City Administrator Michelle Amberg. IMAGE PROVIDED
Creswell City Hall is working on gathering monies for a commercial kitchen installation at the Cobalt Activity Center at 364 Cobalt Lane.
In January, the Creswell City Council authorized City Administrator Michelle Amberg to apply for a $50,000 grant through the Oregon Community Foundation. Last week, the Council authorized Amberg to apply for another $50,000 in grant funding, this time through the Collins Foundation.
The project would turn the 1,200-square-foot unused storage space at the building into a commercial community kitchen space that could be used to teach classes and for meal prep – along with the 1,400-square-foot meeting space as a once-a-week meal site.
The site would also be available to entrepreneurs in the beverage and food industry, and would be available to rent out for parties, fundraisers and special events.
A rough estimate of the cost plus contingency for the installation of the commercial kitchen is around $250,000. This grant would contribute 20 percent of that goal, Finance Director Jim Piper said.
The motion to pursue the grant was moved by Councilor Amy Knudsen and seconded by Council President Richard Zettervall, and unanimously approved.
The City also received a $5,000 grant from the Siletz Tribe to install a ”floating floor,” or dance floor, and mirrors at the Cobalt Activity Center this spring.
These installations are eagerly anticipated, as Sensei Vicente Rubio – a former professional dancer in New York City – is currently offering Aikido (martial arts) and adult exercise classes at the center. Rubio rents the space monthly and charges students a fee for taking the classes.
Rubio has interest in stimulating more dance classes in Creswell.
Plans to provide dance classes require the addition of a floating floor and mirrors, Piper said.
The City also received a $1,000 donation from Sanipac for Aikido scholarships for Rubio’s classes. The City has been providing monthly scholarships to citizens of Creswell based on need and risk, Piper stated.
Sanipac’s donation will help pay for scholarships, Piper said.
In other news, the City Council also approved the franchise agreement with Falcon Cable Systems, also known as Charter Communications at this month’s meeting.
Piper noted that the City’s franchise agreement with Falcon Cable Systems expired over 10 years ago. Negotiating a new agreement has been a lengthy process due to considerable changes in telecommunications and cable television industries, he said.
The franchise agreement is non-exclusive with a term of 10 years and has a five-year extension clause. The City will receive five percent of the annual gross revenue generated within the City of Creswell by the franchisee, he said, adding that the estimated revenue for the 2017-18 fiscal year is $25,300.