Micki’s Accomplishments

Leading on solutions that work for us

Transparency | Homelessness | Emergency Services | Small Businesses | Safer Streets | Leadership

In July 2026, when Micki learned that city staff and SEDCOR had worked confidentially with a data center developer for more than a year under a nondisclosure agreement that excluded both the public and the Council, she led efforts to:

  • Ban the use of NDA’s for data center projects

  • Implement policies for other NDA’s that required leadership to notify City Council

  • Create the Data Center Task Force to hold town halls and deliver data center recommendations to Council by the end of the year.

An advocate for transparency

A top priority for Micki, she has been a champion for innovative programs that provide data-driven solutions to homelessness in our city. As our city councilor, Micki has:

  • Supported the Safe, Clean and Healthy initiative in downtown Salem, which works to improve safety, connect people experiencing homelessness with shelter and services, and clean up streets.

  • Voted to fund the Salem Outreach and Livability Services team (SOS team) with a $10.5 million state sheltering grant, of which $1.098 million went to the general fund.

  • Voted to place the Livability Levy on the Ballot (library, parks, center 50+) to create more resources for efforts to address homelessness.

  • Worked to expand the Homeless Services Team and Clean Salem Team to 7 days per week downtown and into Wallace Marine Park, producing real results including a 40% reduction in criminal activity in Wallace Marine Park, a 91% reduction in camping sites there, and a 101% increase in referrals so we are disrupting the cycle of homelessness and creating long-term results.

  • Worked to expand the REACH team: Rapid Engagement, Assessment & Community Health (REACH) is a new pilot program launched by the City of Salem and Marion County launched in mid-January 2026. REACH includes a Salem Fire Department paramedic, EMT with a Marion County mental health professional. While the REACH team is able to jump in to provide crisis care, our first responders have been able to increase their capacity to respond to emergencies.

A Champion for Real Solutions to Address Homelessness

Fighting for emergency services

In March of 2024, response times for ambulance services were getting too high and Council moved to bring ambulance services in-house. Micki fought to create the public oversight committee to ensure the transition wouldn’t mean increased costs for taxpayers.

The committee asked for regular financial updates and reports, performance dashboards, response-time data, and the average number of minutes per day when no ambulances are available, so we have the data to know what works.

Now, response times have improved, and Salem is seeing 3x the ambulance service levels without any increase in costs.

Supporting Small Businesses and Jobs in West Salem

Micki has taken steps to make it easier for small businesses to start up, move in, or expand in West Salem, which raises property values and brings jobs. She has:

  • Pushed to expand the West Salem Capital Improvement Grant Program. The city can now cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, up from 20%, making it easier for businesses to start up, expand, or move into West Salem and create local jobs.

  • Increased flexbility in grant amounts so instead of $300,000 grants, now grants can me as small as $10,000 to cover what smaller businesses need.

  • More projects in the West Salem URA qualify, including new construction, expansions, permanent improvements, and businesses relocating into the area.

A voice for safer streets in West Salem

Micki is committed to safer streets in our neighborhoods and has been a vocal advocate to address traffic congestion as West Salem continues to grow. She has:

  • Reduced speed limits in high traffic areas

  • Added new pedestrian crossings at Doaks Ferry and Orchard Heights Road

  • Advocated for an amendment to the Our Salem Comprehensive Plan to ensure that West Salem’s traffic congestion will be addressed when we update the Transportation System Plan.

  • Been our voice on the neighborhood traffic management plan. The plan provides a transparent, scoring-based framework to analyze and rank street-level requests for traffic calming and intersection controls.

Micki’s Leadership Roles

As a City Councilor and a dedicated volunteer, Micki has served as a leader and a voice for our community:

  • Climate Action Plan Committee Chair

  • Solid Waste Committee Member

  • Council Finance Committee Member

  • Data Center Task Force Vice-Chair

  • EMS Transition Oversight Steering Committee

  • Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair

  • West Salem Neighborhood Association Past Chair and Vice Chair; Parks Committee Chair

  • League of Oregon Cities Energy and Environment Policy Committee, Salem's Representative

  • CRI Local Advisory Council, Oregon's Representative

  • SFEC-Selective Fisheries Evaluation Committee, Oregon's representative through work at ODFW

  • Food and Sundries Distribution Task Torce Member

  • SKATS Policy Committee (Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study)

  • Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance Member

  • West Salem Redevelopment Advisory Board

  • 2022 Infrastructure Bond Implementation Oversight Committee

  • Salem Budget Committee

  • Local Option Levy Oversight Committee (2025 Parks, Library Center 50+)

  • Riparian Advisory Committee

  • Water-Wastewater Task Force