City of Bandon
CITY MANAGER'S NEWSLETTER
May 9, 2008
This newsletter is an informal report by City Manager Matt Winkel on the news, issues, and other items of interest from the City of Bandon. It will normally be posted once each month (on the Friday following the City Council meeting) on the City's WEB Page at www.ci.bandon.or.us, and will be e-mailed directly to all subscribers. Subscribers will also receive copies of City Council, Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Architectural Review Board, and Water Resource Committee agendas via e-mail in advance of each meeting.
To subscribe or un-subscribe, or if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please e-mail to citymanager@ci.bandon.or.us. Your e-mail addresses will be kept confidential and not distributed or used for any purposes other than e-mail communications with the City of Bandon.
FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
- Green Power Sales Update
- Community Center Name
- Lighthouse Colors
- Proposed Gazebo And Park North Of City Hall
- May Planning Commission Meetings Cancelled
- Invitation To Help Construct The City Park Walking Trail
- Bandon "Growing Green" Forum
- Applications Being Accepted For Two Planning Commission Seats
- Linda's Church Joke
GREEN POWER SALES UPDATE
A total of 90 electric utility customers (meters), out of a total of 3,723 (meters), have signed up to purchase a total of 760 blocks (100 kWh per block) of the City's new Green Power each month. The City is purchasing 2% of its total electric load in the form of wind resources from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), with approximately 1.5% now being purchased by those individual electric customers. On an annualized basis, these customer purchases would total 912,000 kWh, or 69% of the 1,328,000 kWh in green (wind) power the City is purchasing from BPA. The size of the individual customer purchases ranges from 1 block to 60 blocks per month, with each 100 kWh block costing $1.10 over the conventional average residential electric power rate of $6.55 per 100 kWh. The City has also agreed to purchase 100% green power for the new renovated Community Center (the Center in the Park). At an estimated load of 94,000 kWh per year, this would require purchasing an average of 78 blocks per month. Combined with the other sales, this would total 1,006,000 kWh in green power sales per year, leaving 268 blocks per month still available for sale to the City's electric customers. Staff has contacted BPA to determine whether additional wind power will be available for purchase, beginning at the start of the next federal fiscal year in October, 2008.
COMMUNITY CENTER NAME
The Community Center has been historically referred to as the "Barn" and the "Community Center," although it had never been formally named. Recently, to initiate the marketing effort which will take place after the renovation of the facility has been completed, facility manager Nancy Evans has been referring to it as "the Center in the Park." This was also the working name given to the facility in the City Council resolution which called for "greening" the facility. Several residents had expressed their opinion that there should be some public input into any name change, with some individuals concerned that its focus appears to be moving away from it being primarily a "community" center.
At their May 5th meeting, the City Council discussed the matter of adopting an official name for the new facility. After accepting public input, which included a concern that the proposed name was not consistent with the small town character of Bandon, the City Council discussed the proposal. Although the concern about removing "community" from the name was recognized as a valid consideration, there was also some feeling that the proposed name was unique and classy, without being pretentious, and clearly identified both the overall nature and the location of the facility in one title. It was also pointed out that the literature promoting the use of the facility by local residents, as well as visiting groups, would also identify "the Center in the Park" as being Bandon's Community & Conference Center. After discussing the matter, the City Council voted to officially name the facility "the Center in the Park," with Councilors Briscoe, Claassen, Drew, and Powell voting in favor, and Councilors Procetto and Tiffany voting in opposition.
LIGHTHOUSE COLORS
As everyone is probably aware, the colors of the Coquille River Lighthouse were changed during the first phase of its ongoing renovation, from the familiar white and grey to a reddish base, tan walls, and brown roof. The Lighthouse currently serves as the symbol of the City of Bandon in virtually all of its advertising and promotional literature, and is also the centerpiece of the City's logo, letterhead, and lapel pin. The facility is federally owned, and leased by Oregon State Parks, who operate the adjacent Bullards Beach State Park. The restoration is being undertaken jointly by Oregon State Parks and the Bandon Lighthouse Keepers, with funds raised through grants and donations, as well as $190,000 from Bandon Urban Renewal. The new colors were selected by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), who felt they were the appropriate historic colors. Although there are some visitors and residents who appreciate the new colors, there are a significant number of local residents and historians who very much object to the new colors. The original Notice to Mariners of the establishment of the Coquille River Lighthouse Station in 1896 states, "The tower and building are white, with a stone foundation." In addition, although it was painted many times over its history, no one alive today can recall the building being any color other than white.
At their May 2nd meeting, the City Council discussed the possibility of passing a resolution declaring that the logo of the City of Bandon shall remain the white lighthouse with a dark roof, and sending a copy of the resolution to the Oregon State Parks Department and the office of the Governor, along with a letter asking that the Coquille River Lighthouse be restored to its familiar appearance and color. There was some feeling that the resolution, as proposed, was too strong and confrontational, and that it should be re-written. After discussing the matter, a motion to adopt the resolution was defeated, with Councilors Powell and Tiffany voting to adopt the resolution, and Councilors Briscoe, Claassen, Drew, and Procetto voting against adopting the resolution. It was then the consensus that each Councilor could work on some proposed language which would be more acceptable, and bring their recommendations back to the next meeting for review and consideration.
Subsequent to the May 2nd City Council meeting, Roger Straus, President of the Bandon Lighthouse Keepers, prepared a draft letter, which he recommended be signed by the Mayor, the President of the Coquille River Lighthouse Keepers, and the Executive Director of the Bandon Historical Society, and sent to the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department, requesting that the Lighthouse be repainted to the "white" color it was prior to the beginning of the restoration project. To move the request forward as expeditiously as possible, the City Council convened a special meeting at noon on May 8th. After discussing the proposal, the City Council decided this was the most appropriate approach to solving the problem, and voted unanimously to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter on behalf of the City of Bandon.
PROPOSED GAZEBO AND PARK NORTH OF CITY HALL
At the May 5th City Council meeting, Colleen Cardas, Chair of the Beautification Committee, presented information on a joint proposal between the Beautification Committee and the Parks & Recreation Commission to develop a park on the triangular shaped parcel on Highway 101, immediately north of City Hall. The facility would be one of a number of new parks of various sizes, which would be incorporated into the Parks Master Plan currently being prepared by the Parks & Recreation Commission. The central focus of the park, and the first major feature proposed to be constructed, would be a gazebo. As envisioned, the park and its facilities, such as the proposed gazebo and possibly a small amphitheater, would serve as an area to be enjoyed by citizens and visitors, as well as functioning as a meeting place for certain outdoor events. The purpose of the presentation was to inform the City Council of the proposal, and to solicit comments and concerns. Although no formal vote was taken, it was the general consensus that it would be appropriate to continue moving forward with more detailed planning and design, to determine whether adequate parking would be available, and to prepare cost estimates and funding strategies.
MAY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS CANCELED
Since no applications requiring immediate Planning Commission action have been filed, and to allow Commissioners to attend an all-day training workshop on May 22nd, the Planning Commission meetings previously scheduled for May 8th and 22nd have been canceled. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for June 26, 2008.
INVITATION TO HELP CONSTRUCT THE CITY PARK WALKING TRAIL
In partnership with the SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) "Down by the Riverside" program, the Beautification Committee and the Parks & Recreation Commission are inviting everyone to help construct the first section of the proposed Rotary Club walking path in City Park on Saturday, May 17. This phase will begin near the northeast corner of the Park, and will involve constructing 50 feet of gravel pathway. To participate, arrive at the City Park between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Bring a pair of gloves, and a shovel or garden rake. For more information, please contact the City of Bandon at (541) 347-2437.
BANDON "GROWING GREEN" FORUM
"Bandon Growing Green" is the subject of a community forum being sponsored by the City's Committee for Citizen's Involvement (CCI), which will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 10 AM until 1 PM, in the Bandon Public Library, Sprague Community Theater, and City Park. The main speaker will be State Forester Kristin Ramstad, who will talk about the benefits of trees to a community, the care and maintenance of trees, and the possibility of Bandon becoming a "tree city." Information will also be available on the City's tree ordinance. The forum will feature two short films: "The Man Who Planted Trees," and "Common Ground." Organic snacks and drinks will be available for sale, and free trees will be furnished by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There will also be a number of displays, including information about the City's "Green Power" program, energy conservation rebates, and watershed protection.
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR TWO PLANNING COMMISSION SEATS
The City is currently seeking applicants for two Planning Commission seats. Each of the seven Planning Commission terms are four years, with those terms staggered so the majority of the Commission would not have to be replaced at any one time. The terms of the two available positions will begin on July 1, 2008, and will expire on June 30, 2012. When vacancies occur, either through resignation or term expiration, the City advertises for potential applicants. There is a maximum limit of two complete consecutive terms. Both of the seats coming up for appointment are currently occupied by Commissioners who are eligible to reapply.
Anyone who is interested in serving on the Planning Commission is invited to submit an application (available at City Hall), together with a resume, by 5:00 PM, Friday, May 16, 2008. For additional information, please contact City Recorder Jo Anne Lepley, telephone 541-347-2437, ext. 227, or e-mail recorder@ci.bandon.or.us.
LINDA'S CHURCH JOKE
Well, in honor of Mother's Day coming up this weekend, Linda thought this would be an appropriate joke:
A young man was walking through the supermarket picking up a few items, when he noticed an old lady following him around. He continued shopping, but noticed she kept staring at him. Finally, as he approached the checkout line, the old woman slipped in front of him.
"Pardon me," she said, "I'm sorry if my staring at you made you feel uncomfortable, but it's that you look just like my son, who died recently."
"I'm very sorry," replied the young man, "but is there anything I can do for you?"
"Yes," said the old lady, "as I leave, you could say 'Goodbye, Mother!' It would make me feel so much better."
"Sure," he said, "I can do that."
Once the old woman had completed checking out and was leaving, the young man called out, "Goodbye, Mother!"
After his groceries were rung up, the clerk said, "That will be $127.50."
"How can that be?" he exclaimed, "I only purchased these few things!"
"Your mother said you would be paying for her as well," replied the clerk.
HA! HA! Ha! HO! Ho! HA! Ha! ha! ha! ha!
ANYTHING ELSE?
Do you have any questions, input, or suggestions? Are there any topics you want addressed or covered in the Newsletter? If so, please let me know at citymanager@ci.bandon.or.us. For more complex questions or issues that may take significant discussion, please feel free to contact me by telephone at (541) 347-2437, voice mail ext. 229, so we can schedule an appointment.
Also, remember to visit the City of Bandon WEB page at www.ci.bandon.or.us, where you can get more information on this wonderful place in which we live.
That's it for now. Happy Mother's Day!
