City Manager's Newsletter - December 11, 2009

City of Bandon

CITY MANAGER’S NEWSLETTER

December 11, 2009

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, (click on “City Hall”) and will be e-mailed directly to all subscribers. Subscribers will also receive copies of City Council, Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Committee for Citizen Involvement, 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

* Bringing Jack Back Mural Restoration Project
* Police Operating Levy To Be Placed Back On The Ballot
* First Street Sidewalk Project Delayed Until Spring
* Harlem Avenue Sidewalk Project Proceeding
* Household Hazardous Waste Management Plan Approved
* No Immediate Electric Rate Increase
* Riparian Corridor Inventory And Assessment Approved
* 2009 Bandon Population Estimate
* Census Worker Jobs Available
* Community Action Assistance Available Twice Each Month At The Barn
* Linda’s Church Joke

BRINGING JACK BACK MURAL RESTORATION PROJECT

At the December 7th City Council meeting, local Bandon artist Vicki Affatati made a presentation of her proposed “Bringing Jack Back Mural Restoration Project.” Jack Champayne painted a large number of murals with a nautical theme throughout the City of Bandon and other coastal communities.

One of Jack’s largest murals is on the sides of the wastewater treatment plant buildings and tanks. Shortly before his death in 2003, Jack renovated those murals, which he originally painted in 1993. As evidenced in the power point slides displayed by Ms. Affatati, those murals are showing signs of significant deterioration. Earlier this year, she proposed to voluntarily restore the murals, and to seek grant funding to pay the project costs. Prior to beginning the full restoration, City staff agreed to purchase some materials (paint, brushes, etc.) sufficient to undertake the restoration of a small portion of the mural as a test area. Due to weather, however, that work has not yet started, but Ms. Affatati has submitted a grant application for the mural restoration project. She also advised the City Council that she would be bringing back to them a mural-sized painting of a whale to demonstrate her ability to undertake and complete the project.

The City of Bandon very much appreciates the work done by Vicki in developing the proposed “Bringing Jack Back Mural Restoration Project,” and applauds her efforts to restore and protect these important works of art.

POLICE OPERATING LEVY TO BE PLACED BACK ON THE BALLOT

By a margin of only 31 votes (462 Yes to 493 No), the proposed police levy was defeated by Bandon voters at the November 3, 2009, election. A total of 955 ballots were cast, representing a voter turnout of 55.56 % of the 1,719 registered voters. The purpose of the proposed levy was to generate sufficient funds to pay all of the costs associated with two police officers for five years, beginning next fiscal year (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011). In combination with four officers funded out of the remaining General Fund resources, this would ensure a total force of at least 6 full-time police officers.

In light of the police levy ballot measure failure, City staff has moved the normal schedule for beginning next fiscal year’s budget preparations forward into January, immediately after the December books have been closed. That will allow us to begin preparing for the potential impacts of budget shortfalls on the level of police protection.

At the December 7th meeting, the City Council discussed various options, including whether to again place the matter before the voters at an upcoming election. The next two possible election dates are March 9, 2010, and May 18, 2010, with filing deadlines of January 7 and March 18 respectively. One option would to again propose a police levy similar to the one narrowly defeated by the voters, to provide the funds necessary to meet the projected Police Department budget shortfall. Another option would be a ballot measure to increase in the transient occupancy tax (TOT). The TOT option, however, would not generate sufficient revenue to meet the City’s needs, since State statutes require that at least 70% of increased TOT revenues be spent on specified tourism promotion activities, which would leave only 30% available for General Fund purposes such as police protection. promotion.

After discussing the matter, the City Council unanimously voted to direct staff to prepare and bring back for City Council consideration at the January 4, 2010 meeting a ballot measure for a 5-year local option police operating levy in the amount of $.56 per $1,000 assessed valuation, for placement before City of Bandon voters at the May 18, 2010 election.

FIRST STREET SIDEWALK PROJECT DELAYED UNTIL SPRING

The First Street sidewalk replacement project was placed on hold a few weeks ago, pending a decision regarding how to proceed in light of the extensive archaeological resources in the form of a midden which were uncovered during initial sidewalk removal. The project involves replacing the deteriorated and unsafe sidewalk along the north side of First Street SW, between Cleveland Avenue and the Port of Bandon building (the old Coast Guard building) and, if possible, placing conduit and vaults under the sidewalk to accommodate the future undergrounding of the existing overhead electric, telephone, and cable TV lines. A major concern has been the City’s exposure for the cost of mitigating the disturbance to those archaeological resources.

At their December 7th meeting, the City Council reviewed various alternative which ranged from simply capping (paving over) the existing sidewalk to installing a new sidewalk with trenching, conduit, and vaults for future utility line undergrounding. Consideration was also given to the timing for the project, since delaying the work until drier weather would reduce the archaeological mitigation costs. Considering all of the factors, the City Council decided to delay the project until Spring, and to proceed with removing the existing sidewalk and installing a new sidewalk with conduit and vaults for future electric and communications utility undergrounding. The Council felt it was more desirable to undertake all of the underground work as part of this project, rather than have to re-disturb the same archaeologically sensitive area again at some future time either for undergrounding or for replacing the overhead utility poles.

It was also recognized that there are some educational, cultural, and economic benefits that could be realized by undertaking the more extensive archaeological excavation and mitigation. The Southern Oregon University Archaeologist in charge of the mitigation will help publicize the project and provide written materials and handouts for tourists and other parties who would be interested in visiting the site during the excavation. To help reduce overall mitigation costs, the Coquille Indian Tribe has committed to providing some personnel to assist the University staff and students. The City is working on a plan to cordon off the excavation site and provide a pedestrian walking and viewing area along the north side of First Street. It is anticipated that the archaeological excavation will begin in late May or early June, and would last approximately two weeks. Construction would follow, with the goal of completing the project prior to July 4th if possible.

The First Street sidewalk project is being funded by Urban Renewal, with the Port of Bandon and the adjacent private property owner contributing their fair share. This is another reason to complete the entire project at this time, since the Urban Renewal funds would not be available once the Urban Renewal District expires in the future. A significant savings was realized by bidding this project in combination with the Madison Avenue paving and Harlem Avenue sidewalk projects. With engineering, archaeological mitigation, and construction, it is estimated that the total project cost will be in the range of $279,000, with approximately $18,500 paid by the Port of Bandon, and approximately $4,200 paid by the adjacent private property owner. The City Public Works and Electric crews will provide in-kind assistance with such items as sidewalk removal, but otherwise no City funds are being utilized on the project.

HARLEM AVENUE SIDEWALK PROJECT PROCEEDING

Construction of the Harlem Avenue sidewalk is currently underway. It involves the installation of a sidewalk between 11th Street SE and Harvard Street, a slight widening of the vehicular travel surface, removing the roadside drainage ditch and installing an underground drainage system, and placing all of the existing overhead utility lines underground. The project is being funded by a $100,000 federal stimulus grant, with in-kind assistance from the Public Works and Electric crews who will also be doing some cleanup and shoulder widening on the east side of Harlem Avenue.

The drainage ditch has been eliminated, the underground drainage system has been installed, and the utility conduit installation is underway. The contractor is scheduled to be back on site to complete the sidewalk and paving work after January 1st. In the meantime, the Public Works crew will place gravel along the street to create a wider shoulder and temporary walking surface until the concrete sidewalk can be installed.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN APPROVED

At the December 7th meeting, the City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Coos and Curry Counties to implement the Household Hazardous Waste Management Plan. The plan provides for the management of common household products known as household hazardous waste. These wastes are often found in household cupboards, garages or basements, and include such items as old pesticides, poisons, corrosive cleaners, fuels, paints, used oil, antifreeze, or even mercury-containing items like thermostats, thermometers, and fluorescent bulbs. These products, if not managed properly, can endanger public health, contaminate the environment, and threaten public and private drinking water supplies.

Under the plan, Coos and Curry Counties, in partnership with their cities and waste haulers, will manage hazardous waste from households and businesses that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month. Proper management of household hazardous waste in Coos and Curry counties will help protect critical resources and ensure a healthy and safe environment for residents. This can help reduce long-term regional costs associated with environmental compliance, improve worker and community safety, and avoid contamination. The plan calls for the construction of a permanent facility for the drop-off and processing of household hazardous waste at the Beaver Hill Disposal Site. It also requires each county to hold up to four collection events for household and small business hazardous waste each year in places like Coos Bay, North Bend, Coquille, Myrtle Point, Bandon, Gold Beach, Port Orford and Brookings.

No fees will be charged for dropping off household hazardous waste at Beaver Hill or satellite collection events. Businesses may pay market rates for disposal of their hazardous waste. Funding sources include DEQ grant money for facility construction and an increase in disposal fees of $3.27 per ton of waste disposed at Beaver Hill and transfer stations in the two counties. The impact on garbage rates depends on container size and service levels, but on average the cost will only be about 28 cents per household per can per month, or $3.40 per year. Commercial customers would pay about 39 cents extra per container yard per month. These increases will cover the estimated disposal fee increase. Actual rates will depend on program participation and volumes of waste collected.

The City Council appointed Councilor Mike Claassen to serve as the City’s representative to a steering committee which will oversee implementation and administration of the Household Hazardous Waste Management Plan.

NO IMMEDIATE ELECTRIC RATE INCREASE

The fiscal year 2009-2010 budget anticipated a Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) wholesale electric rate increase in October. Based on staff’s projections that current rates should be sufficient to carry the electric utility through the fiscal year, a retail rate increase was not recommended. The final amount of the BPA wholesale rate increase was 7.48%. Staff indicated that we would continue to closely monitor electric utility revenues and expenses during the year to determine if this would necessitate a retail rate increase to pass these costs along to the City’s electric customers. So far, the Electric Fund and Electric Reserve Fund cash balances have continued to hold steady, so we remain optimistic that a retail rate increase will not be necessary prior to July 1, 2010. The need for utility rate increases will be evaluated as the proposed fiscal year 2010-2011 budget is prepared.

A survey was recently conducted by the Oregon Municipal Electric Utilities (OMEU) regarding which of the municipally-owned electric utilities had increased their retail rates in response to the BPA wholesale rate increase. Of the 10 utilities responding, 3 did raise their rates, and 7 including Bandon did not.

RIPARIAN CORRIDOR INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT APPROVED

At the December 7th meeting, the City Council approved an amendment to the Bandon Comprehensive Plan which adopted the recently completed Local Significant Riparian Inventory and Assessment, and amended the policies in the Natural Resources Section of the Plan.

The Oregon Administrative Rules require communities to protect riparian corridors as a Goal 5 resource. A riparian area is classified as the area adjacent to a wetland or stream consisting of the transition form an aquatic ecosystem to a terrestrial ecosystem. Riparian areas serve several important functions, including enhancement of water quality, flood management, thermal regulation, wildlife habitat, open space, recreation opportunities, and aesthetic values. Five riparian corridors were identified in Bandon, including Gross Creek, Ferry Creek, Johnson Creek, Spring Creek, and Tupper Creek

This latest effort to develop riparian protection measures was initiated in August 2008, was directed by the Planning Commission, and was undertaken in consultation with the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). DLCD has concluded that the proposal is in conformance with Statewide Planning Goal 5 governing riparian protection. The Planning Commission advertised, noticed, and held the required public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment, and recommended its approval.

Implementation of the riparian protection measures will be accomplished by adopting an amendment to the Bandon Municipal Code, which will add regulations regarding permitted activities within the identified riparian corridors. Those corridors are centered along each of the identified creeks, and vary in width from 50 feet to 100 feet. At the December 7th meeting, the City Council reviewed the proposed regulations, made some recommended changes (the major change would be to expand the riparian corridor width along Johnson Creek from 50 feet to 100 feet), and held the matter over until a future meeting to allow staff time to clarify some of the provisions. The matter will be presented to the Planning Commission for their determination regarding those clarifications.

Copies of the Riparian Inventory and Assessment, maps, and proposed Riparian Corridor Protection regulations can be found on the City’s website at www.ci.bandon.or.us. (From the opening page, click on “Departments” then “Planning” and scroll down and click on the desired document.)

2009 BANDON POPULATION ESTIMATE

The City received the preliminary 2009 population estimates from the Portland State University Population Research Center, which was formed in 1956 for the purpose of preparing annual population estimates for cities and counties to provide the basis for the distribution of State tax-shared revenues. The July 1, 2009 population estimate for Bandon is 3,295, which represents a decrease of 5 people below the July 1, 2008 estimate of 3,300. This is the first year which shows a net loss since the certified April 1, 2000 Census figure of 2,833, although it is still an increase of 16.3% over the last 9 years. The number is not particularly surprising, since the population estimates consider building permit activity among other factors, and much of that activity in Bandon was related to second homes and speculative building. Many of the dwelling units constructed over the last several years are still unoccupied. The actual population will be more accurately determined when the 2010 US Census is completed.

CENSUS WORKER JOBS AVAILABLE

The US Census Bureau has begun recruiting for Census Takers for the 2010 Census, and is in great need of applicants from the Bandon area. Employment applications and testing sessions will be held at 3 PM, on Saturday, December 12, at the Barn in City Park. The jobs available are good-paying, part-time jobs that will start soon, and will include mileage reimbursement. A few full-time positions are also available for Crew Leaders. Details on pay and mileage reimbursement are available for those who sign up for the December 12 testing session. Those interested can call 1-866-861-2010 to apply. The US Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please contact Murlan Powell, US Census Bureau Recruiting Assistant, Eugene Census Office, at 541-225-9251.

COMMUNITY ACTION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TWICE EACH MONTH AT THE BARN

Oregon Coast Community Action contracts with the City of Bandon to administer the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) which provides low income households with energy bill-paying assistance. Their service includes accepting and reviewing applications and income levels, and deciding the appropriate amount of assistance. In the past, Bandon customers had to travel to Coos Bay for counseling and submitting applications. The City has made a meeting room available at the Barn, so applicants and participants can now make appointments to meet with a Community Action worker in Bandon on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. If you feel you may qualify for low-income electric bill-paying assistance, please contact Community Action at 888-1574 for an appointment.

LINDA’S CHURCH JOKE

Linda thought a Christmas joke would appropriate this time of the year, so she sends this one along:

One Christmas, Joe and Peter built a skating rink in the middle of a field. A shepherd leading his flock through the area decided to take a shortcut across the rink. The sheep, however, were afraid of the ice and wouldn't cross it. Desperate, the shepherd began pulling them to the other side.

“Look at that,” Peter said to Joe, “That guy is trying to pull the wool over our ice!”

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. Have a good one!

Matt Winkel

City Manager