CITY MANAGER’S NEWSLETTER
November 9, 2007
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
- Committee And Commission Appointments
- Urban Renewal To Provide $600,000 Towards Construction Of The Proposed Community Swimming Pool
- Oregon Flag To Be Flown At City Hall And Other City Locations
- Madison Avenue Access To The South Jetty
- South Bandon Transportation Growth Management Plan
- Bandon Projects Submitted To The Statewide Infrastructure Needs Report
- Community Center Renovation Project Update
- Dog Leash Law Passed
- Bandon For The Holidays!
- Linda’s Church Joke
COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
The City Council approved the appointment of Harvey Schubothe to fill the remaining vacancy on the Parks & Recreation Commission, for a term which will run through June 30, 2010. A sincere thanks to Harvey for his willingness to serve, and congratulations on his appointment!
URBAN RENEWAL TO PROVIDE $600,000 TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL
Following a presentation by the Bandon Community Swimming Pool Development Corporation at the November 5th meeting, the Urban Renewal Agency formally committed $600,000 towards construction of the proposed swimming pool. The presentation provided information on the project, including plans for capital construction and plans for financing the subsequent operation and maintenance costs each year. Although the Urban Renewal funds are not currently available, they could be borrowed at such time as the pool is constructed, and then repaid using annual urban renewal revenues. The commitment will not only provide direct construction funds, but will also serve as "seed money" for the Swimming Pool Corporation in their efforts to secure donations, grants, and other project financing.
The proposed site is located on Bandon School District property, immediately west of the softball fields on the south side of 11th Street. The existing Urban Renewal Plan included the $600,000 allocation, but originally anticipated that the "Pool & Recreation Complex" would be located at the City Park. State and Federal funding for City Park improvements, however, have limited the amount of land which can be covered by buildings, which would preclude locating the facility there. State Statutes allow the Urban Renewal District boundary to be increased by no more than 1% of the existing area. Since the existing area of Urban Renewal District 2 is 54 acres, the boundaries can be extended an additional 23,500 sq. ft., to encompass the footprint of the proposed improvements, and thereby make it eligible for Urban Renewal funding.
A major fiscal concern from the City’s perspective is the matter of ensuring that adequate funds would be generated to pay the annual operating and maintenance expenses of public swimming pool. The City does not have, and does not anticipate having, any resources to contribute towards such ongoing expenses. Another concern with contributing to a non-City facility is the possibility that the facility may at some future time cease to be used or be converted to some other use. The Bandon Community Swimming Pool Development Corporation assured the City Council that, once the facility is constructed, it will be self-sufficient and will generate adequate funds for its operation and maintenance without any public subsidies. Accordingly, the funding commitment included a condition that all funds plus interest would have to be repaid at any future time that the City was being requested to participate in the operation and maintenance of the facility, or at such time as the facility ceased to be utilized as a public swimming pool. As long as the pool continues to operate without City subsidies, the Urban Renewal funding will be considered a grant which will not have to be repaid.
A sincere thanks to Lynn Giovannetti, Mike Sterling, and other members of the Bandon Community Swimming Pool Development Corporation, for all of their hard work and efforts on this project.
OREGON FLAG TO BE FLOWN AT CITY HALL AND OTHER CITY LOCATIONS
The City received a request from Bandon resident Dennis Rizicka to fly the Oregon state flag at all sites where the City is currently flying only the American flag. Those sites would include City Hall and the proposed new location adjacent to the "Welcome to Bandon" sign at the intersection of Highway 101 and Route 42S. The City Council reviewed this request, and voted unanimously that both the American flag and the Oregon flag will be flown at all City locations where such flags are flown.
MADISON AVENUE ACCESS TO THE SOUTH JETTY
The City recently received an inquiry regarding the status of Madison Avenue as an emergency access to the South Jetty, and a suggestion that the road should be opened and paved. The City Council reviewed and discussed the matter at their November 5th meeting.
When the Comprehensive Plan was amended to include the Transportation System Plan (TSP) in 2000, one of the initial recommendations was to open and pave Madison Avenue from the Jetty to 7th Street at the top of the bluff. During the public hearings, there was significant objection from some property owners along the route regarding the traffic that would be generated. In response, the Council specified in the finally adopted version of the TSP that the subject section of Madison Avenue shall remain an unopened gravel street for emergency use only, with break-away barriers at the top and bottom. The existing gates will break away if pushed with a motor vehicle, although this would not be necessary since they are not locked anyway. Although they appear to be locked to discourage off-road vehicles, since the City has had problems of this nature in the past, they are actually only secured with a piece of chain wrapped around the end, which can be easily unhooked to open the gates. They are also signed as vehicle emergency-only routes. The Public Works Department inspects, grades, and gravels Madison Avenue on a regular basis to ensure that it is adequately maintained to serve as emergency access and a pedestrian pathway, while also not appearing attractive to off-roaders.
Currently, part of Madison Avenue going up the bluff is located within an easement, not a right-of-way. To provide acceptable grades and roadway widths, additional right-of-way would have to be acquired along the west side of the existing easement. The estimate for constructing Madison Avenue to "local" street standards, would be in the range of $400,000 - $600,000, depending on the land acquisition costs, drainage facility costs, and whether or not two sidewalks were included.
The City is in the process of preparing the plans for a pedestrian/bicycle path through the community, from 101 & Riverside Drive, along Riverside, through Old Town, out to the Jetty, up Madison, and along Beach Loop Drive. For the Madison Avenue segment, the initial concept includes a 12 ft. wide, paved "pedestrian & bicycle" pathway from the end of the cul-de-sac on the Jetty up to 7th Street at the top of the bluff, with narrower pathway connections around the gates. By keeping it officially "unopened" as a street, paving a pedestrian/bicycle pathway in the right-of-way (as opposed to full street standards), maintaining its designation as an emergency-only route, and keeping it gated and signed, it would comply with the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan without an amendment. That width would provide emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire, etc.) access onto the Jetty or an evacuation route off the Jetty, depending on the nature of the emergency (fire, hazardous waste spill, medical emergency, tsunami, earthquake, etc.).
After discussing options and project costs, the City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to expedite the planning for the proposed 12 ft. wide, paved pedestrian pathway, and present to the Council the cost estimates for that project. It was generally felt that this option could provide acceptable emergency access, while keeping traffic impacts and costs as low as possible. A final decision will be made as soon as that information is available.
SOUTH BANDON TRANSPORTATION GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN
The City has received a grant in the amount of $50,000 from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for a Transportation Growth Management (TGM) study of the transportation system in south Bandon. The study area generally includes the area of Bandon along Beach Loop Drive and Highway 101 south of 13th Street, and all areas served by Seabird Drive. The project will be undertaken by a consultant hired by ODOT, and will provide a detailed plan for the vehicular and pedestrian transportation systems in this rapidly growing area of the community. It will address such issues as alleviating the loading on south Beach Loop Drive and Seabird Drive; expansion of the urban growth boundary (UGB) east of Highway 101; trigger points for installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 101 and Seabird Drive, widening Seabird Drive, and extending Face Rock Drive from Beach Loop Drive to Highway 101; potential future development including Bandon Commons Phase II, build-out of Ocean Trails and Seabird Village, Bi-Mart and shopping center development adjacent to the intersection of Highway 101 and Seabird Drive, and the impact future projects such as developing the Face Rock Golf Course property for residential purposes; ensuring adequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities; potential development of an additional east-west connection between Highway 101 and Beach Loop Drive south of Seabird Drive; and fair-share allocation of major project costs (traffic signal, new collector routes, widening Seabird Drive, etc.) to future development in the area. It is anticipated that work on the plan will begin in January 2008, and will be completed by the end of June 2008.
To comply with ODOT guidelines, and to ensure adequate technical and public input into the project, two committees have been formed. One is a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), comprised of technical staff such as the City Planner, City Engineer, ODOT Engineer, Public Works Director, etc., to address such issues as road construction standards, project cost estimates, etc. The second is a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), which will meet 5 - 6 times during project development, to ensure adequate local citizen, government, and business input into the plan. At their November 5th meeting, the City Council unanimously appointed the following individuals to this committee: Bruce Capps, Jon Mikels, and Roger Straus to represent the Planning Commission; Barbara Dodrill to represent the Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI); Caroly Goldwasser to represent Environmental Justice (Low & Moderate Income Citizens); Bill Ohlsen to represent the transportation and trucking industry; and John Procetto to represent pedestrian and accessibility issues.
BANDON PROJECTS SUBMITTED TO THE STATEWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS REPORT
The Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) has re-instituted a program (formerly known as the "Needs and Issues Inventory") to annually compile a list of local infrastructure needs throughout the State. It is helpful to have local projects included on this list, if it is anticipated that the City may be requesting funding assistance (loans or grants) from the State. The list submitted by the City included the following 17 major capital projects, at a total estimated cost of over $35 million. It was developed by referring to the City Council Goals, as well as the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and other infrastructure improvement plans, and included the following projects, listed by State Project ID#, and not in any particular priority order:
- Lighthouse Restoration & Power ($750,000)
- Sanitary Sewer Inflow & Infiltration Repairs ($1,000,000)
- City-Wide Park Improvements ($1,000,000)
- Community Center Renovation ($1,600,000)
- Gross Creek Restoration & Fish Passage Culverts ($3,000,000)
- Woolen Mill Commercial/Industrial Building ($2,200,000)
- Bandon Bicycle/Pedestrian Loop ($4,000,000)
- New City Shop ($2,200,000)
- Watershed Land Purchase ($2,100,000)
- Johnson Creek Reservoir ($3,300,000)
- Purchase Cheese Factory Property ($1,100,000)
- Seabird Drive & Highway 101 Traffic Signal ($600,000)
- Eastside City Park ($300,000)
- Underground Electric Power & Telecommunications Lines ($5,500,000)
- Renewable Energy Generating Facilities ($5,000,000)
- Community Shuttle Service ($550,000)
- Storm Drain Improvements ($1,150,000)
COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION PROJECT UPDATE
The City received three bids for the Community Center Renovation Project. The low bid of $1,028,800 was submitted by Scott Partney Construction from Coos Bay. With an original total budget of $845,000, and considering architectural fees and contingencies, the City is in the range of $300,000 short on the construction budget. It is also estimated that the cost of kitchen equipment, which was removed from the construction bid to save money, will cost an additional $170,000.
City and Chamber of Commerce representatives met with the low bidder and project architect (Jim Tronson) on November 1st, in an effort to determine what we can cut from the project and/or whether any of the previously committed funding agencies or individuals can provide additional funds. It was decided that if the Urban Renewal Agency could contribute an additional $300,000, the Chamber volunteer grant writers (Melody Gillard-Juarez and Julie Miller) would approach the private foundations who have already awarded grants for the project to determine whether they could raise the $170,000 needed for kitchen equipment.
After discussing the matter at their November 5th meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare an amendment to the fiscal year 2007-2008 Urban Renewal budget, to add loan receipts and expenditures, and the necessary debt service payments, to provide an additional $300,000 for the Community Center Renovation project, and present it to the Urban Renewal Agency for approval at the next possible meeting. With this additional funding, it is anticipated that the project can move forward. Currently, construction is scheduled to begin in January, and be completed by June, 2008.
The City will be meeting with the contractor and project architect next week for a pre-construction conference, and to determine for what specific period the Senior Center and meals programs will have to be temporarily housed elsewhere. The City of Bandon very much appreciates the extremely generous offers for space we received from Reverend Bobbi Neason from the Presbyterian Church, Mary & Dan Wilson from the Restoration Worship Center, Susan Sanfro from the Beach Market, and Margaret Miller from the Face Rock Golf Course. Once we have determined a specific time period, we will determine which space(s) can best serve those needs and meet those scheduling requirements.
DOG LEASH LAW PASSED
At their November 5th meeting, the City Council amended the Bandon Municipal Code to add a dog leash law. The amendment includes the following provisions:
"Dog At Large" is defined as "A dog inside the corporate limits of the City, off the premises of the owner, and not under complete control by adequate leash. A dog in field training or a dog in an area designated as a dog-off-leash area within a City park, is exempted unless the dog causes personal injury or property damage off the premises of the owner."
"Dogs At Large Prohibited. (1) No dog owner shall permit a dog to be at large. (2) A dog owner is deemed to be negligent per se for the actions of a dog at large, or a dog undergoing field training, or a dog in a dog-off-leash are, when the dog causes injury to a person or property."
The leash law amendment passed by a vote of 4 - 2, with Councilors Briscoe, Claassen, Drew, and Procetto voting in favor, and Councilors Powell and Tiffany opposed.
BANDON FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
The first two weekends of December will be filled with family fun events! Santa visits Bandon's Historical Museum on December 1, and returns to Bandon the next weekend. Plan to bring the family to Bandon Shopping Center and Old Town Bandon. Watch for more details in the Coffee Break and Western World.
Also, http://www.ci.bandon.or.us, for more information on the upcoming Bandon Bounty Day Celebrations (November 30 and December 1 & 2), be sure and visit the City’s web site at www.ci.bandon.or.us, and click on Bandon Bounty Day Celebrations more info .
LINDA’S CHURCH JOKE
Linda wasn’t around City Hall for the last couple of weeks, since she was still out after becoming a new mom. However, one of her fans sent in the following, uh, yet another dumb blond joke! (Linda’s church jokes aren’t always about church, they just have to be suitable for telling at church!):
A brunette is trying to get across a river and suddenly she spots a blond on the other side. She yells over to the blond, "Hey, excuse me! How do I get over to the other side?"
After a quick survey of the river, the blond calls back, "You ARE on the other side!
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. Remember the veterans on Veterans Day, and have a great weekend!
Matt Winkel
City Manager
