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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2018)
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 4th of July fire safety City snapshot By Sue Stafford Correspondent • Sisters City Council will take up considering the Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) of marijuana sales within the city in July. Council wants decisions on TPMs finalized prior to the November ballot measure, which will decide whether or not marijuana dispensaries and stores will be allowed in Sisters. • Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office reported that police bike patrols in Sisters will be starting on July 7 and run throughout the summer on the weekends. • Following a sec- ond reading on June 27, Council passed Ordinance 484, regarding noise within the City, with a 3-1 vote. Councilor Richard Esterman opposed the ordinance and Councilor David Asson was not in attendance. • Council directed staff and Legal to create a policy proposal that spells out how the City can grant money for or provide a refund of money for system devel- opment charges on work- force housing or Habitat for Humanity house projects. Council doesn’t want to take money from the utility or general funds for such pur- poses because then it won’t be there later when it is needed. • Council approved acceptance of the City’s Transportation System Plan (TSP) revision, with the amendment that a park- ing analysis be done before installation of a bicycle boulevard on Washington Avenue. Staff assured there would be a public pro- cess allowing for citizen input before the project begins. • After lengthy discus- sion, Council unanimously approved text amendments and Ordinance 486, which includes re g u l at i o n o f short-term rentals. Because Council is concerned about the concentration of STRs impacting neighborhoods, they omitted any of the changes regarding STRs so the percentage cap on num- bers and the spacing of STRs can be further researched. In essence, that leaves the issue of STRs unregulated until such time as Council can agree on regulations. The City is not able to put a mor- atorium on STR applications, so it is conceivable the three percent of all dwelling units cap (currently 104) proposed by the Planning Commission 11 could be exceeded before any regulation is approved. • Passage (4-0) of Ordinances 487 and 488 referred two ballot mea- sures for the public to vote on in November. Approval of one ballot measure would allow marijuana establish- ments within the city limits of Sisters. The other would allow the City to impose a three percent tax on the sale of marijuana items by a mari- juana retailer. The voters will decide both issues. • The City-run showers in Village Green Park have gen- erated $2,800 in revenue in fiscal year 2017-18. The City will explore the possibility of tokens to be given to the homeless, possibly by onsite monitors. The cost of the showers is $1 for two min- utes. Public Works reports the showers get a lot of use and have suffered from van- dalism. The showers at the Creekside Campground generate about $350 a week in the summer, with $2,500 already collected since the campground opened in early April. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District — In partnership with the Office of State Fire Marshal — is encouraging Sisters Country residents and visitors to “Keep it Legal and Keep it Safe” this Fourth of July holiday. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District personnel will be out patrolling neighborhoods within the Fire District during the Fourth of July for educa- tion and prevention purposes, and to answer any questions residents and visitors may have regarding the use of fireworks. Fireworks retail sales season runs through Friday, July 6. The use and sale of fireworks is prohibited within Sisters city limits (except for public displays if they are approved by the City Council and Fire Department). State Fire Marshal Jim Walker said, “I want to remind all Oregonians that consumer legal fireworks can only be purchased from Oregon permitted fireworks retailers and stands, and reg- ulations limit where those fireworks may be used. Fire risk in Oregon is approaching extreme conditions and there is no room for error in fire- works safety.” Deschutes National F o r e s t P u b l i c A ff a i r s Specialist Kassidy Kern said, “Fireworks are prohibited on public lands all the time. Enjoy recreating on the for- est, but leave the fireworks at home for the holiday.” The OSFM encourages everyone to use the four Bs of safe fireworks use: • Be prepared before light- ing fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket. • Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks. • Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal. • Be aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places. For more information contact the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department at 541-549-0771.
