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About Sandy post. (Sandy, Oregon) 1938-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 1982)
■ . ’ ’. V k i* » Voi. 72 No 33 by SCOTT NEWTON The Sandy Post SANDY OREGON THURSDAY. AUGUST 19. 1982 <i sp> »si im . Single Copy 25« levy failure would close SUHS C ity dealt setback in LID battle A number of topics had been discussed before Kenneth Blackburn asked. “ Are you going to open"” ’ “ We have sufficient funds to operate through the month of Septem ber,’ ’ D r Jack P eters, superintendent, told the crowd of more than 100 at the Sandy High School Board of Directors meeting Monday evening. Most expected to find out which programs would go on the “ A " ballot and which would go on the “ B” ballot on Sept. 21. The board, which had met in ex ecutive session for an hour and a half before the meeting, apparently decided to wait until after receiving public input before making a pro posal A fter discussing the way education is financed in Oregon, the possibility of a unified district, the duplication of bus runs, and numerous other topics, the meeting was adjourned until Aug 24 at 7.30 p m. At that time the board w ill entertain a motion concerning what to put on the “ B " ballot, discuss it and vote on it. M onday n ig h t the b o a rd unanimously approved the size of the “ B " ballot It was expected that $636,381 would be needed, but an ad ditional $133,157 in Basic School Sup port was received from the state in All eyes, including the cam era’s, were late July In addition to the Basic palatable to local voters. School Support, an excess cash car in dealing with the “ B " ballot, which ryover of $22,592, and a savings of many do not expect to pass. $76,592 realized when three full- and Karen Topliff said her husband has one part-time teachers resigned, put taken a 10 percent cut in pay, and the figure at $404,040. asked if the school board is consider A fter explaining that a state fo r ing such an alternative. mula determines how much the That “ is one of the things this school may put on the “ A ” and “ B ” board is considering,“ Johnson said ballots, Cathy Coleman asked, “ That Peters said if teachers' pay is kept $404,040 is total funding for the pro at last year’s level, the adm inistra grams you guys want?” tion would also take such a cut. The “ That’s the programs, including classified staff would also be asked to the " A ” ballot, that I believe (make) make such a sacrifice. Freezing the a viable program for high school pay levels of all three groups would students,” Peters responded. "And a result in a savings of approximately budget committe of 10 citizens met $180,000, according to Joan Hay, for many hours and that’s the budget deputy clerk they came up w ith.” That would require re-opening Wayne Johnson, board chairman, negotiations, and the idea would added, ” 1 might mention during the most likely not be popular with time those 10 people were putting teachers or classified personnel as together that budget you were invited people at feeder schools in the to participate. district have not been required to “ We had five people at our budget make such a sacrifice, being they are hearing when we discussed it at totally funded length ” Some entire athletic programs The board has several alternatives could be cut, or the board could The city of Sandy was deali another blow in its court battle ovet Local Improvement D istrict 4 Iasi week But it isn't going to take the Oregon Court of Appeals decision sitting down Rather, the city plans to pick itself up and jump back into the bat tie, filing for a review with the ap pellate court that could lead to a Supreme Court appeal. In the meantime, however, the city plans to begin negotiations with pro perty owners to reach a settlement and make future court battles un necessary The decision, written by Associate Judge Edward Warren, said the pro ject to pave the parking lot at Heritage Square should not have been divided into two phases and con tinued without initating new pro ceedings What the city should have done, the decision said, was go back, re-initiate the proceedings and start it all over again. As it stands now, there are w ar rants for approximately $96,000 still outstanding, said City Manager Roger Jordan. The parking lot project began in « . Sondy H I«, School Boord member. M ood., nigh! ». they délibéra,«! w , „ moke ike high , r h j b o d g e îm m è ... March 1976 when property owners asked the Sandy City Council to build a 106-space municipal parking lot reduce them a ll, w hich would medieu, fo re stry, M ark Kuntz, discussed was the duplication of bus th ro u g h a lo ca l im p ro ve m e n t eliminate some junior varsity or drama, and Welcome Rumbaugh, in routes district. freshman programs dustrial arts. In addition a math Lillias Crane said at one time three The engineer's report, however, Fall sports are continuing for now, teacher and a com m unications of her children were taking three d if didn’t detail plans and specifications although some could end abruptly in teacher just resigned this week, and ferent buses to school but simply listed general work with September if the “ B " ballot fails. If the administration feels they need A study done a few years ago ad estimated costs. It didn’t list the cost the “ A” ballot fails Sept. 21 the those positions filled dressed this issue, according to Bob of property acquisition, appraisal school w ill close Sept. 30. Jan L u e lling was rehired as Boring, board member. Reportedly, fees, lig h tin g , w ater lines and Twelve non-tenured teachers may librarian, and Billie Sue Chambers the study indicated SUHS could save hydrants, utilities or attorney fees not be hired, which would result in a was hired as a special education $75,000, while cumulatively all the The engineer estimated the pro savings of $352,065, but would be teacher districts could save up to $300,000. je ct’s cost at $57,565 devastating to programs, according Teachers who resigned, resulting “ I really think the man was dream At a subsequent city council hear to Hay. in the $76,000 saving (in salaries and ing just a little b it,” Boring said of ing to assess property owners, fewer There were 19 “ nonrenewed” frin g e b e n e fits ), w ere J u d ith the figures, but added. “ I think it ’s a than 20 percent of the owners teachers this spring, but two were Fischer, speech, B ritt Tucker, social very viablotprogram remonstrated against the project and rehired and others have accepted studies, Ruth Kostur, English, and “ I think this board has gone about a resolution creating LID 4 was pass other positions. Those left, and the Vickie Andrews, a part-time home as far as it can. If we can get some in ed subjects they teach, include Scott economics teacher. put (from the grade school boards) By October 1976, problems had McMullen, science, Molly Knudsen, At the meeting Monday night I'm ready to open it up (again).” arisen and property owners were physical education, Joseph Kniser, voting by mail, having volunteers Fred Del Ziel said he’s 73, on a fix concerned that the project hadn’t math, Charles Kearney, a rt and drive buses to athletic contests, a ed income, and paid $1,000 to the Bull progressed In executive session on physical education, John Smith, sales tax to finance schools, and hav Run School D istrict and $500 to the Oct. 1, 1976 the council decided to social studies, Jeannie Rossos, ing students walk further to the bus SUHS D istrict in property taxes for divide the project into two phases. agriculture and work experience, stops were among the ideas discuss “ nothing fancy at a ll.” The council wanted to expedite the Robert Karsten, art, Nancy Haskell, ed. “ Let ’em walk to school and they’ll project without finally determining communications, Barbara Haggerty, A unified school district was one get all the athletics they need.” he certain costs that could have been business education, Alan L'hom- topic brought up several times Also said estimated, and that later constituted a major portion of total costs, Judge Warren wrote in his decision. The result was a motion to continue with two phases No further notice of council meetings was given until pro perty owners were assessed. by DAN DILLO N infiltration into the sewer system When assessments for Phase I recommends a phased approach to needs to be addressed The problem, expanding the plant. were handed down, they totaled Studies released last week indicate he said, “ isn't something you solve $104,979.76—n e a rly d ouble the Under Mintkeski s timetable, the the city of Sandy’s sewage treatment once and forever. I t ’s ongoing engineer’s estimate. $3.6 m illion project in three phases, plant can handle 670 new connections maintenance like a ca r.” would be completed around 1994 The city conceded that proceedings and the possibility exists that the were defective, but claimed that once The city has agreed to spend $7,000 North Bluff area may some day be it is past the remonstrance stage in NORTH B LU FF SEWER for Lee Engineering to study the in served by a gravity-flow sewer line creating an LID, all decisions in Although there is no timeline on the flow problem, the bulk of which is The two studies, prepared by Lee m aking the im provem ents and project, residents of the North Bluff caused by rainy weather, and try to Engineering, Inc , of Oregon City assessing its cost are political actions Road area would like to be on-line by come up with a solution to lengthen show that the city's treatment plant, the time the new sewage treatment and not subject to defeat by once written off as nearly at capaci the life of the plant. remonstrance. plant is completed. ty, can handle the new connections The property owners, however, The study, presented by Duane PLANS FOR 2000 but there is work to be done so it can Lee, president of the engineering argued that the city denied them the Looking ahead, the engineering reach its theoretical capacity. right to remonstrate against an LID f ir m , o u tlin e s s e v e ra l a l t e r firm has prepared a step-by-step that differed from the original pro natives—the final result of which The news that the sewage treat plan for the city to meet its future posal. would be gravity-flow lines from the ment plant is in better shape, thanks needs Because the city split the original “ panhandle" area near Kelso Road to implementing some of Lee’s Based on a review of the c ity ’s to the sewage treatment plant LID into two separate L ID ’s in phas earlier suggestions, is “ one of the comprehensive plan, the c ity ’s urban ing, the court said, it must go back to While the entire network of sewer reports that makes you feel good,” growth boundary could contain up to lines is being installed, a temporary square one and begin the process said City Manager Roger Jordan. “ It 12,500 people by the year 2000 That, pump station would be installed to again for the new version of the LID. means that sewage treatment plant coupled with additional industry and pump sewage from the B luff Road City officials are unsure what w ill expansion is important, but not commerce, would increase Sandy’s area and the area surrounding the critical at this tim e.” happen now if the property owners sewer needs to a 1.5 m illion gallon Sandy High School athletic field to remonstrate against the project, Walt Mintkeski, of the engineering per day plant the proposed sewer line along which has been in use for some time. firm , said the problem of inflow and To prepare for that day, Mintkeski Highway 26 The options, if that happens, accor ding to Jordan, are doing something with the parking lot such as making it a city lot, or appealing to the Supreme Court “ We ll have to deal with the ques tion of what to do if no solution can be found,” Jordan said by M IC H A EL P. JONES creases, disallowing the sale of Ban have opted for this route to pay off He is hopeful that the negotiation Post Correspondent croft bonds for assessments, explain the assessment Only 30 have elected process proves fruitful. ed Abrams The bond sale is needed to pay in cash which represents ap Two property owners have already to pay the construction costs for the E a r lie r th is sum m er the proximately $60,000 applied for Bancroft bonding and Clackamas County utilities division $5 5 million Welches sewage treat A bond counsel is in the process of what effect the case w ill have on delayed the assessments in the Cedar ment fa c ility , operated by the putting together bid sales for the them has not been discussed, Jordan Hoodland Service District. Ridge area, near Brightwood, until se w e r bonds, sa id A b ra m s said. The o rig in a l intention of the the construction of the sewerline that Clackamas County is targeting the delayed assessment, said Abrams, would serve the area was completed sale of the Bancroft bonds in mid- was to give the Cedar Ridge property September, probably through local At that time Dave Abrams, utilities banks and bond houses. director, said assessments for the owners the same break as those in 500-acre tract would probably not be the Welches area who weren't assess Abrams said the interest rates for ed until the sewage treatment facility le v ie d u n til O c to b e r The the bonds isn't known, but is ex was built and ready to provide ser SECTION 1 assessments total nearly $2.5 m illion pected to be between 11 to 14 percent vice Editorial, Opinion ....... ----- 2 The rates could be lower because in However, last week, Abram s July 1 $2,986,665 in property tax Keeping Posted terest rates are reportedly dropping n o tifie d Cedar Ridge p ro p e rty assessments were levied in the Senior Center News 4 owners and advised them the W elches a re a , sa id A b ra m s , With the levy assessments against Inside the Church assessments w ill be levied this week, representing 394 tax lots Area News the Cedar Ridge property owners, to head off the potential impact that Assessments in both areas are due Atorams admitted there w ill be some Sports. Recreation ....... .11-12 could be created by passage of state Jan 1, 1983 Those who wish may economic impact because the land Ballot Measure 3 in the Nov 2 elec have up to 20 years to pay the assess is n ’t developed. Three subdivi- .SECTION II tion ment. sions—totalling 994 units on 494 Classified Ads Inside Tab The ballot measure would lim it In the Welches area, Abrams said acres—are currently proposed for TV Revue ............... Inside Tab property taxes to 15 percent in an nearly 350 of the tax lot owners the area. Future of sewer system outlined One-year tax base planned for voter try by DAN DILLON ft The city of Sandy w ill continue its fiscally conservative approach this fall when it asks voters to ap prove a $460,000 tax base proposal in the November general election. City Manager Roger Jordan estimates that the base would be good for one or two years, but would at least give the city a toehold that it doesn't now enjoy with its miniscule $14,000 base “ I t ’s something to get something on the books,” he said, “ so every s in g le y e a r we d o n ’ t ris k everything we have” with a levy election Jordan admitted changing his thinking on the tax base matter, switching from favoring a pro gressive tax base which can last six seven years to the more conser vative base which, he estimates, would just meet the city 's needs for an A ballot in the spring. “ I t ’s the best estimate of what a Ballot A w ill do next year," he said He said the estimate takes in to consideration a small growth year in assessed values and that with the $460,000 base and the rest of the c ity ’s revenue, the local g o ve rn m e n t w ill be “ f a ir ly stable ” Jordan cautioned that the city must continue to keep its cash car ryover in good shape to pay bills after the fiscal year ends and before tax receipts come in One consideration facing every budge ter statewide is the proposed 1.5 percent property tax lim itation that w ill be on the November ballot “ If you're only taxing $15 per $1,000, it doesn't take long to figure out how much the city's losing,” Jordan said “ I guess you can basically divide your organization in half ” With one-person departments like the city of Sandy’s, he noted, “ I ’m not sure how you divide those persons in half ” On an optimistic note, Jordan said the city could levy up to the 1.5 percent lim itation and still be ahead of what the existing tax base allows the city to collect before it passes special levies every year Under the 1.5 percent lim itation, Jordan thinks growth would be penalized because more services would have to be provided for the rising population, but a lower am ount of money w ould be available to provide them “ There is an incentive to stay stagnant,” he said A resolution calling for the $460,000 tax base w ill be presented at a special adjourned meeting Aug 26 Most of that meeting w ill be spent in executive session as the c i ty council and a citizens' com m it tee screen the final list of ap plicants vying to become the new city manager Jordan said there are currently 12 candidates still in the running. Final interviews w ill be held Sept. 11. In other action Monday night the council: — Accepted two separate bids that w ill allow the summer street improvement program to go ahead as scheduled Jim Turin and Sons bid $22,130 to complete the first pha3e of the North B luff Road pav ing project; C H . Stenson bid $9,552,40 to complete the oil mat projects at other sites. — Agreed to spend $3,000 to pur chase new water meters to begin a project that w ill eventually replace all city water meters over c 10-year period — Appointed Virginia Kallen to fill a vacancy on the Library Board Early assessment tied to tax limit Index A i. l'. T Î 'V i T. ».• ' I •
