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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2018)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 Seaside business owners seek help County marijuana in curbing aggressive panhandlers sales tax referred to voters this fall City could take a cue from Salem, Astoria A potential 3 percent tax on retail sales By R.J. MARX The Daily Astorian SEASIDE — Downtown business owners in Seaside want help controlling aggres- sive panhandlers. “If we sit here and get wishy-washy, and don’t take some real measures we’re going to have a really, really ugly summer,” business owner Neil Dundas said. “It’s going to get worse.” At a forum Wednesday hosted by the Seaside Down- town Development Asso- ciation and Seaside Police Department, business owners asked police to take a “hard line” when it comes to aggres- sive panhandlers, who, they say, camp out on city streets, intimidate passers-by, play loud music and litter. Business owner Jeremy Stevenson asked for greater police presence, describing panhandlers who station them- selves outside his store for hours at a time, sometimes for days on end. Wayne Poole, whose Pig ’N Pancake restaurant sits in the heart of Broadway, said the city should “take the aggres- sive side and figure out how to deal with it.” The perception of Seaside has gotten “sketchy,” business- woman Rebecca Buck added. “My children won’t come here anymore.” Seaside has ordinances designed to control begging, public performances and dis- orderly conduct. In 2015, the City Coun- cil considered new regula- tions on panhandlers, musi- cians and itinerant merchants. The amendment would have required a $50 per day fee for anyone soliciting “for any form of compensation or remuneration.” Opposition was swift. At a public hearing, the amendment was called “wrong,” “bru- tal,” “discriminatory” and “a street-sweeping technique.” The amendment failed to pass and the issue was tabled. Three years later, business owners say problems have got- ten worse. In November, they approached the downtown association and Police Chief By JACK HEFFERNAN The Daily Astorian R.J. Marx/The Daily Astorian Broadway in Seaside last summer. Business owners say panhandlers block the sidewalk and intimidate passers-by. Dave Ham with complaints. A committee was formed to address the challenge, leading to Wednesday’s forum, which brought about 60 people to City Hall. In 2015, police counted 17 unlawful lodging cases, issu- ing eight citations. Numbers were similar in 2016. In 2017, when police started tracking tents on the beach in addition to unlawful lodging, 79 unlaw- ful lodging case files were taken. Police issued 15 cita- tions for tents on the beach. “They’re not ticket-happy,” Ham said. “Those who deserve the education are the ones who put the middle finger up and say, ‘I don’t need to listen to you.’” This summer, police will increase their downtown vis- ibility, adding foot or bicycle patrols, he said. A police intern will add additional patrol capability. Police will also seek greater compliance from complain- ants and witnesses. “We can issue a citation, but we need you as a witness,” Ham said. “We’re going to need your participation.” Other options include reconsideration of a permit process for panhandlers, lim- iting public Wi-Fi capabili- ties, outdoor utilities and even replacing wooden benches with less comfortable stone ones to discourage extended Clatsop County vot- ers will decide in Novem- ber whether to place a tax on retail marijuana sales. County commissioners voted unanimously Wednes- day to refer the 3 percent tax to the general election bal- lot. Revenue from the hand- ful of dispensaries outside city limits would be about $50,000 annually, county staff estimates. The state ballot measure in 2014 that legalized mar- ijuana sales gave cities and counties the ability to impose a tax of up to 3 percent if approved by voters in a gen- eral election. No recreational dispensaries existed outside city limits in 2016, the most recent general election. The tax would be effective 30 days after voter approval. In other business Wednes- day, commissioners: • Continued a public hear- ing on updated flood-hazard maps and revisions to land use rules, including require- ments for property own- ers to pay for a permit when developing their land or seek approval before altering structures. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has required the revisions in order for the roughly 700 affected property owners in unincorporated, flood-prone areas of the county to be eli- gible for the National Flood Insurance Program. Resi- dents expressed their oppo- sition to the changes both at a county Planning Commis- sion meeting in March and to commissioners Wednesday. Despite the county’s efforts since the Planning Com- mission meeting, the fed- eral agency has not budged on any of its requirements, Community Development Director Gail Henrikson said. Commissioners are scheduled to hold another hearing in May, when they may vote to adopt an ordi- nance. The federal agency has mandated that the county implement the revisions by June 20 in order for residents to remain eligible for the insurance. • Appointed Robert Stricklin to the county Plan- ning Commission. Strick- lin has served on the com- mission before as well as the county Charter Review Committee and various other boards. The commission makes decisions on land use issues and recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Jacque Presley stepped down in February after four months in the position to focus more time on Angels for Sara Sanctuary — her nonprofit dog rescue organization. R.J. Marx/The Daily Astorian Business owner Neil Dundas offers a call to action at the forum on aggressive panhandling. Brian Owen, executive director of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce, is at left. stays. Seaside could also take a cue from Salem and Asto- ria, with a program that lets businesses authorize police to enforce trespassing laws on private property after hours. In Astoria, more than 40 businesses have signed on this year for Property Watch. A one-year contract between businesses and police allows officers to remove people engaging in loitering or disor- derly activity. State law does not allow police to prevent people from using public spaces — includ- ing for panhandling, sitting or lying down. In Seaside, a sign-up form for businesses has been drafted and will go to the city attorney for review. Associated Press A 3 percent county tax on retail marijuana sales is headed to voters. Clatsop Post 12 US House moves to reverse order to aid salmon By MATTHEW DALY and NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press WASHINGTON — The U.S. House approved a bill Wednesday that would reverse a federal judge’s order to spill more water from four Pacific Northwest dams to help migrating salmon reach the Pacific Ocean. The bill, approved 225- 189, would prevent any changes in dam operations until 2022. It was sponsored by Republican U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Dan Newhouse, both of Washington state. They say the four Snake River dams provide hydro- power, flood control and other benefits while already allow- ing record salmon runs. “We are recognizing the role dams play in the North- west and that dams and fish can coexist,” McMorris Rodg- ers, the fourth-ranking House Republican, said after the vote. The bill now goes to the Senate. 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ASTORIA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB SENATOR BETSY JOHNSON SEASIDE TEMPS 503 325-0310 • 1414 Marine Drive, Astoria www.smileastoria.com JEFFERY M. LEINASSAR DMD, FAGD We are a volunteer organization focused on promoting self-esteem and emotional well being of children in our community. 100% of all proceeds go to children in Clatsop County. Visit us at: www.assistanceleaguecp.org
