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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2016)
6A • May 20, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com Water rates could see big increase Increase is ‘just the beginning’ By Lyra Fontaine Cannon Beach Gazette Cannon Beach residents may pay more for their water next year. City staff suggested water, wastewater and storm drain rate increases at the May bud- get committee meetings. They also suggested a study to bring the city’s rates “up to market rate.” Without the hike, money would need to be transferred from the city’s general fund, as it has in years past. Staff has proposed a 7 per- cent increase in monthly water charges, which would go from $795,000 to $845,000 in next year’s budget. The 7 percent increase is “just the beginning,” Public Works Director Dan Grassick said. The amount is a conserva- tive estimate, Gassick said, be- cause the city will not get the entire 7 percent. “When you raise your prices, people tend to conserve,” he said. Rate- payers may see an esti- mated $1.40 Dan increase a Grassick month per av- erage household. City Manager Brant Kucera compared Cannon Beach’s water rates to those of Astoria, Warrenton and Seaside. “We are from 60 percent to 30 percent where everyone else is,” Kucera said. “Our rates have not been adjusted enough in recent times.” Homeowners could see a 5 percent increase in wastewater fees and 3 percent increase in storm drain rates. The budget for monthly wastewater charges in the up- coming year is $1.1 million, compared to $1 million in the current year. Storm drain rates could go up from $138,000 this year to $142,000 proposed for next year. The city’s gener- ‘When you raise your prices, people tend to conserve.’ Public Works Director Dan Grassick al fund has been subsidizing enterprise activities — among them water and sewer costs — for 10 to 15 years, according to budget committee members. The rate increases would not solve the problem of the general fund subsidizing en- terprise activities, Kucera said earlier this month. “We are going to do a rate study to set them where they need to be, so our business ac- tivities start to become sustain- able,” Kucera said. “We’ve got to get our rates up to market rate to support the functions we’re doing.” Grassick said the city needs a “defensible” rate study, based on customer classiication and capital project needs, because the state and ratepayers can challenge rates. City may acquire school property Budget from Page 1A Staff proposed a 7 percent water rate increase, 5 percent wastewater increase and 3 percent storm drain increase. Staff also budgeted funds for a salary survey, computer upgrades, hiring a building oficial and purchasing a new police four-wheel drive vehi- cle. The community programs department had a $63,000 decrease in expenses due to the Cannon Beach Children’s Center closing in April. Buying a school The city considered ac- quiring the elementary school property from the Seaside School District in 2013, when the school closed. Howev- er, the city and the Seaside school board did not reach an agreement on the cost until recently, Kucera said after the meeting. “The site is one of the main entrances of the city and the city wants to improve it,” he said. “When you enter town, we want something we can be very proud of.” Although the acquisition has been a “long-term plan for the city,” Kucera said the budget committee and City Council can decide whether CANNON BEACH GAZETTE/FILE PHOTO Cannon Beach Elementary School was closed to students in 2013. It is being slated for purchase by the city. or not to move forward with the purchase. “We have not purchased anything,” Kucera said to the committee. “I have not signed a sales agreement.” If the committee and coun- cil decide to acquire the site, potential uses for the elemen- tary school property would be discussed during the city’s strategic planning, Kucera said. The lack of “timely evac- uation facilities” downtown would prevent a large meeting area from being built at the site. However, if the city re- ceives a state grant in fall to build the Fir Street pedestrian bridge, more options could be considered. THE COASTER THEATRE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS GIVE IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE The OHSU and Doernbecher Foundations’ Gift Planning team can help you support the missio ons of Oregon Health & Science University or Doernbecher Children’s Hospital with many kinds of f gifts – wills, trusts, real estate, personal property, stocks or other assets. Our gift planners are rea dy to help you explore the possibilities and make the most of your philanth ropy. The Fourposter May 6-29, 2016 CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE TO LEARN M MORE. Tickets $20 or $15 Shows begin at 7:30 pm Sunday shows at 3:00 pm Sponsored by Becker Capital Management Tickets: 503-436-1242 or coastertheatre.com ă$'3(-đ£!22-2+ | 503-228-1730 108 N Hemlock St Cannon Beach, OR +-đ6£!22-2+W3,9<(3<2&!ধ32W38+ | +-đ6£!22-2+W&$,(3<2&!ধ32W38+ M U N I C I PA L M E M O May 2016 Is published monthly by the City of Cannon Beach 163 E. Gower Street • P.O. Box 368 • Cannon Beach, OR 97110 (503) 436-1581 • Fax: (503) 436-2050 • TTY (503) 436-8097 MEETINGS 2016 CITY COUNCIL ELECTION JUNE 2016 7 14 16 23 City Council Regular Meeting City Council Work Session Design Review Board Planning Commission 7:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, May 5, 2016 • Police Chief Schemerhorn presented a plaque to former Cannon Beach Fire Department Captain Matt Gardner on behalf of the City recognizing his service to the citizens and City of Cannon Beach; • Approved Proclamation 16-03, EMERGENCY SERVICES WEEK May 15- 21, 2016; • Approved Proclamation 16-04, declaring April 29, 2016 as ARBOR DAY; • Approved Resolution 16-04, for the purpose of adopting a supplemental budget for the Fir Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project; • Appointed Steven Sinkler to serve on the Tourism and Arts Commission. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, May 10, 2016 • Haystack Rock Awareness Coordinator Melissa Keyser introduced new HRAP staff to the Council; • Finance Director Laurie Sawrey presented the third quarter (Jan-Mar 2016) inancial report; • Council listened to a presentation regarding the Oregon State Parks’ interest in purchasing the Weyerhaeuser property north of the City. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD - Scheduled to meet May 19, 2016 at 6:00pm PLANNING COMMISSION - At their April 28, 2016 meeting the Planning FOR YOUR INFORMATION MAYOR: Sam Steidel COUNCILORS: Wendy Higgins, Melissa Cadwallader, Mike Beneield & George Vetter CITY MANAGER: Brant Kucera At the 2016 General Election on November 8th, two City Councilor positions will appear on the ballot. The iling period for interested candidates begins on June 1, 2016 and all iling requirements must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on August 30, 2016. • All positions are non-partisan. • Council positions are elected at large – meaning candidates may reside in any area of the community. • All positions are volunteer/non-paid. • All terms will begin at the irst City Council meeting January 3, 2017. QUALIFICATIONS AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS A qualiied elector who shall have resided in the city during the 12 months immediately preceding the election may be nominated for an elective city position. Nomination shall be by petition specifying the position sought in a form prescribed by the council. Such petition shall be signed by not fewer than 50 electors. Please contact Assistant City Manager Colleen Riggs at (503) 436-8052 or via email at riggs@ci.cannon-beach. or.us for additional information or for an election information packet. CITY OF CANNON BEACH POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT ROCKY SHORE INTERPRETER & LEAD ROCKY SHORE INTERPRETER HAYSTACK ROCK AWARENESS PROGRAM (HRAP) The City of Cannon Beach is seeking qualiied applicants for Rocky Shore Interpreters and Lead Rocky Shore Interpreters for the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP). These seasonal, part-time positions run February through October under the supervision of the HRAP Coordinator. Description: HRAP is a stewardship and environmental educational program whose mission is to protect, through education, the intertidal and seabird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock. Duties: Rocky Shore Interpreters educate the public about intertidal and seabird ecology, support school ield trip programs, promote stewardship, redirect visitors engaging in prohibited activities, set-up and break down HRAP’s mobile education unit, collect accurate data, and maintain equipment off the beach. Beach program schedule varies daily around low tide, therefore applicants must be willing to work early mornings, mid-days, evenings and weekends. Work schedules are coordinated one month in advance. HRAP’s team includes 1 full- time Program Coordinator, 1 part-time Volunteer Coordinator, 1 part-time Education Coordinator, 8-10 part-time seasonal staff, and 80-100 community volunteers. Requirements: High School graduate, degree and/or coursework in Environmental ield preferred, valid driver’s license, strong work-ethic, good communication skills, exercise of judgment, initiative, and teamwork. Training will be provided in the areas of intertidal and seabird identiication and ecology, program set-up and break-down, data collection, temporary species collection, general communication skills, beach driving, and basic equipment maintenance. Relevant experience preferred. Salary: $10-13/hour; depending upon experience. Position is part-time (10-25 hrs/ week), seasonal, temporary and not eligible for beneits. Start Dates: Interviews will begin in May and will continue until all positions are illed. To apply: Send a completed City application (available at www.ci.cannon-beach.or.us) along with your cover letter or CV, resume and at least three references to: Melissa Keyser, HRAP Coordinator, City of Cannon Beach, PO Box 368, Cannon Beach, OR 97110 or email: hrap@ci.cannon-beach.or.us. The City of Cannon Beach is an equal opportunity employer. Position is open until illed. NOTICE OF VACANCIES CITY COMMISSIONS, BOARDS & COMMITTEES The City of Cannon Beach is seeking applications for the following vacancies: Commission discussed: V 16-02, Variance request on behalf of property owners Nathan and Sarah Austria for a variance to the maximum loor area ratio, and for a variance to the maximum building height, to remodel their existing residence at 172 W Harrison Street. Denied 16-03, Variance request on behalf of property owners Filene and Holly Alleva for a variance to the minimum front-yard setback for construction of a new single-family residence at 1680 Forest Lawn Road. Approved EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE: Two (2) vacancies. The EPREP Committee meets regularly for the purpose of providing evacuation planning and public education regarding emergency preparedness. The committee is comprised of six at-large community members, who each serve a four-year term, and a representative of the Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District. The Emergency Preparedness Committee holds its regular meetings on the last Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. and may schedule work sessions as needed. To be eligible to serve on a City committee, applicants must have resided within the city or its urban growth boundary during the one year immediately preceding appointment; or at the time of appointment, shall have owned real property located within the city or its urban growth boundary for at least one year immediately preceding appointment. Applications are available at City Hall, 163 E. Gower Street, Cannon Beach, by email addressed to riggs@ci.cannon-beach.or.us, or on-line at www.ci.cannon-beach.or.us. For consideration at the June 7, 2016 City Council meeting, applications must be returned to Colleen Riggs, Assistant City Manager, Cannon Beach City Hall, at P.O. Box 368, Cannon Beach, OR 97110 by 4:00 p.m., Monday May 30, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted. For more information, please contact Colleen Riggs by email or phone at (503) 436-8052.