July 27, 2018 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 5A
Owner thought Hotelier, native declares run for City Council
Swedenborg
she was not in
joins fray for seat
violation of rule
By Brenna Visser
Cannon Beach Gazette
Rental from Page 1A
Cities on the Oregon
Coast have struggled to rein
in property owners who have
taken advantage of the ex-
plosion in the vacation rent-
al market but do not follow
regulations or pay lodging
taxes. Some property own-
ers openly advertise homes
on websites like Airbnb and
VRBO, but enforcement can
be more challenging when
owners are less obvious
about their rentals or claim
to be unaware of licensing
and tax responsibilities.
According to a court fil-
ing, Petersen believed she
was not violating Manzani-
ta’s vacation rental ordinance
because she only allowed
family, friends and current
and former trustees to stay at
the $395,000 property. The
trust arranged reservations
through a website and took
guest donations of about $50
to $65 a night for upkeep,
supplies and repairs, not for
a profit.
“It was my belief that the
use of the property by our ex-
tended family members did
not constitute an event that
generated either registration
or a tax,” Petersen said in a
court filing.
But Manzanita put Peters-
en on notice as far back as
2009 that the home appeared
to be a vacation rental.
“Your home must be reg-
istered as a short-term rental
in order for you to legally
accept money for the use of
the house, even if you merely
intend to use the money to-
wards taxes and maintenance
on the house,” a letter from
the city stated.
Kevin O’Connell, a Port-
land attorney representing
Petersen in federal court, said
Petersen explained to the city
at the time that the home was
only used by family. He said
she did not hear from the city
again until the fines arrived
last October.
While the penalty was
staggering, Manzanita has
shown a willingness to ne-
gotiate with property owners.
The city settled a similar case
this year with a homeowner
facing $3.7 million in fines
for just under $53,000.
Christian Zupancic, a
Seaside attorney for Peters-
en, reached an agreement
with the city in February that
would have required Peters-
en to register her home as a
vacation rental, pay $7,500
and city attorney fees, and
operate under a two-year
probation.
But Manzanita learned of
another alleged violation on
Edmund Lane in April, and
moved to throw out the set-
tlement and pursue the hefty
fines in the city’s Municipal
Court. O’Connell said that,
unbeknownst to Petersen, a
friend and family member
reserved the property but let
a friend stay at the $65 dona-
tion rate.
“She is and was clearly
aware of the city ordinances
and knew compliance was a
par to the settlement regard-
less of whether she knew
what the final dollar amount
would be,” Manzanita City
Prosecutor Stacy Rodriguez
said in a court filing.
A trial is set for August in
Municipal Court, but Peters-
en’s attorneys are asking for
a delay pending a ruling by
the federal court in Portland.
The Eighth Amendment —
mirrored in Article I, Section
16 of the Oregon Constitu-
tion — is a check on the gov-
ernment’s power to impose
excessive fines that are out of
proportion to the offense.
“Compared to the alleged
violation, we feel it’s grossly
disproportionate,” Zupancic
said. “Even if she did sup-
posedly do it, is $1.8 million
a fair penalty?”
Greg Swedenborg, a hote-
lier and president of the Can-
non Beach Chamber of Com-
merce board, has announced
his intention to run for City
Council.
A Cannon Beach native
and co-owner of The Waves
Oceanfront Lodging, Sweden-
borg decided to run after feel-
ing the business community
and working families needed a
stronger voice.
“I care about the people and
businesses in this city, and I
think I could add to the discus-
sion,” Swedenborg said.
Swedenborg will join Rob-
in Risley and incumbent Mike
Benefield in
vying for two
council seats in
the November
election.
If elected,
S w e d e n b o rg
Greg
would focus
Swedenborg on promoting
sustainable
tourism, affordable housing
and addressing parking issues.
He advocates for more private
and public cooperation to ad-
dress the affordable housing
shortage, like supporting tax
rebates, providing land at a
lower cost to those intending to
build affordable homes or other
solutions that don’t involve the
city being a landlord.
“I can draw on feedback
from a staff of employees who
haven’t necessarily felt repre-
sented in the topic of afford-
able housing, as it keeps going
on for years without any ac-
tion,” Swedenborg said.
He would also make park-
ing and overcrowding issues a
priority. Swedenborg has long
been an advocate for instituting
a food and beverage tax and
installing paid parking mech-
anisms in city-owned parking
lots to generate more revenue
for the city.
“The current council has a
lot of projects and good ideas,”
Swedenborg said, “but there’s
no funding to address these
issues. I don’t know what the
answer is, but you can’t do
anything without money.”
While a majority of the
city’s budget is supported by
lodging tax revenue, these
measures would be a way to
offset costs incurred from peo-
ple who take day trips to Can-
non Beach and put pressure on
city services, Swedenborg said.
Benefield seeks re-election in Cannon Beach
By Brenna Visser
Cannon Beach Gazette
Mike Benefield intends to
run again for his seat on the
Cannon Beach City Council.
His decision to seek
re-election, Benefield said, is
driven by a desire to address
“unfinished business” left
from his first term.
“I think we’re starting to
get more focus on the key is-
sues like affordable housing
— which we haven’t done
nearly enough about — and
emergency preparedness,” he
said.
Benefield served four years
on the Planning Commission
before being appointed to the
council in 2013. He was elect-
ed in 2014, largely on a plat-
form to push for more afford-
able housing.
If re-elected, Benefield said
developing more long-term
housing would remain a pri-
ority.
“We have no place to rent
unless you’re a tourist,” he
said. “We either need to quit
talking about it or get it done.”
Another priority for Bene-
field is to steer lodging tax
dollars away from supporting
tourism promotion and more
toward improving tourism-re-
lated facilities. He advocates
investing more in public art,
more events and concerts or
using the money to develop an
event center at the old Cannon
Beach Elementary School site.
“I want transient room tax
dollars to focus less on promo-
tion, but more on bettering the
experience once we get them
here,” he said.
Benefield would also want
to work with the council to
clarify the purpose and vision
of the Tourism and Arts Fund.
In an unusual move, Benefield
was one of three on the council
to vote against giving a grant
to a trail project recommended
by the Tourism and Arts Com-
mission, arguing it did not fit
program’s guidelines.
“This coming year I think
we need to give better guide-
lines to the commission,” he
said.
Overall, Benefield said he
UPCOMING
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Aug 4 • Owen Roe
Aug 11 • Ken Wright Cellars
Aug 18 • Pudding River Wine Cellars
Shack Hours
Sunday - Thursday
11am to 5pm
Friday & Saturday
11am to 5:30pm
Tasting Room Hours
Daily • 1 to 5pm
“Best Wine Shop”
- 2016 & 2018 Reader’s Choice Award
124 N. Hemlock, Cannon Beach - 503.436.1100 - www.thewineshack.wine
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
JULY 2018
MEETINGS
Haystack Rock Awareness Program
7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Beach Volunteers Wanted!
Do you enjoy being outside and sharing
your love of Haystack Rock? No experience
necessary – we train! Families welcome. Please
contact: Lisa Habecker, Education & Volun-
teer Coordinator 503.436.8064, habecker@
ci.cannon-beach.or.us
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, July 3,
2018
• Adopted Proclamation 18-06; designating
the Red-Wing Blackbird as the official bird
of the City of Cannon Beach;
• Adopted Proclamation 18-07; declaring
August 7, 2018 as National Night Out Day
in the City of Cannon Beach;
• Appointed Mike Morgan to the Tourism &
Arts Commission for a four-year term;
• Modified, then approved grant amounts for
the FY 2018-19 Tourism & Arts Fund;
• Approved the Professional Services Agree-
ment with the law firm, Beery Elsner &
Hammond, LLP for legal services as our City
Attorney.
• Members of the Design Review Board met
with the Council to discuss goals;
• Parks & Community Services presented
their recommendations for the FY 2018-19
Community Grants;
• Council discussed short term rental ideas
with the City Planner;
• The City Manager described the Coun-
cil’s role in assisting in the prioritizing of
the League of Oregon Cities’ Legislative
Agenda.
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION, July 10,
2018
• Michael McNickle, Clatsop County Public
Health Director discussed a proposed
county ordinance regarding tobacco;
• Rachelle Hannon, Pacific Power, presented
an update to the Council;
PLANNING COMMISSION - The Planning
Commission met July 5th in a work session to
discuss the foredune management plan with
Dr. Allan of DOGAMI (Oregon Department of
Geology & Mineral Industries.) The Planning
Commission is scheduled to meet June 28th
at 6:00pm.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD – The Design Re-
view Board’s July 19 meeting was cancelled.
The Design Review Board is scheduled to
meet August 16th.
Of Interest…
FY 2018-19 Tourism & Arts Fund Grant Awards
Requestor
Event
CB Arts Association
Artist Program
Amount Awarded
$ 24,051
CB Arts Association
2019 Music Festival
$ 10,554
CB Chamber of Commerce
Culinary Festival
$ 23,143
CB Chamber of Commerce
Event Videos
$ 16,500
CB Chamber of Commerce
Fat Bike Festival
$ 16,804
CB Chamber of Commerce
North Coast Partnership
$ 16,714
CB Gallery Group
Spring Unveiling / Earth 2 Ocean
Festival / Stormy Weather Arts Festival
$56,750
CB History Center & Museum
2019 Cottage Tour
$ 25,929
Clatsop Animal Assistance
Savor Cannon Beach
$ 44,419
Coaster Theatre
Late 2018 / Early 2019 Seasons
$ 36,457
Halo Education Consultants
Rockdance Ecofest
Northwest Trail Alliance
Klootchy Creek Trail System
Tolovana Arts Colony
Get Lit at the Beach
Total Budgeted Funds:
Total Awarded by Council:
Total left in Reserve:
$ 0
$ 0
$ 29,143
$300,464
Total
$384,655
$300,464
$ 84,192
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
MAYOR: Sam Steidel
COUNCILORS: Mike Benefield,
Nancy McCarthy, Brandon
Ogilvie and George Vetter
CITY MANAGER: Bruce St. Denis
Of Interest…
AUGUST 2018
City Council Regular Meeting
City Council Work Session
Design Review Board
Planning Commission
is running because of his pas-
sion to preserve the beauty and
uniqueness of Cannon Beach.
“I want to make this a fan-
tastic place to visit, but also a
fantastic place to live,” he said.
There are three council
positions on the ballot in No-
vember, including Mayor Sam
Steidel’s seat. Real estate agent
and longtime resident Robin
Risley plans to vie for City
Councilor George Vetter’s
seat. Vetter has announced he
will not seek re-election.
Cannon Beach’s Best Selection
of Oregon and Washington Wine!
M U N I C I PA L M E M O
7
14
16
23
“I want to keep Cannon
Beach a sleepy and small
town, but the fact we’re the
closest beach town sitting
next to Portland, which has
doubled in size in the last 10
years, is not going to change,”
Swedenborg said. “To be able
to address the volume of peo-
ple that come here, we need
to make steps to manage that
future but also respect the
(town’s) past.”
Before taking over opera-
tions at The Waves, Sweden-
borg worked in Los Angeles,
California, and Bend in tech-
nology sales and manage-
ment with Hewlett-Packard.
Swedenborg believes he will
draw from his experiences
collaborating with a large staff
of employees and budget man-
agement in both the tech and
hospitality sectors to problem
solve on the City Council.
Attention:
Candidates filing for the offices of
City of Cannon Beach
Mayor or City Councilor
If you are interested in running for the posi-
tions of Cannon Beach Mayor or City Councilor
you are encouraged to contact the City Elec-
tions Official (Colleen Riggs, riggs@ci.cannon-
beach.or.us or 503.436.8052) for information.
The position of Mayor and two Council posi-
tions are on the November 6th general election
ballot. All incumbents are eligible to run for a
second term, but Councilor George Vetter has
already announced he will not be running.
Requirements
Any resident of the City of Cannon Beach who
is registered to vote in Cannon Beach, Clatsop
County may file to become a candidate for City
Council, provided they have lived here at least
one year prior to the election.
Terms/Conditions of Office
The Mayor and City Councilors are elected
for a four-year term (unless completing a partial
term) which begins with the first meeting in
January following the election. You will be
expected to attend City Council meetings, which
typically occur twice monthly. Members of the
Council may serve a maximum of two four-year
continuous terms.
How to File
Please make an appointment with the City
Elections Official (Colleen Riggs) to review the
process.
The City Elections Official will confirm your
eligibility (active, registered voter) with the
County Elections Office prior to reviewing the
process with you.
The City of Cannon Beach follows the state
guidelines and the City Elections Official will
give you the forms and review the process with
you.
Step 1: File Prospective Petition
Step 2: Collect Signatures
Step 3: Submit Signature Sheets
Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements
All campaign finance reporting is handled at
the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division.
If you have questions regarding Campaign
Finance, please contact the Oregon Secretary
of State Elections Division at 503-986-1518 or
www.oregonvotes.org
Statement of Economic Interest/State
Reporting Requirements
All persons holding office in the City of Can-
non Beach are required to file a Statement of
Economic Interest with the Oregon Government
Ethics Commission. The annual reports must be
filed electronically by April 15th every year of
the incumbency of the elected official. Informa-
tion will be requested concerning sources of
income, property, business interests and gifts
related to the office. Civil penalties may be
imposed for failure to file, or for insufficient in-
formation. For additional information or sample
forms, information can be found on the Oregon
Government Ethics Commission website - www.
oregon.gov/OGEC or by contacting the Com-
mission at (503) 378-5105.
Voter’s Pamphlet
Candidates are to file directly with the County
Elections Official with the filing candidate state-
ment and required fee.
Important Dates
• May 30, 2018 - First day for local (city) can-
didate to file declaration of candidacy (SEL
101) and candidate signature sheet (SEL 121)
with City Elections Official for offices filled at
general election.
• August 17, 2018 - Recommended date for
candidates to submit their petition signature
sheets (SEL 121) to the City Elections Official
BEFORE the actual candidate filing deadline
of August 28th, in order to allow sufficient
time for County Elections Office to verify the
signatures, their eligibility to vote here, and
also to allow time for candidates to obtain
more signatures if needed. The City of Can-
non Beach Charter sets the requirement of 50
signatures.
• August 28, 2018 - Last day for local (city)
candidate to file declaration of candidacy
(SEL 101) and candidate signature sheets (SEL
121) with City Elections Official for offices
filled at general election.
• August 31, 2018 - Last day for city candi-
dates to file withdrawal of candidacy. (SEL
150)
• September 6, 2016 - Last day for City
Elections Officers to file with County Clerk
statement of candidates and measures for
placement on the ballot.
• September 10, 2018 - Last day for local
candidate who files candidacy with County
Clerk to file candidate statement for County
Voters’ Pamphlet with County Clerk’s office.
($25.00 fee)
• September 14, 2018 - Materials submitted
(candidate statements and measure argu-
ments) for County Voters’ Pamphlet become
public record and available for public inspec-
tion.
• November 6, 2018 - Election Day!
You may also visit the County website for
information and forms www.co.clatsop.or.us,
under Services select Clerk/Elections.