By Mayor Charles McNeilly
Welcome to the City of Rockaway Beach Monthly Update with a look back at the month of September, 2024.
I am very happy to announce construction has commenced on the Wayside Beach Access project! The site conditions will allow the slope of the ramp to be reduced which will improve beach accessibility generally, and will also meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. (See photos below by Bill Hassell and the plans for the ramp.)
Thanks to all who attended our Strategic Plan Open House and who participated in our Survey. Rockaway Beach’s staff and Leadership Team spent time with SSW Consulting at a Strategic Plan Action Planning Workshop. Staff provided feedback on the following agenda items:
- Review the engagement results related to each goal
- Discuss current and future city work or plans
- Develop clear outcomes for the goals
- Identify actions that will support those outcomes
SSW will update the Council and community on their work at the October City Council meeting; after that there will be a public review process.
A huge shout out to Tillamook County and the Tillamook County Visitors Associations (TVCA) for our new Lake Lytle Park and Anchor Street Park signs. The signs are elegant and robust and they communicate a sense of permanence and quality. I hope everyone has a chance to check them out.
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad (OCSR) replaced the rail crossing at N. 21st Ave. This new crossing is a huge improvement for those residents who utilize the N. 21st Ave. crossing. Thank you OCSR!
Did you attend the Music Festival held on September 21st? I can say from first-hand experience that it was a fun and fantastic day of music, food, drink, and cool stuff to buy. Thanks to all who contributed baskets filled with fun stuff for the drawing and to the Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Art & Music Cultural Foundation (NCAM) and Rockaway Beach Volunteers for bringing this event to life. I definitely look forward to next year’s event.
City Hall
The city rolled out our new short term rental annual license renewal process through Granicus on September 13th. Short-term rental (STR) owners can now renew, pay, and make updates to their license online. This new process is quick and convenient. Many short-term rental owners have been able to complete the process in around five minutes. The city still allows short-term rental owners the option to complete these tasks over the phone or in person should they feel more comfortable doing so. A short-term rental license holder wrote, “My compliments to the city. I just renewed my STR, and the process was quick and easy. I appreciate the effort to make the process so seamless.”
The Neah-Kah-Nie (NKN) school district requested and received a letter of support from Mayor McNeilly for a joint high school/middle school tsunami trail evacuation project. Hopefully, this support letter will help the district receive the funding they seek. The NKN school district is a wonderful community partner and is always willing to support the city’s grant funding efforts.
Finance Director Marni Johnson will introduce a new Cash Allocation report in our monthly city council staff reports beginning in October. This report will detail monthly cash holdings for each of the city’s funds. Ms. Johnson is also happy to report total investment returns of nearly $120,000 for the months of July and August.
Concerns were raised about beach clean-up following the city sponsored fireworks show last July 4th. Chief Hesse and I have reached out to Brent Pavlicek the Co-President of Western Display Fireworks regarding the issue. Pavlicek will work with Chief Hesse to propose a coordinated clean-up plan and include it in the 2025 fireworks show proposal.
Fire Department and Emergency Preparation
The Fire Department (FD) is wrapping up pre-fire planning for many of our local businesses. Pre-fire planning is an important part of preparing for a fire or emergency. A preplan provides emergency services with information about a property so a more efficient and effective operation can be conducted, meaning less damage to property and a better chance of a successful rescue. Firefighter Boos worked with the summer program staff on much of the data collection for this project.
Chief Hesse and Captain Grace met with the American Red Cross this week to discuss the resources that American Red Cross can provide. While American Red Cross does respond to disasters, they also have other programs. The FD will be hosting a training in November entitled “Be Red Cross Ready.” The FD is also working with Red Cross to develop a smoke detector campaign and educate the middle school on preparedness.
Our Fire Department reported that they are now authorized to utilize the Nixle alert system. Nixle is a communication tool that enables public safety agencies to send alerts, advisories, and general public safety information to those who have registered to receive it. The easiest way to register to receive alerts on your phone is to text 97136 to 888777.
The Fire Department updated their department webpage. Please check it out.
Planning Department
The Oregon Marine Board completed its design concept for the in-water amenities at Lake Lytle Park. These include total removal of the existing boat launch and installation of a new, modern boat launch and pier. Additional piers and docks for fishing, and an ADA compliant kayak launch. This work will include some wetland mitigation and restoration. The Marine Board will prepare a short presentation on the concept plan, and the city will work to solicit public feedback before finalizing the in-water concept. Please keep an eye out for our community survey in the next few weeks.
On September 30, the city hosted an Engagement Session for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Change Grant. The EPA Community Change Grant is an opportunity that has the potential to provide funding for the acquisition of the full Jetty Creek Watershed, as it provides funding between $10-20 million per project. Sustainable Northwest intends to work with the City of Rockaway Beach to develop a grant application. Community engagement in this process is vital to ensure the application is aligned with the goals of the Rockaway Beach Community. Community participation will help the City and Sustainable Northwest identify priority items needed for this application. Please see the new section on our city webpage for details.
City Planner Johnson submitted a funding application of approximately $4.8 million for construction of the North and South sections of Salmonberry Trail in Rockaway Beach. If the application is successful, the future buildout of the Salmonberry Trail in Rockaway will be all but guaranteed. Exciting news! Fingers Crossed! We will apply for funding for the middle section next year.
The city also received word that the Oregon Department of Forestry approved the city’s Lower Jetty Creek Watershed Project for funding. It is now going to be included in review among the other federal Forest Legacy Grant applications. It’s always prudent to seek multiple funding sources on projects of such importance.
City Planner Johnson, City Manager Shepard and I met with a representative from Senator Merkley’s office and expect to receive a letter of support for our Forest Legacy Grant application. The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners signed a letter of support. Statewide, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Wild Salmon Center, Sustainable Northwest, and the TVCA have also submitted letters of support. It’s great to see the momentum building on this grant application.
Planning Commission
At the September meeting, the Planning Commission heard a presentation by Cascadia Partners on Zoning Code & Comprehensive Plan updates needed to be made in response to Senate Bill 406. Senate Bill 406 requires that cities update their zoning to allow duplexes, triplexes, quads, etc. The intent is to increase mixed income housing.
Additionally, the Planning Commission reviewed and approved a draft of the new Community Grant program. The Planning Commission sent the draft Community Grant program to the City Council for action.
Public Works
Public Works wrapped up installation of a new, larger drainage culvert under S. 2nd Ave. near Coral St. The project will be completed once the asphalt patch over the trench path is laid sometime in the next few weeks. Stormwater will drain faster in this area of town.
Landscape plantings were competed at the new Anchor Street Park. Over 18 different species were planted including Fountain grass, Ornamental cherry, and perennial flowers. The design work and plants were donated free of charge by local landscape architect Rachel Johansen. Thank you so much Rachel!
An updated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) module were successfully installed at the Jetty Creek Water Treatment Plant. This new SCADA module will allow direct communication between the Water Plant, McMillon Creek Water Reservoir, and pumping stations. This is the final upgrade to bring all water system components online under a single program. This program improves remote monitoring and data tracking and will send out automated alerts to staff as needed. This project was proceeded by cybersecurity updates at all facilities and will reduce operating costs compared with the old SCADA system.
City Council
Councilor McGinnis was invited to join the Tillamook County Housing Legislative Committee as a committee member. This committee is part of the Tillamook County government advisory committees. Their function is to identify and promote legislation/bills with the state legislature impacting low income and middle-income housing needs in Tillamook County. The committee partners work closely with the League of Oregon Cities lobbyists and promotes joint legislative priorities. This committee has already been working on grant funding legislation, System Development Charges offset funding legislation etc. What a great opportunity to represent the City of Rockaway Beach at the county level. Councilor McGinnis continues to add value!
At the September meeting City Council considered and approved …
- Amending Code related to the Planning Commission. The Code had not been updated for some time and contained some problematic language and responsibilities.
- Adding an ordinance providing authority and procedure for Administrative Warrants and creating a new code Chapter 97.
- Approved funding for sound amplification equipment in our Conference Room and Council Room to address residents’ concerns with the sound quality of our City Council Workshops and Meetings.
- The scope of review for land use appeal 24-1 on the Nedonna Wave Planned Unit Development – Phase 2.
- Approved pursuit of attorney fees against relators in case no. 24CV37762.
Tillamook Coast Visitors Association
Our official visitor web site (visitrockawaybeach.org) had 9,870 users in September 2024 which was an 86% increase over September 2023. 2,467 of the sessions were direct to the site … the QR code is being used extensively!
Tillamook Coast Visitors Association Executive Director Nan Devlin submitted a letter to the Headlight Herald. Her letter detailed their collaborative success with community leaders in enhancing local tourism management. The efforts and accomplishments of the City of Rockaway Beach and its leaders were highlighted. I anticipate the piece to be published in the Tuesday, October 1st edition.
Key Dates in October for Community Discussions
Dates for the October and November Sourcewater Protection Plan Development Advisory Committee (SPPDC) meetings are set and added to the city’s event calendar:
- Thursday, October 10 at 10:00 am in City Hall Conference Room (2nd Floor)
- Wednesday, November 20 at 9:30 am in City Hall Conference Room (2nd Floor)
We completed the risk identification and prioritization phase; next up for the Advisory Committee is risk mitigation strategies.
The City Council Workshop is Wednesday, October 9th at 4:30 pm in the City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room followed by the City Council Meeting at 6:00 pm downstairs in the Council Room.
The Planning Commission Meeting is Thursday, October 17th at 5:00 pm in the City Hall Council Room.
The long-anticipated “FEMA BiOP” now has a new, accelerated deadline. Effective December 1, 2024, regulations for development in the Special Flood Hazard Area (commonly known as the “floodplain”) will be changing. These changes are mandated by FEMA for jurisdictions that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. City staff is working to update the webpage. Additional information will be available online shortly. To learn more about these changes, please join the City of Rockaway Beach and Tillamook County Community Development Director, Sarah Absher, at Rockaway Beach City Hall on Monday, October 28th at 5:30 p.m. This date is tentative, so please keep an eye for any schedule changes on our homepage event calendar.
Please stay informed and engaged!
The most efficient way to keep up to date on your City government is to add your email address to the City’s email list through the City’s website, at the bottom of landing page.
If you have ideas to share; questions or concerns about what is going on in the City of Rockaway Beach, please email me at charlesforrockawaybeachmayor@gmail.com.
I am still listening!
