By Robin Swain
The Rockaway Beach June Council Meeting had a packed agenda and a packed council chamber.
Jeffrey Goodman gave a presentation on the Granicus Short Term Rental Software. This software will help the staff to improve compliance and tax reporting. It will also help pinpoint those hosts that are under reporting taxes. There is a 24/7 complaint hotline, which will help to keep Hosts in compliance for response time. STR’s will also be able to register online. These are just s few of the features with this software. After the presentation, Councilor McGinnis pointed out that Tillamook County used this software. Mayor McNeilly stated, “This is a win/ win for both the City and STR owners.”
Sheriff Joshua Brown and Undersheriff Matt Kelly have a presentation on the contract extension for Law Enforcement in Rockaway Beach. Sheriff Brown gave an update on staffing. That several candidates are in various levels of training. He stated that Rockaway Beach was his number one priority and he was excited to be adding two more to the City’s patrol for the total of four. Sheriff Brown assured the citizens that the city is only paying for the two on patrol here, at this time.
Daniel Wear, Sustainable Northwest, gave an update on the Jetty Creek Watershed Project. He have explanations on Forest Legacy and NOAA application efforts. He also discussed Lower Watershed Letter of Intent.
Mayor McNeilly made a Proclamation that June 2024 is High School Senior Recognition Month.
The big highlight of the council meeting was the selection of Grand Marshal. Bill Hassell being the top contender. When Councilor Mary McGinnis made the motion with a second from Councilor Penny Cheek to choose Bill Hassell as Grand Marshal. With a unanimous vote, came a big round of applause and some woots and whistles from the audience. Volunteer of the Year is Ronnie Duckworth.
The council approved the Wayside application for the Rockaway Beach Music Festival.
In Council Concerns, Councilor Tom Martine reminded everyone with elections coming up, to be kind and positive. Don’t go door knocking saying how bad someone is. Go to the door and tell them the positive things and experience that you can bring to the table.
Councilor Kristine Hayes referred back to comments made by Justin McMahan about position numbers on the council seats. She agreed with him that those should go away and the top vote earners be elected.
Councilor Mary McGinnis suggested a citizen advisory committee be established that will study other city’s election models. Since several candidates have already submitted their petitions to run, changes can’t be made for this election cycle. Once the citizens advisory committee has made its recommendation, it then can be put on the ballot for the citizens to vote on.
Mayor McNeilly in his Comments stated that Coffee with the Mayor and Manager will be suspended until after the election in November. In the time being he is still listening and you can email, talk with him on the phone or in person.
You can read Mayor Charles McNeilly’s Monthly Update right here in The Tillamook County Pioneer – https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/city-of-rockaway-beach-monthly-update-june-1-2024/
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Anchor Street Park is June 21 at noon. Everyone is invited!
To view the Council meeting and read the Spring/Summer Newsletter, go to www.corb.us
