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Concerns as state announces plan to lift mask mandate DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
While Gleason said he understands the decision by the state, he warned that the pandemic was not over. “It’s not over yet,” Gleason said. “I understand the mindset of where we’re going, but we’re not there yet. Hopefully this gets us there in a meaningful manner.” Gleason said his biggest concern is the removal of mask requirements in schools, saying the number of vaccinated children is still low. While the state will allow school districts to implement their own mandates, Gleason said it is hard to envision that happening. “We know schools are probably going to get hit right after then 19th,” Gleason said. “You watch, and two to four weeks after schools are going to get hit. I think it’s a risk the state is willing to take.” While the mandate will be lifted, Gleason said people will still be able to wear masks if they
Less than an hour after the state of Oregon announced it was lifting COVID mask mandates March 19, Dr. Eric Gleason said the decision will lead to a rise in COVID cases. Gleason, the assistant director of Coos Health and Wellness, said any time protective measures are taken away, case counts go up. “When we lift the mandates, that means the numbers are most likely going to go up,” Gleason said. “It’s something that kept numbers lower than they could have been. I imagine we’re going to see numbers go up.” On Thursday, the state announced it was lifting mask mandates in public spaces and in schools March 19. The Oregon Health Authority said with hospitalizations decreasing, it is now safe to lift the most visible COVID mandate. Masks are still going to be required in healthcare facilities and public transit. Please see MASK MANDATE, Page A6
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The state of Oregon announced last week it was planning to lift the indoor mask mandate, including at schools, as of March 19. Local health officials say they understand the decision, but they expect there will be an increase in cases when the protective measure is removed.
Coos Bay considering incentives for housing development DAVID RUPKALVIS The World
The Coos Bay City Council agreed to consider the possibility of waiving property taxes for up to 10 years as an incentive to bring the development of new multi-family construction into the city. During a work session last week, City Manager Rodger Craddock presented the possibility to the council.
“Coos Bay, like most of the state, is facing a housing shortage,” Craddock said. “We are blessed. We have more housing going on now than ever. A number of houses have been built, a number are under construction and more are in the planning phases. Most of what we are seeing is single family homes being built, very little multi-family homes. Many communities are using a new strategy called the multi-unit property tax exemp-
tion program, where it provide exemptions of up to 10 years for approved projects of three units or better.” The state of Oregon enabled the housing incentive program that allows cities to exempt property taxes. A 2020 housing needs study showed Coos Bay will need an additional 604 new housing units by 2040, although many feel that number is low. “Over the last few years, there have not been many of them
Photo by David Rupkalvis/The World
Workers remove the last remaining remnants of the old Englewood School. The site will be the home of a new affordable-housing complex, with work expected to begin soon.
built,” Craddock said. “We saw a nine-plex and a six-plex built in 2021. The only unit in the pipeline is the Englewood School project. Rental demand had never been greater than what we’re seeing today and vastly exceeds supply. It’s not only the market we’re seeing but also the market rules.” Councilor Sara Stephens asked Craddock if Coos Bay could require the developers to set price limits or set aside a certain number of houses for the low-income. “You can, but it greatly impacts the ability to manage the project,” Craddock said. “It has to be managed and audited for the entire 10 years. It wouldn’t attract the developers, but there’s some benefit to it.” Craddock told the council if it was interested in the idea, there were two ways to move forward. The first would be going alone and waiving just the city portion of the property taxes. The second would be to try to get 51% of the taxing districts to join in, which would eliminate all new taxes. “I would argue that this is a very worthwhile incentive,” Craddock said. “If no one ever takes advantage of it, you’re not out of anything. But if we don’t have this program and nobody ever builds, you’re out of housing and increased property taxes.”
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The Oregon Legislature is working to pass legislation that would infuse $400 million to help combat homelessness and provide affordable housing across Oregon. While much of the investment will happen in the larger cities of the state, funding is being made available to rural areas as well. During a press conference Thursday, Democratic leaders announced the funding package, which includes House Bill 4123.
HB 4123 will create a pilot program that provides funding for cities and counties that work together to combat homelessness. In Coos County, the cities and North Bend and Coos Bay are working with the county to host one of the pilot programs. In Lincoln County, the county is partnering with Lincoln City, the city of Newport and the city of Toledo to host one of the pilots. Representative Jason Kropf authored HB 4123, which was scheduled to be voted on Thursday in the Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic
Development. “Each pilot will establish a coordinated homeless response office,” Kropf said. “In doing so, our communities will be better positioned to leverage existing resources. Pilots will be required to report back on their plans, their progress, challenges and opportunities. Houselessness does not have a one size fits all solution.” HB 4123 will provide $1 million for each of the eight pilot programs, with a goal of finding what works and doesn’t work. State Rep. David Gomberg,
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who represents Lincoln County in the Legislature, said the program is much needed. “As a coastal and a rural legislature, I’ve seen firsthand the plight of homelessness in our community,” he said. “In my home county, 20 percent of student in schools are categorized as homeless. What we’re talking about here is seniors, families, low-income workers and, yes, we’re talking about kids.” He said HB 4123 will find solutions because it will lead to
The North Bend City Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that updates city building codes and gives the city authority to force property owners to repair or demolish dangerous building. Public Works Director Ralph Dunham explained many of the changes were simply to update the building code, but the council did adopt a portion of the International Building Maintenance Code to give it some authority to handle dangerous buildings. “Right now we can actually tell them to tear it down, but we can’t do anything about it,” Dunham told the council. “We kind of looked at the whole code, but we just didn’t think that North Bend was quite ready for complaints against your neighbor for cracked paint or missing caulking, so at this point we’re just looking to adopt the dangerous building section.” Councilor Susanna Noordhoff asked a few questions, before supporting the ordinance. “Would that be used in any type of construction, whether it’s residential, commercial or industrial,” Noordhoff asked. Dunham assured Noordhoff and the council the ordinance would apply to all structures, whether residential or commercial. The new city regulations would give the city the authority to fine property owners if repairs were not made or if the building was not demolished. “It sounds like it will give clear guidance to our building official, so that’s good,” Noordhoff said. The council also voted 6-1 to change council rules to ban the use of alcohol or drugs during public meetings. The change in rules came about after Noordhoff was seen
Please see HOMELESS, Page A2
Please see BUILDINGS, Page A6
Please see HOUSING, Page A6
Legislators to invest $400 million to combat homelessness DAVID RUPKALVIS
New regulations will give city authority over dangerous buildings
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