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2019
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Headlight Herald
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November 7, 2019
Volume 24, No. 22
Manzanita city hall bond fails Cody Mann headlightnews@countrymedia.net
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anzanita voters appear to have shot down a tax increase to fund a new city hall project. The vote was 31.5-percent in favor, with 131 ‘yes’ to 284 ‘no’ and nearly 78-percent turnout, according to updated unofficial election results. The $6.5 million bond measure was approved by the Manzanita City Council for the November ballot with support from all five members and the mayor. It was the talk of the town, sparking an opinionated back-and-forth over cost-cutting options and a series of public hearings. “We believe this is a feasible number, but it could be less if needed,” City Manager Cynthia Alamillo said during an August council meeting. The proposed bond’s funding mechanism was a 50-cent tax increase per $1,000 of assessed property value. The project includes construction of a city emergency hub, police office, administrative and workspaces, multi-purpose room and a kitchenette with storage spaces. The funds were expected to pay for demolition and construction. Alamillo said the tax would be for a term of up to 31 years for the citizens of Manzanita. Outside grants to lessen the burden on taxpayers were discussed, but nothing has been secured at this time. There was public speculation regarding unseen additional project costs, with some citizens saying the potential added expenses would be significant.
The new facility was expected to be built at 11,776 square feet and designed to meet long-term needs for multiple purposes. The site selected for the project was the Underhill property, featuring a former school building that sits out of the tsunami inundation zone, unlike the current city hall. Much of the public debate centered around remodeling or tearing down the buildings at the site. This past August, Manzanita Mayor Mike Scott penned an opinion column in which he said estimates put the construction cost for a new facility at $500 per square foot. He said additional funds would be required for asbestos abatement, demolition of the existing structure and furnishing the new facility. “These are estimates; when we issue the bonds next year rates may differ and the total dollar amount could be less,” Scott wrote. “But right now interest rates are at historic lows. With luck, rates will stay low and the economy will cool off by next summer, allowing us to build at a lower cost.” Scott also noted that Manzanita currently enjoys one of the lowest property tax rates in Oregon – 42 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. A house assessed at $400,000 would have paid around $200 more a year under the failed bond. Randy Kugler, a former Manzanita city manager, called publicly for scrutiny of the approach to the bond measure and the city hall project. Kugler served on an advisory committee that
The Underhill property currently has a schoolhouse and Quonset hut on site. explored and recommended political problems that the options for the project. He council needed to address supported more consideration before they unveiled it to for a remodel option at the the public,” Kugler said. “I Underhill property. simply took that message After the unofficial vote directly to the community results were announced, once it became apparent that Kugler said he believes the the city had no interest in citizens of Manzanita came addressing those concerns.” to the conclusion that city The City of Manzanita officials failed to present a issued a statement following viable financing strategy and the defeat of the bond that other building options measure. The mayor thanked were dismissed without everyone who voted but said allowing for public review a lack of funding would stop and comment. the project from proceeding. “I repeatedly said during “As the City continues to my time as a member of the address the needs for new Public Facilities Advisory facilities, we will look for Committee that the project compromise and common had both practical and ground, working together
Manzanita City Hall. File photos with the community to find a solution so we can eventually build a great facility for Manzanita,” Scott said.
The election results will be officially certified by the City Council at the December council meeting.
Statewide plastic bag ban effective January 2020 High speed chase ends with Hilary Dorsey headlightreporter@countrymedia.net
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ffective Jan. 1, 2020, single-use plastic bags will no longer be an option for retailers and restaurants in the state of Oregon. During the last legislative session, the Oregon Legislature passed the “Sustainable Shopping Initiative” banning single use plastic bags by retail outlets and restaurants. This new law was supported by Oregon senators, representatives, Tillamook County Commissioners, Safeway, and Fred Meyer,
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as well as other local small businesses and restaurants in Tillamook County. “This is a very important step and I’m glad the state is taking this action,” said David McCall, from the Master Recyclers in Tillamook. In April, Tillamook County Commissioners passed a resolution noting, “Plastic waste degrades into smaller and smaller micro-particles that carry chemical toxins, much of which finds its way into the ocean. Eight million tons of plastic enter marine waters every year.” According to McCall, plastic bags have a six to 12-minute life span and create lots of problems. Banning bags is an important active step. Included in the ban are single use check out bags at grocery and other retail stores, including farmers
markets, and single use carry out bags at restaurants. Not included in the ban are: bags provided for produce, nuts, grain, greeting cards, and small hardware items; bags for unwrapped prepared food or bakery goods; bags containing frozen meat or fish, flowers, or other items to address dampness or sanitation; bags for prescription drugs; bags for garments or dry cleanings; bags sold in packages containing multiple bags for food storage, garbage, or pet waste. To encourage using reusable bags, the new law requires that retail businesses and restaurants charge a five-cent fee for paper bags made from at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper, and durable plastic or fabric reusable bags. The reasons for the fees are to offset the
cost of paper, which are more expensive than the plastic carryout bags, and because the goal is not to increase the use of paper bags but to encourage people to bring their own reusable bags. “I hope citizens will realize that they can use reusable shopping bags,” McCall said. According to the Oregon Public Health Authority, plastic absorbs dangerous toxins from the environment. Wildlife mistakes plastic for food and eats it. Studies have shown that wildlife can’t digest plastics, and that toxins from plastics are absorbed into animal and marine wildlife tissues. “When fish and other animals mistake the plastic as food – and they frequently do – the toxic chemicals work their way
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car in Nehalem River Hilary Dorsey headlightreporter@countrymedia.net A Seaside man was arrested after allegedly crashing his vehicle into the Nehalem River and threatening police officers. Manzanita Police Officer Sean Mumey was notified by Tillamook 911 dispatch that Cannon Beach Police (CBP) was in pursuit of a vehicle southbound on U.S. 101 at around 4:50 a.m.Tuesday, Oct. 29. CBP then discontinued their pursuit near Falcon Cove. Mumey was able to locate the vehicle near milepost 40 on U.S. 101. He attempted to stop the driver, who continued at speeds of 75-85 mph until reaching the city of Wheeler, according to authorities. The driver turned on Rector Street into Waterfront Park in Wheeler, stopping his vehicle near the boat launch. The driver reportedly refused to obey commands from the officer and was accused of shattering a passenger window
with a bottle jack, then driving forward at a high rate of speed and going over the rock wall ledge along the Nehalem River, according to Manzanita Police Chief Erik Harth. The driver then exited the vehicle on the passenger side and tried to swim away, but turned back and began digging through his vehicle, police said. He allegedly told Mumey “I have a bullet for you” while pointing an object, believed to possibly be a nail gun, at the officer. Harth arrived at the scene along with a CBP officer shortly after, and the driver was taken into custody by CBP without further incident. He was identified as Troy Underhill, 42, of Seaside. Police said a loaded handgun was located in the passenger area of the vehicle. Manzanita Police Department was also assisted by Nehalem Bay Fire Department and Tillamook Ambulance.
Garibaldi planning commission discusses withdrawn development applications Hilary Dorsey
headlightreporter@countrymedia.net The Garibaldi Planning Commission announced in a public notice that the continuance of a public hearing for Conditional Use Permit Application 2019-02 had been cancelled due to the application being withdrawn. The application was for consideration for conditional use for multi-family development in the R-1 and C-1 Zones by Paul Daniels. The property of the proposed complex was located on 501 Garibaldi Avenue on Highway 101. The complex would have included 2 two-bedroom units, 27 one-bedroom units, and 24 studio units. The commission talked more about this at their regular meeting on Oct. 28. City Manager Geoff Wullschlager said the environmental impact study was the only study completed. The traffic impact study and a Geotech study were not com-
pleted in the timeframe needed. Wullschlager said the public has the right to view full applications, which they wouldn’t have been able to if the applicant was able to submit the studies late. If an application comes in without the supplemental materials, it will be denied. The applicant would have to have additional studies done if they come back with a revised application. The application had been initially approved, waiting for the additional studies. Commissioner Judith Parker asked if applicants can find information about what is needed beforehand. Parker points out that the Geotech and traffic studies were not submitted at the time of the last hearing in September. “Is that too involved for a small city to tackle?” Parker asked. “Why isn’t there some way we can kind of shortcut it?” Parker said the applicant should have more time to get information and ask for help, if they need it, from
the city or county. Wullschlager said the approval acts as an incentive to invest. The public needs time to review the studies’ information. “We have guidance to offer incentives to any land use application,” Wullschlager said. “We were very clear on what he needs to complete,” Wullschlager said of the applicant. Parker asked what would happen if the height of the buildings were too tall. Wullschlager said the city engineer was onsite for the last project and that the numbers Daniels wrote down checked out. He also said that applicants will have to list scaled, measured height on examples. On the subject of parking spots, Wullschlager said there is no statutory rule about the number needed for a unit. They do have to meet standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Wullschlager said the water
system can handle three times the population now. The water system includes Barview. Wullschlager pointed out that the comprehension plan says Garibaldi has reached its housing goal but does not limit it. The plan offers recommendations. Oregon has a lot of autonomy compared to other states, Wullschlager said. There is no law that says Garibaldi cannot have more multi-family housing. Commissioner Nathan Findling asked if there is a fine line that separates fact and criteria. Wullschlager said the city manager is only concerned about criteria. The commission reviews by looking at facts. The setback standards are similar to the parking standards. The city can’t take away someone’s right to use their property, Wullschlager said. “I don’t think our standards are overtly liberal or conservative,” Wullschlager said.