LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL MEETING

Several important items were discussed at last night's city council meeting (2007 budget, water-sewer rates, Ecola Creek Forest Reserve Plan and community grants among them) but today's blog is going to concentrate on the discussion regarding the downtown parking and pedestrian circulation study. Last night, the council discussed this issue publicly for the 5th time and approved proceeding to the next step in the process.

That next step will be another public meeting at the Surfsand on Tuesday evening, August 15th at which the council will be considering the following options:

1) Construction of a boardwalk sidewalk on the east side of Spruce between 1st and 2nd while maintaining the existing parking. This option would also include 3 wetland overlooks to the east.

2) Construction of a sidewalk on the west side of Spruce between 1st and 2nd while maintaining the existing parking.

3) Installation of a mid-block crosswalk across Spruce which, if extended all the way to the west, would line up to the post office.

4) Extension of the sidewalk on the north side of 2nd, east of Spruce.

5) Reconfigured parking on the east side of Spruce, north of 2nd from parallel to angled parking and extension of the bus pull-in area in front of the chamber.

6) Filling in of about 29% of the northwest lagoon to provide additional parking and space for the city's yard debris collection area. This option includes a landscaped buffer between 2nd Street and the parking and a new ADA accessible birdviewing platform.

7) Restoration of the remaining 70% of the northwest lagoon into functioning wetlands.

8) Construction of a boardwalk trail over the wetlands from the east side of Spruce at 1st Street to a new trail extension to the east following the lagoons.

The city's consultant, Urbsworks, did an excellent job putting together the various elements of the study which is available for viewing on the front page of the city's website. More specific information is available there including detailed parking numbers and cost estimates.

We hope to see you August 15th at the Surfsand.

HELLO AND GOODBYE

As many of you know, in November of 2004 Cannon Beach citizens voted to sell bonds to build a new wastewater treatment and Matanuska pump station. Half the funds to pay off the debt associated with this project will come from an increase in property taxes. Where the other half is going to come from is currently being considered by the City Council. The most likely scenario is that the remaining funds will derive from an increase in residential and business sewer bills but more on that later.

One of the purposes of this blog is to inform subscribers that the City's Public Works Director, Joy Gannon, has started her own weblog which is intended to keep Cannon Beach citizens informed on the status of the construction. Joy is very dedicated and done a great job getting this badly needed project off the ground. I would encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts.

You can access Joy's blog by going to cbpw.blogspot.com.

In another City matter, I regret to inform you that our organization is losing one of it's most valued employees. Leslie Stewart, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager and Planner, is leaving Cannon Beach to become an Administrative Assistant at the Seattle Housing Authority. Those of you who know or have worked with Leslie realize she has been a very dedicated and loyal public servant for us for the last 6 1/2 years. The community and City will miss her and wish her and her family the best up in the Seattle area.

Information on the City's soon-to-be-open Administrative Assistant position is available on our website - ci.cannon-beach.or.us.