The Best View in Oregon Gets a Makeover |
|
One of the best views in Oregon happens to be right here in Sandy, and it's getting a makeover this summer!
The three aged interpretive signs at Jonsrud Viewpoint on Bluff Road were recently replaced with help from Sea Reach Ltd., which also fabricated a new display showcasing the awesome views from this location.
The panorama featured on the sign identifies the peaks in the distance, which can be seen through the two new SeeCoast Manufacturing viewing telescopes installed at the site. The first telescope is sized for children and those who use wheelchairs. The second telescope has special color filters by EnChroma that allow most colorblind people to see the amazing and ever changing colors of Mt. Hood and the Sandy River Valley.
|
|
Mt. Hood Territory (Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs) provided a grant for the renovation, which was matched by in-kind labor from Sandy park staff and volunteers. The new viewing scopes and interpretive signs will enhance the viewing experience for Sandy residents and visitors alike, as they take in the natural beauty of the area.
Stop by soon - early morning sunrise and evening alpenglow, especially with a full moon rising, are ideal times to photograph this one-of-a-kind vista.
|
|
Movies in the Park This Weekend! |
|
Last weekend the City of Sandy, along with Sandy's Helping Hands, welcomed our community back for a dose of physically-distanced fun in Meinig Park as we enjoyed Toy Story 2. It was great to find a way to maintain this summer tradition and give families a safe way to get outside and enjoy a beautiful evening.
So come get in on the fun - join us this coming weekend (8/28 & 8/29) for The Secret Life of Pets 2! Reservations are required and available online or by calling (503) 668-5569 before 2:00 p.m. on Friday 8/28.
To maintain public safety, seating will be limited and staggered arrival times will be specific to each reservation. Capacity will be limited to 40 people and seating will be in physically-distanced “pods” that can accommodate 4 people each (you may reserve more than one pod). Masks will be required when not inside your pod.
Admission is free but we ask that you notify the Recreation Department if your plans change so that people on the wait list can be called.
We look forward to seeing you!
|
|
Did you know Sandy has its own Urban Renewal Agency? Take a moment to learn about how this vital public policy tool is improving our downtown.
Urban Renewal is an economic development tool used by local governments throughout Oregon to revitalize specific areas through public investment that encourages private development.
- Improve the vitality of Sandy’s downtown core.
- Make productive use of land in the renewal area.
- Create opportunities for new development within the renewal area.
- Enhance public safety in the renewal area.
- Provide new public amenities and open spaces in the renewal area.
- Make improvements to infrastructure in the renewal area.
- Implement goals and objectives of Sandy’s Comprehensive Plan.
Sandy’s Urban Renewal District stretches along Highway 26, specifically through the ¾ mile area that encompasses the downtown core. The district covers the blue area depicted below:
|
|
All urban renewal agencies have a maximum indebtedness (maximum dollar amount) that can be spent on public investment over the life of the agency. SURA has a maximum indebtedness of $67 million.
Tax Increment Financing
SURA's Urban Renewal Plan is paid for with tax increment financing, which is funded via property taxes. These are not new taxes, but rather forgone tax revenue from the taxing entities within the SURA area. This means that the tax revenue of other agencies within the district is reduced to provide a stable funding source for SURA to complete the objectives of the plan. Implementing the plan objectives increases the taxable value of the impacted properties, which provides additional tax revenue to the district itself in the short term, and to all taxing entities within the district in the long term.
Spending Limitations
It is important to note that urban renewal funds cannot be spent on ongoing operational costs - they can only be spent on capital improvements and/or construction of public amenities. For example, urban renewal funds could potentially be used to improve the building structure and facilities at the Olin Bignall Aquatic Center, but could not be used to pay to operate the pool (staff time, supplies, and utilities).
Notable Successes
SURA has successfully completed a variety of projects including façade improvements for local businesses, construction of the Sandy Police Department, undergrounding utilities along Proctor Boulevard, and the purchase of the Sandy Community Campus site, among many others. These and future projects all play a vital role in the economic vitality of the City of Sandy. With these investments within the District’s boundaries, future private investment is stimulated and the local economy is strengthened.
Learn more about Sandy’s Urban Renewal Agency here.
|
|
Schedule Update: Smart Water Meter Conversion |
|
Work started earlier this month on a project to replace 3,400 aging, inaccurate water meters with new, more accurate, lead-free ‘smart’ meters that will allow customers to track their water consumption in near-real time, eliminate the need for manual meter readings and provide leak detection and high usage warnings to water customers. The project is currently about 25% complete.
Contractor personnel will be coming to your neighborhood soon - check out the map below for schedule details. Workers wear blue shirts or vests with “Pedal Valve Meter Team” on the back. Their vehicles are marked with the same message. Pedal Valve will notify customers by knocking on their door (while maintaining six feet of separation) before replacing your meter. You can expect the replacement process to take less than 30 minutes.
Make sure to keep an eye on the project web page for updates and to see pending and completed work areas.
|
|
Coffehouse is Back (digitally)! |
|
Mark your calendars for Friday, September 4th 6:00 p.m.!
Faerie Tale Minstrel and Storyteller of Myth and Magic, Alexander James Adams will be livestreamed from the Library for an evening of song. Renaissance fair goers and fantasy fans will recognize this musician’s PNW style and folk flair.
Boring Brewery, 38250 Pioneer Blvd, will be offering a discount on crowlers and a chance to catch the live-stream on their big screen with plenty of room to social distance.
|
|
|
LED Streetlights are Coming to Sandy |
|
As part of the City's commitment to resiliency and responsible financial management, work began the week of August 24 on a project to convert approximately 1,000 City-owned streetlights to LED illumination, including digital operating/monitoring controls.
In addition, approximately 95 deteriorating wooden streetlight poles with decorative fixtures will be replaced with fiberglass poles and new fixtures that place more light onto the street surface.
All new lighting will be dark-sky compliant and wildlife-friendly. The cost of the conversion will be financed over a 15 year period and repaid with the energy savings from converting to LED fixtures. A Portland firm, Christenson Electric, is the contractor.
This work should be complete by the end of 2020. Please visit the City’s Current Projects web page for updates on the progress of this project.
|
|
Library Curbside Pickup: No Appointment Needed |
|
Hoodland hours are: Monday, 10 am-12 pm, and Tuesday thru Friday, 12-2 pm.
Sandy hours are: Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm, and Sunday, 12 - 4 pm.
|
|
Get the Latest on Community / Recreation Events |
|
Many have asked us recently about when they can expect the next Community and Recreation Guide. Because the COVID-19 situation continues to change quickly, we won't be publishing full seasonal Community and Recreation Guides as normal - instead the Community Services Department plans to send out smaller, more frequent newsletters, complete with programs and events designed to be consistent with COVID-19 guidelines.
Be sure to sign up for the "Community Guide and Special Event" newsletter and be the first to know when in person programs return (and learn about the new "Rec Squad" coming to a neighborhood near you)!
|
|
Learn More About Land Use Actions |
|
Take a moment to bookmark the Active Land Use Application Matrix to learn more about the proposals being processed by our planning staff, as well as opportunities for you to take part in the decision-making process by submitting your own testimony. City staff keep the matrix updated as often as possible, so everyone can stay in the loop on what applications have been received and where they are in the process.
|
|
Be a part of the process! Members of the public are always welcome at meetings of the City Council and other boards and commissions.
During COVID-19 restrictions, the City Council is conducting meetings virtually via the Zoom video conference platform. Learn more about the variety of ways you can still participate by visiting our electronic meeting information page.
Click the image below to access Sandy's public meeting calendar and learn more about everything your city government is doing to serve you better!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
