Your Voice Matters - Vote by November 3rd |
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Election Day is right around the corner - be sure to submit your ballot by Tuesday November 3rd to make your voice heard!
Also check out the "Make a Plan to Vote" town hall video below with Clackamas County Clerk Sherry Hall and Elections Manager Andrew Jones, which is full of great information on the voting process and how to participate.
If you have any questions or need assistance, Clackamas County Elections staff can be reached at (503) 655-8510. Please be patient as call volumes may be higher than normal as the election approaches.
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Smart Water Meter Conversion Nears Completion |
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As of the end of October, the City’s Smart Meter conversion program is about 97% complete. The remaining water meters will be converted by the end of the year.
These smart meters will integrate with a new customer portal, which we plan to have ready by the end of this year, that will allow customers to access a website providing real-time information on consumption and billing at any point during the billing cycle. The portal will support mobile devices, tablets and PCs. Water customers will also be able to set up alerts for consumption targets, unusual water consumption, and leaks. You can choose to be notified by phone, text or email. Information about signing up for this service will be included in the November edition of The Sandy Source, as well as the November utility bill newsletter.
A note about recent utility bills: The new smart meters are much more accurate than the old meters they replaced. Some of the existing meters in our system were more than 40 years old and may have recorded only about 80% of the water consumed. If you have an older home with an older meter you may notice an increase in consumption with the new meters due to the increased accuracy. This could be as much as a 20% difference in some cases.
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City Pursues Cost Savings for State-Required Wastewater Improvements |
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Earlier this month, the City of Sandy applied for a federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (WIFIA) loan that, if approved, would allow us to finance our needed wastewater improvements with lower borrowing costs (currently 1.4%), phased installments, and an extended repayment period . The City is seeking $32 million of the total project cost of $65 million.
As we covered in the February 2020 and July 2020 editions of The Sandy Source, our city has significant wastewater system improvement needs that the State of Oregon is requiring us to address. Sewage from Sandy’s homes and businesses is treated at the City’s wastewater treatment plant located on SE Jarl Road. Despite improved operations, the plant has been unable to reliably meet state permit requirements. Sandy is also growing – in just 20 years the population has doubled to 11,000 residents and will double again over the next 20. Investments are needed now to treat that wastewater and comply with laws designed to protect streams and rivers.
While these required improvements are expensive, the City is actively exploring opportunities to lessen the financial impact to our community. If the WIFIA loan is approved, the City stands to save at least $14 million, protecting utility customers from larger rate increases.
Read the full press release from the City HERE, and stay tuned to The Sandy Source - a decision on the loan approval is expected early next year.
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City Reviewing Proposed New Daycare Facility |
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One of the City Council's goals this year was to increase the availability of childcare services in our community. We're pleased to report that city staff have now received an application to build a new daycare center on Hood Street, just off of Bluff Road.
Learn more in the video below:
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The proposed site is in the central business district (zoned C1), so the daycare would not be required to provide off-street parking, per the Sandy Municipal Code.
While this application is not required to be reviewed by the Planning Commission, members of the public can still submit comments on the proposal - send an email to planning@ci.sandy.or.us if you would like to provide comments.
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Apply Now to Serve on the Budget Committee |
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This vital committee consists of the members of the City Council and an equal number of citizens at large. The seven citizens are appointed by the Council and serve terms of four years. The Budget Committee's function is to review the initial budget proposed by city staff, make alterations if needed, and submit an approved budget to the City Council for formal adoption.
The City of Sandy operates on a biennial budget consisting of two fiscal years, each of which run from July 1 to June 30. The next formal budget process, beginning in early 2021, will cover the period from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023. Learn more about current and past city budgets HERE.
For more information and instructions on how to apply to serve on the Budget Committee, contact finance@ci.sandy.or.us or (503) 826-1079. Applications are due no later than November 29, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
Thank you for considering serving our community!
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Expanding Covered Seating for Local Businesses |
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The City of Sandy continues to look for innovative ways to help our community adjust to life during COVID-19. Given the impact of the pandemic on local businesses and the need for additional outdoor seating, the City Council recently approved the temporary use of supplementary tents and canopy structures for added flexibility.
Outdoor areas established under this new program can only be used for sit-down dining, customer pick-up and carry-out services, workout facilities or other like uses approved by the Development Services Department.
If you are interested in pursuing this option for your business, contact planning@ci.sandy.or.us to receive a Temporary Covered Area Agreement form, and submit it to the City of Sandy’s Development Services Department for review. There is no fee for completing this form. You will also need to contact the Fire Marshal, Gary Boyles at fmboyles.sandyfire@gmail.com for an onsite inspection and approval of the tent or canopy.
Please also keep the following in mind:
- ADA clearances and maneuvering areas must be kept clear.
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Liquor sales outside the approved OLCC service area must be approved by OLCC.
- Tents and canopies are not allowed in the right-of-way (i.e. sidewalk).
- If a business desires to use a tent or canopy, we advise businesses to check with their insurance provider and to install adequate barriers to prevent accidents.
- Sites must be returned to their pre-emergency configuration when the city enters Phase 3.
If you have any questions, please contact the Sandy Planning Division at (503) 489-2160 or planning@ci.sandy.or.us .
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All the Latest from the Library |
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The Library has a full slate of programming coming up in the next month, so don't miss out! See all the details below: |
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Skeleton Hunt for Day of the Dead
When you stop by the library, take a minute to see if you can find the 15 skeletons hiding in the windows. Skeletons will be up until November 3!
Tag us on social media if you share the photos!
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Film Discussion Series: Conversations about Race |
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Join us for a discussion series based on three films about racial justice. Participants are invited to watch the films on their own time and then join us for a moderated discussion at 7:00 pm on the dates listed below.
Film educator, Shakira Refos, will interview an expert, and there will be an opportunity for the audience to submit questions. Email Katie to participate in the discussion at kmurphy@ci.sandy.or.us.
Oct. 29 - "13th" (free on YouTube, Netflix)
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KIDS - Read to a Dog: via Zoom
Do you have a child working to improve their reading skills? We are partnering with DoveLewis’ Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams program to offer virtual interactive reading sessions every Tuesday at 2:00 pm for readers looking to develop their confidence in reading aloud with a furry companion on their screen. To register your child, click HERE.
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Digital Book Club
The Digital Book club will meet online on Monday November 9 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss She Would be King by Wayétu Moore.
An invitation to the zoom meeting will be emailed a week prior to the meetings.
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Teen STEM Challenge: Catapults
Available through November 15, students can learn all about force, accuracy, precision, kinetic energy, gravity and angles with this fun catapult building activity.
Students will build three types of catapults using sticks, rubber bands, pom-poms, and a plastic spoon. Pick up your kit during the Library's curbside service hours.
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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!
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