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Philomath
City News
Published
for the Citizens of
Philomath, Oregon
"the little town that could"
Summer 2000 |
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Contents of this
Newsletter:
City Improvements | Get
connected this Summer | Utility
rate updated
City receives Award | MAYOR/COUNCIL
POSITIONS OPEN FOR 2001
REVIEW
CONTINUES ON CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | Bus
Schedule
EXCITING CHANGES
STRENGTHEN PHILOMATH POLICE |
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CITY
IMPROVEMENTS SCHEDULED
As drier weather arrives, several public works
projects will get underway around Philomath. These projects are
developed from the City Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and are
funded by System Development Charges (SDCs) from new development,
reserve accounts from street, water or sewer funds, and grants,
when possible. Projects scheduled for completion by June 2001
include:
Overlays of 26th and S. 10th
Streets from Main to Applegate Street;
Extension of Newton Street west to connect to 26th
Street;
Construction of the Marys River Park restrooms;
Skate park and new playground equipment at City
Park;
Water main replacement with Main Street
crossings at 7th, 8th and 16th
Streets;
Engineering of new outfall system for sewer
treatment plant at the point of discharge into the Marys River
Painting the Library
Completion of sidewalks across the railroad
tracks on 9th Street.
Another important project is the pursuit of a
State grant for construction of a bridge over Newton Creek on
Applegate Street. The City hopes to have a favorable response to
this request by August that could allow for construction to begin
in the Spring/Summer of 2001. In addition, planning for utility
improvements in the Urban Renewal District will begin this year
with construction in 2001.
UTILITY RATE UPDATED
Starting with the July utility bill, customers
will see an increase of $1.80/month in the base sewer rate. There
will be no increase in the sewer unit charges, and water and storm
drain rates will remain unchanged through June 2001.
For a typical residential utility customer, their
total utility bill would increase by 3.8%, which is expected to
match the rate of inflation during the next 12-month period.
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GET CONNECTED THIS SUMMER
Philomath’s bus service with Corvallis is fully
operational and available to serve your local transportation
needs. Initial response to the service has been enthusiastic from
the students, employees and seniors who have decided to avoid the
expense and hassle of driving. A schedule and bus route is
provided in your Newsletter should you wish to consider the
bus as a transportation option. (see Page 3) Fares are $.50 each
way with free transfers to Corvallis buses. Twenty pass coupon
books are available at City Hall for $10. The bus is equipped with
a wheelchair lift and also has a bike rack for those who may need
it.
Public transit as a primary or
secondary means of transportation is a great way to get
around our communities. Help support this service by
spreading the word and Get Connected!
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CITY RECEIVES AWARD
 The
City Public Works Department was recently honored with a
first place award for its production of the 1998 Drinking
Water Quality Report. This document went to all
utility customers as is required under the 1996 Safe
Drinking Water Act as a means to inform water users about
their public water system. The award, granted by the
American Water Works Association, placed Philomath in
competition with cities from Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Special recognition goes to Public Works Operations
Supervisor Tom Ziomek who did an outstanding job of
translating technical information into a reader friendly
information piece.
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Page
2
City News
Contents of this
Newsletter:
City Improvements | Get
connected this Summer | Utility
rate updated
City receives Award | MAYOR/COUNCIL
POSITIONS OPEN FOR 2001
REVIEW
CONTINUES ON CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | Bus
Schedule
EXCITING CHANGES
STRENGTHEN PHILOMATH POLICE
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MAYOR/COUNCIL
POSITIONS OPEN FOR 2001 |
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November 7, 2000: an
important date for Philomath. The City will be electing a mayor
and six councilors. These positions are open for election every
two years. If you have entertained the idea of serving your city
in some way, this may be the opportunity you’ve been looking
for. As an elected official, you will be an educator and
interpreter of public opinion; a leader bringing people together
and building trust; and you will participate in shaping policy
that will guide the future of Philomath. |
The City of Philomath does not have
wards as some cities do. Anyone who has lived in the city for a
minimum of six continuous months prior to the election and is a
registered Oregon voter may run for election and serve. People who
are elected serve voluntarily and attend a minimum of two council
meetings each month. As a mayor or city councilor, other committee
appointments may be assigned as well. Terms of office begin with
the first meeting of the New Year. |
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Election packet
information and forms are available from Terri Phillips, City
Recorder, at City Hall.
REVIEW
CONTINUES ON CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
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| The City
continues to move forward on its Comprehensive Plan
"Periodic Review" under the direction of the
Planning Commission and lay citizen Periodic Review
Committee. With a recently approved state grant to finance a
major portion of the work, greater progress is now
anticipated. Periodic Review is the state required update of
the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The
purpose of this requirement is to assure that the City is
continuing to address its long-term planning process and to
keep the City rules and regulations current with changing
state or federal laws.
The Periodic Review Order submitted to the City by the
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD)
includes the following work tasks:
- Complete an inventory of land supply based on a needs
determination to assure we have adequate lands zoned for
the various residential, commercial and industrial needs
of the community for the next 20 years.
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- Update our policies associated with the Statewide Goal
5 components relating to wetlands, riparian corridors,
and wildlife habitat; historic preservation; open space,
and sites listed by the Department of Environmental
Quality for certain contaminants.
- Develop new Comprehensive Plan policies and maps to
address the findings based on the results of the above
two issues.
- Evaluate our public facilities relating primarily to
water, sewer, and streets to determine our abilities to
provide City services to areas planned for development
within the community.
- Develop new laws within the Zoning Ordinance that will
assure the City’s intent and ability to implement the
new and revised polices.
Update our intergovernmental agreement with Benton County
to insure coordination of development activities within the
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- City’s Urban Growth Boundary and areas within close
proximity to that boundary that might impact the City.
To date, the Committee has had an opportunity to delve
into the major component of the Goal 5 issues relating to
wetlands, riparian corridors, and wildlife habitat. The
background data, draft policies to address these areas and
new zoning law to protect them as required under state law
have been completed. The Committee is now considering
policies and zoning language to address the remaining
components on historic preservation; open space, and DEQ
sites.
The DLCD financing will put us back to work to complete
the remaining tasks over the next 14 months. The Committee
will continue to develop language and new zoning maps that
address these tasks. These materials will ultimately be
sent to the Planning Commission for hearings and
recommendations to the City Council for further hearings
and ultimate adoption sometime in the spring of 2001.
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Contents of this
Newsletter:
City Improvements | Get
connected this Summer | Utility
rate updated
City receives Award | MAYOR/COUNCIL
POSITIONS OPEN FOR 2001
REVIEW
CONTINUES ON CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | Bus
Schedule
EXCITING CHANGES
STRENGTHEN PHILOMATH POLICE
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Page
4
City News
Contents of this
Newsletter:
City Improvements | Get
connected this Summer | Utility
rate updated
City receives Award | MAYOR/COUNCIL
POSITIONS OPEN FOR 2001
REVIEW
CONTINUES ON CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | Bus
Schedule
EXCITING CHANGES
STRENGTHEN PHILOMATH POLICE
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EXCITING CHANGES
STRENGTHEN PHILOMATH POLICE
By Philomath Police Chief
Russell Hunt
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personnel and expanded services have reinforced the Philomath
Police Department’s community goals.
New Faces:
- John "Wes" Knight was the first, bringing 21 years
of experience to Philomath. He has an extensive background in
traffic crash reconstruction and major crime scene
investigation.
- Jeff Waite was the next addition, coming from our reserve
program. Jeff has been assigned to child abuse investigations
and is our representative on the inter-agency Child Abuse
Response Team.
- Mikayla Rossiter was the department’s most recent
personnel change. She was hired with a Federal Grant, as the
School Resource Officer.
The changes don’t end there! The Philomath Police Department
(PPD) has developed a partnership with Benton County Parole and
Probation (BCPP). Now BCPP have an
office next door to the police department and are serving clients
two days a week in Philomath. This has been a very valuable
resource and simplified some investigations.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) will be sharing the Justice |
building
with us beginning July 1st, 2000. This may be a temporary
relationship, but OSP is attempting to have more presence in
Benton County and in the Philomath area.
Our officers have continued their training and education. I
received my Management and Executive Certificates from the
Department of Public Safety Standards and Training last July.
Officer Jeff Hanke received his Advanced Certificate and Officer
Mark Koeppe earned his Intermediate Certificate. Sergeant Ray
Sytsma then received his Management Certificate, starting out the
year 2000. Three officers have also continued in their college
course work.
The PPD is committed to the youth of our community.
We believe that youth are a valuable resource. Last July we
started an Explorer Post with the assistance of the Boy Scouts. We
continue to support youth programs and have officers assigned to
most of the youth committees.
These are just a few of the changes in the past year. If anyone
would like further information or clarification on any of the
activities of the PPD, please feel free to contact me at 929-6911.
This is your police department and I appreciate comments
and concerns. |
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