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Philomath
City News
Published
for the Citizens of
Philomath, Oregon
"the little town that could"
Autumn 1999 |
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contents of this newsletter:
Bus Service | Philomath History buffs | Transportation | Public Works building
For you consideration | Ballot M 02-79 | Ballot
M 02-78 | Concerns about 2nd Hand smoke
Breast Cancer Awareness | Facts about Breast Cancer | Free
Mammograms
Police Chief Earns Credential | Oct Nov Calendar of Meetings | Thanks to Volunteers |
 BUS SERVICE TO CORVALLIS POSSIBLE
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| When your spouse leaves for work early in the morning with the car and you
need to get to work in Corvallis a couple hours later, what do you do? If you are one of
Philomath's senior citizens no longer driving and need medical services in Corvallis, how
do you get there? If you are a Philomath teenager who wants to go to a movie, but aren't
old enough to drive, are you stuck at home with the TV? A new
solution early next year may be to hop one of the buses providing service between
Philomath and Corvallis! Philomath City Councilor Toni Hoyman encouraged the council to
make the bus route a priority. Work on a regional transportation study uncovered local
interest and financial feasibility to extend a Corvallis route to Philomath and possibly
connect to an Albany Linn-Benton route, she explained.
"I really think there are enough people who work in Corvallis
to support this. After school could be a good connection time for kids. We've talked about
putting bike racks on the bus so kids could ride around Corvallis and come back on the
bus," said Hoyman. "This route also makes (the Corvallis) system more accessible
to us."
Corvallis also has a healthy desire for alternative transportation
to Philomath, said Bernadette Barrett, transit manager for the City of Corvallis. Oregon
State University faculty members recently expressed strong interest in bus service between
the communities, she said.
Demand for the service continues to grow. Along with commuters,
teens and seniors, the bus route could service developmentally disabled citizens capable
of independence, she suggested. Corvallis folks could also enjoy the easy transportation
to the Frolic or Renaissance Faire.
The Philomath City Council has budgeted $20,200 this year for the
bus service project. City manager Randy Kugler believes the budget commitment confirms the
city council's desire to move toward this new service.
| "I would encourage citizens to contact the
mayor and councilors or City Hall on this proposal. The city is committed to providing
those services that Philomath residents feel are needed."--Philomath City Manager
Randy Kugler. |
Hoyman and Barrett will be part of a group to meet
with state representatives in October to investigate funding sources that may be
obtainable for starting the route. State money appears to be available for the start-up,
said Hoyman.
Philomath would be contracting with Corvallis for the service. The
Corvallis City Council supports the idea, and has even included a demonstration project
for the service in their Comprehensive Plan, according to Barrett. She hopes the state
will contribute enough funds to give the bus service a good try of 18 months to 3 years.
Those working on the plan for the bus service hope to have it run
six times a day, probably twice in the morning, twice in the afternoon and twice in the
evening.
| HOW CAN THE BUS HELP YOU? To
really make a bus route between Corvallis and Philomath valuable to the community, the
Council needs to hear from the people who would use it! The October 21 meeting of the Transportation and Traffic Safety
Commission will address the proposed bus route. The Commission needs help deciding times
and pick up places and want to know what would work best for the community. How much folks
would be willing to be charged for a ride is another issue for discussion.
"We really want to hear from the public what would work best
for them,' said city councilor Toni Hoyman.
The meeting will be held at 7 pm at City Hall. |
contents of this
newsletter:
Bus Service | Philomath History buffs | Transportation | Public Works building
For you consideration | Ballot M 02-79 | Ballot
M 02-78 | Concerns about 2nd Hand smoke
Breast Cancer Awareness | Facts about Breast Cancer | Free
Mammograms
Police Chief Earns Credential | Oct Nov Calendar of Meetings | Thanks to Volunteers |
 City
News
 FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
City voters will have the opportunity
to decide two ballot measures on November 2 regarding annexation and extension of City
water and sewer service. These are the first property owner initiated requests submitted
to Philomath voters under the City Charter provisions approved by City voters in 1995 and
1996.
In both 1997 and 1998, the City Council submitted a total of 23
properties to the electorate for annexation that were all subsequently approved.
Ballot
Measure 02-79, Annexation of Proposed Westbrook Subdivision
The 17.68-acre R-1 zone parcel is proposed
to be developed as a 60-65 lot single family residential planned development over a 6-8
year time period.
Should the property be annexed, the developer would be required to
submit detailed development plans addressing both on-site and off-site utility,
transportation, drainage and park issues to the Planning Commission. The Planning
Commission will consider the request during a public hearing at which time any interested
citizen may comment. The Planning Commission may approve, approve with conditions, or deny
the request.
Ballot
Measure 02-78, Extension of Utility Services
This .51 acre R-3 zone parcel at 607 N.
12th Street is proposed to be partitioned to allow for the development of an additional
single family dwelling. The property's R-3 zoning does allow for both single and
multi-family development. This property is not contiguous to the City and will not
be annexed at this time. The request is to allow for connection to City water and sewer
services that are already present in the area.
contents of this newsletter:
Bus Service | Philomath History buffs | Transportation | Public Works building
For you consideration | Ballot M 02-79 | Ballot
M 02-78 | Concerns about 2nd Hand smoke
Breast Cancer Awareness | Facts about Breast Cancer | Free
Mammograms
Police Chief Earns Credential | Oct Nov Calendar of Meetings | Thanks to Volunteers |
CONCERNS OVER SECOND- HAND
SMOKE
There is a brochure avaiable from the
Benton County Health Department on the dangerous effects of second hand tobacco smoke.
This easy to read brochure explains health risks to children and adults who are exposed to
the smoke emitted from cigarettes. If you have any questions concerning your risk to
second hand smoke, you can call the Health Department at 757-6835. If you are interested
in quitting a tobacco habit, you may call Oregon's toll-free tobacco quit line at
1-877-270-STOP.
 POLICE CHIEF EARNS CREDENTIAL
Police Chief Russell Hunt recently
received his executive and management certificate from the Department of Public Safety
Standards and Training (DPSST.) This is the highest certificate offered by the state for
the Chief's position, representing Hunt's time, education and training.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Mayor Van Hunsaker, along
with mayors nationwide, is promoting community awareness for women and their families about this important health issue during
October.
Breast Cancer Facts:
- One out of eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime
- 75% of women who get breast cancer have no risk factors
- 80% of cancers are detected by women finding the lump
- Almost all breast cancers are treatable if discovered early
- For more information, 752-4636
Free Mammograms
Funds are available for eligible women in
Benton County to receive mammograms at the times listed below, or as recommended by their
doctor.
Under age 40 With a family history, current problem,
or a doctor's recommendation
Age 40-50 Every 1-2 years
Over age 50 Every year
If you do not have insurance or other resources to pay for a yearly
mammogram, call Benton County Information & Referral at 752-INFO for more information |
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| AROUND THE CITY |
 PHILOMATH HISTORY BUFFS NEEDED
Would you like to see the city's history preserved for
future generations?
The City Council is seeking residents who have an interest in or
some knowledge of historic resource preservation.
The Historic Resources Commission is being established as an
advisory body to the City Council. The Commission will assist the City in the
identification of historic resources, developing a program to educate the public about
historic presentation and encouraging owners of historic resources to protect the historic
integrity of their property.
Specific projects the Commission will provide assistance on include:
- working with a professional resource specialist to develop a
Philomath historic context statement,
- completing an historic resource survey and
- assisting in the development of brochures to be used in self-guided
walking tours of historic City sites.
If this is an area of community service that
appeals to you, contact the City Manager's office at 929-6148 for more information.
Applications will be accepted through October 29.
 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
PLAN MOVING FORWARD
After almost two years of review, two public open houses, and
numerous public meetings, the Philomath Transportation and Traffic Safety Commission
(TTSC) has forwarded its recommendations to the City Council on a 20-year Transportation
Systems Plan (TSP) for Philomath.
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The TSP focused on
six key areas that included:
- Relieving increasing traffic congestion on Main Street.
- Improving traffic circulation and safety throughout the City.
- Promoting increased use of alternative modes of transportation.
- Developing a master plan of future street locations.
- Providing alternate routes to deter truck traffic in the downtown
core and residential neighborhoods.
- Integrating the TSP with future land use planning projects.
The element of the TSP that will have the most visible
physical impact on the City is the proposed couplet to move traffic through Philomath. The
concept of a one-way street system utilizing the eastern portion of College Street and the
western portion of Applegate Street is currently contained in the City's adopted
Comprehensive Plan. The Committee's recommendation seeks to refine the existing plan in
such a way as to encourage the State to eventually provide the necessary construction
funds.
Citizens are invited to attend a city council workshop on the TSP in
the council chambers of City Hall on October 13 at 7 pm.
Copies of the Plan are available for review at City Hall or the
Library. The City Council is expected to review the TTSC's recommendations and adopt
the Transportation Systems Plan before the end of the year.
 PUBLIC WORKS BREAKS GROUND
The new public works building is underway at 1515 Willow
Lane, just south of the old building. A move from the old cramped quarters won't happen
until early next year. |
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
(all meetings are held at city hall unless
otherwise noted) |
| October
7 Public Works Committee, 5:30 PM, 1515 Willow Lane
October 11 City Council, 7:30 PM
October 19 Retail/Beautification Action Team, 7 PM
October 20 Planning Commission, 7:30 PM
October 21 Transportation/Traffic Safety Commission, 7 PM
October 25 City Council, 7:30 PM
October 26 Community Response Team, 7 PM
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November
2 ELECTION DAY
November 4 Public Works Committee, 5:30 PM, 1515 Willow Lane
November 8 City Council, 7:30 PM
November 16 Retail/Beautification Action Team, 7 PM
November 17 Planning Commission, 7:30 PM
November 22 City Council, 7:30 PM
November 23 Community Response Team, 7 PM
November 25 and 26
CITY OFFICES CLOSED for the Thanksgiving Holiday |
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 THANKS, VOLUNTEERS!
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| Two groups
have recently helped make Philomath's parks a little brighter. Parents and children from
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently put together a work party to
clean up trails and grounds of the Marys River Park. The
Philomath Lions Club contributed their time and talents to replace the roof on the main
shelter of City Park.
Hats off to both of these groups for their willingness to pitch in
and help make our City more attractive. |
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