June 2019

News

There is a lot going on around the city. Here are some highlights:

On May 21, the City Council awarded several key contracts. They include the construction contract for the Boones Ferry Road project. Project manager Crystal Shum reports that work will begin as early as mid-June. The Council also awarded a contract for summer paving work, but based on the recommendation of project manager Joel Komarek, decided to hold off on seal coating until next summer because bids came in too high.

In it's role as the redevelopment agency board, the Council also approved the first phase of the city hall project, which includes demolition of the two buildings east of city hall. Sid Sin is managing this project.

The team that managed the D Avenue project, led by Rob Amsberry, celebrated with a street party on May 22. The residents appreciate the difference it's made to the neighborhood. The Country Club-A Avenue project, managed by Dave Kudna, is on schedule and work should be completed by mid-July.

Many other road, water, and sewer projects are underway or about to begin; see the map at http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/projects?field_project_type_tid=462 for details.

After a Request for Qualifications process, three groups of companies were short-listed to submit proposals to design, build, finance, and operate a new, more compact sewage treatment plant in Foothills. Among other things, the RFP process will help us evaluate the financial feasibility of the project. If it doesn't pencil out, Portland will resume work on upgrading the existing plant. Anthony Hooper is heading up the project team for the overall redevelopment of Foothills.

We hope to have a revised development agreement for the North Anchor project on the June 18 Council agenda. The concept plan approved by the Council (LORA Board) includes a 134-room boutique hotel between First and State Streets, and ground floor retail with parking above on the west side of First Street. David Powell and Sid Sin are taking the lead on this project.

The $30 million parks bond measure was approved by voters on May 21. Ivan Anderholm is working with the Parks Board on initial recommendations to the City Council on specific projects that might be funded through the bond proceeds. An issue that is yet to be resolved is whether, and how much, for the city to contribute to the school district's pool replacement project. In a joint meeting with the Council, the school board committed $18 million toward a new and expanded pool at the Lakeridge Junior site.

On June 4, the City Council will consider a September annexation election for Southwood Park, a 300-home unincorporated area at the far northwest corner of the city. Scot Siegel and Paul Espe are taking the lead on this and other annexation opportunities.

Also on June 4 is a public hearing on a draft ordinance, recommended by the Planning Commission, to allow limited short term rentals (e.g., AirBnB and others) in residential zones.

A Council goal is to complete the pathway connection between Foothills and George Rogers Parks. We were able to purchase one of the three remaining properties, and are in the process of reselling it with the pathway easement attached. Ivan Anderholm and I have meetings scheduled with the owners of the last two properties in June to try to negotiate the purchase of easements.

A dispute with the design engineers caused a delay in the Iron Mountain Park project, but it is now back on track with work expected to begin this summer. Bruce Powers is managing this project.

At a June 18 study session, the City Council will consider exploring a partnership with Clackamas County and the Mountain Park HOA to provide gigabit fiber Internet service to Mountain Park residents. If the Council gives the go-ahead, the project will be managed by Anthony Hooper and Weston Pay.

Another Council goal is to create a diversity, equity, and inclusion task force. On May 21, the Council approved a process for recruiting task force members, as well as a scope of work that is focused on ways to get more diversity on city advisory boards, and in recruiting city staff. Megan Phelan is the staff lead for this project.

These projects are just the tip of the iceberg; my thanks to all of you who keep the city running while this work gets done.

Welcoming New Staff

David Lamb has joined LOPD as an officer. He comes to us with experience in law enforcement in California. David was born in southern California and graduated from Newberry Park HS in Ventura County. If anyone is interested in forming a staff softball team, you need to recruit him: before his law enforcement career, David played professional baseball for Tampa Bay, the Minnesota Twins, and the Mets. He lives in Villebois in Wilsonville, and in his free time enjoys working out at the gym, golf, and wine tasting. And he has a dog, a Labradoodle.