 |
2011 State of the City Address 400 E. Main Street | Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 | Phone: (541)942-5501 | Fax: (541)942-1267 |
| |
2011 State of the City Address 400 E. Main Street | Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424 | Phone: (541)942-5501 | Fax: (541)942-1267 |
|
State of the City
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 My fellow Councilors, City Staff, citizens, friends and family, welcome to 2011. It does not seem possible that this is my 11th State of the City Address. It seems like only yesterday when I gave my first address in January, 2001. And even after 11 times I continue to be quite humbled and honored by the opportunity to present this State of the City. 2010 was a challenging year for nearly everyone. Many in our community lost their jobs and local businesses were faced with the challenges of a slow economy. These same challenges have been felt all across our great nation. As our nation has grappled with the challenges the national political arena became more heated and at times it seems that some were more concerned with drawing philosophical battle lines, spouting rhetoric and creating more division then with solving the crisis. The casualties of such actions are often the citizens and their communities. The wounds come as increased regulations, reduced funding for mandated services, new unfunded mandated services, elimination of state or federal programs or services and in some cases even the confiscating local government funds. Across the country, the number of local governments in financial crisis has risen dramatically with some communities actually seeking bankruptcy. But this is not the case in Cottage Grove. Through the efforts of previous City Councils, staff and a wealth of active, concerned community members this community has been at the forefront, setting an example for other communities by, moving forward, strengthening the sense of community and preparing for the future. We still have some challenges to face, but I am confident that we will face those challenges and continue to set an example for other communities to follow. We have crossed the bridge into a new year, 2011. As we stand at the bridge looking to the bright hopes of a new year and reflecting on the year just past, I am reminded of the poem by the Tennessee poet Will Allen Droomgoole, The Bridge Builder: An old man, going a lone highway, Came at the evening, cold and gray, To chasm, vast and deep and wide, Through which was flowing a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The sullen stream had no fears for him; But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. "Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near, "You are wasting strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day; You never again must pass this way;You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide -- Why build you the bridge at the eventide?" The builder lifted his old gray head: "Good friend, in the path I have come," he said, "There followeth after me today A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been naught to me To that fair-haired youth may a pit-fall be, He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building the bridge for him." Living through 2010 was a tough journey, and many people believe that we should just sit back, put our feet up and rest until better times rather than spend any time, energy or efforts to improve the community or prepare for the future. But no problems are solved, traditions maintained, history preserved or legacy built while reclining in a lounge chair. History has proven that when citizens stop making the commitment to or sacrifices for the future, their nation, state or community dies. But Cottage Grove is a community full of bridge builders. I want to recognize just a few bridge builders tonight. These awards just serve as examples of those who have sacrificed their time, energy and resources for the betterment of the community. In 2009, the City received the All-America City Park on the corner of South 7th and Main Street from the Economic and Business Improvement District after they had completed the construction of the park. As the City began effort to maintain the park, the Cottage Grove Garden Club stepped forward providing the expertise and skills to beautify the park. Club members spend countless hours planning the plantings, preparing the soil, securing the proper plants and caring for the park. The club has a magical way of taking our meager funds for plants and materials and multiplying it tenfold. From those of us who have enjoyed the All-America City Park, thank you Cottage Grove Garden Club, you are a bridge builder. Will the members of the Cottage Grove Garden club present please come forward. For nearly 31 years the next bridge builder has been making a life of serving the needs of the community. In May, Kitti Slack will have been operating Cottage Grove Answering service and providing valuable services to this community for 31 years. During her 31 years she has seen some amazing changes. However, with all the changes in technology and the community she has remained constant in one thing - service. She has worked all hours of the day and night. She has been and continues to be a resource that many in the community depend on. Thank you Kitti. You are a bridge builder. Kitti will you please come forward. This year the City of Cottage Grove was host to the Annual Oregon Mayor’s Conference. I was proud to show off my hometown to Mayors from all around the state. And show off we did. I continually receive positive comments from other mayors. They enjoyed our community during their stay. It was truly an amazing event because of the efforts of many in the community. One of the activities I receive a number of comments about was the demonstration at the Cottage Grove Disc Golf Course. Disc golfers from around the area came and taught and shared their sport with mayors who had not thrown what is called a disc, and what many of us call a “Frisbee” for years. All this was the result of one community member’s dream. Tom Crestman had a vision of a disc golf course in Cottage Grove that would draw golfers from all around the region. His efforts have resulted in the development of the course that has been enjoyed by hundreds if not thousands of disc golfers already. Not only did the Mayors enjoy the course but several tournaments have been held at the course that have brought hundreds of participants each time. The development of the course was exhausting. He coordinated volunteers, secured the baskets, made tee pads, cleared brush and collected garbage and litter by the truck full. His tireless efforts continue as he still helps address the litter and garbage that occurs in the park from other users. The disc golf course has brought new life and users to the North Regional Park. Thank you Tom, you are a bridge builder. Would you please come forward. It is because of hundreds of bridge builders in our community like these three examples that we have a bright future in our community. During 2010 the City of Cottage Grove completed many projects - too many to talk about tonight in this address, that have built bridges for the future of the community. I want to briefly list just a few of the accomplishments. The City continues to be a major partner in the Economic Development partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Economic/Business Improvement District and the Economic Development Committee. The partnership was responsible for holding the first annual Cottage Grove Economic Summit. The partnership developed a business resource center housed in the Library, created marketing tools to promote the community and continues to seek ways to strengthen the local economy. Other economic development efforts include the City’s efforts to help the Village Green remain a major piece of our economy. Even though the City’s loan from Lane County was not used the City’s efforts helped encourage the private investments that are being used for improvements on the facility. We continue to look for creative ways to assist local businesses remain competitive and to protect the vitality of our downtown. One of the tools to improve the vitality of downtown is the participation in the Main Street, USA program. This year through the City and Chamber partnership we advanced to the “transforming downtown” level of participation in the Main Street program. The new level brings opportunities for technical assistance and grants that will strengthen our beautiful downtown. The participation also brings recognition for the community’s efforts. The recent article in the VIA magazine published by triple A seen by thousands across the country is the kind of recognition that will bring more to visit our downtown. Work is progressing on the Highway 99 and Main Street intersection. Staff is working closely with Oregon Department of Transportation engineers on this multi-million dollar project. The City remodeled the jail facilities increasing our capacity from 8 cells to 16. The increase in capacity will help make sure that those committing crimes in Cottage Grove will be accountable. To help find those that need to be spending time in our newly remodeled facitlities the police department acquired Bo, a hard working black lab that loves to find drugs. In the last seven months Bo has found over 20 pounds of illegal drugs and is responsible for the siezure of 3 vehicles and $11,000 in cash. Just last Monday he added another $4,000 in cash, car and more drugs. After years of public discussion and completing the upgrades at the Row River Water Treatment Plant we have severed the old water transmission line. The Row River Valley Water District is providing water to a majority of the customers on the City’s old transmission line and the City’s remodeled treatment plant is providing safe and clean drinking water to our community for decades. We have developed an active partnership with the Coast Fork Watershed Council and partnered on cleanup projects, native vegetation enhancements and water quality protection projects. This year we finally got the permit from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to begin using our effluent for irrigation at the golf course. We are continuing to move forward with other uses for our reclaimed water by seeking grant funding to develop the system to use the reclaimed water at Bohemia Park, Trailhead Park, and along the Row River Trail. The City also secured over $400,000 in grants to improve the energy efficiency at the wastewater treatment plant. The improvements will help to reduce energy consumption and save money in future operations. We started up CGWiFi during 2010 and the system continues to grow and develop. The system provides an alternative for community members to access broadband service. The system has over 800 subscribers with over 225 of the subscribers signed up for paid levels of service. The fiber optic system that was developed not only provides high speed broadband to South Lane and Creswell School Districts and City Hall, but also continues to attract attention and interest from other carriers and providers. Within the next 12 months construction should begin on another fiber route funded through grants that will be instrumental in bringing high speed broadband to more commercial and industrial areas. We hosted a number events this year that showcased our community. The Mayors conference and the reunion for the All American Redheads are two of the biggest successes. Both of the events brought recognition to our community and opened doors for future conference events. The first phase of Bohemia Park is nearing completion. And the park is already drawing the attention of groups around the state. In a few months we hope to be able to announce a major event coming to the park. So keep an eye out for that announcement. This year the City acted quickly and got emergency authorization to dismantle the Chambers Covered Railroad Bridge after some major movement occurred and collapse of that historic structure was imminent. The restoration work on the bridge has begun offsite and reconstruction at the bridge site will begin in a few months. Citizens have stepped forward and contributed nearly $10,000 through the round-up for the bridge program. Thank you, those funds have been used to match the grants and have made the project a success. The bridge is scheduled to be complete by the end of November 2011. We hope to have a grand opening ceremony for the bridge in December. The ceremony will be an event for the entire west coast as we will have the only remaining covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi. The Library has been doing some exciting things to encourage reading and continued learning. The most interesting program to me is the opportunity for children to read to a dog. Studies have shown that such programs have had amazing success at improving reading skills. The Library has also purchased new computers through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. And during the year we’ve had planes, genealogy and other museum pieces in the library to encourage interest in our local heritage. Currently the library is hosting the spectacular Oregon is Indian Country exhibit. In 2010 we held the first Vision Fair organized by the Visionkeepers Committee. The 2011 fair is being planned now and will be an opportunity to see how many projects in the Vision and Action Plan have been accomplished. Use of the Community Center continues to increase. During 2010, the Community Center housed 1,296 regularly scheduled meetings. That number does not include special events such as birthday parties, weddings, retirement dinners or parties. These were only the regularly scheduled monthly or weekly meetings. Many groups and individuals find it difficult to find a date available for their event or meeting. The Boys and Girls club had to move out of the building because they outgrew the space that was available. As soon as they moved out Campus Life began using the space. The final accomplishment I believe is the gem of the year. The following video has been prepared to highlight this project. In about 3 months we will begin holding tours and a public forum to gather input about uses and restoration of the armory. A special armory website will be launched soon that will provide information about the project and events. Keep an eye on the City’s webpage, Friday Update and the newspaper and radio for the announcements. The 2010 City Council understood the economic challenges and I believe this new City Council also understands the current conditions of the economy. We also understand that no successful organization can sit back and do nothing to prepare for the future and expect to survive. Even during tough times we have to prepare and plan for the future. I can assure you the financial condition of the City is sound. Could it be better, you bet. The City Council and City Staff take seriously the use of public funds. We recognize it as a sacred trust. We take seriously the need to prioritize the needs of this community and will take the necessary steps to make sure we can meet those needs because we do not have the resources to do everything. This City Council is not going to jeopardize the future health of the community for the benefit or comfort of a few today. It makes me think of many of our ancestors who sacrificed everything they had, some even their lives to make the trek to Oregon. Our forefathers in Cottage Grove created a community, built roads, bridges, homes and started services at great expense. I think of a small community of 2,400 that in the midst of the great depression made a major commitment to the future generations. That community was Cottage Grove in 1931. Through their sacrifice to build the armory they made a commitment that benefitted the community for 80 years. They were bridge builders. It is frightening to me that in our modern world many have become so self-absorbed, or concerned for their own interests that they have a total disregard for the future welfare of their community. It is not stylish to be a bridge builder today. Sometimes it seems to me that the basic tenant of the Athenian Oath has been abandoned.
“ . . . we will transmit this City, not only not less,
but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.” I am proud that so many of us in Cottage Grove are committed to and willing to give our time, energy, talents and even money to make Cottage Grove greater and more beautiful. My biggest prayer for 2011 is that our community will continue to resist the temptations of the modern world. That we will continue to build the bridges, no matter how small or large. That we will renew our commitment to make this community a better place for the future. I hope that we can all commit to be bridge builders. That is what creates a community, . . . that is what builds a legacy, . . . that is what makes a great place to live. And Cottage Grove is truly a great place to live. I thank everyone in the community that has stepped forward to serve whether on committees, boards or on the ground getting your hands dirty. You are what makes this community great. You are bridge builders. I express my sincere appreciation to my fellow City Councilors who have completed their service and to the new members of this Council who have stepped forward willingly to volunteer their time, energy and resources to this community. I hope that 2011 can be a year of bridge builders. | City Council Agendas & Minutes Budget Activities Budget - Current and previous City Budget Documents ar available online. Audit - Current Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (audit) is available. Elections - Check out information about upcoming City elections
and previous elections. City Council Ward Map is also
available. Links are also provided to State and County election
information.
Public Records CG WiFi Information about the City of Cottage Grove's Wireless broadband services. |