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Friday
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400 E. Main Street
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
(541)942-5501
Fax (541)942-1267
February 29, 2008Beeper
The City Manager will be on KNND’s Beeper show on Monday, March 3rd from 8:30 to 9:30 am. This is a change from the normal schedule. Senator Prozanski will be on the Beeper Show on March 10th.
Meeting with Municipal Judge
Mayor Williams and Municipal Judge Brissenden discussed potential dates for a follow-up meeting with the Judge and the City Council, and a tentative date has been scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Please let Joan know as soon as possible if you are not available that date and time. Council decided at the Judge’s evaluation session in October to meet with him again in six months.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Pump
The large head works influent pump and motor at the Wastewater Treatment Plant that recently failed, has been repaired and is back in service. The 75 horsepower motor and pump was repaired at a facility in Roseburg. The motor was checked and tested, new electrical cables installed and a new impeller was installed in the pump. A small crane was used to reinstall the 600 plus pound pump/motor assembly into place. Once the electrician connected the motor to the electrical panel, the remaining two pumps and motors (one 75 and one 25 horsepower) were removed and checked for similar problems. No problems were observed with the other pumps/motors. At this point, we are convinced that an impeller blade was somehow knocked off, causing the pump and motor assembly to become out of balance, tearing the assembly loose from the mounting supports.
Monthly Water District - USFS Meeting
Public Works Staff met this week with representatives of the USDA Forest Service, Row River Valley Water District, the Water District’s consulting engineer, and the Joint Venture for the monthly informational and progress meeting in anticipation of the District assuming responsibility for the Layng Creek Water Treatment Plant, filtration site and transmission line by October, 2008. The City reviewed and signed agreements with the USDA Forest Service to begin work on the environmental analysis for the removal and reclamation of Rujada Dam and the Prather Creek intake structure. The USFS environmental analysis should be complete by June, 2008, allowing the DSL/Army COE permits to be finalized in time for September/October, 2008 demolition and clean-up work. The City and District agreed to meet at a later time to review meter and pressure reduction point locations along the length of the Layng Creek transmission line, which will be served by the District.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Positions
The City is currently advertising to fill two Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II positions. A copy of the job announcement and position description can be found on the City’s web site at www.cottagegrove.org. We have also announced the positions throughout the membership of the Pacific Northwest Pollution Control Association.
Police Reserve Officer Retires
With more than 37 years serving Cottage Grove Police Department as a Reserve Officer, Gary Brandt has retired as of March 1, 2008. Gary is the owner of Automotive Grinding Service (a family business) for over 40 years. He started as a Reserve Officer on February 25, 1971 and has been in continual service since. He’s always been there when needed. Gary will be missed.
Quote of the Week -
“If you accept your limitations you go beyond them.”
----Brendan Francis
February 22, 2008
Council Joint Meeting with School District Board
The City Council will be meeting in a special session with the South Lane School District Board of Directors at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2008 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Council will hold its regular meeting following the joint meeting.
YAC Academy
Fourteen of the Youth Advisory Council members attended the YAC Academy Day on Monday. From the initial evaluations the YAC members enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about City functions and services. A big THANK YOU to all the staff that participated and helped with the event. Also a big THANK YOU to the Mayor and Councilors who attended the YAC Academy lunch; the youth enjoyed the chance to visit with you.
Beeper
The City Manager will be on KNND’s Beeper show on Monday, February 25th from 8:30 to 9:30 am.
Community Services Director Assessment Center
The City Manager conducted an assessment center to evaluate the candidates for the Community Services Director all day Friday. The assessment center is a day long process that contains several different exercises developed specifically to simulate specific situations or conditions of the position. The candidates are evaluated on their performance and skills throughout the day. The City received 21 applications and planned to evaluate 6 through the assessment center. Applications came from around the country and from within the community. Thank you to staff and other volunteers that assisted with the assessment center.
Row River Water Treatment Plant Construction Progress Summary 01/21/08 - This summary was prepared by Kelli O’Connor, Project Site Engineer for Black and Veatch. At the Row River Water Treatment Plant, the generator, the automatic transfer switch, and the membrane strainers were set; lights were installed; masonry walls were grouted, and the walkway was assembled. Construction of a ceiling, construction of a sump, installation of piping, and miscellaneous electrical work are in progress. Installation of small diameter piping will begin next. At the Row River Intake, the air compressor building foundation was completed. The installation of the raw water piping is in progress. The air compressor building walls will be constructed next. Regarding deliveries, the generator, automatic transfer switch, a heater control panel, trusses, metal decking, walkway components, reinforced concrete pipe, and manhole sections arrived.
PNPCA Wastewater Plant Tour
Members of the Pacific Northwest Pollution Control Association, and students from Linn-Benton Community College, were in Cottage Grove on Thursday of this week. Approximately 30 students and members of the Association met at the wastewater treatment plant for a “cooks” tour of that facility. The tour group was comprised mostly of students, along with a few treatment plant operators from around the State. Mike Owens, Wastewater Superintendent and Mike Katalinich, Carollo Engineers hosted the group and provided the guided tour.
Pump Station Break-in
The Cottage Heights water pump station was broken into this week. The door to the pump station was forced open, damaging the door and frame. Luckily, nothing was taken from inside the pump house. This pump station contains booster pumps which serve primarily the Cottage Heights subdivision. A temporary door was installed over night and a replacement door and frame was installed the next day.
Equipment Down
The City’s new Elgin street sweeper and a 1979 dump truck were taken out of service this week to effect repairs. The street sweeper conveyor belt, which moves debris from the brooms to the hopper, came loose and did not track properly. This was a warranty repair and the machine was transported, by the dealer, to Portland where it is being repaired. The street sweeper should be returned next week and will be placed back in service cleaning the streets. The 1979 dump truck was in need of a new clutch, which is being installed by City Shop personnel.
Public Works Safety Committee
The Public Works Safety Committee met last week to review four accident reports and plan safety inspections and training over the next several months. Safety inspections on all of the City’s parks will begin next month and conclude in April. The City Shop facilities will be inspected after that before the group returns to the Middlefield Golf Course for a follow-up inspection. Scheduled safety training will include basic first aid and blood borne pathogens.
Blood Mobile Coming to Community Center
The Blood Mobile will be coming to the Community Center on Thursday, February 28th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Those interested in donating blood can contact Pat Deter at 942-2362 to schedule appointments. The next scheduled Blood Mobile visit will be on April 24th.
Heart Gallery Coming to Community Center/Library
The Heart Gallery of Lane County will be on display starting February 29th through the month of March at the Community Center/Library. This beautiful display showcases portraits of Lane County children looking for permanent homes through adoption and adult mentors for older children. If you are interested in learning more about this successful program contact Christy Obie-Barrett at 683-5769.
Quote of the Week -
“If a man could have half his wishes, he would double his troubles.”
-----Benjamin Franklin
February 15, 2008
Noon Kiwanis
On Wednesday the City Manager met with the noon Kiwanis club and provided them an update on City projects and issues.
YAC Academy
The Youth Advisory Council will be meeting on Monday to hold their 2nd Annual Youth Academy day. The day will provide the youth an opportunity to see many of the daily operations of the City. Some interesting activities have been planned. At noon the Mayor and City Council have been invited to have lunch with the youth in the City Council Chambers.
Lane Community College Board Community Conversation
The Lane Community College Board of Education will be holding a special “Community Conversation” on Tuesday, February 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cottage Grove LCC Campus in Room 126. LCC is faced with a number of budget challenges and issues that will have a direct impact on the Cottage Grove Campus as well as services provided by LCC. Everyone is encouraged to attend the conversation and demonstrate the important role that LCC plays in the community. Several members of the LCC Board will be in attendance.
Combined City Council and School Board Meeting
The Cottage Grove City Council and South Lane School District Board will be meeting together on Monday, February 25th at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall for a special combined meeting. The meeting has been arranged to provide an opportunity to meet and share information about projects within the community.
Vision 2037 Town Hall Meeting
The second town hall meeting for the 2037 Vision project will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the High School from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This town hall meeting will provide the opportunity for members of the community to give input on the strategies and action plans that have been drafted from the first town hall meeting and through the series of emphasis team meetings that have been held during the last few months. Reserve the date and plan to attend the event.
Cottage Grove in the News
Attached to the Friday Update is a copy of an article that appeared in the Sunday Oregonian, February 10, 2008 about Cottage Grove. The article can also be read on the Oregonian’s webpage by searching Cottage Grove at: www.oregonlive.com/oregonian.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
BacGen has started the wastewater treatment plant optimization project to improve efficiencies and energy conservation at the plant. BacGen personnel were on-site this week to begin the process of making modifications to the existing blowers and motors. In addition, BacGen personnel were taking solar readings within the WWTP compound and surrounding areas to determine the potential for the installation of solar cells. Solar readings will now be calculated and BacGen will submit a proposal to the City for the installation of a 125,000 kw solar cell system.
The recently failed head works inflow pump, motor, and impeller have been removed from the head works lift station, via some creative fishing techniques. The manufacturer’s representative found an authorized repair facility in Roseburg, saving the City the cost of shipping the 600 plus pound motor to Salt Lake City to be repaired. Having the repair completed in Roseburg will also dramatically shorten the turn-around time on the repair. We are very hopeful that the failed pump and motor will be back in-place within the next ten days to two weeks. In the mean-time, the remaining pumps and motors are handling the current three million gallons per day of influent flow.
Ultraviolet Film Installation
On February 25th, a contractor will apply a commercial grade ultraviolet film to the large high-peak windows directly over the Main Street entrance door to City Hall. This will cut-down on glare and damaging sunlight, which can harm wall displays and the wood paneling in the foyer area of City Hall.
Water Rights Transfer
The City is in the final stages of completing all the necessary water rights transfers to accommodate the new Row River Water Treatment Plant expansion and the Row River Valley Water District. The City’s consultant, GSI Water Solutions, has completed the water rights transfer applications for the Layng, Dinner, and Prather Creek rights to be moved to the RRWTP site. In addition, we have requested a time extension to “prove” these rights. We have also submitted a registration application for the use of reclaimed water on the golf course, and we have transferred a .23 cfs water right to the Water District, which dates from 1909. The last piece of the water rights transfer puzzle will include applying for a second point of diversion for the water rights associated with the golf course. This action will allow us to use golf course water rights at the RRWTP in times of low flow, while maintaining these rights at the golf course if they are needed.
Cottage Grove Community Foundation
Howard Schesser Community Development Director attended the monthly meeting of the Community Foundation. At the meeting they reviewed the yearly grant applications that the Community Foundation gives out and administers for other foundations and donors. Sixteen grants were applied for and approximately ten were awarded to community groups. An announcement of the awards will be made within the next 30 days. Approximately $8,000 in grants ranging from $500 to $1000 will be awarded. New officers for the Foundation were elected and they take office as of March 1st . Board Members reelected to the Board for another term were Robert Ball, Ann White and Jacques LeCoure. The officers are: President – Robert Ball, Vice President – Kathryn Porter and Secretary – Betty Wright. Board member Bud Stewart who represents the wood products industry has asked to be replaced. This is the one appointment made by the City, and steps are underway to bring another name forward to Council for consideration of appointment to the Board.
Lane County Preparedness Coalition
The Steering Committee met this month to develop the program for 2008. Emergency Program Manager Schesser, Chairman of the Coalition attended the meeting. Twelve members of the steering committee were present and the following schedule of events was determined for 2008:
March – Pandemic Flu preparations, Continuity of Operations for business & local government.
May – Pre Olympic Trials Update (planning, incident command structure & security) and a Pre-Hospital Move Update (planning & incident command structure). The update is being coordinated by Eugene and Springfield EMS as the movement of patients will start in Eugene (Sacred Heart Hospital) and end in Springfield (Riverbend Hospital). Other agencies in Lane County will assist in the move.
September - Hospital move, Olympic Trials and 2007 Flood Disaster debriefings.
November - Weather preparations; public works emergency plans, utility emergency plans including water supply protection.
DLCD Technical Assistance Grant
The Community Development Department has received notice that our technical assistance grant to hire a consultant for an economic analysis study under goal 9 and urbanization study under goal 14 will be funded. The exact amount of funding and conditions of award will not be known until early March. This work is required in order to develop a report and recommendation on expansion of the urban growth boundary.
Police Chief Speaks at Service Club Meeting
Chief Grover was the guest speaker for the Lions Club noon meeting on February 14th held at Stacy’s Covered Bridge Restaurant. The Chief spoke on law enforcement in the City and crime prevention.
Athletic Hall of Fame
On March 15th at 6:30 p.m. a dinner and ceremony will be held honoring inductees into the Cottage Grove High School Athletic Hall of Fame. The cost of the dinner will be $15.00 per person. If anyone is interested in attending, they can contact Pam Ewing at Cottage Grove High School at 942-3391 for more information and reservations. The deadline for reservations is March 7th. The Cottage Grove Sentinel has been featuring these athletes each week..
Quote of the Week -
“Getting an idea should be like sitting down on a pin; it should make you jump up and do something.”
-----E. L. Simpson
February 8, 2008
OCCMA Board Retreat
The City Manager attended the Oregon City/County Management Association Board Retreat as immediate Past President. This is the manager’s last year on the state association board of Directors. The Board discussed plans for the year which will include the Summer Conference in Cottage Grove.
BMD 150/50
The City Manager participated in the Bohemia Mining Days 2009 Steering Committee meeting. The steering committee is making preliminary preparations for the 50th anniversary celebration that will coincide with the 150th anniversary Oregon Statehood celebration.
Broadband meeting
The City Manager held a meeting with consultants and partners involved in the broadband/fiber optics project. The meeting was held to review the progress to date and coordinate the efforts of the project.
Renewable Energy Campaign
The City Manager joined with our renewable power partners, Emerald Peoples Utility District and Pacific Power to make preparations for the “Greening the Grove” renewable power campaign kickoff. The kickoff will begin on March 13th at the Cottage Grove Business Faire.
High School Class
The City Manager spoke to Mr. Mast’s Political Science class at the high school. The class was excited to discuss some of the issues facing the community.
Beeper
The City Manager will be on KNND’s Beeper show on Monday, February 11, 2008 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Emergency Planning
Reports from weather specialists indicate that the snow pack in the mountains is well above levels present in 1996 when a sudden melt resulted in major flooding water issues for communities around the state. City Staff has been making preparations to make sure that supplies are in place in case snow melts fast as a result of several days of warm rain. We have stockpiled sand bags and sand and have made arrangements to have the supplies available to the public if they are needed. The materials will not be made available until we know that the potential for flooding exists. If the sandbags are not needed in the next three or four weeks, they will be stored for the future.
New Ethics Rules
Included with Council’s update are copies of a handout regarding, “Things Public Officials Should Know About Oregon’s New Government Ethics Laws,” and a handout regarding, “New Ethics Rules; Frequently Asked Questions.”
Row River Water Treatment Plant Construction Progress Summary 02/07/08 – This summary was prepared by Kelli O’Connor, Project Site Engineer for Black and Veatch.
At the Row River Water Treatment Plant, the filter rack supports were installed, air compressors and electrical equipment were set and the generator pad was constructed. Filter piping, interior masonry, doors/door frames, sheet rock, and lights are being installed. Filter piping, masonry, and electrical work will continue. The emergency backup generator will be delivered next week. At the Row River Intake, the formwork was removed, the air compressor building foundation sub-grade was prepared and the air compressor building slab was formed/reinforced. Next, the foundation will be poured and the masonry walls will be constructed.
Solar Retrofit Feasibility Study Project
The City of Cottage Grove was notified this week by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) that the Solar Retrofit Feasibility Study grant application, that was recently submitted, was not approved for funding. OECDD received thirteen applications, funded three, and is considering two more. Requests totaled $540,000 but only $182,000 was awarded.
That said, the City is now working with BacGen (the firm assisting the City with the wastewater optimization project) to pursue private investment alternatives for the solar retrofit of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Private companies, most notably Honeywell and Goldman Sachs, are very interested in partnering with municipal governments to develop solar technology projects. In this case, BacGen would design a solar retrofit project for the City’s WWTP and one of the private firms would pay to construct the project. In exchange, the private firms receive a variety of tax and energy credits over a three-year period, which would recover 100% of their investment costs. The City would receive a level electric rate over a proposed ten-year period, at which time the City would be able to purchase the solar power system for basically scrap value. The cost to develop 125,000 kilowatts of solar power annually is approximately $1,000,000. This amounts to 10% of our total electric demand to operate the WWTP.
Electric rates are projected to increase significantly over the next several years. Anything the City can do to level the electric rates will be of significant value to our ratepayers. This public-private approach is in the development stages at this point. BacGen is preparing a proposal to detail how this arrangement would work to the City’s advantage. BacGen’s time to assist the City with this effort would be covered by several different Federal and State funding sources.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Loses Major Pump/Motor
This week the City lost one of the two 75 horsepower submersible pumps/motors at the WWTP that move raw sewage from the headworks to the orbal (biological process structure). The bolts, which secure the motor to the pump, came loose from the mounting and the electrical power cables wrapped around the pump and motor. To complicate matters, the motor/pump was 8.5 feet under raw sewage. The influent flow cannot be stopped to dewater the influent pump station to retrieve the motor/pump. Therefore, the motor was retrieved by “fishing” with the backhoe. We still need to retrieve the pump. The motor was checked and determined to be operational. The motor will now be sent to Salt Lake City where it will be reattached to a new pump by the manufacturer. The existing pump will be scrapped once it is retrieved from the bottom of the influent pump station. The manufacturer’s representative said he has never seen this situation before, and we expect the manufacturer to provide a replacement pump at no cost to the City. The repair of the pump/motor could take three to four weeks. In the mean-time, the remaining 75 horsepower pump/motor, and the 25 horsepower pump/motor that is used during the summer months, will be operated at maximum to keep-up with the flows. The two remaining pumps/motors can handle approximately 9 mgd. Current flows are down to 6 mgd. We hope for no major rain storms over the next few weeks.
Community Center Hosting Tax Service
Volunteers from AARP are offering free tax service on Wednesdays through April 9th in the Reception Hall at the Community Center from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This service is being offered on a drop-in basis, no appointments are being taken.
Tai Chi Class at Community Center
Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. instructor Bev Reed is teaching a Tai Chi class for seniors at the Community Center. Currently there are 10 spots open for this class being offered free by Lane Community College. If you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact Bev at 729-4913 or drop in on Monday or Wednesday and check it out.
St. Vincent DePaul Meeting
Community Development Director Schesser met with representatives from St. Vincent DePaul, the administrator for the Lane County Rehabilitation Housing Program. This program is for the rehabilitation of existing homes for low income families. Program income reports since 2000 are being prepared as required by HUD. The reports are being prepared jointly by the City and St. Vincent DePaul. This work is expected to be completed the week of February 11th and submitted to the State.
Additional Planting at the Wetlands
On Tuesday and Wednesday Kennedy Conservation Corps completed a second round of plantings at the Industrial Park wetland. The group of kids planted and placed protection around 350 plants, including Oregon Grape, Big Leaf Maple, Nutka Rose, Nine Bark and Oregon Ash. This brings the City closer to completing all the plantings required for the mitigation project. Thank you to Kennedy Conservation Corps for all their great help throughout the duration of this project!
Finance Department Welcomes New Finance Clerk
The Finance Clerk position drew 57 applicants. Of those, fifteen applicants were chosen to complete a comprehensive skills test, including word knowledge, spelling, grammar, proofreading, filing, math, accounting skills, ten-key operation, excel spreadsheet design, and letter composition. They were also requested to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The top six applicants were ultimately interviewed.
It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Jennifer Violette to the Finance Department staff. She graduated from Cottage Grove High School, and received a two-year Business Management Degree from Lane Community College. For the past several years she was employed by Horner’s Inc. using her various accounting and computer skills. Her husband, Jeff, is a Public Works employee.
Quote of the Week -
“If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.”
-----Anatole France
February 1, 2008
City Council Regular Meeting Canceled
Since the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, January 28th was canceled and not rescheduled, the items on that agenda will be included in the agenda packet for the February 11, 2008 regular meeting. We are asking City Councilors to keep their agenda books and materials intact, and any additional agenda items and a new agenda cover sheet will be delivered next Wednesday, February 6th. We appreciate your assistance.
Recent Snowstorm Causes Operational Problems
The uncharacteristically heavy snow this week caused several operational problems for Public Works crews. Snow plows were dispatched on Sunday to begin clearing the main thoroughfares. Continuing on Monday, the access streets to the four local school facilities were plowed, along with the access road to the hospital and several other senior/care facilities. Neighborhood streets were plowed on an as-needed/complaint basis. The City of Cottage Grove only has one medium and one light duty snow plow to cover over 90 lane miles of streets. In addition, City crews also must clear a number of parking lots serving public buildings and facilities.
The associated cold weather caused freezing problems at both the Row River Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant. Crews spent many hours thawing water lines at each facility. At the WWTP, normal flows this time of year average three million gallons per day (mgd). During the snow/rain storm this week, flows to the WWTP were pushing ten mgd and climbing. The Layng Creek Water Treatment Plant (LCWTP) lost power for a forty-eight hour period at both the treatment and filtration site. The LCWTP was operated on emergency back-up generator power during this entire time. Water treatment plant employees transported 55 gallon drums of diesel fuel from the City Shop to the LCWTP to keep the generators operating. The generators will only run for approximately 8 hours before they need to be refueled. Heavy snow, rain and runoff also placed the LCWTP at risk for turbidity violations. Water treatment crew members were kept very busy monitoring the plant, adjusting chemicals and keeping the generators fueled. Thanks to Tony Kirk, Mike Owens, Ray Pardee and their respective crews, for keeping us operational during this week of unusual weather.
Police Department Training
Michael Chartrey attended Families and CISM(Critical Incident Stress Management) training on January 28th and 29th in Salem. The course gave CISM practitioners the tools they need to develop comprehensive programming for proactive, reactive and CISM maintenance for family services. Included was an outline of agency protocols and an overview of the unique needs of children. The course covered many varied topics.
Community Center Activities
A new beginning and intermediate Yoga class has started at the Community Center. Class is offered Wednesday evenings starting at 6:00 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome and the fee is $5.00 a session. If you are interested in attending the class or need more information you can call the instructor, Jane Guerber at 942-5876.
Quote of the Week -
“You can’t have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time.”
-----Charles F. Kettering