Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Oak Lodge Community Council agenda

A post from Eleanore Hunter

Dear Members and Friends of the Oak Lodge Community Council -

Here is our agenda for tomorrow evening - 7 pm at Rose Villa.

There will be a brief presentation and query from Barbara Cartmill of Clackamas County, a special report from Scott Weniger regarding the "Learn-to-Burn" incident, and a report from a property owner on his desire for a non-conforming use at 13795 SE Laurie, just north of Courtney.

There will also be some clarification as to the purpose and charge of the Land Use Committee.
Please come contribute your energy, concerns, questions, desires and opinions to your community.

And check out our fab website - www.oaklodgecpo.org

Friday, June 12, 2009

Warning Political Spam 503-210-5697

Suggestion: I just leave the phone and walk away, then hang up a few minuts later, when political spam calls invade our home. Ties up the creep's autodialer and therefore reduces their ability to spam others.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Tonight's Wheel of Interests Announcement

CITIZENS INFORMED and aware (CIA)

“wheel of interests”

Starts at 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 10, 2009

In the Fellowship Hall at Rose Villa Senior Living Community

13505 SE River Road in Oak Grove, OR

(Please do not park on the Rose Villa property itself)

(It is OK to park on either side of River Road or in the lot across River Road from Rose Villa)

==========================================

The Citizens Informed and Aware (CIA) group from the Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge and Oatfield Ridge areas of Clackamas County is hosting an opportunity for all Citizens to become involved in the “Wheel of Interests” that started turning in our communities and/or neighborhoods in November, 2008. The evening will begin with a “Wheel 101” so that people new to the program can find out what we are talking about. We will then have reports from some of the Interest Groups that have already started turning. Lots of things going on in this area and tonight is the time to become ‘informed’ about what all those things are. There will be time for audience questions and participation after the reports.

==========================================

The Oak Lodge Community Council (OLCC) will have a Special Meeting after the CIA meeting to discuss Land Use issues. The OLCC Special Meeting will not start before 8:30 PM.

==========================================

Please feel free to pass this Email along to your neighbors, friends and relatives and to share this information with other Citizens who might be interested in the CIA Programs. The more, the merrier!

Questions may be directed to CIA Program Coordinator - Thelma Haggenmiller at thelma@oaklodgepost or 503/659-5590

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Be the match and save a life

Fouty-six thousand folks will get free enrollment into the lifesaving registry for bone marrow donors, thanks to a one-time special donation which started yesterday. Enrollment is very, very easy (think cheek swab; mine took less than five minutes) and very, very important, especially in minority communities and for folks with varegated heritage as well as folks who are:
  • Black or African American
  • American Indian or Alaska Native
  • Asian, including South Asian
  • Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
  • Hispanic or Latino
The total cost to add a new member to the registry is about $100, and the majority of that goes to the cost of genetic typing. The government doesn't pay for it, insurance doesn't pay for it; it all runs on donations.

You can't save a life if you don't sign up. Here's more info.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Friday times to turn off analog television for good

The National Association of Broadcasters says these are the times when analog channels in Portland will go dark on Friday (with an update courtesy an Oregonian blogger):
  • KATU (2): 11:35 a.m.
  • KOIN (6): Between 6 a.m. and noon
  • KGW (8): 3:05 a.m.
  • KOPB (10): About 2 a.m.
  • KPTV (12): 9:30 a.m.
  • KRCW (32): 9 a.m.
  • KPDX (49): 9:30 a.m.
Other small, low-power stations can continue to broadcast in analog; that is, if you need 24-hr. QVC. Ewwww.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Wednesday special community council special meeting

The Oak Lodge Community Council will have a Special Meeting on Wednesday evening June 10th at Rose Villa. It will not start before 8:30 PM.

Z0301-09-SL
Description: Provide recommendation for design review of 19-lot subdivision for attached single family dwelling units at 14811 SE Rupert Drive (between Arista and Rupert near Oak Grove Boulevard).

At the last CPO meeting the subdivision [i.e., zoning, lots, access to lots, etc.] was reviewed. The design of the units is Wednesday night's topic.

An Oak Lodge CPO member wrote, "I urge you all to take a look at the 'design features' of the 3 units currently under construction by the same developer just to the north of where he plans these additional 19 units. Is this what you want in your neighborhood?"

Saturday, June 06, 2009

A letter to the county

Subject: Questions regarding Environmental Health and restaurant inspection data
Date: Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 13:53
To: martifra@co:clackamas:us
Cc: webmstr@co:clackamas:us

As I was doing my round-up on restaurant inspections on Clackablog, I noted a discrepancy. There were two inspections on the same day at the same location, Rigoberto's. The attached snapshot shows them, one with a score of 85 and the second with a score of 100. Neither is shown as a reinspection. Is there a data entry error here?

Also, you may wish to ask your webmaster to fix the missing link for contact for Environmental Health. If you go to http://www.clackamas.us/community_health/contact.htm then click on the link titled Environmental Health, it should take you to http://www.clackamas.us/community_health/contact.htm#eh but the corresponding location #eh on that web page is missing.

However, thank you for making sure this data is publicly available. It would be a significant public benefit, IMHO, if the public could click through to see each inspection result's detail, but that can wait until another day.

--
73s and best regards from John Bartley K7AAY PDX OR USA

Friday, June 05, 2009

Restaurants neither perfect nor gross

The first group of restaurants today made a minor error or two, but no major errors. However, remember, there were 49 restaurants which had a perfect score (see previous posts).

99% Clackamas River Racquet Club 790 82nd Dr 503-657-1806 1/8/2009
99% Gladstone Card Room 420 Portland Ave 503-657-1977 2/23/2009
99% Healing Place Cafe 10330 SE 32nd Ave 503-513-8342 1/21/2009
99% Historic Broetje House 3101 SE Courtney 503-659-8860 11/3/2008
99% Jack In The Box #7123 14811 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-353-9435 1/13/2009
99% Little Caesars Pizza 4370 SE King Suite 503-634-2572 2/2/2009
99% Oak Grove Cinemas 16100 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-653-3511 3/24/2009
99% Spring Creek Coffee Hse 10600 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-496-5555 1/6/2009
99% Sully's Cafe 2035 SE Jefferson St 503-786-0285 10/24/2008
99% Tsunami Cafe 7300 SE Harmony Road 503-659-1756 4/13/2009
98% Dominos Pizza 10586 SE 32nd Ave 503-659-5585 1/21/2009
98% East Side Athletic Club 4606 SE Boardman 503-659-3845 2/9/2009
98% Foxy's 15224 SE Mcloughlin Blvd 503-353-6885 1/12/2009
98% Happy Rock Coffee Co 465 Portland Ave 503-650-4876 2/24/2009
98% Heavenly Donuts 19500 Mcloughlin Bl 503-657-3197 1/5/2009
98% J Gelati 3650 Concord Road 503-382-9450 3/23/2009
98% Jamba Juice - Milwaukie 10814 SE Oak St 503-513-6385 1/5/2009
98% Los Volcanes 480 Portland Ave #c 503-655-0773 2/24/2009
98% Mocha Express Rest 14813 SE Webster 503-654-5177 2/10/2009
98% Pizza Hut #2857 - Gladstone 19640 Mcloughlin Bl 503-722-8834 1/8/2009
98% Tebo's Rest 19120 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-655-6333 12/3/2008
97% Burgerville #8 19119 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-655-3932 2/5/2009
97% Buster's Texas Style B-B-Q 17883 E Mcloughlin Bl 503-652-1076 12/2/2008
97% El Vaquero 13456 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-496-4966 12/31/2008
97% Jay Lee's Gladstone Honda 19400 SE Mcloughlin 503-722-5000 1/8/2009
97% Larry's Restaurant 8081 SE King Rd 503-771-0216 2/19/2009
97% Pizza Schmizza 14624 SE Mcloughlin 503-496-0873 5/13/2009
97% Subway - Milwaukie 15031 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-786-1660 1/28/2009

Without raw data, I can't tell if the restaurants below had multiple minor errors or a major error. However, since franchises (e.g., Starbuck's, KFC, Taco Bell and McDonalds) have tightly scripted procedures, to see franchise outlets here is uncomfortable.

96% Dillingers Pub 13305 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-652-8702 2/4/2009
96% Dotty's #20 1503 SE Mcloughlin 503-969-5013 1/5/2009
96% Econolodge 17330 SE Mc Loughlin 503-654-2222 2/19/2009
96% Elk Rock Bar & Grill 14211 SE Mcloughlin 503-786-0410 5/6/2009
96% Figaros - Gladstone 18911 Portland Ave 503-656-5556 1/13/2009
96% Happy Cafe 4620 SE International Way #100 503-654-2488 12/9/2008
96% Mi Pueblo 10543 SE Fuller Rd 503-653-4194 12/9/2008
96% Richards - Mcloughlin 17185 SE Mcloughlin #a 5/6/2009
96% Starbucks Coffee #3374 10826 SE Oak St 503-652-7962 3/31/2009
96% Subway #4239 114815 SE Webster Road 503-786-5950 2/10/2009
95% Best Teriyaki 15009 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-353-8200 5/13/2009
95% Big Town Hero 4630 Sw International Way 503-652-5428 3/2/2009
95% Clackamas Cty Corrections 9000 McBrod ANNUAL INSP. 11/25/2008
95% El Tapatio Rest 15192 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-659-8654 2/5/2009
95% Hale's Breakfast & Lunch 17502 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-659-7566 5/4/2009
95% Kentucky Fried Chicken #313 14715 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-659-2580 1/13/2009
95% Mars Deli 16690 SE Mcloughlin 503-786-5108 1/14/2009
95% Mcdonalds Restaurant - Mcloughlin 15870 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-6268 3/31/2009
95% Mekong Thai Cuisine 10880 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-594-2888 12/18/2008
95% Starbucks Coffee #4341 4620 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-659-3653 3/31/2009
95% Taco Bell #4088 11000 SE Oak St 503-659-2960 1/13/2009
95% The Deli 4160 SE International Way #d10 503-786-9388 8/25/2008
95% Wendys - Milwaukie 17217 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-653-2472 2/23/2009
94% Chopsticks Express I 10801 SE Main St 503-659-2950 5/4/2009
94% Drift On Inn Bar & Grill 12611 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-652-7966 11/6/2008
94% Frog Thai Cuisine 18601 SE Mcloughlin Bl #b 503-786-8893 12/2/2008
94% Got Curry 2818 SE Park Ave 503-652-4050 12/31/2008
94% Grove Restaurant & Bar 15300 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-653-1930 12/16/2008
94% Lighthouse 18010 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-312-1404 1/6/2009
94% Maddys 18080 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-786-4761 1/12/2009
94% Mcdonalds - Milwaukie 10970 SE Oak 503-659-0979 3/31/2009
94% Sushi Kata Japanese Rest 13809 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-653-0302 12/10/2008
94% Vogies Bar, LLC 464 Portland Ave 503-657-3626 1/8/2009
94% Wongs Garden 10820 SE Oak St 503-794-2879 12/17/2008
93% Black Rock Coffee Bar 14423 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-653-9338 2/9/2009
93% G G's Delicatessen 15717 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-2428 3/2/2009
93% Mcqueens Bar & Grill 14680 SE River Rd 503-736-3308 3/24/2009
93% Original Phillys 17252 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-594-0303 1/20/2009
93% Ranch Tavern 18601 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-653-9152 2/5/2009
93% Subway #10335 19516 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-803-4923 1/5/2009
93% Taco Bell #19200 16300 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-8097 1/13/2009

Now, these below could have multiple major errors, or many more minor errors. Seeing more franchises like McDonalds, Pietro's and Subway concern me, especially since their cohorts above had no problem with better performance.

92% Crossroads Cafe/coffee Haus 250 Princeton Ave 503-657-2999 2/23/2009
92% Desert Inn 14535 SE Mcloughlin 503-654-6380 11/24/2008
92% G G's Restaurant 15717 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-659-5553 3/2/2009
92% High Rocks Pub & Eatery 915 E Arlington 503-656-1111 4/14/2009
92% Shari's Restaurant 11030 SE Oak St 503-652-4035 2/23/2009
92% Subway - Milwaukie Mktplace 10818A SE Oak St 503-653-2100 1/13/2009
91% Cafe Bon Jour 4360 SE International Way 503-697-3242 3/3/2009
91% Dolphin Seafood Rest 17180 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-9366 3/2/2009
91% Domenics Bar & Grill 16065 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-6969 10/27/2008
91% Hong Kong 97 6128 SE King Road Suite B 503-786-4567 10/16/2008
91% Kwang Chow Restaurant 7980 SE King Rd 503-659-1160 12/18/2008
91% Mcdonalds - Johnson Creek 8151 SE Lamphier 503-774-2960 2/23/2009
91% Mcdonalds Restaurant - Gladstone 820 E Berkeley 503-557-9951 1/13/2009
91% Oak Grove Coffeehouse 2144 SE Oak Grove Bl 503-654-4389 1/15/2009
91% Pietro's Pizza 10300 SE Main St 503-659-7770 3/24/2009
91% Porterhouse Rest. & Par Lounge 14611 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-794-9450 11/17/2008
91% Quizno's 10983 SE Oak St #107 503-594-2118 2/5/2009
91% Roake's 18103 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-7075 3/31/2009
90% Gaffers Pub 18515 Webster Rd 503-516-5295 2/24/2009
90% Joe's Place Saloon 4400 SE International Way 503-653-6798 1/13/2009
90% Oxford Suites 75 SE 82nd Dr 503-650-0562 2/17/2009
90% Pete's Lair Tavern 17720 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-652-1430 5/7/2009
90% Soy Grill At Gladstone 20010 Mc Loughlin Bl 503-655-5780 2/24/2009
90% Super Burrito Express 10546 SE 42nd 503-786-9370 10/27/2008
89% Little Caesars Pizza 17038 SE Mcloughlin Bl 971-570-2504 2/9/2009
89% McGrath's Publick Fish House 11050 SE Oak St 503-653-8070 4/22/2009
89% Panda Buffet 16251 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-652-0515 4/22/2009
88% Panaderia Cinco De Mayo #2 17419 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-998-2960 12/18/2008
87% International House Of Pancakes #68 114617 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-653-2710 5/4/2009
86% Happy Restaurant 270 Portland Ave 503-657-4097 5/22/2009
86% Oak Grove Bar & Grill 2099 SE Oak Grove Bl 503-654-6343 12/2/2008
86% Quiznos 18040 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-652-1633 4/22/2009
86% Rigoberto's Taco Shop 15855 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-659-8124 5/13/2009
86% Wichita Pub 6106 SE King Rd 503-654-4201 5/7/2009

Now, it's likely these had three or more major errors. That would be embarassing to me, were it my restaurant! If you're feeling uppity, you might just ask WHY they had multiple inspection failures.

85% Amadeus Manor 2122 SE Sparrow St 503-659-1735 12/16/2008
85% Brew Bar & Grill 10933 SE Main St 503-653-6369 10/15/2008
85% Hong Kong 97 17405 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-3336 4/22/2009
85% Lew's Drive Inn 14911 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-654-6648 1/13/2009
85% River Road House Pub 11921 SE 22nd 503-653-5885 12/8/2008
83% Casa De Tamales 10605 SE Main St 503-654-4423 1/20/2009
83% Tartan & Thistle 11050 SE 21st 503-365-7150 x7 10/27/2008

These likely had four or more major errors. Ouch!

80% Chang's Mongolian Grill 18925 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-655-2323 3/31/2009

80% Mai Wah Restaurant 18088 SE Mcloughlin Bl 503-659-0323 9/23/2008
P. S.: On a previous 5/13/2008 inspection, Mai Wah had an 85% score.

Hall of shame of restaurants

It works like this at Clackamas Co. Public Health's restaurant inspection program:

A minor error loses 1-2% from a perfect score of 100%; a major error loses 4-5%.

Each of these restaurants had to have at least four major errors in sanitation to score so low.

Do you want to dine in, or take out from, places with so little concern for your health?

Score - Restaurant - Address - Inspection date - and, a previous rating shown on the line below may help show if this was an isolated incident or a repeating pattern.

75% Imperial Garden 15350 SE Mcloughlin Bl 2/23/2009
91% on 3/17/2008

77% Chan's Steakery 10477 SE Main St 10/27/2008
79% on 12/17/2007

79% Dragon Inn 14411 SE Mcloughlin Bl 4/22/2009
70% on 5/22/2008


The remaining restaurants will be listed tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Dining hall of fame

These 49 restaurants and food service outlets in Milwaukie, Oak Grove and Gladstone had a PERFECT 100% score in their most recent inspection by County Public Health. Fourty-nine. You might congratulate them the next time you dine there.

Tomorrow, we'll roll out the Hall of Shame of markedly imperfect restaurants.

All of these were semi-annual repeating inspections, with one exception, noted as a REINSPECTION below.

Restaurant - Address - Phone - Date of inspection

American Legion Post #180 2146 Se Monroe, (503) 659-1300 12/29/2008
Arrivederci Wine & Gifts 17025 Se Mcloughlin Blvd, (503) 781-3873 12/3/2008
Baskin Robbins 19510 Se Mcloughlin Blvd (503) 656-0311 1/5/2009
Baskin Robbins 13735 Se Mcloughlin Blvd (503) 654-2474 1/8/2009
Bistro Catering 6025 Se Alderhill Loop, (503) 659-6216 10/29/2008
Bo's Pub & Eatery 18650 Se Mcloughlin Blvd, (503) 652-0302 5/7/2009
Cha Cha Cha Mexican Taqueria 11008 Se Main St, (503) 659-2193 2/3/2009
Chans Garden Restaurant 14790 Se Webster Rd, (503) 652-2828 12/29/2008
Christ The King Parish 7414 Se Michael Dr, (503) 659-1475 1/12/2009
DaVincis Italiano Ristorante 12615 Se Mcloughlin Blvd, (503) 659-3547 12/30/2008
Doll House Tea Room 3223 Se Risley Ave , (503) 653-6809 2/5/2009
Dominos Pizza 15117 S Mcloughlin Blvd , (503) 659-4950 1/28/2009
Dotty's #10 10812-B Se Oak St, (503) 969-5013 1/6/2009
Dotty's 34 17060 Se Mcloughlin , (503) 969-5013 1/6/2009
El Taco Loco 4607 Se Boardman Ave, (503) 653-1715 12/2/2008
Flying Pie Pizzeria 16691 Se Mcloughlin (503) 496-3170 2/17/2009
Foxy's 11094 Se Main St, (503) 654-8800 1/28/2009
Full Gospel Community Church 4007 Se Llewellyn, (503) 774-2663 3/5/2009
Gladstone Senior Center 1050 Portland Ave, (503) 655-7701 1/13/2009
Gray Gables Estate 3009 Se Chestnut St, (503) 654-0470 5/5/2009
Great American Video & Espresso 6130 Se King Rd, (503) 653-2680 2/2/2009
Great Waldo & Pepper - Warehse 13515 Se Mcloughlin, (503) 513-4949 2/26/2009
Holly Station 3610 Se Concord, (503) 724-9896 3/24/2009
Kellog Bowl Inc 10306 Main St, (503) 659-1757 1/8/2009
K-mart Deli #4406 13750 Se Johnson Rd, (503) 659-6773 3/23/2009
Laceys Bomber Inn 13515 Se Mcloughlin Blvd, (503) 659-9306 2/19/2009
Latitude Bar & Grill 10608 Se Main St , 2/2/2009
Libbeys Restaurant 11056 Se Main St, (503) 653-2044 2/17/2009
Main Street Soda Fountain 10909 Se Main St, (503) 659-7632 1/13/2009
Mikes Drive In 3045 Se Harrison St, (503) 654-0131 12/17/2008
Milwaukie Bowl 3056 Se Harrison St (503) 654-7719 1/8/2009
Milwaukie Center 5440 Se Kellogg Creek Dr (503) 653-8100 1/14/2009
Milwaukie Christian Church 5197 Se King Rd, (503) 654-6597 1/13/2009
Milwaukie Cinemas 11011 Se Main, (503) 653-2222 2/2/2009
Milwaukie Elks #2032 13121 Mcloughlin Blvd, (503) 654-9588 12/30/2008
Milwaukie Lutheran Church 3810 Se Lake Rd, (503) 653-0250 1/13/2009
Mo Betta Deli 6110 Se King Rd, (503) 653-5487 5/7/2009
N. Clack. Parks & Rec Dist Concession Stand 5440 Se Kellogg Creek, (503) 654-3030 1/14/2009
Pogy's 17185 Se Mcloughlin Blvd , (503) 652-0120 REINSPECTION 3/5/2009
Providence Hospital 10150 Se 32nd Ave, (503) 652-8300 1/21/2009
Rigobertos Taco Shop 15855 Se Mcloughlin Bl (503) 659-8124 5/13/2009
Round Table Pizza - 16550 Se Mcloughlin Blvd, (503) 653-6444 10/24/2008
St John The Baptist Church 10955 Se 25th Ave, (503) 654-5449 1/12/2009
St Johns Episcopal Church 2036 Se Jefferson, (503) 653-5880 1/13/2009
Stanleys Corner 19905 Se Mcloughlin Blvd, 97027 (503) 655-5544 10/30/2008
Tonys Bistro 6400 Se Lake Rd #101, (503) 353-8900 3/3/2009
Waterfalls Cafe 12705 Se River Rd, (503) 652-6330 2/12/2009
Westwood Tan & Beauty 6960 Se Theissen, (503) 654-8171 1/14/2009
Wind Horse Coffee & Tea 10611 Se Main St, (503) 659-1000 1/21/2009

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

NewCity at a glance flyer

The New City at a Glance flyer

A flyer distributed by the 'convenors' who advocate incorporating the area of the Oak Grove Water District into a new city. (Ed. note: No list of all the convenors, identifying them, their backgrounds and interests, has yet been published by the 'convenors'.)


BENEFITS OF BECOMING A NEW CITY


New City will give our community a strong voice with direct, local representation to county, state and federal agencies.

New City will form a community of 30,000 citizens that is run and represented by friends and neighbors, rather than the Board of County Commissioners. *

New City will collect about $1,225,000 from ODOT as our share of state highway/road funds. **

New City will have available three times more money for road maintenance than the County provides to the area today.

New City will provide dedicated law enforcement with a 55% increase in police protection for the community. ***

New City will have the tools to attract, promote and nurture new business and better serve existing businesses. (Ed. note: How?)

New City will provide a local place where residents can call, e-mail or visit to get solutions to government issues.

New City will give our community local control with ZERO additional cost! (Ed. note: See A4 below for a likely contradiction to that unenforceable promise.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
E-mail: newcityor@gmail.com

Rev. 05-14-09

(Editor's notes:

* Does that mean there will be a requirement that the city employees who would run a new city, be residents of the city?


** It was represented at the 6/01 meeting these roads funds can only be spent for road maintenance; state and county roads are maintained at the expense of the state and county, so these funds would be used to pay for maintenance of roads other than McLaughlin and other than other state or county roads.


*** ELED meetings have heard the Sheriff's intent to increase the rate charged to cities for law enforcement provided on contract, which would effectively decrease the number of patrol officers available to a New City. Therefore, the 55% increase is questionable.

In addition, convenors are quoting a different number of patrol officers assigned to the ELED than I have heard in ELED meetings, and the assumed baseline number of patrol officers does not include the baseline number of patrol officers available to all the area of the county. Further investigation may be warranted to validate the assumption of a 55% increase of patrol officers to a newly incorporated city.)




PROPOSED NEW CITY BUDGET (APRIL 2009)
(with editorial comment)

A Taxation Analyst at the Clackamas County Department of Assessment and Taxation has reviewed the "Frequently Asked Financial Questions" for New City. "I don't see anything glaring that would be incorrect." - J. Mayo.

REVENUE
$2,166,094 Property Taxes at rate of $1.2922, per $1,000 of assessed value (abbreviated PTDAV)
$1,928,449 Franchise fees, state allocated funds, revenue from Municipal Court, other sources

EXPENSES
$1,058,000 Administration
$ 260,000 Operating the Municipal Court
$ 150,000 Enforcing Code Compliance
$2,100,000 Police Service


Frequently Asked Financial Questions

Q: How will the new city affect my taxes now?

A1: Property owners in the area are currently charged a rate of $0.7198 PTDAV, for the Sheriff's Enhanced Law Enforcement District. Since cities cannot be in the Enhanced Law Enforcement District, the New City could charge $0.7198 PTDAV in taxes, and that rate could be charged by the New City with no net difference to the public.

A2: Clackamas County bills property taxes in unincorporated areas at a rate of $0.5724 PTDAV more than it bills for properties inside cities, and that rate could also be charged by the New City with no net difference to the public.

A3: Add (A1) and (A2) to get $1.2922 PTDAV which the New City could levy at no net cost to its citizens. That would yield $2,166,094 nowadays; assessments can increase at up to 3% per annum under current law, so a slow increase in city budgets is likely.


Q: How will the new city affect my taxes in the future?

A4: State law requires cities to establish a base tax rate at the time of incorporation. Once set, the city can increase taxes, but never exceed the established base. To provide for future needs, the convenors proposed the base rate be set higher than the aforementioned $1.2922 PTDAV.

(Ed. note: That's an open door to new taxes; hence the sobriquet, New Tax City, earned by the convenors' desire to enable new taxes beyond the 'zero-base' budget which has been a lure to this discussion, as well as prior failed attempts to incorporate.)


A5: Part of the city charter for incorporation will include the requirement that, to raise taxes, the city must hold a general election vote, requiring 60% of votes cast to enable an increase, for it to pass. (Ed. note: Has the constitutionality of a supermajority vote for a tax hike been validated? If not, such a requirement could be overturned without a supermajority vote, for these has been agitation to overturn supermajority requirements for tax increases.)


Q: How will the new city affect businesses?

A6: There would be nominal fees for business licenses. Local utility districts (sewer and water) would not be charged franchise fees.

(Ed. note: Convenors have noted franchise fees can be charged to Qwest, Comcast, Portland General Electric and other non-local utilities. Would not that justify rate increases by those utilities, resulting in an indirect tax through rate increase? Who ultimately would pay those increases? )

(Ed. note: The 'nominal' fees to businesses for occupational and business licenses are an added cost which would be passed on to you, the customers. Would the fees always be 'nominal'? Will that be specified in the city charter?)



Inquiring minds want to know more.

Monday, June 01, 2009

NewCity convenors next discussion

Next Monday night (June 8th) at 7PM, the 'Convenors' (Dick Jones, William Wild, et al.) will meet with interested parties at Clackamas County Fire District No. 3, 2930 SE Oak Grove Blvd., one short block west of McLaughlin.

New City files

Here's a link to a new Group I created to hold any documentation provided by the 'New City' convenors.

Those convenors may be e-mailed at newcityor@gmail.com which is a clickable link if you have an e-mail client installed.