The members of a City Council supervise the city departments, either directly or through a city manager or administrator. City Councilors pass laws, set policy, decide which services will be provided, and develop budgets; they negotiate work contracts and make hiring and firing decisions. A city officer must be a qualified elector under the state constitution who has resided in the city before being elected for a period of time that is specified in the city charter.North Bend City Councilors are elected at large. Voters are asked to vote for a number of candidates equal to the number of open seats. They serve for a 4-year term (unless they are filling out a partial term) and are unpaid.The Coos County League of Women Voters held a forum for the North Bend Councilor candidates on October 1; all candidates attended. It may be seen here: https://youtu.be/-mMDd0LI8RI.
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Contact Phone
541-217-0671
Campaign Phone (public)
541-217-0671
Town Where You Live
North Bend
Your Experience/Qualifications
4 years on Council, 5+ years on a Sanitary District Board, 2 years on a Fire District Board
County
Coos
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2028
Housing, street maintenance and the wastewater system are all critical needs.
I would reduce 'Vacation Rental by Owner' business licenses from 64 to 32. We need housing for full-time residents. When people can't find housing, they cannot accept a job offer to move here.
I support the demolition and rebuilding of the County Courthouse Annex for downtown apartment housing. I would consider a mileage fee or a gas tax to support a street repair fund. The wastewater system needs help to avoid failures! 10 pump stations, 51 miles of pipe. 39% of the system is over 70 years old. I support a sewer rate increase to keep the system functional. Our sewer rates are among the lowest in Oregon and this prevents us from receiving grants.
Councilors may bring items to work sessions for discussion and action. Mine:
Bring back Municipal Court!
Ask ODOT to check the (broken) Hwy 101 & Virginia traffic light modems to help fix the traffic backup.
Amend the 'Livestock & Fowl' ordinance that allows any kind/number of animals. Neighbor had 15 chickens, his yard became a barnyard & drew raccoons and rats.
Refer a Memorial Bench request to the Parks Committee, the city manager's suggestion. I waited a month to put it on the agenda - no support. I put it on the agenda again but the city manager chose a bench, cost, policy, application and put it all on the website. Councilor Timm Slater thanked him "for taking the initiative"?! The Parks Committee? Last met in October 2021.
The sewer system has 51 miles of pipe & 10 pump stations; 39% over 70 years old (life expectancy) & needs replacing. Costs have risen. I support the proposal to raise sewer rates; ours are among the lowest in the state.
Funding for street repairs is inadequate. The City must find a way to increase the street maintenance fund.
Reverse Council's 2021 decision to remove stop signs on Meade giving Hwy 540 traffic (Virginia) heading north a short-cut but causing severe wear and tear from trucks, trailers! Councilor Richardson watched the traffic, said it's largely county traffic heading home across the bridge.
Why is short-cut needed? Traffic backup! Why the backup? Broken traffic light modems! Had ODOT been called? Not until I asked!
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