Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Published By Your City Hall

July 8, 2022

Last year, the City Council made the decision to create a Water Quality Division to operate and manage this infrastructure by City personnel. July 6, 2022 marked the City’s one-year anniversary for the Water Quality Division and what a year it has been! Staff have done an amazing job in this transition process. Our Water Quality Division is made up of three crews:

• Treatment Operator Crew,-which oversees the wastewater treatment operations
• Collections Operator Crew-which oversee the underground sanitary and storm system along with biosolids hauling and pump station checks
• Maintenance Crew- which oversees the maintenance (including electrical) of two wastewater treatment plants, 22 sanitary sewer pump stations and three storm pump stations

Overall, the Water Quality Division has done remarkable and they continue to take pride in their work, which focuses on protecting water quality. Their dedication is greatly appreciated. However, it should be noted that this is one division of several within the Public Works and Community Development Department. Without the support from all divisions, the Water Quality Division’s first year would not have been possible. The following highlights some of the accomplishments of our newest division.   

The Treatment Operators have been doing a great job with running the wastewater treatment plants and laboratory duties. The City has successfully met permit for the last eight months for Plant 1 and nine months for Plant 2. The combined flows to be treated for both plants is over 1.1 billion gallons of wastewater. This is a huge accomplishment and has not occurred in the last several years when it was privately operated. Operators are being proactive with optimizing their daily rounds (rounds are their daily steps to ensure plants are meeting permit and operating successfully), along with chemical and power usage. Our Treatment Operators also successfully passed national standard testing and an external audit. On top of all this, our crew performs weekly water quality testing for Bunker Hill Sanitary District, Charleston Sanitary District, and Coos Bay North Bend Water Board.

The Collections Operators have done a fantastic job at cleaning lines, hauling and land applying biosolids, and performing inhouse repairs. In one year, they have cleaned 170,000 linear feet (32 miles) of sanitary sewer line. The total system includes more than 90 miles of line with a projected plan to clean the whole system every five years. They have performed over 20 manhole repairs and 250 linear feet of mainline repairs. They have televised over 15,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer lines and over 1,500 feet of storm lines. Cleaning of over 3,000 linear feet of storm lines and over 50 catch basins have been repaired. The Collections Operators have also completed over 850 locates for contractors and private citizens.

The Maintenance Crew has been busy as well. They perform weekly pump stations checks which help identify problems early and to ensure proper equipment function. Throughout the last year the Maintenance Crew has rebuilt pumps at the treatment plants, worked on four pump station pumps (rebuilding and installing), and worked on basin entry maintenance. The Maintenance Crew also includes a licensed electrician who has successfully completed trainings for programing of electrical units. Additionally, the electrician has performed electrical upgrades at pump stations and the wastewater treatment plants.

During the months of May-September, the staff haul biosolids to local farmland. Biosolids are the biproduct of wastewater treatment and consists of nutrient-rich organic material (i.e., treated sewage sludge). Biosolids are a beneficial resource containing essential plant nutrients and organic matter and are recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. On average, the City produces 400 dry tons (approx. 2.5 million gallons) of biosolids. Last year, our crews land applied 436 dry tons (approx. 2.7 million gallons), to local farmers which was 30 more tons than the city produced all year. This is one of the only years in the last decade that city land applied more than they produced, which is a huge accomplishment!

We are fortunate to have such a great crew who care about their work and our environment.

-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay

Advanced Health Awards Grant Funds to Community Resource Officer Program

The Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) Community Resource Officer Program received an incredible showing of support from Advanced Health this past week. On Friday, July 1, Coos Bay’s Community Resource Officer Babb (above center) along with Coos Bay City Councilor Kilmer (above left) accepted a check for $67,000 in grant funding from Advanced Health. The money is going towards the purchase of a new police vehicle dedicated to the Community Resource Officer position. After some collaboration, the Department felt the purchase of a pickup was needed to benefit the efforts of the position. Officer Babb often encounters people needing transportation that have belongings. Often, these people are hesitant to be separated from their belongings, which lessens their desire to use community services.

The grant awarded through Advanced Health will give Officer Babb this transportation ability. Furthermore, it allows Officer Babb to access some of the more remote areas of our city where people may be living. Officer Babb frequently works with community partners, like Advanced Health, to provide resources to those experiencing homelessness.

We are extremely thankful for the partnerships we have within our community and thank Advanced Health for awarding our program the grant! 

Sergeant Rule Promotion Ceremony

On June 5, 2022, Chris Rule was formally promoted to Sergeant for the Coos Bay Police Department. Although Sergeant Rule has been acting in his role as Sergeant for several weeks, the formal ceremony allowed Sergeant Rule to reaffirm his oath of office with Chief Chapanar. Sergeant Rule’s wife, Brandy, then pinned on his new badge to make the promotion official. Friends, family, and Police Department staff were on hand for the promotion ceremony. 

Sergeant Rule has over 12 years of experience working law enforcement. Sergeant Rule has lived in the Coos Bay / Coos County area for most of his life. He graduated in 2006 from Myrtle Point High School and then attended Western Oregon University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Chemistry. Sergeant Rule has always been passionate about DUII enforcement and in keeping our roads safe from impaired drivers.  

Sergeant Rule is currently a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and is very active throughout the county assisting in these types of evaluations. In addition to DRE, Sergeant Rule is a member of our multijurisdictional Emergency Response Team (ERT), a Standardized Field Sobriety Test instructor, and a Field Training Officer (FTO). Sergeant Rule and his wife have three young boys. Sergeant Rule enjoys camping, hunting and being outdoors, but most of all, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Please join the Coos Bay Police Department in congratulating Sergeant Chris Rule!

Every Second Saturday, the Coos History Museum is FREE for everyone from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. In addition, the Explorer’s Club takes place from 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. for some hands-on fun (topics will loosely follow the First Tuesday Talk for the month).

Explorer’s Club received a 2022 makeover! If you’re interested in additional perks for your children and family, please consider officially registering for Explorer’s Club. Registration includes: a monthly email, an Adventure Journal for your child(ren), a guarantee that your child(ren) will receive an activity kit each month, a small prize at the end of the year for participation, and a raffle entry for the grand prize for any children who participate in at least seven activities during the year. For more information and to register click Explorer’s Club.

Scats and Tracks Program at Topits Park

Join the Coos Bay Library in investigating local animals and what they leave behind. On July 16 at 10:30 a.m., learn how to identify common animal tracks and scat of the South Coast. A field ranger from the Siuslaw National Forest will talk about signs animals leave beyond. All ages welcome, those under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at Topits Park off of Norman Avenue.  *In the event of rain, the event will be held at the Coos Bay Public Library.

Registration is now open for the free GRiTT day camp for girls. This year Zonta of the Coos Bay Area is offering both an introductory and intermediate program for girls ages 8-12 to learn basic construction methods using handheld tools.

• Introductory session: August 3-5, 2022 (9 am-2 pm) – toolbox construction
  • Available to youth who did not participate in the GRiTT 2021 program
• Intermediate session: August 10-12, 2022 (9am-2pm) -cold box construction
  • Available to introductory session campers and returning 2021 campers

Included in the day camp are lunch, snacks, safety gear, GRiTT t-shirt and handheld tools (measuring tape, carpenter pencils, etc.) that participants can keep. Youth will learn basic measurements including fractions, as well as basic carpentry skills, as they construct their projects from pre-cut materials.

Please return completed applications by July 8, 2022. For additional information and camp applications, click here.

Free Open Swim at Mingus Park Pool each Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Ages 6 and under must be accompanied by an an adult. Join us for For more information, call 541-267-1360. 

The League of Women Voters of Coos County (LWVCC) has scheduled an informational forum for persons who are interested in running for the positions of mayor or city council member. The forum will include a panel of current or past office holders and city managers from several cities in Coos County, and has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the North Bend City Council Chambers, 835 California Avenue in North Bend.

Panel members at the forum will discuss the job requirements and scope of the offices, challenges and rewards of serving, and the kinds of education and experience that are desirable for the positions. There are open positions for city council and mayor in most cities in Coos County. The filing deadline to run for these positions is in August and differs by city. The candidates will be on the November 8 ballot.

The public is invited to attend, as well as potential candidates, and the forum will also be recorded and posted on the websites of the League of Women Voters of Coos County, www.my.lwv.org/oregon/coos-county and the websites of the Cities of North Bend and Coos Bay.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization with a mission to encourage the active and informed participation of citizens in government. The League never supports or opposes any candidate or political party and aims to stimulate interest and participation in elections.

For more information, contact LWVCC Voter Service Chair Abigail Bok at (541) 808-3051 or LWVCC President Alice Carlson at (541) 756-7290.

The City of Coos Bay will have an election for the positions of Mayor and three City Councilors (Mayor – a two-year term; Councilors – a four-year term) to be held on November 8, 2022. Interested citizens may obtain information and file at the  Coos Bay City Hall located at 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Monday through Friday from 8 am–5 pm from June 1, 2022,  through August 30, 2022. Candidates filing by petition are asked to file before 5 p.m. on August 23, 2022.

To qualify, a citizen must be a registered voter and must have resided within the City of Coos Bay for at least one year preceding the election date. Questions can be address to City Recorder Nichole Rutherford at 541-269-1181, ext. 2244.

Recreational Railroading

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay has partnered with the Oregon Coast Railriders and the community to offer excursion rides on the southernmost portion of the Coos Bay Rail Line this summer. While the section of the line from Coos Bay to Coquille is not currently in service, the Port and its partners are excited to provide a recreational opportunity as we work to re-establish rail activity on that section of track. Trips will depart from Sturdivant Park in Coquille and run north for approximately eight miles to Coaledo Hill Road, returning to Sturdivant Park for a scenic 16-mile round trip experience. 

Reservations can be made online or on site, however, on site ticket purchases will be available on a first come first served basis. 

CAM Annual Maritime Art Exhibition 2022

Have you ever been interested in Venus flytraps and other and other carnivorous plants? What about volunteering? we've got a day for that! Stop by on July 9 at 10 a.m. and help care for Darlingtonia and Sundew by removing brush shading these sun-loving carnivorous plants. Then, join us for lunch to learn about volunteering opportunities at the Reserve Lunch is generously being donated by our friends at the Coos Head Food Co-Op and Farmstead Bread.

This event is free, but registration is required below. 

The Oregon Coast Music Association is thrilled to bring back a full-orchestra concert season this July. As our community is recovering from the past two pandemic ravaged years, the festival celebration will feature a variety of live music. Opening with a free concert at Mingus Park on July 16, other performances venues include the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Boat House, 7 Devils Brew Pub, Shore Acres Gardens, and three full orchestra concerts at Marshfield High School. More information on all of the concerts can be found at oregoncoastmusic.org. Tickets can be purchased online, by visiting the OCMA office at 235 Anderson Ave (Coos Art Museum), or by phoning 541-267-0938.

You are also invited to read the story behind this year's poster, Tidal Rave of Rockfish.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Library Assistant

The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of Library Assistant. Bilingual Spanish speaking applicants are preferred. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a City application to the City Manager’s Office. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by telephone 541-269-8912, or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website.  This position closes at 5 p.m. July 13, 2022. For complete announcement, click below. 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Planning Administrator

The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of Planning Administrator. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, supplemental application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by telephone 541-269-8912, or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website. This job is opened until filled. For complete announcement click below.

City of Coos Bay 500 Central Ave. Coos Bay, Or 97420

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list