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Published By Your City Hall |
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City Council to Consider Regular
Meeting Time Change in the New Year
The Coos Bay City Council is considering breaking with a decades old tradition of starting our business (Council) meetings at a time earlier than 7 p.m. While our traditional two regular monthly Council meetings (on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month) have started at 7 p.m., our monthly work session (fourth Tuesday of each month) has started at 5:30 p.m. There is a desire to begin all three-monthly meetings at 6 p.m. However, before we consider these changes, the Council wants to hear what the public thinks. As I shared during this week’s meeting, we should keep the citizens in mind as we consider any changes, as we are here to represent you.
It is interesting as I look at the meeting times of other governmental bodies. For instance, the Coos County Airport District Board traditionally holds their business meetings once a month and those meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. The Coos Bay – North Bend Water Board holds their regular monthly Board meetings which start at 7 a.m. The Coos County Board of Commissioners hold their regularly scheduled Board meetings which generally begin at 9 a.m. While it is impossible to find a time which works best for everyone, I believe holding our Council meetings during the evening hours have allowed a greater opportunity for citizen attendance.
 The Council has agreed to hold off considering any changes until their regularly scheduled meeting on January 17. Between now and then, please let us know what you think. Should we continue starting our meetings at 7 p.m. or should we begin starting our meetings at 6 p.m.? Comments are also accepted at publiccomment@coosbay.org. Share your thoughts by clicking the online meeting poll button below.
-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
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Eye on Local Government
With a new year nearly upon us, it is helpful to remind those interested in the various ways they can stay informed and be involved in the local government process. Keeping informed and involved has never been easier, as over the last couple of years, the City of Coos Bay has continued to develop and improve access and options for the community.
Friday Update
The City’s weekly newsletter provides informative updates on projects and upcoming events. Interested individuals can receive the weekly newsletter via email or text each week. To sign up for the Friday Update, click button below. The subscription page shown below allows you to add not only the newsletter but other topics including meeting agendas, roads/traffic, job openings, water quality, urban renewal, and planning.
 City’s Website
With the recent ‘go live’ of the new website (www.coosbayor.gov), additional capabilities and tools are resulting in a more robust website experience. Keep checking in, as staff continues to work towards greater transparency and easier access to information.
City Council Meetings
Attend in-person or remotely via Microsoft Teams, or even watch recorded video of previous council meetings on YouTube. Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Council Work Sessions are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Currently, the meetings begin at 7 p.m. and work sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. – though stay tuned, as discussions are underway regarding the start times. You can participate in this discussion, as noted in this week’s Mayor’s Message in the Friday Update, by completing an online poll below or by sending an email to publiccomments@coosbay.org.
YouTube Channel
The City’s YouTube channel can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-w12ikBNWVkoVWVqJ0bk2g. City Council meetings and work sessions are live streamed and then archived on the City’s YouTube channel. You’ll also find Planning Commission, Parks Commission and Tree Board meetings on the City’s YouTube channel as well.
Microsoft Teams Remote Attendance
Those interested in attending City Council meetings or work sessions remotely can do so by accessing the link provided with each agenda. Agendas can be accessed at: https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/agendas-and-minutes. The agenda snippet below from the December 20, 2022, City Council meeting, provides an example of the access link to remote meeting attendance.
 Follow us on Facebook
The City of Coos Bay regularly updates its Facebook page with current announcements, notices and public service announcements at: https://www.facebook.com/cityofcoosbayOR. We are also considering other social media opportunities – stay tuned!
Volunteer Opportunities
Watch for openings on the many advisory boards, committees, and commissions which are posted on our website. Check current positions by clicking the button below:
City Directory
Last, but not least – Reach out with questions or comments! The City’s website includes a directory that provides contact details for most City staff. The City Directory can be found at: https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/city-directory. You can also email comments or concerns to publiccomments@coosbay.org.
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 The City of Coos Bay is seeking volunteers to fill positions on the Budget Committee, Planning Commission, and Coos Bay/North Bend Water Board. Applications are available from the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, requesting via email at administration@coosbay.org, or on the City’s website. Applications will be accepted in the City Manager’s Office through 5 p.m. January 20, 2023. Applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews with the City Council, potentially at the February 7, 2023 City Council meeting.
Budget Committee – The Budget Committee is comprised of the full seven-member City Council and an equal number of Coos Bay citizens. Qualified citizens are those who have resided within the city limits of Coos Bay for one year and legal elector for Coos Bay. Terms on the Budget Committee are for three years, with staggering of member terms. The Budget Committee typically meets annually, in the month of May. There are two expiring positions on the Budget Committee.
Planning Commission – The Planning Commission is comprised of the seven-members appointed by City Council. Eligible members shall have been residents of the city for at least one year, except that two members may reside outside the city limits but within Coos County, if they own property within city limits. The Planning Commission meets once a month, typically on the second Tuesday. There are currently two expiring positions on the Planning Commission, both four-year terms.
Coos Bay/North Bend Water Board – The City Council appoints two individuals to the Coos Bay/North Bend Water Board governing body with a four-year term of appointment, staggered by two years for each member. Interested applicants must be a resident of the City of Coos for one year prior to appointment. There is currently one appointed Water Board position expiring.
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Annual Christmas Tree Disposal
With Christmas 2022 in our past and the new year just hours away, many in our community will spend this weekend undecking the halls and putting holiday decorations back into storage. But what do you do with the old Christmas tree? In effort to rid homes within the community of a potential fire hazard, both the Coos Bay and North Bend Fire departments will again be picking up Christmas trees within the city limits of Coos Bay and North Bend (respectively) on Saturday, January 7, 2023. The fire departments request that you place your tree near the curb before 8 a.m. There is no need to call and request removal of your tree as members of the fire department will pick up all trees that are placed near the curb.
 The collected trees will be brought to Les’ Sanitation. Most of the trees will be ground into mulch, but some will be utilized by ODFW for stream enhancement, bank stabilization and improving fish habitat.
The fire departments are providing this service at no cost but would appreciate a canned food donation. Donations received this year will be passed along to the South Coast Gospel Mission to further their work with individuals and families in our community that need assistance.
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 Celebrate the new year by stopping by the Marshfield Pioneer Cemetery on Sunday, January 8 for an informal guided tour and to learn about the new gravestone preservation initiative. Cemetery volunteers will be on hand with genealogical information, including the cemetery’s complete index of burials, and can provide assistance in locating graves. The following week, on Wednesday, January 11, join us at the Coos Bay Public Library to hear untold stories about some of the more overlooked people buried in the cemetery during this free lecture by Becky Soules.
For more information, please contact cbcemetery@gmail.com or 541-435-1177.
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Senior Officer Babb Retires After More Than 24 Years of Service
 On December 31, 2022, Senior Officer Darrell Babb of the Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) will retire after 24 years, seven months of service to the Coos County residents and the City of Coos Bay.
On May 17, 1998, Officer Darrell Babb was hired at Coos County Sheriff’s Office where he began his law enforcement career as a Correction Deputy. Officer Babb remained at the Sheriff’s Office until December 6, 1999, when he was hired by the CBPD as a Police Officer.
During his time at the CBPD, Senior Officer Babb served in many roles including Patrol Officer, Detective, Watch Commander, Firearms Instructor, Radar and Lidar Instructor, Department Armorer, and ORPAT Fitness Instructor. Senior Officer Babb has also served as a Detective with the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team (SCINT), Emergency Response Team member, as well as a Vehicle Crash Investigator for the multi-agency crash team.
In May of 2020, Senior Officer Babb became the Coos Bay Police Department’s first Community Resource Officer, in where his primary duty was to assist the unsheltered population and to find aiding resources within our community. Senior Officer Babb, did an outstanding job with the new program and touched the lives of countless individuals within our community.
Senior Officer Babb holds his Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced law enforcement certificates through the Oregon Department of Public Safety, Standards and Training. Prior to his service in law enforcement, Senior Officer Babb served in the United States Marine Corps.
Senior Officer Babb has been married for 28 years to his lovely wife Stacey and they have a son.
Senior Officer Babb exemplifies what it is to be a Coos Bay Police Officer and he will surely be missed but his legacy will carry on. Please join us in congratulating and thanking Senior Officer Babb for over 24 years of dedicated service to the Coos County citizens, Coos Bay Police Department, and the City of Coos Bay.
At the City Council meeting on December 20, Senior Officer Babb was present with a plaque on behalf of Chief Chapanar and Coos Bay Police Association President Cupp.
Please join us in congratulating Senior Officer Babb on his well-deserved retirement!
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 The Partnership for Coastal Watersheds (PCW), which includes staff from Coos County, City of Coos Bay, City of North Bend, and Port of Coos Bay, has gone through an extensive process to evaluate the needs of the local governments and the community for the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan. Their past work included public meetings and an open house to share results from all of the data products that were created. The process was patterned from the original CBEMP workgroup setup in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. This effort has resulted in the development of an integrated assessment which was conducted with the assistance of the PCW steering committee, stakeholders representing, economic, socio-cultural, and natural resource protection interests, and public feedback from a previously held open house.
This effort started in 2015 and was presented by consultants, University of Oregon, Institute for Policy Research and Engagement to the Coos Bay, North Bend, and County Planning Commissioners and City Councilors and County Board of Commissioners in 2019. The plan was to move the products from the effort into formal hearings and adoptions for a unified plan. COVID19 stalled the process and after a re-evaluation and additional funding, the County and City staff would like to move this project forward. The findings and products will be presented to city councilors, planning commissioners and Board of Commissioners in an informational work session setting.
The work sessions will take place in the Coos Bay City Council Chambers (500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, OR). The Planning Commissioners will be meeting on January 4, 2023, at 5 p.m. The City of Coos Bay, North Bend City Councilors, and Board of Commissioners will meet on January 4, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
A public house will be held on January 7, 2023, from 1-4 p.m. at the North Bend Community Center, 2222 Broadway North Bend, OR to allow the public to learn about the products and process going forward.
If you have questions, please contact Coos County Community Development at 541-396-7770 or email planning@co.coos.or.us.
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News from the Downtown Wine Walk
The Coos Bay Downtown Wine Walk will take a break in the month of January, but we'll be back in business February 3, 2023. The Wine Walk happens the first Friday of each month, with the except of January. Your participation and donations have benefitted so many non-profits in the Coos Bay and North Bend Area. The total raised exceeds $325,000 since Wine Walk began. Our February beneficiary will be the Charleston Marine Life Center, so be sure to mark your calendars for February 3 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. starting at the Coos Bay Visitor Center, 50 Central Avenue.
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Share Your Thoughts on Coos Bay Housing Production Needs
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A primary goal of the Coos Bay City Council is to expand housing opportunities in Coos Bay, especially housing types that may be smaller-scale and less expensive than single unit homes. Consistent with state requirements, the Council has directed work on a Coos Bay Housing Production Strategy (HPS). The work includes a request for your feedback on housing strategies by filling out a short questionnaire. Share your thoughts on housing needs and opinions on City programs and policies that could be considered to ensure or incentivize production of needed housing by price point for rent and ownership. This questionnaire should take about 10 minutes. Responses will be kept confidential and reported in aggregate. Please complete the survey by December 30, 2022.
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 Work on a community art project by painting a tile at the Coos Bay Public Library! During the last two weeks of the year, participants are invited to paint a tile for the Library. Tile painting focus will be on hopes and dream for our community in the future and/or what the Library means to you. Tiles will remain the property of the Library, will be put on display at the Library, and may be used in a future art installation. All ages are welcome to attend.
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HR Coordinator
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of full-time HR Coordinator. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or by email at administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at administration@coosbay.org. For full announcement and application packet, click button below.
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Administrative Coordinator
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of full-time Administrative Coordinator. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or by email at administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420 by email at administration@coosbay.org. For full announcement and application packet, click button below.
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Transportation and Facilities Superintendent
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of full-time Transportation & Facilities Superintendent. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office or by email at administration@coosbay.org. City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420, by email at administration@coosbay.org.
For full announcement and application packet, click button below.
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