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Published By Your City Hall |
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 Nearly three years ago, the Council was faced with a challenging decision: Continue outsourcing operations and maintenance of the City’s wastewater assets or bring the responsibility in-house. These discussions occurred over several months and resulted in the decision in early January 2021 not to renew the contract with the outside contractor. Instead, we began planning for transition to a city operation.
On July 6, 2021, the City officially took over operations and maintenance of the wastewater asset. Though we’ve shared this in the past, the City’s wastewater asset include two wastewater treatment plants, 26 pump stations, and over 90 miles of underground pipes. This is a system like no other, due to the topography of our community, which was a factor in the decision to transition this work in-house due to the high complexity of the system.
 We are proud to announce that Wastewater Plant #2 in Empire has met permit for over two years! This is the first time in the plant’s history that it has met permit, as prior to the new plant’s installation, the old plant never met permit and had to operate under Mutual Agreement and Order Directive from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
The following milestones and successes are also worthy of sharing with the community:
Treatment/Process
- Four of five operators have Wastewater Operator certifications (with the fifth sitting for a test in the next month)
- All operators have passed national lab standards to perform inhouse testing
- Reduction of chemical usage by 50% and still maintain meeting permit
- Routine checks for better preventative maintenance
- Collaborate every morning to review numbers and how the process if functioning
- Annual Basin Cleanings to help with preventative maintenance
- Installed a new headworks system to have better removal of wipes and non-organics
Collections
- All operators are NASSCO Certified (nationwide certification to stay up to date on latest technologies and trends)
- Four of the five operators have their Collection Operator Certifications (with the fifth being a new hire and planning on obtaining the certification when eligible)
- Land Apply over 5.4 million gallons (1,000 Dry Tons) biosolids to help the lagoon achieve maximum reduction and have capacity
- Cleaned over 60 miles of Sanitary Sewer mainlines
- Cleaned over 2.5 miles of Storm mainlines
- Upgrade the Television Van for line inspections, televised over 9.5 miles of sanitary sewer mainlines and 1.3 miles of storm mainlines
- Repair/Replace over 420 ft of Sanitary Sewer mainline, with plans of each year increasing mainline repair/replacement
- Repair/Replace 32 manholes
- Observation of Storm manhole lids on sanitary sewer lines (which lets in lots of rainwater), since this observation a plan to replace many has started and since starting 6 months ago over 46 lids have been identified and replaced properly
Maintenance
- Drastically reduced the amount of call out overtime due to preventative maintenance
- Electrical system upgrades for pump stations
- Standardization of equipment at pump stations for better management of part inventory/needs
- Reduction of outside maintenance by performing internally (such as electrical, welding, pump rebuilds, etc.)
- Retrofitting pumps for better performance
- Create a robust preventative maintenance schedule
- Lagoon upgrades including biosolids filling station, pump rebuilds, dredge maintenance, electrical upgrades
We are proud of the work the Water Quality Team has done to ensure the City’s largest asset is operated efficiently and effectively.
-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
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 Construction has started on a new “green” public parking lot downtown. The former site of the Lockhart building, the vacant lot at the southwest corner of Third and Central Avenue is being made into a public parking lot that will also serve as extra space for the Farmer’s Market and annual festivals. To make this lot “green,” the surface will be pervious pavers instead of typical asphalt or concrete. Also, 100% of the stormwater on the site will be collected and receive water quality treatment prior to being discharged into the bay. The site will have rain gardens on the south side and greenspace with seating areas on the north side.
There will be sidewalk closures, some traffic disruptions, and extra dust in the area during construction, but the contractors are working hard to minimize the disturbance by keeping the area clean and spraying water to keep dust down. Only light duty construction will be done on Wednesdays to minimize impacts to the Farmer’s Market.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director Jennifer Wirsing at (541) 269-1181 ext. 3521 or email jwirsing@coosbayor.gov.
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Parking Lot Closure for New
EV Station Construction
The City of Coos Bay has approved permitting for a private company to construct an EV Charging station in the public parking lot north of S. Fourth Street between Anderson and Bennett Avenue. The contractor mobilized earlier this week. During construction, the contractor will have a large portion of the parking lot closed for the public and the contractor’s safety. The closure is only anticipated to last six weeks.
Please pardon our dust during the construction. Should you have any questions please contact the City Engineer/Deputy Director, Jennifer Wirsing, at jwirsing@coosbay.org or 541-269-1181 ext. 3521.
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Commercial Avenue, Third to Fourth Sidewalk Improvements
The City has contracted with Knife River Materials to replace the sidewalks, road surface, curbs and gutters along Commercial Avenue, between Third and Fourth. This project is anticipated to begin at the end of July and continue through summer and early fall. Small delays may occur. Please take caution and follow traffic controls in the construction zone. Working hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Monday through Friday. This project is funded by the Downtown Urban Renewal Agency and aligns with goals set forth by the City Council.
Should you have questions or want more information, please contact Operations Administrator Greg Hamblet at (541) 269-1181, ext. 3541 or email: ghamblet@coosbay.org.
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Commercial Avenue, Fifth to Seventh Sidewalk Improvements
The City has contracted with Knife River Materials to replace the sidewalks, curb, and gutter along the north side of Commercial Avenue, between Fifth and Seventh. This project is anticipated to begin at the end of July and continue through summer and early fall. Small delays may occur. Please take caution and follow traffic controls in the construction zone. Working hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Monday through Friday. This project is funded by the Downtown Urban Renewal Agency and aligns with goals set forth by the City Council.
Should you have questions or want more information, please contact Operations Administrator Greg Hamblet at (541) 269-1181, ext. 3541 or email: ghamblet@coosbay.org.
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Library Doors Replaced for Safety
 After more than 25 years of service, the front doors of the Coos Bay Library have been replaced. As the building has shifted, the doors have been moving out of alignment. This has caused delayed opening responses, doors staying stuck open periodically, and malfunctions with the lock. For everyone’s safety, the doors have been replaced. Thank you to all who worked with the alternative entrance during the construction.
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 Summer Reading Continues at the Library
Summer Reading for all ages is in full swing at the Library. Stop in to pick up your reading bingo sheet and complete the challenges. There are also many fabulous programs on the horizon. Saturday, July 22 at noon is Takohachi Taiko Drumming at the Mingus Park Amphitheatre. Come learn about Japanese culture through music and dance. Other upcoming events include Reader’s Theater, jewelry making for teens, and lawn games. For a full schedule of events please visit coosbaylibrary.org/events.
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 The Coos History Museum's First Tuesday Talk will be held on August 1 at 6 p.m. The event will feature the 6,000-year-old history of the Oregon Coast Trail with author and journalist Bonnie Henderson. Find out about how you can hike part or all of this epic trail—you probably already have—and discover scientists’ best guesses about just how long it has been in use by humans. Henderson is the author of several books on the Oregon Coast, including her latest guidebook "Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail." Registration is available at the Museum Front Desk or call 541-756-6320.
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 Contracts Administrative Specialist
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for a Contracts Administrative Specialist position. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the HR Office or by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov. City applications are available from the Finance Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov or on the City’s website at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/job-openings
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Performs a variety of technical and non-technical tasks related to the creation and tracking of contract documents as well as processing invoices for contract work. Performs a variety of secretarial tasks related to engineering and operations implementation work. Composes, transcribes, edits, and types correspondence, monthly reports, and special projects; takes minutes at hearings and meetings; may serve as receptionist for the department or Engineering/Operations Division. Performs other related duties as required.
Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Salary/Pay Rate: $3,840 - $4,788/month DOQ
Deadline to Apply: Monday, July 24 at 5 p.m.
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Library ESO Inter-Library Loan Technician
The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for an Inter-Library Loan Technician. To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the HR Office or by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov. City applications are available from the Finance Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov or on the City’s website at https://www.coosbayor.gov/government/job-openings
Type: Full Time
Salary/Pay Rate:$3296 - $4110 / Month DOE
Deadline to Apply:08/07/2023 5 p.m.
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