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Published By Your City Hall

March 8, 2024

This week we announced that due to budget challenges the City of Coos Bay is ceasing negotiations on a West Lockhart property that was being considered for the new site for The Devereux Center, an organization that serves veterans, families and individuals struggling with mental health and housing insecurity.

House Bill 5019, which will fund Coordinated Homeless Response Office projects like this one, allows for a smaller percentage of funding to be allocated to capital expenditures than originally budgeted. Based on the newly clarified stipulations, the property at West Lockhart Avenue is priced outside the capital expenditure allowance.

The move continues to be a high-priority project for the City of Coos Bay through its position in the Coos County Coordinated Homeless Response Office, which also includes Coos County and the City of North Bend.

Moving The Devereux Center from its current location at the busy intersection of Newmark Avenue and Ocean Boulevard to a larger site will enable the facility to add short-term beds and improve services.

In the meantime, we’re working closely with The Devereux Center as it addresses the challenges of serving a growing homeless population at its current location, such as excessive garbage and unauthorized, overnight stays. The Devereux Center is actively exploring solutions that could be quickly deployed, including expanded fencing and around-the-clock security, even as it continues to serve our community members most in need.

We will share regular updates regarding the new site selection process at our monthly Livability Committee meetings, which are open to the public. Committee details and meeting information can be found on the City of Coos Bay website and Facebook page.

-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay

Our generous community has donated over one-third of the expected cost to repair the Mingus Pool boiler with $42,426.25 donated as of March 5, 2024. Donations are still needed, but community support has the City hopeful that the repairs can start soon. The Mingus Pool has been closed since the boiler failed in mid-December and the repair estimate far exceeds the pool’s budget. Because this pool serves such a large population, it is urgent that the repair be done. The City is also actively seeking grants, but these take time and will likely not cover the entire cost. On behalf of the Pool Board, the City is accepting tax-deductible donations to help with the cost of replacing the Mingus Pool’s boiler. 

Weekly donation totals:

• 2/28/24 – 3/4/24: received $29,076.25-total of $42,426.25. Donors include Alan and Mary Ann Whitney.  
• 2/21/24 – 2/27/2: received $600- total of $13,350.00. Donors include Amy Levin. 
• 2/14/24 - 2/20/24: received $900- total of $12,750.00. Donors include Leslie Thallon and Tami Pleasanton. 
• 2/7/24 – 2/13/24: received $6,750- total of $11,850.00. Donors include Paul Harris, Christine Moffitt, Jan Hodder, and Mike Graybill.
• As of 2/6/24, received $5,100- Donors include Jamie Fereday and Margie Ryan.

Not all donors wish to be recognized by name. 

Tax-deductible donations can be submitted to the City of Coos Bay Finance Department either in person or via mail at 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay. Please note that the donation is for the Mingus Pool Boiler.

Exciting news! Volunteer opportunities are now open for individuals eager to contribute to the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan. This is your chance to actively participate in shaping the future of our Coos Estuary and surrounding areas.

As part of our commitment to community involvement and sustainable development, there has been two volunteer committees established:

1. Citizen Advisory Committee
2. Technical Advisory Committee

These committees will play vital roles in guiding the implementation of the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan, addressing key issues related to community development through a balanced land use development and environmental conservation.

We invite you to join us in this important endeavor. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with local officials, stakeholders, and fellow community members. Your input will assist in developing policies and initiatives that shape the future of our estuary.

If you are passionate about making a difference and are interested in serving on either of these committees, we encourage you to fill out the applicable volunteer application form. Both forms can be accessed online by clicking: CBEMP Citizen Advisory or CBEMP Technical Advisory, by request via email directed to planning@co.coos.or.us, by visiting the website at: https://www.co.coos.or.us/community-dev/page/cbemp-adviosry-and-steering-committee , or by calling 541-396-7770.

Forms must be submitted directly to the Coos County Community Development Department except for any form submission for a Citizen Member At-Large position. Form submissions for a Citizen Member At-Large position must be submitted directly to the city (Coos Bay/North Bend) in which you reside. Thank you for your interest and commitment.

City of Coos Bay Hires
Economic Revitalization Administrator

The City is delighted to welcome Catherine Scobby as our new Economic Revitalization Administrator! In this role, Scobby will work closely with business owners and operators of the Downtown and Empire Urban Renewal Districts as well as with property owners and developers on efforts to revitalize our community.

Scobby has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master of Public Administration. She is excited to bring her skills and knowledge to the City of Coos Bay and is eager to get out and connect with the community.

Coos Bay and North Bend are coming together for another opportunity to Walk with the Mayors. Mayor Benetti and Mayor Engelke are encouraging community members from both cities to join them on their next session for conversation in the fresh air:

Monday, March 18 at noon
Coos Bay City Hall

For further questions, contact Coos Bay administration at 541-269-8912 or email North Bend administration at jengelke@northbendcity.org.

Shore Acres Volunteer Days 2024

Ever wanted to learn how to prune a rose or maintain a 100-year-old lily pond?  April through September, Shore Acres State Park welcomes volunteers to join Rangers in caring for our beautiful gardens. Volunteer days occur every third Friday of the month. All volunteer events start at 10 am and end at 1 p.m.

• April 19—Pond Cleanup
• May 17—Preparing for Summer
• June 21—Garden Clean Up
• July 19—Garden Clean Up
• August 16—English Ivy Pull
• September 20—Preparing for Fall

We have multiple opportunities for individuals to get involved including cleaning out the pond, pruning roses, trimming shrubs, pulling weeds, mulching, planting, and helping to remove invasive species!

Water Quality Collections Operator

The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for a Collections Operator position. This position can be filled as a Collections Operator-in-Training, I, or II, depending upon qualifications of selected applications. 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: See Below
• Deadline to Apply:03/18/2024 5 p.m.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:  The Collections Operator In-Training position performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance and construction work and operates a variety of equipment in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of city wastewater collection systems and storm drainage facilities and systems.  This is the entry level Wastewater Division collections operator position. Employees of this classification shall have demonstrated their ability to perform independently and with minimum of instruction in the varied function to which assigned. Advancement from this position to Collections Operator I requires obtaining a Wastewater Collections Level I Certificate issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Hiring Process:  Applicants must complete and submit the required City application, resume, and letter of interest by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2024, as specified in this job announcement. All applicants will be notified of the final status of their application.

Application Acceptance Period: ...............................February 26th - March 18th

First Review of Applications: ....................................March19th - 22nd

First Interviews with Selected Candidates: ..............Week of March 25th 

Earliest Offer of Employment: ..................................Week of April 8th   

Projected Start Date: ................................................To be negotiated

Note: The city reserves the right to conduct second interviews, and this may affect the projected date for offer of employment. 

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

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