Fall has finally arrived after a late arriving but long lasting summer. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. It was a busy and eventful season of fun and it was so great to see our community come out in large numbers really for the first time in a few years. From the Longest Day Parkway where we get to meet and greet with the folks that we serve, to the concerts, movies, fireworks, and Mt. Festival, I think we saw a record numbers of participants. Thanks to our Parks & Rec team, Public Works crew, and all our staff that participated and helped organize these great events. 

We also have a few new faces that have joined the staff team this fall. Please welcome Ryan Schneider (Public Works), AJ Thorne (Public Works), Gavin Yates (SandyNet), Caroleana Smallwood (Parks & Recreation), Tristan Hardesty (Parks & Rec), Brandon Shaffer (Parks & Rec), Kristi Granberg (Library), Brianna Latham (Library), and Amie Krueger (Library). We’re thrilled you’re here!

Looking ahead to the holiday season, I’m really excited about a new special program that our Parks & Recreation and Public Works teams have been working hard on, the Holiday Lights in Meinig Park! The park will be lit up at night starting with the annual tree lighting ceremony and there will be 5 distinct events throughout the month of December. 

City Updates

• Last month the City Council adopted a temporary moratorium on new development applications in the City of Sandy. The moratorium was necessary to slow the amount of new connections to our wastewater system while we construct the needed improvements in our sewage collection system and treatment plant and identify the best long-term expansion option. The pause will be in effect until at least the spring when an evaluation of the plant will be completed that will identify its treatment capacity. Staff and our consultants and contractors have been working really hard to improve our system and treatment plant. The City’s growth and aging infrastructure and our limitations on where we discharge our treated wastewater has resulted in permit compliance issues with the Oregon DEQ. Over the last few years we have been working with the DEQ, and US DOJ and EPA to bring the city into compliance with the Clean Water Act.
• While development applications may be paused, the planning staff are busy managing several important long range planning projects. The Comprehensive Plan is being wholly updated with the Envision Sandy 2050 project. The Community Visions were recently unveiled after months of public engagement and input. 
• The construction of 362nd Ave and Bell Street is halfway there with final paving and opening of the street targeted for around the end of next summer. Staff have been working with planning and urban design consultants to sketch some conceptual ideas on how that area could develop. The sketches will be brought to a future Council meeting for their input and reaction and direction on next steps for planning that area.
• The Council recently adopted a major update to our Parks Systems Development Charges (the one-time fees developers pay at the time of development that creates additional demand on our park facilities). The increased fee will generate additional funds for future park capital improvements that were identified in our new Parks & Trails Master Plan. 
• And speaking of future parks, a request for proposals closed this week for the design and engineering work for the Community Campus Park Improvements. This project would be focused on building new park amenities and features on the north end of the property.
• Wastewater is not the only utility that will be undergoing significant investment. Sandy’s water supply infrastructure is also due for major improvements. The City is embarking on a large and necessary project to upgrade our Alder Creek treatment plant, reservoirs, and intakes as well as a pipeline extension to Portland’s proposed new Bull Run filtration facility. Like Portland, Sandy is required to be in compliance with treatment of the Bull Run water source, which is our supplemental and backup water supply for the majority of the city.
• With all the ongoing projects, we have some really creative and talented staff that have been using their skills to take and edit videos for communicating updates to the public. You can check these out on the City’s YouTube channel or postings on the City’s Facebook page. Kudos to Matt Degner, Shelley Denison, and Thomas Fisher for putting these videos together. 

Looking Ahead – 2023

With the ringing in of the new year, we will be entering an odd-numbered year, which means City Council goal setting and developing the budget for the 2023-25 biennium. But first we will start the year with the swearing in of our new City Councilor, current Planning Commissioner Chris Mayton. Chris was elected for the position to replace Jeremy Pietzold who is stepping down after 16 years of incredible service to the community. Jeremy is going to be terribly missed but we’re looking forward to working with Councilor elect Mayton.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!