Despite the fact that many of us are working from home, working odd schedules, and juggling multiple responsibilities, the city continues to move forward at a blazing speed thanks to a dedicated staff and engaged City Council. This has been an incredibly busy year but I hope we can take a moment and recognize what we have accomplished recently and what we are working on despite our challenges.

• The city council adopted the Wastewater System Facilities Plan and implemented the necessary utility rate increases to begin funding the needed improvements to the wastewater system. 
• A public safety fee was established to fund the hiring of two additional police officers and shore up the Police Department’s budget.
• With the pool closure and the Council’s work on a community campus vision, we conducted two community surveys to gather information about what the community wants at the cedar ridge property and the level of interest in funding options for the pool. A voter poll to gauge interest in a new special district to fund aquatics and recreation services was unfortunately conducted right as the pandemic started and support was low. We’re continuing to move forward with developing a plan for park improvements at the property which could potentially include the bunker building. 
• Our Community Services department has been busy sprucing up the community center during the COVID-19 closure, managing the update to our Parks and Trails Master Plan, providing critical meals to our vulnerable community members, helping our senior population access services and resources, and develop options for recreating in a pandemic environment. 
• It was a very active year for development projects which continued during the pandemic. Planning and building staff were busy with applications such as the contentious 100 lot subdivision in the SW corner of town and numerous other proposed developments and applications. We’ve also seen new commercial activity such as the Dutch Bros and Tractor Supply.  Also involved with all this activity are reviews and inspections by building, public works, and SandyNet staff. A new Economic Development Committee began meeting and staff and Council created a special emergency grant program to try to help our local businesses during the coronavirus closures.
• As a byproduct of the sewer rate increases, our public works crews have been busy responding to calls regarding potential leaks while staying on top of the constant flow of work repairing leaks, fixing signs, and patching streets. A new program was established this year to reduce the amount of fats, oils, and greases that infiltrate our wastewater system from businesses in town.  
• We started the ambitious and critical road project to connect 362nd Ave from Highway 26 to Bell Street. The design and engineering work is well underway with a preliminary alignment for the new road being completed soon.
• Other public works projects will begin this summer including the retrofitting of streetlights to more energy efficient LEDs, installing smart water meters throughout town, and replacing dozens of ADA ramps with funding from community development block grants.
• Our transit department has had an incredible year with the construction of a new bus barn, celebrating the 20th anniversary of SAM and the arrival of new buses, hiring drivers as temporary staff and then hiring a new operations contractor, and adopting the transit master plan. Whew!
• The Library was one of the first to offer a curbside service for our patrons during the pandemic. Staff have done a great job of keeping the collection clean, providing services such as story-times virtually, and keeping our patrons apprised through a weekly newsletter during the pandemic.
• The City Facilities Assessment and Space Needs Analysis was completed which will help guide our future decisions regarding our maintenance priorities and programming for city buildings.
• A pay equity and compensation study was completed for all non-represented staff for the City of Sandy. The City Council will consider an implementation plan at their July 20th City Council meeting.
• The Jonsrud Viewpoint is being updated with new signage and a new viewfinder!
• Finally, we are making huge strides with city communications. A team of staff are currently working on a much needed upgrade to our city website that will help citizens and staff better share and access information. A new electronic newsletter, the Sandy Source, is produced monthly and has been very successful in helping us share our story about what we are doing and how the city works.

There is so much more to celebrate and acknowledge so you have my apologies for not including it all!

I hope you have the opportunity to safety take a break this summer!