Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
The 2016 world premier Halloween skit opened (and closed) to outstanding reviews. Staff took their costumes and performances to a whole new level with caricatures of the Kardashians, Sonny & Cher, Heart, Kenny Rogers, and Dolly Parton. Even Santa Claus made an appearance. Not to be outdone, dozens of Center participants came decked out in Halloween garb and earned prizes in the costume contest. Everyone’s a winner!
Parks
Sandy City Council approved Ordinance 2016-09 designating Parks and Centennial Plaza smoke, tobacco and vape-free. The ordinance will take effect in November with the intended results of a cleaner environment in which to enjoy outdoor recreational activities.
The Ant Farm Trail Crew donated a day of labor in Sandy River Park. Kathleen Walker volunteered her time to supervise the workers as they repaired a few mountain beaver holes in one section of the Jim Slagle Loop Trail and install remaining signs.
Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
Fall classes and Mountain Storm Youth Basketball geared up in October. Friday afternoons the Community Center was host to Shakespeare Theater as a group of young people participated in a new program. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the script and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time learning and performing.
The youth basketball program is once again on pace for a busy year. Numbers are strong and the kids are benefiting from healthy activity and the experience of team sports.
Regular ongoing classes have strong numbers and families are enjoying soccer, Kinderdance, horsemanship and more.
Indoor Playgroup resumed and as attendance grew an additional time slot was added.
Transit (Andi Howell)
Total ridership this month was 9,940. Overall ridership decreased by 15.4%; the SAM-Gresham route decreased by 12%. SAM-Estacada ridership decreased by 43.6%. STAR rides decreased by 21.6%. The percentage of elderly and/or disabled riders on STAR was 66%. The Elderly and Disabled program (out-of-town medical rides) increased by 11.9%.
Sandy Transit began posting notices regarding significant changes to the Estacada route scheduled to go into effect November 1; this could explain the drop in ridership on the Estacada route in October. STAR ridership has been declining due to the lack of ability to schedule same day rides; that capability will be restored by January 1, 2017.
In October, the City Council approved a resolution to create a fare structure change for Sandy Transit. Fixed route services (SAM Gresham and SAM Estacada) in Sandy city limits will be fareless. This change is expected to boost in-town ridership, support local businesses and provide more accessible transportation for Sandy residents.
Much of October was spent preparing for many changes that will begin to take effect November 1. In addition to planning a new route for Estacada and changing the times of the runs, Sandy Transit will begin a shopping shuttle on December 1, 2016. This shopper is intended to alleviate the scheduling difficulties for STAR, returning that service to same-day scheduling. Although it seems like a luxury to be able to schedule same-day service, in reality it is a necessity for some. Unplanned events, such as a trip to medical facility or to pick up a prescription cannot always be planned in advance.
Staff continue to serve on the Oregon Transportation Association board which met frequently in October in an effort to prepare legislative material for the upcoming legislative session. Staff are encouraged that, through OTA as well as other efforts, transit throughout the state will be included in a 2017 Transportation Package should one be successful.
Sandy staff remain involved in the Mount Hood Transportation Alliance that meets regularly regarding transportation in the Mount Hood communities. Mount Hood Express and the Villages Shuttle surveyed in October to gauge customer service and obtain feedback regarding schedule changes on the mountain service. Mount Hood Express and Sandy Transit once again partnered in an application for continued FLAP funding and expect information regarding the success of the grant proposal in November.