Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
Round-up Fever hit the Center as Iris White took a group of members east to enjoy the Pendleton Round-up. Added features of the trip included the Happy Canyon Pageant, Underground Tour and annual parade.

Bernice Jordan has taken over coordination of the Meals-on-wheels drivers following retirement of volunteer Grace Reich. There are 16 drivers required per week to cover four routes on Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri.

Parks
With the extended period of nice weather, local parks saw a lot of use. Meinig Park, home of Music, Movies and so many other special events; Jonsrud Viewpoint; Sandy Bluff with special events and the off-leash dog area; Bornstedt Park splash pad and community garden; and Tickle Creek Trail are popular destinations. The following link describes How Cities Use Parks to Improve Public Health:
https://www.planning.org/cityparks/briefingpapers/physicalactivity.htm

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
Sarah & Nancy attended the 50th Annual National Recreation & Parks Association Conference in Las Vegas. They attended a variety of sessions on building community recreation centers, modernizing senior centers, marketing, and social media (to name a few). They even checked out some new play equipment in the exhibit hall. Watch out, because there are some new ideas coming your way.

The Fall Recreation & Leisure Guide was launched the first week of September, and fall classes are off to a good start. New programs sometimes take awhile to catch on, but use of the electronic reader board, email blasts and newsletters are good avenues for communication and promotion.

Mountain Storm is in the planning stages for winter 2016. Registrations are open now and practices will begin in December. The Mountain Storm Board made a decision to change the format to 3-on-3 basketball for the 3rd and 4th-grade players. Many youth programs are going this direction providing the young players with more opportunities to handle the ball, make plays and be more active. The game becomes the teacher. Plus it is a really fun format for the kids and their fans.

The Recreation Department is looking for ideas to connect the generations and is reaching out to the Ant Farm for ways to collaborate. Ideas in the works are computer labs provided by Ant Farm Teens, cooking classes, and outdoor trips.

Transit (Andi Howell)
Total ridership this month was 10,823.  This is a decrease in ridership by 5% from September 2014.  SAM-Gresham ridership decreased by 6%; SAM-Estacada ridership showed no significant increase or decline; STAR decreased this month by nearly 6%; and ED ridership increased significantly by 68%.

Sandy Transit has been a part of the Mt. Hood Transportation Alliance for a few years.  This group meets monthly in an effort to identify a sustainable operations plan for the Mount Hood Transit Service (Mt. Hood Express and the Villages Shuttle).  A consulting firm was hired to identify a sustainable operations structure.  In September the firm, LSC, released a draft of the Mt. Hood Service and Sustainable Operations Plan.  Plan implementation is scheduled to begin in January or February of 2016.  To date, it appears the system will remain within the County’s Human Services Department and continue to pull funding from a combination of available grants and private contributions from partners on the mountain.  Sandy Transit has a vested interest in the success of the Mt. Hood Service as the two systems (SAM and MHX) interline as much as possible to provide connectivity from the mountain communities.  The two systems also utilize cost savings by operating from the same facility and employing the same contractor and drivers.

Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
The Annual Volunteer Recognition Picnic took place on August 26th. The Senior Center has, by far, the largest number of dedication volunteers. After 31 years of coordinating drivers for Meals-on-Wheels, one such volunteer, Grace Reich, has decided to retire from her position. Grace is a Sandy native and a 1937 graduate of Sandy High School. She has lent her assistance to the Sandy Historical Society, Immanuel Lutheran Church and many other organizations around town. To honor her service to the Senior Center, a reception is planned for her on Thursday, October 15th at 12:30pm. Everyone is welcome to stop by and thank Grace for all she has done to ensure over 32,000 meals have been delivered over her stellar years of service.

Parks
Another successful year of Sandy Summer Sounds & Starlight Cinema took place in Meinig Park. Rain fell on one concert and one movie necessitating a move to the Community/Senior Center. It is obvious the outside venue is a big draw since the audience significantly dwindles with the move indoors. Thanks to Katie Murphy for rounding up some old favorites and special new bands to celebrate the 20th year of Sandy Summer Sounds.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
Summer Adult Softball finished the season with a tournament August 15th. Mt. Hood Athletic Club continues their winning streak.

Sandy Transit conducted on-board surveys this month to better understand ridership during the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) extended hours. Sandy added early Saturday morning and Sunday service using FLAP funding to provide connectivity between the Metro area and Mt Hood. Ridership during these hours continues to increase. Similar to other surveys conducted by Sandy Transit, riders during the FLAP hours are highly dependent on public transportation (77% ride at least 3-4 times and week; 78% do not have a vehicle they could have used for their trip). They are very pleased with Sandy services and the most requested improvements were more Sunday service and later service.

Sandy continues to reach out to riders and non-riders alike to provide the best service possible. Recent survey and marketing efforts give Sandy Transit a good base for understanding the needs of the community and reaching out to those who to riders and non-riders alike.

Sandy staff conducted interviews for the Transit Assistant this month. There were many qualified candidates; it was difficult to narrow the field to eight interviewees. One interviewee stood out among the rest however and Sandy Transit welcomed her on board August 25^th. Muna Rustam is the new Transit Assistant. Muna has spent the last 12 years working for Sunrise Valley Water Authority and is currently finishing a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Psychology. Sandy City staff are very excited to have her on our team.

Many friends and colleagues attended a retirement celebration on August 19th in honor of Julie Stephens. Julie was an effective manager with a great passion for public transit. She often gave her time, knowledge and effort to support rural transit in Oregon and will be missed both in Sandy and across the State.

Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
Kim Sabin concluded her internship in April. The health and wellness series she led concluded with a Heart Healthy lunch on the 16th. Nearly 40 people attended the meal and took home valuable hand-outs on nutrition.

The center hosted a “Bright Idea” planning meeting. All prior suggestions were compiled into a survey, and participants were asked to mark their favorite ideas for day trips, movies, center activities, dine-outs and hikes. People wrote in additional ideas, the results (close to 50 surveys) were tallied, and the valuable input will help shape future offerings at the center.

Parks
There was a tremendous turn-out for this year’s Solv-It in Sandy. The annual Earth Day event drew close to 200 volunteers to clean up local parks, Centennial Plaza, the bus shelters and sweep sidewalks. Tickle Creek Trail bridges were cleaned and the Clackamas River Basin Watershed Council hosted a work party for the Shade Our Streams project in Sandy Bluff Park. Dozens of people took advantage of the free shredder with over 6,000 pounds of sensitive documents processed.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
Recreation Department staff met with representatives from Camp Fire Columbia to develop a new day camp option for Sandy residents. During the month of July, a 3-day and 5-day camp experience will be available at Camp Namanu. Transportation will be provided to/from the Sandy Community/Senior Center. The program will feature all the traditional summer camp experiences including swimming, crafts, and songs. The day camp also focuses on preventing summer learning loss with 30 minutes of reading each day and theme-based learning modules that include astronomy, creative writing, science and much more.  The cost of the program includes a 6:1 camper to counselor ratio,  all activities, transportation, snacks and lunch.

In June and August the department will be partnering with the library to provide two day camps.  They are modeled on the successful Saturday Kids’ Club at the library adding lunch in a local park and swimming at Olin Bignal pool, two popular activities from the Sandy Recreation day camps.

These new camps align with the department’s goal of engaging more community partners to provide cost-effective and broad based programs for area residents and families.

Transit (Julie Stephens)
Total ridership this month was 11,501.  The ridership overall decrease was 11%;   The SAM-Gresham decreased 12.2%; SAM-Estacada had a drop in use of 15.5%; STAR increased this month by 3.8%; and ED ridership decreased by 36.9%.

Sandy Transit staff and Advisory Committee members attended Transit Day at the Capitol April 8^th.   Julie Stephens, Andi Howell and Caren Topliff attended transportation hearings and discussed transportation needs with Representative Mark Johnson, Senator Chuck Thomsen’s staff and Governor Brown.  As an Oregon Transportation Association board member, Julie Stephens stood with Governor Brown as she signed a Proclamation declaring April 8^th as “Oregon Transit Day”.

On April 18^th 300 people rode Sandy Transit services for free in conjunction with Sandy’s Solv-It activities to promote Earth Day.

Sandy Transit is scheduled for a triennial review by Oregon Department of Transportation in May.  In preparation for this review, transit is collecting and sending a list of documents and materials as requested from the reviewing agency prior to the scheduled two-day visit.

Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
Landscaping on the north side of the building was completed by Valley View Landworks. The new xeriscape motif will require lighter maintenance and much less water. It does a nice job of highlighting the Sandy Style sign and reader board.

The Center partnered with the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP) to provide a pick-up/drop-off site for free spay and neutering of cats. Over 60 furry friends received the free service as well as flea prevention treatment.

In addition to the popular, monthly Alzheimer’s Support Group, Cami Henderson has coordinated educational offerings for those wishing to learn more about the disease and caring for people with memory loss. The first class, “Effective Communication Strategies” took place on March 18th.

Parks
Staff time was spent completing a Local Government Grant application in hopes of funding improvements to Meinig Park. Included in the request is money to realign paths to accessible standards, improve the riparian corridor along No Name Creek, install an off-leash dog area in the upper/south area of the park and upgrade path lighting. Thanks to a previous allocation of funds from the City Council for a park master plan, construction drawings for the Meinig project are already complete. Applicants are required to make a presentation before the grant committee sometime in early June.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
Mountain Storm Youth Basketball completed the season for grades 3-6 with two Jamborees held in the Sandy High School gym.  23 Teams played basketball this season with a record number of 3rd and 4th graders participating.

The K-1 basketball program led by Carol Cohen has been very popular as well. The program teaches fundamental basketball skills and is a wonderful introduction to the sport. Attendance at long-time programs like Kinderdance and Pee Wee Soccer is very strong this year.

Work has begun on the Summer Recreation & Leisure Guide, and new sections are being developed. They include more detailed information on how to register, and how to use the electronic guide to share with friends and family etc. New this year is a Summer Camp information section.

Sandy Library and the Recreation Department will be collaborating on two summer camp sessions this year as a way to share resources and to help residents learn more about both library and recreation programs.

Transit (Julie Stephens)
Total ridership this month was 11,188.  The ridership overall decrease was 7.5%; SAM-Gresham decreased 10%; SAM-Estacada had a drop in use of 3.7%; STAR increased again this month by 12%; and ED ridership decreased by 50%.

In the regional grant process, Sandy grant requests were fully funded for a total of approximately $820k.  The biennial grant awards include operating funds of $252k for STAR; $72k to backfill lost JARC funds; $98k for ED (frail Elderly & Disabled medical trips outside of Sandy); $131k for preventive vehicle maintenance; $166k for the replacement of 2 vehicles (MV1 for ED & LowFloor Cutaway for STAR); $100k vehicle match for transit vehicle replacement (SAM) awarded through ODOT federal rural capital funds (5339) at $311k.  The vehicle replacements and preventive maintenance funds will help keep the fleet in a state of good repair.

The general public 5311 Small City and Rural Transit program funds in the next biennium are approximately $832k.

The FLAP—Federal Lands Access Program grant from Federal Highways was also awarded continuing funds through years 3 and 4 of the original 4-year request.  The annual amount of approximately $50k funds the new weekend service which connects the Portland area to Sandy and the Mt Hood Express service to Timberline.

The Transit Advisory Committee convened March 18th with Councilor Lois Coleman joining the committee.  The agenda included recent grant awards, vehicle replacements and surpluses, and Transit Day at the Capitol scheduled for April 8th.  We will have a group of 5 meeting with our legislators and attending the event.

We took delivery of a new transit vehicle, an MV1.  It is a 6-passenger vehicle slated for frail-elderly and disabled trips into Gresham & Portland for medical appointments.  The retired vehicle will be passed to the Senior Center for their use while awaiting their new, smaller vehicle.

Transit will promote Earth Day with a fare FREE day on April 18th in conjunction with Solv-It in Sandy activities.

Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
The Center is fortunate to have Kim Sabin on staff for a few months. Kim is completing her internship as she works towards her Nurse Practitioner degree through Gonzaga University. Ms. Sabin is focusing on health and wellness in older adults. She is conducting a 4-week Heart Health class that will culminate in a Heart-Healthy lunch in April.

She has taken a holistic approach to understanding the needs of the elderly by doing a ride-along with a Meals-on-wheels driver, escorting Cami Henderson on a home visit to assess care needs, assisting Iris White in the kitchen as she prepares meals for in-home and on-site recipients, and helping Sarah Reis in the Change of Pace Alzheimer’s respite program. Kim has observed the Tai Chi for Better Balance class and will sit in on other classes offered in March.

Parks
The International Trails Symposium will be held in Portland in May and Kathleen Walker, Mckenzie Jensen (Mt. Hood National Forest) and I will be presenting on Pyramid Strategies for Low Cost Multi-Use Trails. We will be providing information on developing partnerships and seeking out low-cost alternatives for building high-quality trails. Kathleen and Mckenzie will focus on the miles of trails at Government Camp, and Kathleen and I will gush about our local gem, the Tickle Creek Trail.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
Mountain Storm basketball games were in full swing during the month of February. Boys and girls, grades 3 through 6 made use of all OTSD gyms for practices and games. The season wraps up in March with a jamboree at Sandy High School for the younger kids on the 7th, and 5th/6th graders playing on the 14th. A big shout-out for the wonderful volunteer coaches and team parents.

Staff attended a workshop sponsored by Oregon Parks & Recreation Association titled The ABC’s of SMP (Sponsorship, Marketing & Partnerships). Presenters offered useful information, and the informal networking was invaluable.

Transit (Julie Stephens)
Total ridership this month was 10,571. The ridership year-over-year has finally leveled out; this month the overall decrease was 2.4%. The SAM-Gresham decreased 5.6%; again this month, SAM-Estacada had a drop in use of 5.8%; STAR increased again this month by 27%; and ED ridership decreased by 51%.

Staff was kept busy completing 7 grant applications for all transit operating programs and capital replacements.

Julie Stephens joined several transit staff from across the state in Salem to testify before a legislative committee on transportation. There is a proposed bill that would allow municipal agencies providing transit services to collect in-lieu payments comparable to payroll tax for state employees within their service area.

Mt. Hood Express ridership dropped to 3467 in February.

A retired transit vehicle was sold as surplus for $5183 to a gentleman in Michigan. He  refurbishes used vehicles and sells them at a reasonable cost so non-profit agencies can transport their clientele.

Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
The north side of the building will soon sport an updated landscape look. A xeriscape motif will cut down on maintenance and the need to water while enhancing the appearance of the sign and street-side view of the Community/Senior Center. 

Parks
A Clackamas County HEAL grant was awarded to fund completion of the Bornstedt Park community garden. With the current weather pattern, garden planting may come early this year.

Engineering work began on another grant-funded project, expansion of the trail system in Sandy River Park. Jim Slagle of Recreation Trails is surveying the alignment for a trail extension that will meander north of the current loop through the woods.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
January was a busy month with 24 youth basketball teams hitting the ground running.  The program has grown a lot this season in the 3^rd and 4^th grade age group. Mountain Storm plays games and holds practices in every Oregon Trail School, and space is tight. It is fun to see so many kids being active and healthy.

Winter/Spring classes started after the December break with a variety of offerings including long-standing favorites Kindergym and Kinderdance.  Bricks 4 Kidz provided a Family Fun Night to help introduce the after-school program.  It is a great, Lego-based learning curricula for grades K-6. The program takes place Thursdays from 4-5pm.

Summer planning has started and new ideas are flowing. Stay tuned.

Transit (Julie Stephens)
Total ridership this month was 11,521.  The ridership decrease year-over-year continues; this month the overall decrease was 9%. SAM-Gresham decreased 11.8%; again this month, SAM-Estacada had a drop in use of 5.6%; STAR had an increase of 11.5% this month; and ED ridership decreased by 48%.

The 15^th Anniversary event at the Transit Center was lightly attended. Mayor King, Councilor Coleman, and staff were able to interact with the riders enjoying coffee, treats, and raffle prizes consisting of transit passes and the iconic insulated grocery bags.

Even with the light snowfall, the expanded Mt. Hood Express ridership was 5563 in January.

The Transit Adventure this month took in Mary Poppins at the Children’s Theater.  Bernice Jordan helped two families navigate mass transit to and from their destination. The group included three adults (including a grandmother) and four children,.

Senior Center (Nancy Ream Enabnit)
In its 27th year, Breakfast with Santa continues to offer a wonderful family tradition. Community members support the annual affair, and this year’s fundraiser netted over $2,000 for the Sandy/Boring Meals-on-Wheels program. A special shout-out goes to local merchants who so generously donated prizes for the raffle–some donated cash that directly enhances the bottom line. Several members of the Senior Center, and the community in general, made cash donations as well.

Parks
One component of Bornstedt Park yet to be completed is the community garden. If successful, a HEAL grant, submitted to Clackamas County, will fund the purchase of soil for the raised beds, gravel for walkways, a storage shed, and some garden tools.  Grants will be awarded in mid-January.

Recreation (Sarah Richardson)
Mountain Storm is in full swing with 24 teams, including ten 3^rd and 4^th grade boys’ teams. We are very fortunate to have the use of school district facilities, and we are bursting at the seams.  Cedar Ridge, Firwood, Kelso, Sandy Grade, Welches and Boring gyms are in use for games and practices almost every night of the week. The Pioneer Building will also be used on occasion and the new High School is the place for the end of season Jamborees.

The Wednesday Playgroup is back in full force with great leadership and lots of happy kids and their parents getting together to play and learn.

The database continues to grow, and residents seem to be accustomed to the newer electronic guide. We have been able to assist the library in promoting its programs now that there are no restrictions to the number of pages we can publish. The new city website has been very successful in helping to grow the database used to deliver the guide to resident in-boxes.

The Recreation Department will be working to evolve the guide even further to become a more comprehensive recreation and leisure resource. In addition to offering classes, the guide can help steer residents toward opportunities provided throughout the community and surrounding areas.

Transit (Julie Stephens)
Total ridership this month was 10,915.  Compared with last year, the ridership reduction averages were fairly low this month with an overall decrease of only 4%.  The SAM-Gresham decreased 4.8%; again this month, SAM-Estacada had a drop in use of 3.7%; STAR had an increase of 3.3% this month; and ED ridership decreased by 32%.

The expanded Mt. Hood Express ridership was 5687 in December, an 81% increase over the same month last year.  The buses were full on many runs during the holidays with new snow on the mountain.

The additional Sunday service that began in December was met favorably with increased Sunday riders.  The new $5 interline “Day Pass” for SAM and Mt Hood Express (MHX) introduced in December, has also been quite popular.  It allows unlimited boardings on SAM and/or MHX for the day of purchase.  Passengers can go round-trip between Gresham and Mt Hood, and between ski areas, all day for only $5.

The Sandy Post featured the transit system, including coverage of the new Sunday service, the day pass, the partnership with Clackamas County (Mt Hood Express) and the 15^th year anniversary celebration scheduled for January 2^nd.