While many of this year’s goals are continued from last year’s list, one notable change was the elimination of the city’s plan to sell off surplus or excess properties.
Increasing public opposition to the process emerged after the first properties came up for sale last October.
Confusion over just how many properties would be sold, concerns over geologic stability of some of the properties and the loss of forested areas were some of the concerns cited by citizens during public comment at city council meetings. Mayor Willis Van Dusen explained how the process will be wrapped up.
“A year ago we had a goal of selling excess city property. We have removed that goal. We’re going to continue our negotiations with those people that we’ve had discussions with or offers, but any of the properties that have not been in any negotiations or discussions will be taken off the Area Properties list. It is no longer a city goal.”
Interim City Manager Brett Estes listed the goals the council will pursue for fiscal year 2014:
“They are sixteen goals, the first one being: implement the library renovation plan, 2: Involve community in developing the eastern half of Heritage Square, 3: Support community efforts to provide emergency warming shelters, Develop plans for pedestrian safety on Williamsport Road, 5: Continue working to complete landscape plans for the Column, 6: Continue implementation of the Riverfront Vision Plan, 7: Support efforts to develop a community dog park, 8: Complete an emergency communications system, 9: Develop an affordable housing survey working through community partners, 10: Maintain advocacy for the Astoria Bypass for fishery issues, and for business development and expansion through the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association Business Development Committee, Columbia Pacific Economic Development District and Clatsop Economic Development Resources, 11: Continuing enforcement of the Derelict Buildings Ordinance, 12: Support implementation of CHIPS, and all volunteer programs, 13: Continue efforts to improve pedestrian safety, 14: Continue support of diversity through the Clatsop County Historical Society, Astoria/Warrenton Chamber of Commerce and Lower Columbia Diversity Project, 15: Ensure maintenance plans are developed for all city projects, and 16, is, the language is yet to be determined, but for setting open houses for the City Council and for the staff to be available for the community.”
The council also identified other initiatives for the next year, including an online budget report for citizens, and monitoring the water rate assistance program.
Community comment will be taken on the goals list before formal adoption by the city council, likely in the next two months.
Regarding the "Excess" city property sale fiasco: The city council under the leadership of Mayor Van Dusen chose to ignore a plea from the citizens they represent to hold a town hall meeting to allow a complete discussion/explanation of the land-sale plan. Instead of meeting and having an honest open discussion about this poorly managed and ill conceived plan, our city government dropped the plan in order to avoid addressing serious concerns from residents. Unfortunately this tactic has left a host of unanswered questions and smacks of a cover-up. The council and mayor with city staff need to meet with their constituents to discuss land sales and related land-use planning in our community.
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