OREGON PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL PAPERWORK DUE APRIL 15

Oregonians eligible for disabled or senior citizen property tax deferral programs have three weeks left to file paperwork.

Bronson Rueda, deferral program manager at the Department of Revenue, said in a statement that for taxes to be paid in November, taxpayers need to meet the April 15 deadline.  This applies to participants who received re certification forms by mail in February and new applicants for deferral. If forms are not submitted by the deadline, property taxes will have to be paid this year.   

The deferral program allows eligible senior citizens and people with disabilities to have the state of Oregon pay property taxes on their behalf until they move, sell their home, or die. Eligibility criteria must be met.  A lien is placed on the participant’s home, and all taxes, interest, and fees must be repaid before the lien is removed. Oregon's deferral programs have approximately 6,300 active participants.

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights Wednesday, March 25, 2015 meeting

 The Board of Clatsop County Commissioners met Wednesday, March 25th.

Business action included the approval to approve the annexation of the City of Cannon Beach into the 4-H and Extension Service District.  In November, Cannon Beach voters elected to annex the city into the district, which coverall of ClatsopCounty iwth the exception of Cannon Beach.
The board adopted a new county-wide fee schedule covering charges for various serviced in 13 departments, offices and divisions.  The fees are based on information gathered through a study conducted by consultants MGT America that examined the offices' costs to provide services and comparable fees in other jurisdictions.  The new fee rates will take effect July 1.

In other business the board:
-Appointed Cindy Johnsen and Robin Resley to the Clatsop County Planning Commission.
-Proclained March 22-28 as Tsunami Preparedness Week.

GEARHART RECALL ELECTION DAY IS THURSDAY, MARCH 26

Voters in the City of Gearhart are reminded that Thursday, March 26 is the last day to return completed ballots in the special recall election. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Thursday. Mailed ballots received after the deadline will not be counted. Ballots may be dropped off at Gearhart City Hall, 698 Pacific Way, or at the Clatsop County Clerk's Office, 820 Exchange St., Astoria or the 24-hour drop box in front of the Clerk's Office. The election asks voters to vote on the recall of Gearhart Mayor Dianne Widdop. The election is only open to voters in Gearhart. For more information go to the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us.

CLATSOP COUNTY LAUNCHES TSUNAMI HAZARD OVERLAY PROJECT

Clatsop County has launched the Tsunami Hazard Overlay Project to develop land-use provisions designed to improve local resiliency in the event of the natural disaster forecast to strike the Northwest coast.

The first meeting of the project's advisory committee is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 10 a.m. at 800 Exchange St., Suite 430, Astoria.

The primary purpose of the project is to develop a comprehensive knowledge of tsunami hazards within the county, identify what strategies and options apply locally, and to determine what level of detail is necessary to implement the resulting comprehensive plan and development provisions.

Astoria Police Investigate Robbery Report Police Looking for Witnesses

Astoria Police are seeking information after a woman reported being robbed at knife point on the Astoria River Walk, near Astoria Warehousing, yesterday (Mon) morning just before 10am.

Astoria Police received a phone call shortly after 10am yesterday, from a 32 year old female who reported she had been robbed at knife point on the Astoria River Walk. She reported she had been walking two dogs on the elevated area between Astoria Warehousing and the Holiday Inn Express Hotel. She said that she was approached by a male 6” tall, 40-50 years old, wearing a brown hat, blue jeans, and a red and blue plaid shirt. She indicated the male subject pointed a knife at her and demanded her purse. The purse contained only some cash, her ID, and a partially filled bottle of pain medicine. The male subject left eastbound and the victim returned to her car at the Maritime Memorial to call police on the phone she left in her car.

Astoria Police were in the area quickly but were unable to locate anyone matching the description of the suspect. Police have released a photo of the dogs, hoping someone may remember the dogs the victim was walking with.  

Any information will be helpful. Anyone with information should contact Astoria Police at 503.325.4411 or Officer Lance Shepherd at lshepherd@astoria.or.us 

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights Wednesday, March 11, 2015 special meeting

Enterprise Zone resolution

The board voted to approve an application to the State of Oregon to establish a Clatsop Enterprise Zone. The zone, covering multiple properties in Astoria, Warrenton, Miles Crossing and Knappa, would extend property tax exemptions of up to five years to certain qualifying new and expanding businesses for new development. The project is a joint effort of the county, the cities of Astoria and Warrenton and the Port of Astoria. The Warrenton City Commission and port commission have each approved resolutions supporting the application – the Astoria City Council is due to vote on its own resolution March 16.

The application will be considered by the state’s Business Oregon economic development agency.

Tsunami overlay project

The board heard a presentation from Community Development Department staff on a new Tsunami Hazard Overlay project designed to develop provisions in the county’s comprehensive plan and development code to improve local resilience in the event of a Cascadia earthquake-generated tsunami. The project will be funded by a $7,000 Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development grant.

The board voted to appoint an advisory committee for the project with the following members: Patrick Corcoran, Jim Miller, Tom Horning, Kelly Stearns, Phil McCurdy, Bruce Francis, Bill Eddy, Laren Wooley, Patrick Wingard, Linda Lapp-Murray, Dannell Davis, Ryan Helligso and Commissioner Lianne Thompson.

Other Business

In other business the board:

-Directed the Local Government Personnel Institute to negotiate a contract with Michelle Kennedy Consulting to perform a 360-degree performance review of county management.

-Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Judicial Department to receive approximately $100,000 in state funding for three maintenance/improvement projects at the county courthouse: roof replacement, new back-up generator, and exterior surveillance video cameras.

-Appointed Mindy Stokes to the Human Services Advisory Council

provided by Clatsop County

ODOT plans to remove hazard trees along U.S. 101 through Cannon Beach - Work scheduled March 9-11

An Oregon Department of Transportation crew will be removing hazard trees along U.S. 101 near Cannon Beach from Monday, March 9 through Wednesday, March 11, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. ODOT will be conducting traffic control through the work zone and the public is encouraged to drive with caution and to expect minor delays.

The project includes the removal of a number of alder trees that have been identified by the ODOT arborist as hazardous to motorists and to the safe operation of the roadway. The activity is scheduled to take place along U.S. 101 from Ecola Creek Bridge at milepost 28.70 to Sunset Blvd at milepost 29.48.

Oregon AG Rosenblum To Run Again

Oregon attorney general, Ellen Rosenblum has announced her intention to run for another term of office

Oregon’s chief law-enforcement officer made the announcement during her talk at last night’s Columbia Forum at the Columbia Memorial Hospital Community Center in Astoria, after an audience member asked her to address a rumor she was losing interest in the job.

“I love this job.  I’m honored to have gotten to serve.  Sometimes I just kind of, have to tickle myself a little bit to make sure this is really for real, because for me it’s really brought together my entire career and makes me feel like I can serve you well, based in part on who I am and what I care about, but also the background that I bring to the job.  So with your indulgence, I do plan to run for a second term, and I look forward to that.  (applause)

Rosenblum, was elected to a four-year term as Oregon’s first female attorney general in 2012. She will next be up for election in 2016. 

Rosenblum said her priorities are for protecting ordinary Oregonians, with an emphasis on  children, seniors and vulnerable populations. 

BOARD OF CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY

The Board of Clatsop County Commissioners will hold a Work Session on  Wednesday, March 4th at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial in Astoria.

During the work session at 5:00 pm, the Board of Commissioners will consider a Clatsop Enterprise Zone

Work Sessions are an opportunity for Board members to discuss issues informally with staff and invited guests. The Board encourages members of the public to attend Work Sessions and listen to the discussion, but there is generally no opportunity for public comment. Members of the public wishing to address the Board are welcome to do so during the Board’s regularly scheduled meetings held twice monthly.