Significant work has been done to get a handle on the what’s ahead for the Districts, how to get the work done and how to pay for it. Two meetings have been scheduled to talk about this with the Arch Cape Community. 

This Month in Review discusses:

• The likely Financial Impact of what is ahead for the Rate Payers of the Water and Sanitary Districts
• A public comment period about the proposed “Governance” of the Forest business unit
• Major Accomplishments
• A Surprise from Century Link

A. Financial Impact on Rate Payers

The Board Presidents sent out a ‘2024 State of the Districts’ letter, that can be read by <clicking here>.   The letter outlines the work that is in front of the Water and Sanitary Districts and the likely financial impact on the District and the ratepayers.

In October and November, two meetings were held with the community to discuss the Watershed Finance Committee’s findings about the anticipated costs for operating the Watershed and alternatives for paying for them. More work has been done in response to the feedback at those meeting. The updated briefing document, which has evolved since those meetings, can be read by <clicking here> 

In December and January, a decision-making process for paying for Watershed costs was drafted and reviewed by the Water District Board.  That document recommends a community-driven process for deciding how to pay for operating costs, either with logging, rate increases, levy taxes or a combination.   The briefing document can be read by <clicking here>. 

B. January 19 – February 2: Public Comment Period on ‘Governance’ of the Forest

A contractual obligation of receiving the $3.5 million Forest Legacy Program grant was the development of a Multi-Resource Management Plan (the Plan) for the Watershed.  That Plan must be kept current and will be periodically reviewed for approval by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).

One section of that Plan is “Governance”.

The Finance Committee, after completing their development of the Operations and Financial Planning Process, reviewed the current Governance section of the Plan.  They recommended significant refinements so that Governance is better aligned with the Operations and Financial Plan.  These refinements include updated financial management policies and very specific operations management roles and responsibilities.

The Board is asking the public to review the revised Governance section and provide any comments.  All comments will be considered by the Board before adopting the revisions which will become an amendment to the Plan.   <Click here to review the revised Governance section.>

The public comment period will go from January 19^th – February 2^nd.  Please submit any comments by <clicking here>.

C. Accomplishments this Month

1. District staff spent two days preparing for and cleaning two digester basins at the Sanitary Plant and cleaning out blocked injectors.  The 20 feet deep basins biologically digest the treated sewage until it is complete enough to be spread as a biosolid.  Matt and Logan worked with a sludge vacuum company (think – home vacuum on steroids) to complete the work.  Cannon Beach Fire provided 4 staff for a confined-space rescue team, an OSHA requirement.
2. The Shingle Mill access road into the Watershed has been smoothed out, graveled and compacted and now includes a turnabout to make it easier for first responder access. 
3. A Roads Contractor company has been selected, through a competitive public procurement process, to improve and decommission the roads in the Watershed.  This road work will be ongoing during spring – fall of the next two years.  The work will be paid with ARPA funds. Contracting with company is underway and should be completed in early February.
4. Ben Hayes, our Consulting Forester over the past several years, is going on an 18-month Pacific Ocean sailing adventure on a 30+ foot sailboat.  To replace Ben, a Consulting Forester has been selected, through a competitive public procurement process.  His primary focus over the next two years is to oversee the Roads Contractor and to assist the Board and Committee’s in formalizing the direction for the future of the Forest.  Contracting with him is underway which should be completed in early February.

D. Surprise of the Month

Century Link has been the internet provider to the Water Plant.  The internet is used by the plant software vendor to maintain the operating software that runs the plant and by District staff to remotely monitor plant operations and make adjustments.  Century Link recently notified the District that they will no longer be providing support for their internet lines, equipment and software.  Century Link informed the District that they are welcome to continuing using the services for free, but Century Link will no longer be answering the phones and will not fix anything that breaks.

District staff is now quickly evaluating other options, including Spectrum and Star Link.