[wmm] Reminder: Tomorrow's Zoom WMM 8am 26May2021

[George Vetter]

Here is the log-in for tomorrow's 8am Zoom Wednesday Morning Meeting - the
same log-in we always use unless Hannah is out of town.

Date/Time: May 26, 2021 08:00 AM Join Zoom Meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3843649054

By Phone, dial
253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 384 364 9054

MEETING NOTES

Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 19May2021 8am
Participants: KathyK, GeorgeV, DebA, JeanieM, JimP, HannahO, ErikO,
MaryBethC, GregS, JeneePM
Number attending: 10
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court


JeneePM: Has anyone considered a parking fee instead of a F&B (Prepared
Food & Beverage) tax?

ErikO: In the meeting this last night they did discuss that and they
mentioned that as an option, but realized that wouldn’t make enough money.

KathyK: The city wouldn’t need to raise property taxes if they have the F&B
tax

HannahO: The city is trying to fast track the F&B tax to get it on the Nov
ballot.

GregS: ORLA (Oregon Lodging Assn) is trying to petition to enact a law
preventing a F&B tax

MaryBethC: Sounds like we all need to call Suzanne Weber to let her know
that we oppose ORLA's agenda on this.  Yeah, we can also all submit
comments to support this.

KathyK: Maybe Council should vote this in now and later have the citizens
vote to continue it.

ErikO: They discussed doing that.  From my impression, Robin Risley would
be supportive but wants the voters to make the decision.  The people coming
from outside Oregon are used to paying for taxes, so I don’t think that
additional 4% will change anything at all.

GregS: Most visitors are already paying this tax elsewhere, this wouldn’t
make a difference.

JeanieM: We have an excellent fire department.

DebA: The fire department needs funding.

ErikO: The fire department has a four paid positions: Administrative,
Chief, Training Officer, and a grant funded Recruitment officer

GregS: The funding isn’t just for people, but also for apparatuses.  70% of
the calls are from visitors, not residents.

HannahO: I don’t think anyone is going to be against the fire department.
I think the restaurant industry has some internal pressure that is
impacting this.

GregS: This conversation happens with all taxes, such as the county
instituting the tax for the jail.

JeanieM: Maybe the restaurants could offer something to incentivize locals
to come.

ErikO: Of the income that comes into the restaurants, 96% comes from
visitors and 4% from locals

DebA: Mayor Sam Steidel mentioned that the restaurants are struggling, so
they don’t want to bring that on them.

GregS: Ashland came out with a “playbook” with how to go about doing this -
laying out just how the money would be spent.

KathyK: One of the great things about the way that Ashland has done this is
that it is changeable over time.  It won’t be on the property owners to
fund everything.

GeorgeV: I doubt that the council would vote on this but will most likely
prefer to take it to the voters.  It is a similar council to when I was
on.  If there is likelihood that it will be blocked by a future state
ruling, that might change minds.

ErikO: City Attorney Ashley discussed this in the meeting last night, She
hasn’t seen anything coming down the line about F&B laws at the state
government.

HannahO: There a variety of forums for us to discuss, such as the coffee
with a councilor, this meeting, etc. how are they getting public comment?
We have never had a councilor stop in to ask our opinion on anything.

DebA: I also started a facebook page called: Protect Cannon Beach.

GeorgeV: I think the city could be doing more email surveying to get a
pulse of the community.

MaryBethC: There are also a lot of our older residents that are not
connected electronically.  This was a real problem when we were trying to
collect information at the beginning of COVID

JimP: Sandcastle information will be coming out this week.  We’ll be
posting flyers about how to participate this year.  The big news is that we
made a new hire.  She will be working in the visitor’s center and hall
rentals.  We’re back to 4.5 staff people.

JeanieM: When is the farmer’s market going to start?

JimP: June 15th on Tuesdays.

KathyK: Free rides to vaccination appointments.  The city signed the
agreement for the Cannon Beach shuttle, starts around the first week of
June.

JimP: We are always asking and sharing restaurant updates.

MaryBethC: Actually, it is not NIXCEL anymore- it is Clatsop Alerts- and it
is through Everbridge.  You can sign up on the county website

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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 12May2021 8am
Participants: CynthiaW, GeorgeV, KathyK, GregS, JimP, JeanieMc, MarcR,
KathleenS
Number attending: 8
Notes by George Vetter

CynthiaW: Brent Thompson of Ashland, who was involved when Ashland began
with their Food and Beverage tax, is willing to share his experience.
Contact cynthia at cynthiadanielwolf.com.

JimP: Restaurants are not generally supportive of a F&B tax.

MarcR: Fire Dept calls are up 34% this year. The Fire Dept is funded by
levies on property. The current levy is $0.89/$1000. The average for
comparable coastal communities is $1.37/$1000. Because the preponderance of
calls for service to the Fire Dept come from visitors and not property
owners, it does not seem fair to ask property owners to pay the rising cost
of the Fire Dept. Calls for surf rescues and cliff rescues are way up.

GeorgeV: Asking our 29 restaurants to collect a tax and send it to the city
is a burden, but likely less of a burden than the alternative of an
increase in property taxes. That increase would eventually find its way to
the overhead of restaurants and on to what their customer pay for items on
their menu. A F&B tax would not require an increase in menu items.

GregS: A F&B tax is not something people aren't used to paying - 48 states
currently have such a tax - a sales tax.

CynthiaW: I’m still commuting to CB most weeks. I have another dog photo
shoot on Sunday and 2 client meetings. I got my CB business license this
past Monday. I am also open to house sitting in CB or care taking a house
for one of the 68% that are in CB only a month or 2 a year. Contact
cynthia at cynthiadanielwolf.com.

JimP: Once again, this year's Sandcastle Contest will not be traditional,
but will be virtual. The 57th annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest will
be a virtual Summer of Sandcastles with the kick-off June 5. The virtual
competition is intended to be a COVID-safe alternative during this time
requiring physical distancing for public safety. So, start sketching your
dream sand creation for 2021! The committee is working on COVID-safe small
celebratory events to accompany the virtual contest such as music. More to
come as planning develops so keep an eye on our page and Facebook page
<https://www.facebook.com/CannonBeachSandcastleContest> for updates.

<cynthia at cynthiadanielwolf.com>
<cynthia at cynthiadanielwolf.com>

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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 05May2021 8am
Participants: HannahO, ErikO, CynthiaW, GeorgeV, KyleG, BuddieA, JeneePM.
KathyK, KenP, MaryBethC, GregS, RickH
Number attending: 12
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court

Note: Hannah is not available next week so the Zoom login will be
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5376289021?pwd=bDMwUVNJTnRzWmtLcnRqaVFkTmQ2Zz09.
If asked, password is george

HannahO: Kathy did a great job representing Sunset Empire Transportation
District (SETD) with the city council meeting last night.

KathyK: SETD has a bus that looks like a trolley, it’s super fun to ride
on.  It’s been going in CB for a long time, additional service during the
summers.  It loops several times around town every day throughout the
summer.

CynthiaW: In Ashland, the F&B (Food & Beverage) tax wasn’t supported
initially by the residents. The majority of the tax is paid by tourists.

KathyK: The City Council did discuss the F&B tax last night.  They
discussed the options about putting it on the ballot vs city council
decision, etc.

KenP: Dragonheart Health Services and Michael’s Music will need to be
finding new commercial locations soon.  The property is under contract.

KyleG: Mutts and Moms [dog show] at Inn at Cannon Beach is this weekend.
Lots of vendors and BBQ.  Cynthia will be there taking photos.  Donations
will be made to Clatsop Animal Assistance.

RickH: Effort is to get everyone vaccinated, changing requirements for
registering people. Governor Kate Brown is not moving anyone into Extreme
Risk, highest is High Risk.  She is committed to not have anyone in Extreme
Risk. The Biden Admin is committed to getting the country open by July 4th with
restrictions.  Clatsop county is sponsoring vaccines for children, they are
available at hospitals.  To get to herd immunity, the youth need to be
vaccinated.

KyleG: With younger people and Pfizer, do you have to sign up the same way
with the survey?

RickH: They changed the survey.  They turned it into a scheduler, which
will direct you to the appropriate vaccine.

KenP & MaryBethC: If you haven't dropped your Ballot yet, please write-in
Molly Lowenberg for Union Health District, Director Position 3.  Thank
you!  Needing business space: Dragonheart Herbs and Natural Medicine:
503-436-2255.  Email is DragonheartFarm at hotmail.com

GeorgeV: What rationale did Gov Brown give for no longer using the Extreme
risk category?

RickH: They said it was based on the hospital situations.  There was
conflict with risk factors and opening up.  They used the # of people in
the hospital system as a metric.

KyleG: How did the Fat Tire Bike Fest go?

BuddieA: It went great.  We had close to 50 participants.  All the social
distancing and masks were respected.  Our coordinator said it went great.

HannahO: What about Spring Unveiling?

GregS: It seemed really quiet on Friday.  Saturday was busier, people in
the shops.  Town seemed full.

MaryBethC: All three days were full at Dragonfire.  We were limiting
capacity to participants.

JeneePM: I talked with a board member of The CB Conference Center about
Charis Kids (preschool). They will be discussing it at an upcoming board
meeting.

HannahO: There was an article about Warrenton restricting vacation rentals
that I found really interesting:
https://news.yahoo.com/warrenton-restrict-vacation-rentals-024700092.html.

GregS: Lower cost housing.

MaryBethC: It’s impossible to find a place to live for workers.

GregS: You have to loosen things restrictions to allow for more housing.
You could get a bunch of employees to buy a house together.

KathyK: If you are paying for everything with property taxes, then it won’t
be sufficient funds for affordable housing.

GeorgeV: Affordable is a relative term.  To afford to live here, employees
need to make more.  CB has always been a vacation spot.  CB used to be shut
down most of the year.  The history of CB has been vacation
homes/short-term rentals. Historically there were very few people who
actually lived here.  The attraction is that CB is so small and locked in -
which  prevents expansion.  It has one of the most attractive, beautiful
beaches in the world, capped off with a rock that draws visitors from near
and far.

HannahO: It was refreshing that Warrenton is looking at surrounding
communities to see how best to grow and protect local interest.

GregS: There are a lot of communities around the country that are trying to
implement restrictions.

ErikO:  We have mitigated it in some fashion, so we don’t become some place
like South Padre Island.

KathyK: Watching Warrenton recently, they are being really forward thinking
like developing bike paths, etc. and making a concerted effort towards
responsible development.  There are funds out there to help develop things
like that - ergo grants.

GeorgeV: I imagine that Warrenton has a lot of fund base from all the box
stores and industry.

KathyK: They are looking at grants, have an application out for everything
that comes out.  They are actively applying for grants.  In CB they rely
heavily on property tax [and lodging tax].

GregS: Kathy, If there was a grant for transportation, what would they do
with it?

KathyK: I would implement more biking options and paths.

CynthiaW: Are there bike rentals in CB?

HannahO: Mike bike’s used to be downtown, the bike shop by Teresa’s just
has the  three wheel beach bikes [not permitted them on the streets], some
of the hotels offer bikes to their guests.

KathyK: That could be something that the city can help develop and fund.

KyleG: I would be concerned with lots of people on the street.

GregS: As a member of the City's Tourism and Arts committee, I see a push
towards looking at bike trails.  Community and visitors can both enjoy.  We
set a precedent with the Klootchy Creek Bike Trail.  That kind of funding
source would be a great thing for the committee to hear.

KenP: I had the idea to set-up a hike and bike parking area and get around
town on a bicycle instead.

MaryBethC: This is the first Wednesday of the month, it is Wayfinding
Wednesday.  The CERTs will be headed towards the Assembly Sites at 5:30pm.

JeneePM: We still need helpers to clean up the school [Cannon Beach
Academy].

HannahO: There’s a SOLVE clean-up this Saturday with Friends of Haystack
Rock.

BuddieA: There’s a child’s art show by Child's Play this Saturday at the
Chamber.
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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 28Apr2021 8am
Participants: GeorgeV, JeneePM, KathyK, GregS, CynthiaW, JimP
Number attending: 6
Notes by Jenee Pearce Mushen and George Vetter

Apologies to anyone who couldn't get on to today's meeting. Not sure how or
why, but my Zoom skills were tested.

New at today's meeting: Cynthia Wolf - Dog Photographer - looking for a
place to live or house-sit in CB. She has already started her Dog
Photography business working through Four Paws on the Beach and motels. She
had a gallery in Ashland for years and is now in Portland till she finds a
place in town. contact cynthia at cynthiadanielwolf.com

GregS: The City continues to study the possibility of a Food & Beverage Tax
to supplement funds for city functions and services such as Police and
Fire.

CynthiaW: In all my years in Ashland, I never heard complaints by locals or
visitors about the Food & Beverage tax there.

Various: In spite of state and media reports of surges of Covid-19
infections, there is no evidence of such in the number or the behaviour of
visitors to town.

GregS: Restaurants are the hardest hit by Covid-19 restrictions - besides
the challenges they face in finding people to work. JimP: There is
financial aid available for restaurants. contact jim at cannonbeach.org

JimP: This weekend is the Fat Tire Bike Festival. Forty-two riders have
registered - details at
https://www.cannonbeach.org/events-and-festivals/fat-bike-festival/

JimP: The Cannon Beach Liquor Store is moving to the previous CB Distillery
space on S Hemlock just north of their current location.

JeneePM: County Vaccination sites are not getting as many people signing up
for their shots as expected. The word needs to get spread.  KathyK: The
signup could be simpler.

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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 21Apr2021 8am
Participants: HannahO, ErikO, GeorgeV, JeneePM, KyleG, MarcR, KathyK,
BuddieA, KevinL, DebA, MargaretT, GregS, KenP
Number attending: 13
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court

KathyK: Is everyone ready to move back into the high risk Covid-19 category?

KyleG: The Driftwood is going to be removing a few tables, but we don’t
have to change business hours.  It’ll hurt the larger restaurants more.  I
haven’t received my invitation for the second vaccine yet, so I had to find
it first.

KathyK: It’s interesting how some places are having you sign up as you
leave the vaccination site, others not.

KevinL: CEDR has the annual CEDR awards nominations open.  We have the
traditional awards and a few others.  The deadline is April 30 and then the
awards ceremony will be in May.  ClatsopWORKS paid internship program for
students just extended the deadline.  There are 42 applications from the
high schools.  Help get the word out to Seaside High School, because there
weren’t many applicants from there.  We’ve had webcasts on the restaurant
recovery act, there’s still guidelines coming out.  We had a Spanish
webinar about it, it’s on demand if you want to watch it.  CEDR Award
Nomination Details: https://www.clatsopcc.edu/community-resources/cedr/

https://oregonsbdc.org/  Website to access our services and
workshops....under "classes"

Clatsop WORKS Summer Paid Internship Program-2 SHS applicants. Several
South County Employers:  Cannon Beach Police Department, Columbia
Hospitality, Haystack Rock Awareness Program, Pelican Brewing...that is
four in Cannon Beach alone! Here is the website link:
https://clatsopworks.com/ ,

KathyK: Make sure to tell people that there is transportation for the
vaccines, free of charge.  Door-to-door service if you call and sign-up.
The Seaside cinema to the Old Seaside High School has a free shuttle.  Just
communicate with the drivers to get where you need to go.

MargaretT: With vaccines, have there been any unused?

KevinL: That hasn’t happened as I am aware.

JeneePM: We need to get the word out, there is a phone number – call it to
get a vaccine.  I was up there yesterday to volunteer and it was slow (few
people signed up).  503-325-8500.

KathyK: It is a trend nationwide to give perks for getting shops.

KyleG: Employees get $100 at Escape Lodging for getting our second shot.

KevinL: Clatsop County is at 25% vaccinated.  We are like #7 for
vaccination rate.

JeneePM: Has anyone heard more about Charis Kids childcare?

GregS: Sent letters to them and Shannon (wife) spoke to one of the board
members.  The Board was aware it was happening, but involved in the
decision.  He would bring the concerns to other board members.

JeneePM: They are saying that they discussed this with staff members, but
it seems like it was only 2 of the employees.  There is a board meeting in
May to discuss the matter further.

GregS: The board is made up from folks around the country, not necessarily
locals.

JeneePM: I’d like to have a show of support for Charis Kids.  Because it is
an important program for our community.

KathyK: We need to make sure that the board members are aware of the impact
and should be getting emails and letters.

GeorgeV: It’s a community service that they provide, they need to know the
impact on the community.

JeneePM: We have been trying to ask for the board members and getting
information to them.

GregS: In Astoria, there is a child care center that has a 100 people
waitlist.  If it were financial, we would rally around them.

KevinL: We are working on training child care specialists.

GregS: I sent a letter to the city council regarding something on the April
13 meeting.  It’s about the police department and city hall building and
paying for that.  Bruce said there are 3 ways to pay for it: property
taxes, lodging tax, and food and beverage tax.

GregS: The city council has the ability to impose the food and beverage
tax.  At coffee with a councilor, I asked if they were for/against, Nancy
said she wanted more information, Robin said she would want the people to
vote for it.  The lodging tax increase was a city council decision - did
not go to the voters.

GeorgeV: What is the likelihood that a similar stipulation to the food and
beverage tax, like with the lodging tax, would be initiated?

GregS: Ashland has a formula for this, so I think we should look at them.

KathyK: It takes a lot of the tax burden off the residents.

GeorgeV: Greg, Did your letter to the City include potential parking
revenue?

GregS: No, I stayed away from parking.  The kind of funds that are coming
in, could help with things like funding bathrooms.  Marc (Fire Dept) has
done a heck of a job showing why this is important, 70% of calls are coming
from tourists.  (see Greg's letter below)

MarcR: I have been in front of the council 5 times about this, since last
May.  Finally feel like I’m getting some traction.

GregS: Tourism related funds are defined by the state.  Bathrooms are not
considered tourist facilities, although you will find few residents using
them.

MargaretT: Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve has two seasonal part time
job openings: We are looking for a couple of amazing people for two
seasonal contractor opportunities with the Tidepool Ambassador Program at
Cape Falcon Marine Reserve. This program aims to protect habitat, educate
tidepool visitors, and focus on quality of contact with visitors.  The two
open positions are Tidepool Ambassador Guide and Tidepool Ambassador
Program Coordinator. For more details, qualifications, schedule, and
information on how to apply, please visit tinyurl.com/CapeFalconTAP to
download the full job postings.

MarcR: If you look at our property tax rate, it is one of the lowest. The
cost of housing is pushing out volunteers, who are going to go to Seaside
and Warrenton due to housing issues.  I have been in front of council to
show that much of our calls are purely tourist.  As for the fire
department/city hall, we would have to have the city collect the monies and
then the city give us the money.  Before it goes to the ballot, there would
be language that clearly states it all.

GregS: Read 'Tax Imposed' section https://ashland.municipal.codes/AMC/4.34

MarcR: I support a 2% tax for the fire district, but the city was
suggesting 5% to include city funds.  There are some owners that are not
supportive for this tax measure, but I get it. After a chamber meeting, I
received letters from restaurant owners.  The council made it very clear
they will not impose that, but put it on the ballot.

BuddieA: The Fat Bike festival is coming up, the Virtual Sandcastle is
finishing up planning.

JeneePM: Beach clean-up had over 100 volunteers.  One complaint we get is
that people say: our beach is too clean.  We have volunteers who clean the
beach every day, not leaving enough for trash behind for tourists to
clean-up.

GeorgeV: Much better that Solve Beach Cleanup volunteer go home talking
about how clean our beach is than the opposite.

GregS letter to City Council, Mayor Sam & Bruce,



It is refreshing to hear that there is some interest in a prepared food and
beverage tax as a method to generate revenue from the visitors of this
community to pay for infrastructure and services used by visitors and
locals alike.   I would ask that you use your power as the city leadership
to impose a 5% prepared F&B tax rather than take it to a vote.  Hold some
town meetings, get the information out, ask for alternative solutions and
if something better comes along defer but if not move forward, this should
not take years.



Whether you put it on the ballot or impose it you will have people upset. I
do not recall the ‘good faith’ or concern when the county raised the
lodging tax, or the city in the last couple of increases (different
councils obviously), none of these increases went to a vote of the
citizens.  I realize that increasing the lodging tax might be viewed
differently based on customers, but if the 96% vs. 4% (visitor vs. local)
spend on F&B as estimated in the ECONorthwest report is accurate they are
pretty close.



Please do not delay this any longer, rip the band-aide off and move
forward.  Be clear on why this is being done, be clear on where the money
will go and back it up.  Spending a year with voting, community meetings
and coffee shop debates will just extend the process and put pressure on
the services and facilities that need to be addressed.  If the council is
the CEO of this $29M municipal business, then the timing and action of your
decisions should be a consideration of performance.  Be the CEO that
improves the conditions of the police workspace, that builds new public
restrooms, that gets a City Hall project funded.



Over the years I have sent or referred to this information several times.
I respectfully ask that you take time to read it and understand how this
works.  Some of the ‘can we do this, should we do that, 2% here, 2% there,
bond measure, etc.’ discussion could all be set aside if you just follow
the successful playbook that Ashland created in 1993 and have refined and
extended (yes, by voting) several times.   Every few years they adjust
their project/goal list and are clear where the funds are used.  They set a
time to end the tax, which is voted on by citizens and has won extensions 2
or 3 times since 1993.



Ashland F&B Ordinance - Ch. 4.34 Food and Beverage Tax | Ashland Municipal
Code <https://ashland.municipal.codes/AMC/4.34.020>  - review under ‘Tax
Imposed’ 4.34.020 Section C



If Cannon Beach used this blueprint you could say 5% collected = $2M
annually

   - 25% goes to emergency services (Fire District, Police, Ricks Budget,
   etc..)
   - 25% goes to City Hall and shared infrastructure improvements
   - 25% goes to parks and infrastructure services (public bathrooms,
   parking lot maintenance, etc.
   - 23% goes to water/sewer infrastructure improvements
   - 2% goes to the city to support the cost of administration and
   collection
   - Less the 5% that of gross that is paid to the F&B establishment for
   administration and collection           `
   - In X number of years when some of the above are well funded or fixed
   you modify  your list (affordable housing, do something w/ Southwind,
   roads, bury power lines, etc.)



The above example is an over simplification but if you review the ‘Tax
Imposed’ section and how Ashland has done this you can see that with a new,
unrestricted revenue source you can do a lot of good for the city, for the
benefit of residents and visitors alike.  Discussion about % levels or half
a % level just ads complexity.  Figure out how much you want, make it
worthwhile, set a time line and review it.  Straight out of the Ashland
playbook.  This link shows that it did not hurt their restaurants, like the
48 other states in the country that have a tax on prepared food & beverage,
the citizens and visitors to Ashland have not made alternative choices
because of this shared contribution.



Ashland historical revenues from F&B tax - Ashland / Annual (opengov.com)
<https://ashlandor.opengov.com/data/#/16928/accountType=revenues&embed=n&breakdown=types&currentYearAmount=cumulative&currentYearPeriod=years&graph=bar&legendSort=coa&proration=true&saved_view=47367&selection=AAE27EE45FEAD0658ACFE4DEA371BD02&projections=null&projectionType=null&highlighting=null&highlightingVariance=null&year=2021&selectedDataSetIndex=null&fiscal_start=earliest&fiscal_end=latest>



The hotel owners pitched a fit when the initial TLT was enacted, then again
when it was raised by the city (twice), raised by the state (twice) and
raised by the county once.  Now 70%+ of the city runs on what is collected
from overnight visitors.  The restaurants are going to complain, so do it
once at 5%. It is not that they don’t understand, it is they don’t want to
deal with it or are not listening.  In business speak tell restaurants that
the city can either impose the F&B tax and you collect the funds from
thousands of customers and the City no the restaurant is the bad guy.  Or
the City can raise the property tax and in order to pay your mortgage or
rent you will need to increase the price of your menu items and shoulder
the increased expense of being in business.  It is not a difficult concept.



Here is another way to think about it.  If a $500K home under the estimated
property tax increase would generate $600 then that home owner would need
to eat $12,000.00 of prepared food/beverages (no alcohol) to match the $600
generated by the property tax increase.  That is a lot of dining out for
the average local, especially sense there are no $500K homes in Cannon
Beach.  A retired couple on a fixed income with a $1M valued home would
need spend $2k per month dining out to match the property tax increase.
The  F&B tax distributes the burden.



Except for paid parking, this is the ONLY way to generate revenue from
daily and pass through visitors.   Ask folks who complain or oppose this to
provide an alternative, you won’t hear much, other than do nothing and you
won’t get a new City Hall or Police station by doing that.



The beach and our local setting are beautiful and people are going to come
here as long as that is the case.  The fall colors in Vermont are beautiful
and even with their state wide 9% food & beverage tax people still go to
see the fall colors (Vermont, like Oregon has no state sales tax).  This is
a no risk option, people will still come to the beach and by proximity they
will come to Cannon Beach.  People who HATE any taxation and government
involvement will complain but they won’t offer a valid solution that shares
the distribution of funding city infrastructure and services.



Please, take action.  In regards to the city hall and police station.
Location should not be the first step, how you fund whatever you do should
be.  If you had $1 Billion dollars you could build whatever you want, where
ever you wanted.  Putting your funding source first allows you to budget,
then you can decide location, size and quality of finishes.  Put the
funding source in motion, then figure out the details, as long as you state
what it is for and don’t let it get lost in the general fund you are doing
a service to the citizens.



Regards,



Greg Swedenborg


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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 14Apr2021 8am
Participants: GeorgeV, HannahO, ErikO, KathyK, KyleG, JeneePM, JimP, KenP,
MaryBethC, GregS
Number attending: 10
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court

HannahO: Did the City inquire about the Sunset Empire Transportation
Trolley?

KathyK: Yes, that conversation has been started.

HannahO: Looks like we’re in round 4 of Spring Break!

KyleG: The Bald Eagles have been crazy down at Haystack Rock

HannahO: There was a Peregrine Falcon feeding on something on the east side
of the rock this morning

GeorgeV: Letter from Mike, manager at the Wayfarer Restaurant:  I do get
and enjoy reading the updates from the Wednesday Morning Meetings.  From a
restaurant perspective we are all struggling in town as the workforce is so
low.  Last I saw 56% of American restaurants are understaffed.  It is even
worse here in CB.  Even at 50 % capacity we are struggling.  All it takes
is one person to call in sick and it tumbles backwards from there.
Yesterday is a fine example for the Wayfarer. One person out and customer
waits grow longer, room service is hampered and so on.  More and more
people that live in Seaside, about 85 % of our workforce, have found a
secure job in Seaside or keep two jobs there as then they don’t have to
hassle driving to CB.  Of course every hotel., motel, BnB, Vrbo and so on
in CB are sold out.  But if guests want to go eat in our few restaurants
they will have to wait.  Everyone wants to come to CB but nobody wants to
work here.  If we were open at 100% capacity this summer would be an
implosion of every food service in our town.  I work six days a week and
most of my staff do too.  I am going on my 3rd Executive Chef in the last
19 months as they want out of the pressures of Food&Beverage in CB.  These
are just my two cents worth as I read the updates about more and more
people coming to town.  It is already starting to look like the summer
“amateur hour” at the beach along with litter, parking where you should not
and just constant verbal abuse of our staff and other restaurant staff in
town.  Maybe the hotels should slow down.  Thank you for listening.
Sincerely, Mike.


KyleG: Across the board, hotels are having trouble finding help.  CB and
Seaside are having lots of trouble.

GeorgeV: When I did retail, that was a huge problem.  There’s little
incentive for folks to get jobs and stick with it.

KathyK: I agree, it’s an easy decision to sit on the beach rather than
working.  We are discussing offering bus passes to new employees to aid
travel from place to place.

GeorgeV: Some kind of housing development, maybe at the junction would
help.  Affordable housing in Cannon Beach is not feasible.  It’s going to
take a concerted effort from government and industry to make it happen.

JimP: Having a limited amount of homes with little room to grow is going to
hinder the future of CB.  The cost of living and no schools changes the
look of CB for potential home owners.

JeneePM: Charis Kids is closing at the Conference Center, which will impact
the Academy.

GeorgeV: In order for CB to get those folks who are living in Seaside and
have decided to stay there, CB needs to find a way to pay those people for
the added effort or tax the tourists to help house them.

KyleG: In previous years we’ve used J1’s to help get employees from around
the world to come and work for the summers.

KathyK: What happened to the housing for those J1’s?

HannahO: Some of the places rented houses, some were housed at Haystack
Gardens, etc.

GeorgeV: They pulled the J&J vaccines.

MaryBethC: The county hasn’t had many of the J&J vaccine.  The county was
planning to do an outreach to the homeless population using J&J so they
wouldn’t have to make a follow-up.

JimP: The county contact came to the breakfast meeting and talked about
it.  They have plenty of vaccines to distribute, they are having an issue
getting people to sign-up and get on the list.  We need younger folks
vaccinated.  As of now, anyone over 18 can get their vaccine in Clatsop
County.  Younger than 18 need the Pfizer vaccine.  Just need to sign-up and
get in.

KyleG: I don’t know why people are waiting.

ErikO: I have a friend that thinks it changes your DNA.  A lot of mistrust
of the free government vaccine.

KathyK: Anyone can get to the vaccine by the sunset transportation
district.  Shuttles will take you from the bus stop to vaccine sites.  Many
places around the country are doing similar things.

KenP: If people are afraid to get out and go to work, that hurts the
economy.

KyleG: It isn’t the hotel guests that are causing the overstress of the
restaurants, it’s the daytrippers.

KenP: When people are talking about eating when they call the Chamber, they
aren’t interested in carry-out, they want to eat in.

HannahO: I wonder if that comes down hotel guests vs day trippers.

GregS: Anyone talk about Food&Beverage tax?  The Fire Department funded a
study to see what the taxable base is for a food and beverage tax.  The
study came back with $43 million/yr would be taxable.  96% is paid by
non-residents.  5% tax would come to $2.1 million.  The numbers were based
on payroll costs and available information about each restaurant.

ErikO: This group that does the study is very accurate and are more
conservative compared to what the actual is.

GregS: The city council meeting discussed whether they are going to
continue the city hall/police station discussion.

JimP: I recommend watching last night’s video from the city council
meeting.  They talked about going out for a tax for residents to pay for
the city hall/police station.  5.5% additional property tax to pay for it.
https://www.ci.cannon-beach.or.us/citycouncil/page/city-council-work-session-53


ErikO: I think tying the city hall/police department to the F&B tax for the
fire department will fail.

GregS: Ashland keeps renewing the F&B tax because it is so successful.  If
you are getting $2 million a year, you can get a lot done.  To me, it is
the 96% that isn’t contributing needs to help.

HannahO: I think we need to phrase it as the hotels get it, it isn’t your
money, it’s the customers.  The hotels are constantly being told that.

KenP: The restaurants need to hear that it is easy.

GeorgeV: I would resist this, if I was a restauranteur, but I realize that
there are a lot of city needs and not many places to find money.

JeneePM: There is a SOLVE beach clean-up this Saturday from 10am-1pm.

GeorgeV: There is a shred event this Friday.

HannahO: How’s registration for Fat Tire?

JimP: We’re at 31 participants, maxing it out at 75.

HannahO: Anyone know about Spring Unveiling?

KenP: One person that really needs a big Thank You is Jenee.

GeorgeV: This Saturday is the cache site opening.

JeneePM: I encourage everyone to write a letter to the Conference Center to
reconsider the Charis Kids Preschool closure. This program has been such an
asset to the working parents of young children. The Cannon Beach Academy
also benefits from having this service available to parents of their
students. [
https://www.dailyastorian.com/coronavirus/cannon-beach-preschool-to-close/article_ec8b35a4-989b-11eb-97fd-ffe0aa46a29b.html
]

Marc Hagman, Director Cannon Beach Conference Center
Letters can go to PO Box 398
marchagman at cbcc.net

Board Members
Steve Hanamura, Chair
Cathy Dexter, Vice Chair
Stan Campbell, Secretary
Zachary Hamilton, Treasurer
Ian Bingham
Jeremiah Hansen
Joel Nordberg
Lisa Reiff
Allyson Tedrow

Jim Whitman, Advisor

KathyK: I know the Conference Center has agreements tied into the city with
things like keeping the gym open for community members.  A reason they were
given support for gym construction is that it would be available for use by
community members.  Was Charis Kids ever a part of that?

GeorgeV: Not sure, maybe it was some type of permitting or zoning
allowances?

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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 07Apr2021 8am
Participants: GeorgeV, JimP, JeneePM, KathyK, TravisH, GregS, JeanieMc,
DebA,
Number attending: 8
Notes by Deb Atiyeh and George Vetter

JimP: 5 Proclamations at the City Council Meeting last night.
Earth Day
Arbor Day
Tufted Puffin Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month


JimP: Also discussed at last night's Council Meeting:
Farmers Market to start in June and the fees will be reduced to entice more
vendors to participate.
Someone was appointed to the Public Works Committee last evening
City hired a financial advisor for the School Financial Planning (DA
Davidson)
Moving the Moon family towing business to their property off Hwy 101, no
decision made on the appeal.

BarbKnop via GeorgeV: 12 Days of Earth Day 2021 is scheduled for April
11-22, 2021.  Due to COVID and the safety of our community the events will
be primarily virtual. Information on the events will be posted on the
city's Facebook page.  One event that will be held is the CB Shreds event.
That event is scheduled on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 10 am to 2 pm in the
midtown parking lot.  The event will be conducted following all safety
protocols to keep our community safe.  There is no limit to how much you
bring to
shred and donations are highly recommended and accepted.  Be prepared
to wear a mask and stay in your car until it is safe to unload your
shred material.

GregS: supports the move to get  the tow trucks and wrecked vehicles out of
the downtown area and supports the 3rd generation Moon family and a cottage
industry for them to work out of their home sites building a garage on
their home sites joining the properties.  Access to the property was
brought up and safety issues discussed as Travis remembers the issues being
a state Hwy Odot issue and financial complications of who pays for it.
Taking a left from a dead stop into the property off of Hwy 101 is a
potential dangerous issue with visibility as an issue as remembered by
Travis.

JeneePM: April 17 from 10am - 1pm is Beach clean up day.
https://www.solveoregon.org
The Northwest Authors Series at the Cannon Beach Library will feature a
presentation via Facebook LIVE by bestselling mystery author J. A. Jance,
Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m. Those interested in joining Jance’s program
from the library’s Facebook page should go to
https://www.facebook.com/cannonbeachlibrary/ and scroll to “posts.” Or,
join the program directly from the library website at
www.cannonbeachlibrary.org and click the banner at the top of the page.

KathyK: discussed transportation to the vaccinations sites for all who need
it at no charge. Check out ridethebus.org.  With an appointment there is
door to door transportation to the vaccinations sights provided.  Help for
the community to get vaccinated.

Elk danger discussed and Travis suggested a photo or video of a gory elk
person attack to get people's attention on how dangerous they could be to
get people's attention. Signs are not working and tourists ignore all other
communications. DebA, It is just a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
DebA suggests a public/media/FB  education plan on Litter, Fireworks and
Elk before summer.

JeanieMc headed to Texas. Have a great trip and be safe Jeanie!!!

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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 31Mar2021 8am
Participants: GeorgeV, KyleG, JimP, AnnC, JeneePM, ErikO, HannahB, KathyK,
MargaretT, TravisH, JasonS, GregS, JeanieM, KathleenS
Number attending: 14
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court

KyleG: I got my shot yesterday at the old Seaside High School.  It was very
well organized.

KyleG: Hannah, Erik how has the hotel been looking?

HannahO: Insane, we had no vacancies for the past week.  Lots of people are
trolling for parking.

KyleG: I did the Ecola Park to Indian Beach trail this weekend, it was
really muddy, but nice.

HannahO: The A-frame house near the fire station has been on the market for
the past few days, can’t believe it hasn’t sold yet.

GeorgeV: There is a lot of pressure on the housing and building industry.
Materials and contractors are way backed up.

GregS: The TAC has a meeting soon, we’ll be talking about how to allocate
the lodging funds for 2021.  Funds typically go to events like Savor, Fat
Tire Bike Fest, etc.  Do we hold onto the funds and build a reserve?  Do we
put them towards events that may or may not happen?

GeorgeV: It seems like town has been busy and we don’t need to bring people
into town.

GregS: Town has been busy with a 110% capacity, there are certain
parameters for how those funds need to be spent.

KathyK: Can the funding be used for wayfinding tools like where are the
bathrooms, beach, etc.?

GregS: The Oregon ordinance says it is to bring people from over 50 miles
away to stay the night.  It is for tourist facilities and marketing to
bring others to town.  The city spent ~$15,000 to update the band stand,
which will help bring folks to CB.

HannahO: The wayfinding won’t bring anyone here, but it will be useful as a
tourist facility once they are here.

GregS: It's a gray area and up to debate.  And it depends how the law is
read and interpreted.

KathyK: If I were to think about marketing a restaurant or lodging,
updating the bathrooms would seem as taking away.  But folks asking for
people to use the bathrooms is taking away and a huge usage for
restaurants.

MargaretT: It’s definitely a huge deal that the North Coast Tourism Team is
talking about.

ErikO: I would prefer to see visitor management things, rather than visitor
attractions.

HannahO: I’ve seen the trash cans overflowing, I don’t know if that is a
budgeting or scheduling issue.

GregS: The quality of the experience is the term I hear folks using.  User
experience.

KathyK: The unpaid marketing that is done by visitors could be trash or
full bathrooms, or it could be a beautiful beach.

JimP: We returned the funds from events that didn’t happen.  And we would
not want to lose events and that people forget those events did happen.

HannahO: What about using some of those funds to do a survey of
visitation?  Why do visitors come, what do they do when they are here, how
do they spend their money.

GregS: Last year the TAC funds were distributed to a lot of the small
businesses.

GeorgeV: Using the funds to put utilities underground would improve the
quality of town.  I think using some funds for counting and gathering data
about who is in town.  Real, solid numbers about the number of people in
town and when.

GregS: The new owner of the Village Center is trying to create a city
center atmosphere.  Like busking station, etc. to bring people in. The Kite
Shop sold, I heard it was going to be a noodle shop.

GeorgeV: Likely they wouldn’t change their footprint, it would make them
subject to the new requirements.

JeanieM: Over at Bronze Coast there was someone playing the saxophone,
people starting dancing, it was quite a thing.  Next Monday, the American
Legion is starting Burgers and Jam again.

KathleenS: I can ask about bringing the Coastal Happenings coming back to
the Cannon Beach Gazette.  The paper comes out on Fridays.

JasonS: It has been really quiet.  A few DUI arrests over Spring Break.
April and May are usually pretty quiet, the calm before the storm. The
cache site and red cross trailer was broken into.  We’ve made an arrest
related to those break-ins.

KathyK: How is the community liaison position going?

JasonS: We have an upcoming meeting to talk about it.

MargaretT: We had our kick-off event for bird monitoring season, it was
filmed and will be on our Youtube page.  If you have a question or want to
participate, email me at capefalconMR at gmail.com.

https://tinyurl.com/CapeFalconVideos

KyleG: There’s a SOLVE clean-up on April 17 for Earth Day.

KathyK: During COVID the bus between the Amtrak and CB/Seaside had reduced
routes.  It is back to regular schedule now.  You can now take the bus from
the Amtrak to Clatsop County.  The Sunset Empire bus continues on from
there.

HannahO: Is the trolley going to run?

KathyK: It’s up to the city to get it started.

JeanieM: Is soccer going to happen in the city park?

JasonS: They are working to see if they have enough people to participate.

KathleenS: Have most people had their second vaccine?

HannahO: They are having several vaccination events each week.  It seems
like they are opening it up to everyone, not requiring eligibility.

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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 24Mar2021 8am
Participants: KenP, MaryBethC, GeorgeV, DebA, HannahO, ErikO, KyleG, DebA,
RickH, KathyK, JeneePM, JeanieM
Number attending: 9
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court

KathyK: How did the final mask hand-out go last week?

RickH: It went really well.  It was the last hand-out due to lack of
supplies.  They were purchased by the state and doled out by the counties.
The CERT team handed out 13,000 to residents since we have been giving them
out.  We are out of supplies and the county isn’t resupplying.

KathyK: The transportation district had been giving them out for a year and
now we feel that folks should already know and have their own.

MaryBethC: We were selling masks at cost because we wanted to make sure
that people had them.  It is not a time to profit on a public health issue.

KathyK: Hopefully the chamber can get the word out about it that you have
them at cost.

RickH: We will be going up into the moderate risk factor category at the
next change, our numbers increased above that threshold over the last 2
weeks, spring break and school going back in session have both contributed
to this.  I am surprised that the risk factors are something that the state
is still paying attention to.

KathyK: We are still promoting safe distances, hand washing, face masks
because we don’t want to put others at risk.

MaryBethC: I think the reason we are going to moderate risk is that we are
seeing spring breakers.

HannahO: We are not seeing visitors come to our business treating us with
respect when it comes to mask wearing.  We have had visitors come into the
hotel saying they are vaccinated and do not need to wear the masks.

RickH: It is the governor’s decision when we wear masks and how that
mandate is going forward.  I try to stay ahead of it and keep up on it so I
can help others navigate those challenges.

MaryBethC: Anyone who wants to get a vaccine and doesn’t qualify, you can
get your vaccine if you volunteer for the county.

KyleG: Once you get your first vaccine, do you sign up for the second one
at that time?

MaryBethC: No, they send you an automatic email system that helps handle
that.  I have been helping make phone calls to those that don’t have
computers.

JeanieM: Does the school curriculum teach respect of diversity?  Because I
am concerned about the recent hate crimes that have occurred.

MaryBethC: Those are included in the curriculum.  But it really does depend
on where you live and your school district.

JeanieM: I was talking to a young student who mentioned that the curriculum
needs to include more information about how Latin countries have
contributed to the US.

JeneePM: The Cannon Beach Academy needs volunteers to help with routine
cleaning of the school.

MaryBethC: It is a public school, it’s the elementary school for Cannon
Beach.

HannahO: I think it is in Japan that the children clean the schools and
they don’t even have janitors.  It teaches children responsibility and
respect for property.

JeneePM: I help clean up the bathrooms.  It’s fun when there are others to
share the tasks - and it doesn’t take a whole lot of time.

MaryBethC: I have asked why the kids aren’t helping to clean and have been
told it is a liability, if a child gets hurt doing the work of a janitor,
the school is liable.

HannahO: The Friends of Haystack Rock have a SOLVE beach clean-up this
Saturday from 10-12 at Haystack Rock.

JeneePM: There is another SOLVE clean-up on April 17.

MaryBethC: Wayfinding Wednesday is April 7th at 5:30pm, it is when you
should walk to your assembly point.

GeorgeV: Has anyone else seen that there will be a housing development and
wave lagoon called Cannon Beach in Mesa, AZ.

DebA: The City of Cannon Beach is trying to collect everyone’s emails so
they can get information about events, updates etc.

RickH: We are sending out monthly emails, it is a community bulletin.  Sign
up to this email on the city website - www.cannon-beach.or.us

KyleG: Email Subscriptions for the City of Cannon Beach:
https://www.ci.cannon-beach.or.us/newsletter/subscriptions

JeanieM: I like having the Coast Happenings in the Cannon Beach Gazette, I
wish that would return.

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MEETING NOTES

Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 17Mar2021 8am
Participants: HannahO, ErikO, GeorgeV, KathyK, BuddieA, TravisH, MargaretT,
JeneePM, JeanieM
Number attending: 9
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court


GeorgeV: I see we are still in the low risk category for COVID.

MargaretT: Did you see that change the number of visitors?

ErikO: In the hotel business, we haven’t seen much change.  The weather is
the biggest factor.

KathyK: The restaurants will see a bigger change since they can have more
dine in.

ErikO: Due to distance, the difference between 25%-50% isn’t much different
for small restaurants with few tables.

MargaretT: We are trying to figure out if we should have in-person events,
like guided hikes.  I am thinking about what is safe and people are
comfortable with.

HannahO: There are a lot of in-person events happening now, so I wouldn’t
be concerned about outdoor events.

GeorgeV: People have the option to attend, so it is on them.

KathyK: When larger numbers of people are vaccinated, then it will be
easier to roll out these sorts of events.

JeneePM: There are a lot of volunteers helping with COVID vaccines.

JeneePM: There’s a beach clean-up April 17, sign up for it.
https://www.solveoregon.org/spring-oregon-beach-cleanup. Red Cross talks
are happening on Tuesday evenings from 6-7pm.  If you have time, join next
Tuesday.  Yesterday was about earthquakes and the Shake App.  Wednesday
afternoons every month has the emergency assembly site walk.

GeorgeV: I think the most important thing is knowing your route to the site.

JeanieM: How’s the food pantry?

JeneePM: We served 31 families this last week.

GeorgeV: Some of you may have noticed that I don’t have links to my old WMM
notes.  I have no place to put those as I sold my website that was hosting
them.  If anyone has a place to host them, please let me know.
george at georgevetter.com

JeanieM: A guest asked how much it is to go from one end of CB to the other.

KathyK: It is $1.  School-aged children are free.

JeneePM: Masks will be given out tomorrow from 2-4pm.  It is the last time
masks will be distributed as supplies have been depleted.

KathyK: The transit centers sell masks for $1.

JeanieM: Do you know if everyone over 70 has gotten their shots?

JeneePM: If they need transportation, we will help arrange for that.

KathyK: Sunset Empire Transit is able to help with that too, they need to
make appointments and prove they have an appointment.  It is point-to-point
transport.

BuddieA: Chamber update: Fat Bike Festival April 30-May 2, tickets for
sale.  June 5 will kick-off the Virtual Sand Castle Festival.  We are
planning the culinary festival for March 2022. www.cannonbeach.org.

ErikO: Anyone hear anything about the July 4th parade?

BuddieA: I’m not sure, due to crowds.  The Legion isn’t able to manage it
anymore and they were looking for someone else to host it.  The Fire
Department was considering taking it on.

GeorgeV: People are so familiar with it and it has so much momentum, it’ll
probably will happen regardless.

BuddieA: The permitting and costs were too much for the Legion to handle.

JeanieM: The Legion is back to hamburgers on Mondays, 6-8pm.  No music yet.

MargaretT: There are several different bird volunteer opportunities coming
up soon.  Including Black Oystercatcher, Pelagic Cormorants, Brown Pelican,
and Snowy Plover monitoring.  www.tinyurl.com/CFBirds2021
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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 10Mar2021 8am
Participants: HannahO, ErikO, JeneePM, JimP, DebA, KathyK, MicheleF, KyleG,
CindyB, MargaretT, MaryBethC, GregS, TravisH, JeanieM, KenP, GeorgeV, GregS
Number attending: 17
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court

JeneePM: 300 came through for vaccines at Seaside High School yesterday.
They have 1000 registered at the fairgrounds

KyleG: Great sunsets lately

HannahO: We’ve been busy the last few days with last minute reservations.

JeneePM: If you’ve completed the survey, they will contact you when it is
your turn.  You can check Safeway, Costco, RiteAid for appointments.

MaryBethC: The county has the phones manned Monday -> Friday, 9 to 5.  Call
anytime to check-up in stuff.  But they do close for lunchtime.

JeneePM: Please don’t show up at the site if you don’t have an
appointment.  They already have a waitlist of folks if they have extra
vaccines.

MaryBethC: The county has 25 appointments for every 15 minutes.  So it is
cutting it close and they need to move people through.

KathyK: If anyone needs the vaccine, but lacks transportation, Sunset
Empire is providing free transportation for those that have an
appointment.  SETD’s free transportation will be provided to any of the
Clatsop County Vaccination Clinic’s, local Health Care Providers, or
pharmacies. Scheduling is required at least 24 hours in advance and all
vehicles are ADA accessible. To schedule transportation please call
503-861-7433 Option #2. For more information visit the SETD website at
https://www.nworegontransit.org or contact Jennifer Geisler at
jennifer at ridethebus.org or 503-861-5385.

MaryBethC: Town has gotten so busy, we are opening Dragonfire Gallery on
Wednesdays now.

KenP: US News & World Report has Cannon Beach on the top 50 beaches.

KathyK: There’s another mask giveaway March 18 2-4 at Cannon Beach City
Hall.  KN95 masks

JimP: Lot of administrative and planning ahead for next year.  Fat Bike
April 30-May 2, registration will open before the end of the week.  Fun
events on Klootchy Creek, riding bikes on the beach, etc. Will be running
this COVID safe.  Sandcastle is going to be virtual, music on Friday night
organized by Paul Deuber, virtual fun run.  Starting to work on culinary
fest which will be next spring.

JeanieM: Will they be doing the Farmer’s Market?

JimP: The city has been talking about it, they are possibly thinking about
starting in July.

JeanieM: It would be fun to do a karaoke event again.

MargaretT: I work for the Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve.  We are
working to get our connections with the business community.  CFMR is off of
Oswald West SP, it’s an area where no fishing is allowed or other take in
these state waters.  For the business community, we want you to know that
the marine reserve protects our natural and wild areas.  We do have
resources for businesses, social media posts, etc.  We are having an
informational session coming up for bird monitoring.

Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve:
https://www.nehalemtrust.org/capefalconmr/

March 30th volunteer info event:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bird-monitoring-get-outside-and-get-involved-registration-140403423419

Cape Falcon Marine Reserve marketing materials for businesses (more
materials coming in ~1-2 months):
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1ErrelEMxWINWgCQtyFmMDSfimCXcaQmu

CindyB: Does anyone know if there has been an update about the parking on
the street for restaurant use?

JimP: Last I heard is that they are dealing with it on a case-by-case
basis.  Jeff at the city would probably be the best to answer that.

KathyK: Last I heard they were discussing the aesthetics of some sort of
separation.  Maybe write an open letter to council.

JimP: They gave the staff the ability to make the decision.

CindyB: Who did they give the authority to?

JimP: The first person to start with would be City Manager Bruce St Denis

CindyB: I keep emailing Jeff, but he has just said that it is in the works,
but who actually is making the decision.  In front of our restaurant, we
have a lot of people that want to come in quickly.  We are trying to work
on our take-out and instead of barriers or tables, it would be good to
limit the spots in front of us to 15-minute parking.  Parking is important
for us, but for them to say having outdoor seating is a priority, it
doesn’t help our take-out growth.

JimP: I know you need those quick spots.  I think dedicating a few spots to
limited parking might be a good idea.

MaryBethC: It’s not unprecedented, there is short term parking downtown.

CindyB: We are running orders out to cars.  But we have a lot of people
that stop in the middle of the street on Spruce, stopping traffic, calling
to say that their order is done.

MaryBethC: You might start a petition and get signatures.

CindyB: The fire department doesn’t seem real happy about the tables in the
street.  It would be easier to allow for people to pull-in and park for a
moment.

JeanieM: Are we still in the low Covid-19 category?

MaryBethC: Yes. Clatsop County is in low.

KyleG: It’s 50% capacity.

CindyB: Even though restaurants are at 50% capacity, it doesn’t change our
ability to put folks into seats.  We used to be able to seat 50 people
inside, but now we are at 10-12 people due to social distancing
requirements.  They aren’t going to necessarily want to come in and stand
in line, due to concerns of customers.  We can’t just drop the ball with
safety.  Customer perceptions and behavior has changed, regardless of
government standards.  Folks still have concerns with being too close to
one another.  We have made an alleyway that is separated by a huge piece of
glass from the dining room. There is one way in and a different way to
pick-up orders.

DebA: Did anyone see about a tourist posting to I *heart* Cannon Beach that
someone tried to sell them heroin?

TravisH: I walk the beach several times a day and haven’t experienced any
thing like that, just drunk people every once in a while.

HannahO: If you follow the Clatsop County Scanner group, you’ll see a lot
of posts like that.  I think some folks make things up.

KyleG: The next thing our front-line folks will face is those who don’t
want to wear masks because they are vaccinated.

DebA: I think lots of people will continue to wear masks.

MaryBethC: SOLVE has a beach clean-up in April.

HannahO: Friends of Haystack Rock has a library lecture tonight at 7pm on
Marine Mammal Entanglement and a SOLVE clean-up on March 27.

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Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 03Mar2021 8am
Participants: GeorgeV, JimP, JeneePM, JeanieMc, MaryBethC, CindyB, TravisH,
MeyerF, GregS, KyleG, KathyK
Number attending: 11
Notes by George Vetter
JeanieMc: Last night's City Council Meeting went over two hours. One of the
items was the Moon brothers' request to move their towing and repair
business from downtown to property they have on the east side of 101. The
business would have to operate as a home business/cottage industry there.
They were sent back to the Planning Commission for further review.

MeyerF: The Clatsop SBDC (Small Business Development Center) is excited to
announce a new Small Business Digital Marketing Series, with several online
workshops and guest speakers over the next several months.  All of the
workshops will be *free* of charge and everyone can register on our website
- https://tinyurl.com/exs8s4nj - which I will put up in the chat.
We’ve had a lot of requests for social media training so we’re going to
kick things off with a webinar on “Social Media Strategies for Success”
March 18.  It will be led by a small business consultant and best-selling
author from Portland, Melissa Barker, who will share her 8-step process for
developing a powerful social media strategy, picking the right platforms,
and analyzing results.
We’ve also partnered with Grow with Google, which is Google’s certified
training arm for small business education, to provide strategies for how to
use Google to engage with customers and drive more business.
There are three Grow with Google webinars – the first one is: Make Your
Website Work for You, on March 16; the second one is: Get Your Local
Business on Google Search and Maps, on March 24; and the third one is:
Learn the Basics of Google Ads, on April 1. See flyer here
<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?zx=3lt6ls2d12z9#category/updates/FMfcgxwLsmdtgqTLCLPdBgtxdfJWDLbW?compose=CllgCJlFDFRlvJSWbrzdCTQwqRsSdrCzHXHtsrcrmhfShsLpWXZppKblhVZvVQdWPDPzzWgPsGB>
.


JeanieMc: Did you see that my home state of Texas has opened up and is not
requiring masks. I'm going there for a visit. I'll be taking my mask.

KyleG/CindyB: Restaurants are now able to allow 50% capacity. People are
coming in to fill those tables.

GregS: I was driving past the downtown city park the other day with my 10
yr old son who said "There a stupid person feeding that elk". Indeed an elk
was eating a carrot out of someone's hand.

JimP: The City has increased the Short Term Rental business license fee
from $75 to $500.

GeorgeV: Has anyone heard how the City will pay for the improvements at the
newly acquired school property?

JimP: Last talk I heard was lodging tax funds received from the county.

JeneePM: March is Red Cross month. At last night's Council meeting, a city
proclamation was read recognizing the work and value of the Red Cross.*Every
Tuesday evening in March, from 6pm-7pm, we will be hosting a series of “Be
Red Cross Ready” presentations focused on emergency preparedness.*  All
presentations are free, virtual, and open to all.  I would like to
personally invite you to attend a presentation (as many as you’d like
really!).  Also, feel free to share this information with family and
friends as they are welcome to learn more about preparedness too!  We are a
community that springs into action during an emergency.  And while we teach
community members and children to be prepared, it’s important to make sure
we are prepared as well.

The schedule and links to join are listed below.  You simply need to click
on the link and enter the password when prompted to join the virtual
meeting at the scheduled time.

*March 9th: Wildfire Safety - 6pm-7pm*Link to join: CLICK HERE
<https://redcross1.webex.com/redcross1/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee4e772cf3fe3bd887c8d9e6173fb90e4>
Password: Prepare1

*March 16th: Earthquake Safety - 6pm-7pm*Link to join: CLICK HERE
<https://redcross1.webex.com/redcross1/onstage/g.php?MTID=e5284ae779db6f5faf5e4c9a0357db8ae>
Password: Prepare1

*March 23rd: Flooding Safety - 6pm-7pm*Link to join: CLICK HERE
<https://redcross1.webex.com/redcross1/onstage/g.php?MTID=edaa0274a96a68835a58c0454129c6d9d>
Password: Prepare1

*March 30th: Home Fire Safety - 6pm-7pm*Link to join: CLICK HERE
<https://redcross1.webex.com/redcross1/onstage/g.php?MTID=e79b6bad36866ead162b4cbea1a32e530>
Password: Prepare1

JeneePM: SOLVE Semi Annual Beach Clean Up - April 17, 2021.Sign up at
https://www.solveoregon.org/opportunity/a0C1I00000QFAo4UAH


MaryBethC: Cannon Beach CERT has a mask distribution scheduled for March 18


MaryBethC: There are two vaccination clinics per week in Seaside and two in
Astoria. Only a small percentage of Clatsop County residents have been
vaccinated due to lack of availability of the vaccine and staff.
https://www.co.clatsop.or.us


MarcR via GeorgeV: Zoom meeting: Topic: Supplemental Funding of Fire
Department from Lodging tax. Thursday, 3/4/2021 3:00PM - Please join
meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/260465829


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MEETING NOTES

Wednesday Morning Zoom Meeting 24 Feb 2021. 8am
Participants: HannahO, ErikO, DebA, GeorgeV, JimP, MarcR, JeneePM, RickH,
JeanieMc, MaryBethC, CindyB, TravisH, KevinL, JasonS
Number attending: 14
Notes by Hannah of Sea Breeze Court


GeorgeV: The city has a Zoom meeting today for COVID planning changes.
It’s at 9:30am today to discuss zoning changes due to COVID.  Like
extension of additional outdoor seating permitting. Join Zoom Meeting:

Meeting URL:
https://zoom.us/j/99261084699?pwd=TkpjbGcxS0pCOGlMOCtSbSsxVWFMZz09

JeneePM: Vaccination cancelled over the next few days, because we hadn’t
received them due to bad weather.

RickH: We are going down to Covid-19 low risk level, the majority of the
state is declining their risk factor level.  50% capacity for indoor
recreation, dining, etc.  There is a lot less testing going on, which
results in less cases.  There is conflict between the numbers from the
state and Clatsop County.  Schools will start opening and athletics.  We’ll
be at the library today with vaccine surveys.  If you aren’t invited to the
date sign-up, then you aren’t qualified yet and you won’t be able to see
the scheduler.  Unfortunately, they have cancelled several vaccination
scheduled times, which should give them time to re-organize and catch-up.
They are looking for volunteers from the CERT team to help with flagging.

KevinL: They are looking to expand county-wide the sign-ups that Cannon
Beach has done.

JeanieM: How many people do you have on the CERT team?

MaryBethC: A total of 60. We have about 10-20 people show up to things.
They are mostly retired, not usually medically-trained people.
Medically-trained folks generally go to the MRC.  For MRC, you do need to
have a medical license that expired in the past 10 years or be current.
CERT does not require any pre-requisites other than training.

HannahO: If we developed a list of all the volunteer-opportunity orgs,
would the chamber be willing to host it?

JimP: Yes, we would.

GeorgeV: We have sold Village Centre in Cannon Beach, the new owner is
Salomon Sibony who owns Freedom.  He has been a tenant at the Village
Centre for the past 6-7 years.  They took over ownership on Friday.  He
also owns stores and property in Seaside.

KevinL: I wanted to share that effective today, there is a new program for
small businesses related to the PPP.  Businesses that have under 20
employees there is a 14 day period that small businesses can apply for a
PPP.  sbdc at clatsopcc.edu.  There are some advantages for areas that are
low-income communities, however Cannon Beach does not qualify.  The SBDC is
doing a lot of webinars and workshops regarding recovery, but we are
starting to do regular workshops again.  March 18 will be a Social Media
workshop on Zoom.  Our ClatsopWorks launches March 1, several orgs
throughout Cannon Beach are participating.  These are paid internships paid
by each individual employer.  Last year we had 120 applicants and ended up
with 18 interns in 12 employers.  We prefer 40 hours/week positions, but do
offer 20 hours/week.  Each Wednesday, the student participates in a 2 hour
workshop.  This program only has a minimum age of 16, no maximum age.
Employer gets to choose an intern.  This is our 4th year doing this.

GeorgeV: Dr. Ben Cockcroft died in a snowboarding accident.  There will be
a drive-by processional at the Cove in Seaside today from 5-6pm.  Tune into
to KSWB to hear his favorite music and thoughts from his family and
friends. Memorial messages can be left at
https://www.forevermissed.com/ben-david-cockcroft/about

JeanieM: Does anyone know about the CAHOOTS program and if it will be
implemented?

MaryBethC: Clatsop county is considering using a similar model with teams
in the north and south county to help with mental health crises, addiction,
etc. to help alleviate police pressure.

JasonS: It’s good to have this countywide system because some of these
individuals move from community to community.  There’s no catch-all
solutions, but it’ll help.  You’ll fight a lot of these homeless folks that
refuse help and want to stay on their path.

MaryBethC: They are talking about getting funding for a county program.  A
lot of these calls are for those who are having a serious crisis.  The idea
is to have the county and cities have more resources for the crisis teams.

CindyB: It has been a decent winter at Ecola Seafoods.  We have 2 tables
inside and then have a lot of to-go or outside dining.  Not sure how the
other businesses have been doing.

KevinL: Lodging has been very healthy in Seaside and Cannon Beach, not so
in Astoria.

MarcR: Our calls really haven’t dropped off.  We had record numbers of
calls from out-of-town visitors.  In 2020, 77% of our calls were
out-of-town.  Between September/October, 82% are out-of-town.

MaryBethC: Do you find the causes to be different?

MarcR: More trail rescue, ocean rescue.  Medical.  Rescues increased over
previous years. The lifeguards come on in the summer, but we’ve been doing
surf rescues before and after they started.

JeneePM: Red Cross Blood Drive - Monday, March 1st - 5 appointments left as
of today. Sing up: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time

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George Vetter
503-739-1415
GeorgeVetterPhotography <https://gvfa.smugmug.com>
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