City of Happy Valley
12915 SE King RoadPortland, Oregon 97236-6298(503) 760-3325(503) 760-9397 FAX
CITY HALL NEWS
A publication of the City of Happy Valley
October 1996
CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
The following items were addressed at the Council meetings in September:
City Council held a work-session with the Mt. Scott and Damascus Water Districts to discuss the possibility of a regional Water Authority. Economic and Engineering Services have been retained to conduct a feasibility study and present their findings to the Boundary Commission. Public Hearings have already begun to provide an opportunity for public input on the issues before the proposal is sent to the Boundary Commission. The scheduled target date for the presentation to the Boundary Commission is January.
A certificate of Partial Completion for Carron Estates 1 was approved. (see #4 on map)
A proposed amendment to the Land Development Ordinance No. 97 concerning tree cutting was continued indefinitely per Planning Commission request.
A resolution was passed authorizing the annexation of two properties to the Clackamas County Service District #1 to allow for future sewer access.Coming up in October:
Ordinances regarding Right-of-Way permits and Planning Review fees.
JUST A REMINDER
Exercise your right to vote on November 5, 1996. We have three candidates running for two seats on the City Council.
They are: Randy Nicolay, Gary Kultala, Mike Schauffler
PLANNING COMMISSION
September 9, 1996
PUBLIC HEARINGSprint Communications Tower
An application was heard to construct a communications tower on the site of the Fire Station. This application was approved. (see #1 on map).
October 14, 1996
PUBLIC HEARINGFile No: LDO-O1-96
A proposed amendment to the Land Development Ordinance for tree cutting will be considered. This proposal was continued from a previous meeting.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
The developments of Red Rose Valley (#3 on map) and Parkside Estates (#2 on map) have begun grading and construction of roads. These were approved in 1995.
REGIONAL ISSUES
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PLAN
The City of Happy Valley, in conjunction with other jurisdictions in the area, will be devising a Transportation System Plan over the next 8 months.
The final draft will include transportation planning for vehicle, transit, bike, and pedestrian traffic within the City of Happy Valley and the surrounding vicinity.
The process will include representatives from the City, the transportation planning consulting firm of DKS Associates, a Citizen’s Advisory Committee, a Technical Advisory Committee, and a series of public meetings open to anyone interested in the project.
The first of these public meetings is being scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 1996, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. The format for the meeting will be a combination of information concerning the work plan and an opportunity for public input.
If you would like to be involved in planning for the future transportation needs of this area, we encourage you to attend.
TRI-MET TO REDUCE SERVICE IN THE SUNNYSIDE AREA
Last spring the Tri-Met Board adopted service adjustments which included a reduction in service in the Sunnyside area. Either of the following two options would help provide more cost effective bus service in the Sunnyside area. Changes will be made March 3, 1997. Tri-Met would like your opinion on which one of these options should be selected.
Option 1
- Peak hour buses on line 151 – Sunnyside Loop would run every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes.
- One minibus would be taken from line 150 Sunnyside Shuttle, which provides all day demand responsive service. This could mean that you would not get a ride on the shuttle at your preferred time.
Option 2
- Peak hour buses on line 151 – Sunnyside Loop would run every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes.
- End Line 71 – 60th-122nd Ave. at the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center. Customers traveling to Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center would have to transfer to the Sunnyside shuttle at the transit center. Weekday buses to Kaiser would run every 30 minutes rather than every 15 minutes. Evening and weekend service would not change.
Please call 238-5806 before October 31 to leave your comments. If you would like a return call, leave your name and phone number.
IT WILL SOON BE PROPERTY TAX TIME!!
In addition to fallen leaves and pumpkins, fall brings to City residents their annual property tax bill. The City has experienced tremendous growth in assessed value over the past 5 years (245%). The property taxes do not reflect that growth because current law restricts increases to no more than 6% per year. The citizens of Happy Valley approved a $100,000 tax base back in 1980. With allowed percentage increases, the tax base has grown to S156,945, which is then allocated to property in the City based on the assessed value. Below is a brief history of the City’s levy and assessed value.
| Year | Taxes Levied | Assessed Value | Nominal Tax Rate per $1,000 |
| 1991-1992 | $125,944 | $93,423,600 | $1.3481 |
| 1992-1993 | $132,844 | $118,830,180 | $1.1178 |
| 1993-1994 | $140,846 | $144,382,020 | $0.9748 |
| 1994-1995 | $148,599 | $191,292,560 | $0.7730 |
| 1995-1996 | $156,858 | $229,017,160 | $0.6490 |
Expected property tax collections represent 23.3% of the City’s 1996-97 budget revenue, with the balance generated through building/development permits, licenses, utility franchises, and population based share of some state taxes.
If you have any questions concerning the above information, please contact the City Recorder at City Hall, 760-3325.
TREE CUTTING
An amendment to the Land Development Ordinance concerning the removal of trees will be heard in public hearing before the Planning Commission on October 14th. One of the main components of the proposed amendments is a separation of the permitting process into two types., Type A and Type B permits. The significance of this distinction is to separate smaller 1-3 tree removal permits from larger removal projects such as those related to developments. Other changes will be with regard to emergency permits, stream corridor protection, and tree size. All those interested are encouraged to attend the meeting at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
HAPPY VALLEY PARK NEWS
A considerable amount of work has been going on in the parks around the City. The new jogging path is now complete. The soccer fields were hydroseeded last week and should be ready for play next fall. The City Hall landscaping was completed last week and plans are in process for the November 2nd tree planting in celebration of “Happy Valley Arbor Day”.
Recently, however, we have been experiencing increased vandalism at the park. Park benches have been damaged along with the gate between the park and the school. If you have any information that may lead to the persons responsible, please contact City Hall, 760-3325.
The Enhanced Law Enforcement District has allowed the Sheriff more opportunity to patrol the park and school grounds which has curbed a lot of less desirable activities.
The City encourages all residents to report any suspicious activity around the park, school, or other parts of the City to City Hall or the Clackamas County Sheriffs office.
ATTENTION: PLEASE SLOW DOWN AROUND THESCHOOL. THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS 20 MPH. FOR THE SAFETY OF THE KIDS PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY.
HOUSEHOLD FIRE SAFETY
We have been enjoying a beautiful Indian summer. With the weather so unseasonably warm, it is hard to believe that winter is just around the corner. As the cold weather waits in the wings, we thought this a good time for some reminders concerning fire safety.
- Before firing up your woodstove or fireplace, check the chimney for creosote buildup. Have the chimney cleaned at least once a year.
- Never leave ashes from the woodstove or fireplace near the house. Dispose of them immediately.
- Check the battery on all smoke detectors in your home.
- Review escape plans with all family members.
- Keep all flammable materials away from space heaters.
We hope these reminders will help reduce the number of fires which are associated with the cold weather.
NEW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR JOINS THE STAFF
The City of Happy Valley would like to welcome Ken Lanter to its staff. Ken has been hired as the new Public Works Director. In this position, he will be responsible for City owned roadways and overseeing the construction of public improvements within the city.
Ken comes to us from the private sector with many years experience in public construction. We know he will be a welcome addition to our community.