Weekly Update - September 26, 2008

Update from the City Manager - The City recently completed a telephone survey of the community regarding transit. The summary and presentation of the findings are available at http://westlinnoregon.gov. The survey was undertaken as part of the development of the City’s new Transportation System Plan and at the request of the Transportation Advisory Board. The consultant worked with members of the TAB on the development of the questions, with staff adding two questions: “Resident Perception of Priorities” (pg. 5) and “Increased Density Support” (pg. 20). These two questions were intended to solicit the community’s opinions regarding priorities – both financial and land use. It was staff’s plan to have the new TSP to the Council for adoption in October. However, TAB’s request for this survey delayed the project by approximately 60 days. An initial discussion about the TSP is scheduled for the Council and the Planning Commission on October 6. We expect to have the final document to the Council for adoption by early December.

This week the mayor sent a letter to the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) designating the Planning Commission as the City’s Committee for Citizen Involvement in accordance with Statewide Land Use Planning Goal 1.

Public Works
The Water Master Plan Open House was held at the West Linn Public Library this week. The open house provided residents the opportunity to review the final draft plan and to understand how this utility will serve the community. The update process is informed and guided by public input. Documents relating to the Water Master Plan, including the Draft Update can be found on the City’s website at: http://westlinnoregon.gov.

Next on the schedule is the Transportation System Plan Open House. This open house will be held at the West Linn Public Library on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and will provide the same opportunities for residents to review the final draft plan and provide input.

Please note that the street maintenance slurry seal schedule is delayed by two days due to bad weather. Please review the full schedule and listing of streets at: http://westlinnoregon.gov.

Library
The library serves as the City’s cultural center and is a vibrant and vital part of life in West Linn. Throughout the month of October, the library will be celebrating the many varied cultural offerings we offer the community free of charge. We’re kicking things off with a Chinese Garden virtual tour on Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 p.m. The education director of the Portland Classical Chinese Garden will be presenting a slide show and talking about the symbols and stories that are integral to the garden. A pair of garden admission tickets will be given away after the slide show! For a full list of “Cultural Month” events, visit the www.westlinnoregon.gov/library

The annual “Call for Artists” also takes place during October. We are accepting applications for exhibits in 2009. Featuring monthly exhibits, the library Community Room serves as a public art gallery. Visit us to view the best work in the widest possible range of media and styles on display throughout the year. Artist applications and exhibit details can be found on the library website. Applications must be received by October 25, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

The library is offering more computer classes during the month of October. Excel Basics will be offered Saturday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. and again on Thursday, October 30, 6:30 p.m. You will learn how to work with Excel worksheets and workbooks, identify rows and columns, enter data into cells and ranges, create simple mathematical formulas, and use some of Excel’s built-in functions.

First Friday’s are back! This free event for teens kicks off on Friday, October 3, 6:30 p.m. with a screening of the movie The Golden Compass. This is an after-hours event so please enter and exit through the downstairs doors. Get ready for Terrific Tuesdays too! Terrific Tuesdays start up again on October 7, 6:30 p.m. with Bob Eaton a magician with some Halloween surprises.

The Environmental Issues Study Group will be meeting on Wednesday, October 1, at 6:45 p.m. to discuss Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins.