Sandy Transit Recycles... A bus! |
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Sandy received a new bus this week -- but it's not just any bus. It is our own 2008 Gillig, completely rebuilt!
This bus served Sandy well as #14 in our fleet until it surpassed its useful life in 2020 and was slated for replacement.
Sandy Transit has been looking toward a future that includes alternative fuel buses (possibly electric and/or propane), but the funding and infrastructure necessary for this transition are not yet in place. On the other hand, making a long-term investment in an expensive diesel bus did not seem like the right fit for our future fleet. So, we found a third option: we recycled!
We hired Complete Coach Works (CCW), a business that specializes in remanufacturing, modification, and retrofitting for the transit industry. CCW towed our 2008 Gillig bus to their factory and completely rebuilt it. New engine, new transmission, upgrades from an oil cooled system to air cooled, and new usb ports in the interior. At $100,000 in savings, it comes with the same warranties and life span expectancy as a new vehicle.
We also listened to our biking community and added an upgraded bike rack that can accommodate the newer fat tire bicycles. Within approximately 12 months - half of the time it takes to build a new diesel bus - our bus is back!
So, when you see #34 out on the road, you'll know that beautiful bus was once #14 and is back for round 2, new and improved!
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Sandy Resumes Innovative Water Reuse Program
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Did you know that the City of Sandy has been on the leading edge of sustainable water reuse for over 25 years?
It’s true! Since the 1990s all of Sandy’s treated wastewater has been used for agricultural irrigation during the dry months of May through October. It’s the longest running water recycling program in the Pacific Northwest.
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Most wastewater treatment plants across the country collect wastewater from homes, clean and disinfect it, then discharge the treated water to a nearby stream. Sandy follows the same steps during the wet months when irrigation isn’t possible; clean water discharges to Tickle Creek.
However, during the summer months, Sandy recycles 100% of its clean water – nearly 1 million gallons a day – and pipes it to a local container nursery for irrigation. By reusing clean water, the nursery secures a reliable stream of local water and avoids having to draw water from the declining groundwater aquifer.
This is a win-win solution. The City sends water to a local partner for a lower cost than other options.
As the City moves forward with the Sandy Clean Waters project, this long-standing, successful recycled water partnership will remain in place. In the coming weeks as the weather gets warmer, the City will once again shift into implementing this innovative clean water recycling program, which will continue through this October.
Learn more about Sandy Clean Waters on our website.
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Start Your Emergency Prep with Water |
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Are you ready to prepare for emergencies but don’t know where to start?
Start with water!
The general rule is to include one gallon of water per person per day in your emergency kit. You may need to include more water in your kit if your household includes people with special needs or if you have pets.
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Special Considerations
Pets
Be sure to include your pets when planning for your family’s emergency water needs. Check with your vet to find out how much water to store for your animal’s drinking and sanitation needs. If officials ever declare your home’s water unsafe to drink, then it’s also unsafe for your pets. Read more about how to plan with your pets in mind.
Pregnant Women & Newborn Children
You will likely need additional water for drinking, formula, and sanitation needs. Learn more about infant feeding in an emergency and be sure to practice emergency feeding and basic aid for breastfeeding before an emergency.
People with Access or Functional Needs
It is especially important that water be stored in a known, accessible place for people with disabilities such as limited mobility, sight, ability to communicate, or hearing. Water should be stored in smaller containers that can be easily lifted and carried or in larger containers that have a spigot so that the water can be dispensed in-place. Emergency plans should include a reliable support network and accountability. Read more about emergency planning for people with disabilities in the Ready.gov Guide for Individuals with Disabilities (PDF) and get additional resources for accessible preparedness from the Earthquake Country Alliance.
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Winter Average Billing Period Begins in May |
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Did you know that sewer bills are calculated differently during warmer months, when many of us use more water? Starting with May utility bills, the City will switch back to the 'winter average' billing method, which is designed to save you money!
What is Winter Average?
Because the City doesn't directly meter your sewer usage, we calculate your sewer consumption based on your water consumption. During the winter this is straightforward, but because many of us use extra water during the summer for purposes that have nothing to do with the sewer (watering plants for example), the City uses a ‘winter average’ to calculate sewer bills during warmer months.
How Does Winter Average Work?
- Between November 15th and May 15th, on the sewer portion of your utility bill, you will see a base charge of $23.70 plus a consumption charge of $6.08 per hundred cubic feet of water usage. (For a typical household that uses 600 cubic feet of water in a month, this works out to $23.70 + $36.48 = $60.18).
- During the summer months of May 15th to November 15th, you’ll be billed the $23.70 base charge, plus whatever your average consumption charge was during the winter months of November 15th to May 15th.
Learn More
Information on the winter average, and much more about utility billing, is available on our website. We also have an "Understand Your Utility Bill" page that breaks down and explains everything you see on your statement. And as always, we're available at City Hall to answer your questions at (503) 668-7449.
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What's the Buzz in Sandy? |
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In celebration of our one year anniversary as a Bee City USA affiliate, we're welcoming OSU Master Gardener™ Kris LaMar back to the library for two special workshops on the importance of pollinators!
Pollinators Part 1: Who are they and why should we care?
Imagine strolling through the produce department and seeing no fruit... This talk will identify the valuable "workers" who make so much food possible: pollinators!
Date: Thursday, May 5
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Hybrid meeting
Pollinators Part 2: Which pollinators surround us, and what can we do to help them?
Although we may not be able to make the world totally safe for pollinators, we can help them in our gardens. This talk will address what each of us can to enhance our environments for pollinators, from plants to pesticides.
Date: Thursday, May 19
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Hybrid meeting
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Registration for our summer co-ed softball league is now open!
Cost: $1,475 per team
Location: All games at Sandy High School
Days: Monday–Thursday games
Times: 5:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Have questions? Contact Carol at (503) 489-2151
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2021 City Audit Now Available |
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Have you ever wanted more details on how tax dollars are spent on city services? Good news - we have detailed audit information publicly available on our website!
The City of Sandy's annual audit, for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2021, was completed last month. The City has received the Certification of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for our Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for 30 years, and we expect to receive this award again for our most recent ACFR.
Additionally, the City publishes a Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), which is designed to provide the City's financial information in a condensed, readily accessible, and easily understandable format. The City has received the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the last two years, and we anticipate receiving this award again for our most recent PAFR.
Check out all of our audited financial information here!
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Current Land Use Applications |
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Here's the latest in our comprehensive database of active land use applications, complete with links to public meetings, documents, plans, maps, explanatory videos, staff reports, and other materials! You'll also find links to opportunities to take part in the decision-making process by submitting your own testimony.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
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Be a part of the process! Members of the public are always welcome at meetings of the City Council and other boards and commissions.
Get meeting details and learn more about the variety of ways you can participate by visiting our online meeting portal.
Mark your Calendars:
- City Council: May 2nd
- Urban Renewal Board: May 2nd
- Parks and Trails Advisory Board: May 5th
- Community Advisory Committee: May 11th
- City Council: May 16th
- Planning Commission: May 23rd
Click the image below to access Sandy's full public meeting calendar with date and time details, and learn more about everything your city government is doing to serve you!
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