City Council Awards Road Construction Contract:
Connection of 362nd Avenue and Bell Street
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During its meeting on May 16th, the City Council awarded a contract to Konnell Construction to execute a long-standing goal of the City: a road connection between 362nd Avenue and Bell Street.
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Out of the four responses to the City's request for proposals, Konnell Construction had the winning construction bid at $9,346,477.
Sandy is a growing community with increasing transportation infrastructure needs. For many years, the Sandy City Council has recognized the importance of extending Bell Street west from its existing end near Sandy High School, to intersect with an extension of 362nd Avenue north of Highway 26. This project is an official Council Goal, and is a key element of the Sandy's Transportation System Plan.
WHY CONNECT BELL ST AND 362ND AVE?
Connecting 362nd and Bell will provide multiple benefits for our community, including:
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Relieving a chronic traffic bottleneck: We need additional ways for vehicles to navigate the northwest quadrant of our city, particularly to provide relief to the often-congested Bluff Road / Highway 26 intersection.
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Economic development: Extensive economic development opportunities will be created by connecting 362nd Avenue and Bell Street. The immediate area is zoned C2 (General Commercial) and R2 (Medium Density Residential), and the quick access to a major state highway and transit infrastructure will facilitate new retail / commercial development on long-vacant land that will stimulate the local economy and create new local jobs.
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Providing access to schools: This new road connection will provide an additional route to access Cedar Ridge Middle School and Sandy High School, particularly for those coming from Boring and the west end of Sandy. The high school is currently located at the end of a dead-end street; a major safety concern in the event that emergency vehicles need to access the school.
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Promoting resiliency: Highway 26 is an essential transportation corridor in our area, and a critical route for emergency vehicles. Connecting 362nd and Bell will allow first responders to avoid the busy highway and will also create a more efficient evacuation route for residents in case of disasters.
PROJECT FUNDING
Funding sources include system development changes, and funds from a recent full faith and credit bond issue, which will be repaid with revenue from Clackamas County’s Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) and the additional statewide $.06/gallon motor vehicle fuel tax adopted by the Legislature in 2017.
The City is also actively pursuing the possibility of direct project appropriations from the State and Federal governments.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Construction will get underway soon. Click here to learn more and sign up for email updates on the latest developments in this exciting project!
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Thursday June 23rd from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cascadia Park! |
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Head to Cascadia Park for an evening of fun with your neighbors! Streets will be closed, so feel free to walk, bike, or roll your way along the route, and enjoy FREE hot dogs, ice cream, prizes, and more!
Click here for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!
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We Want to Hear From You! |
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If you haven't heard, Sandy has a one-stop platform for community input called Sandy Speaks! Log on today and share your thoughts about the future of our town, on topics like our transportation system, development issues, utility infrastructure planning, and of course our Comprehensive Plan update project Envision Sandy 2050!
Envision Sandy 2050
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Thanks to everyone who has filled out the Envision Sandy 2050 survey so far! As we plan for the next 25 years, we want your input on the things that Sandy special that you would like to see preserved / enhanced, and your ideas on how our town could be improved in the future.
We know it takes everyone's input to make a plan that will stand the test of time, and we were thrilled that students from Sandy High School were able to participate in this process earlier this month (see below).
We'll have lots more opportunities to get involved in this process continues. Look for our for the Envision Sandy 2050 public input booth at community events this summer including Mountain Festival, Longest Day Parkway, and Farmers Markets. We'll also be hosting multiple open house events later in the year so you can learn more and make your voice heard.
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Investing in Sandy's Infrastructure |
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Plentiful and pristine drinking water, renowned parks and trails, a sewer system that treats wastewater effectively and protects the environment, and community-owned fiber internet with blazing fast speeds at an affordable price.
There's a lot to love about living in Sandy. But these amenities didn't happen by accident - they're the result of wise infrastructure investments made by Sandy residents over the decades. And like any other investments, they need to be looked after and maintained.
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As time has gone by and Sandy has continued to grow, our utility systems have begun to age and in some cases are reaching their capacity limits. Now it's our turn to do our part to strengthen and modernize our infrastructure, to ensure that future generations of Sandy residents can enjoy the same quality of life we've come to appreciate.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
Some of the key objectives for this goal include:
- Development of a strategy to meet our future drinking water supply needs, and adoption of an updated Water Master Plan
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Continuation of wastewater system improvements, including rehabilitation of the collection infrastructure, improvements to the existing treatment plant, and expansion of system capacity
- Growth of SandyNet to make it self-sufficient for the long-term
- Construction of a road extension connecting Bell Street and 362nd Avenue
HOW WILL THESE INVESTMENTS BE PAID FOR?
Development Paying Its Fair Share. When new homes or businesses are constructed, developers pay "system development charges" to contribute toward the cost of upgrading utilities to account for the increased demand generated by the new construction. The City Council will be considering increases to these charges next month, to help keep pace with the increased costs of upgrading our systems.
Updated Utility Rates. To ensure the long-term health of our utilities, it's also necessary for rates to keep up with operations costs over time. Next month, the City Council will consider whether to approve increases to water, wastewater, stormwater, and SandyNet fees.
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HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
We want to hear your input! The City Council will be considering the proposed changes to system development charges and utility rates at two upcoming meetings:
Both meetings can be attended either in-person or virtually - more information is available at the links above.
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Save Water (and money) this Summer! |
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The weather will soon be getting warmer, and many of us will head outside to tend to our lawns, grow our gardens, and wash our cars - all activities that increase our water usage.
But there's good news! There are lots of great tips to help us use less water, conserving a vital resource while reducing our utility bills every month!
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Adjust your sprinklers so that they’re watering your lawn and garden, and not the street or sidewalk.
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Water early in the morning (before 10:00 a.m.) or later in the evening (after 6:00 p.m.) when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimized.
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Set it, but don’t forget it! Whether you have a manual or automatic system, be sure to adjust your watering schedules throughout the irrigation season.
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Water established lawns about 1 inch per week (a bit more during hot, dry weather). Find out how much to water this week with the Weekly Watering Number.
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Inspect your overall irrigation system for leaks, broken lines or blockage in the lines. A well-maintained system will save you money, water, and time.
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Consider replacing some turf area with low water use plants and ornamental grasses. They are easier to maintain than turf, look beautiful, and require far less water.
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Group plants with like watering needs. Creating “watering zones” in your garden will allow you to give each plant the water it requires — not too much or too little.
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Add a shut-off nozzle to your garden hose and save about 5-7 gallons each minute your hose is on.
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Adjust your mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.
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Apply the amount of water your soil can absorb. Water thoroughly, but infrequently. If run off or puddling occurs, break longer watering sessions into several short sessions allowing water to soak into the soil between each session.
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City of Sandy 2022 Election |
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Interested in running for City office? All the information you need to know is available right here.
On November 8, 2022, City of Sandy voters will determine who will fill the Mayor’s position, as well as City Councilor positions 1, 2, and 5. The Mayor’s term length is two years and the Councilors’ term length is four years. All terms will begin on January 1, 2023.
To be nominated to fill one of these offices, a candidate must circulate an approved petition and at least 20 actively registered voters from the City of Sandy must sign the petition. Once a sufficient number of signatures are verified, the candidate’s name will be officially included on the November 8, 2022 General Election ballot.
To be eligible to serve in these offices, according to the City Charter, candidates must have resided within Sandy’s city limits during the 12 months immediately preceding the election, and must be qualified electors. A qualified elector is any person 18 years of age or older who is registered to vote.
If you have additional questions on the election process, please contact the City Recorder at recorder@ci.sandy.or.us, by phone at (503) 489-0938, or in-person at City Hall at 39250 Pioneer Blvd.
Thank you for your interest in serving your community!
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Host a Block Party In Your Neighborhood! |
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Summer is coming fast - time for a block party!
Did you know that residents can request the closure of any local, residential City street for a block party, neighborhood watch, National Night Out or other similar, non-commercial event, just by filling our our Block Party Permit application?
If your permit is approved, City staff will provide barricades and street closure signs on the day of your event. It's a great opportunity to get outside with your neighbors, have some food and games, and let the kids play without worrying about traffic.
As part of your application, we'll ask you to submit a list with as many of your neighbors as possible who agree with your request. It is not necessary to get everyone’s signature, but you should get enough to demonstrate that you have made a good faith effort to notify your neighbors in the proposed street closure area.
We'll typically require a few conditions with your permit, such as leaving a 12-foot clear zone open in the street for emergency vehicles; removal of all tables, chairs, etc. by the end of the event; and a prohibition on blocking access to driveways without the property owner’s consent.
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Mosquito Season is Coming |
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Mosquito season is quickly approaching! With the wet spring we've had, now is the time to prepare for mosquito control. Keeping your property dry by filling in low-lying areas where puddles and mud have formed, and overturning or removing objects that collected water, is essential to help control mosquitoes.
Clackamas County Vector Control District (CCVCD) wants to help you enjoy all your outdoor activities without the annoyance of mosquitoes and flies! CCVCD is responsible for the control of mosquitoes and flies within the County, and they have a program that specializes in eliminating existing mosquito and fly breeding sources. They provide free inspections, environmentally friendly treatments, mosquito fish, and educational presentations to teach you how to protect you and your family from mosquitoes and flies.
Please give them a call at (503) 655-8394 or visit FightTheBites.com to request services, watch educational videos, and stay current on our vector news and updates.
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Current Land Use Applications |
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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: June 6th
- Parks and Trails Advisory Board: June 8th
- City Council: June 21st (Tuesday)
- Planning Commission: June 27th
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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