A Note of Reflection and Thanks...
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It's true - so far Spring 2020 hasn't been the season of renewal and vitality we were expecting. While many of us were looking forward to socializing among the warmer air and budding flowers, the arrival of COVID-19 instead finds us often indoors, home from work and school, reaching out online for connections with others and news of the latest developments.
But as we deal with these interruptions to the rhythms of daily life, this is a time to especially remember our fellow community members who may be suffering from medical, financial, or other difficulties during this challenging period. As our Mayor Stan Pulliam said earlier this month, “I have been truly humbled by our community’s response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic currently facing us. Whether it be our wonderful city employees, the Oregon Trail School District, our service organizations, local small businesses, or our fellow neighbors – everyone has stepped up to the plate to lift our community during this trying time.”
The City is compiling and continually updating lists of useful information and resources to help everyone navigate this unprecedented situation. Please take a moment to explore the following webpages:
THANK YOU
to everyone pitching in to keep Sandy safe and healthy
. Stay strong - we will get through this together!
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City Facility Closures to Flatten the Curve
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The City of Sandy is taking the COVID-19 public health emergency seriously, and we, like everyone else, are trying to do our part to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.
It's easy to stay up to date on the latest recommendations and guidance from the
Oregon Health Authority
and the
Centers for Disease Control
. According to public health experts,
social distancing is one of the most effective methods of protecting our community
from the virus.
The GIF below shows how staying at home, especially in the early stages of the outbreak, can save lives:
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To promote social distancing in accordance with the emergency orders and guidelines issued by the Governor's Office, the City has taken a number of protective measures:
The Sandy Community Center / Senior Center
is closed to the public (along with all programs, activities, and rentals)
.
Meals on Wheels will continue to operate during the closure.
The Sandy Public Library and Hoodland Public Library
are closed to the public. All Sandy and Hoodland Public Library public events and gatherings have been cancelled or postponed.
Look for limited curbside service at Sandy Library to begin sometime in the month of April.
All City parks and Oregon Trail School District campuses, fields, and playgrounds
are closed until further notice
.
Sandy trails and the Community Garden remain open
(garden users - please bring your own tools and watering can, and everyone should remember to follow the
CDC's guidelines
to protect yourself and others).
Sandy Area Metro (SAM)
is operating free of charge during this emergency. Service to Gresham has been reduced to once per hour on weekdays. SAM is also partnering with Sandy's Helping Hands to help deliver groceries to individuals unable to go shopping. All buses are fully cleaned and disinfected at the end of each shift.
The Police Department business office
is closed to the public (including fingerprinting services)
.
911 emergency calls and patrol services will continue as normal, but non-emergency calls will be handled by phone whenever possible.
City Council and Planning Commission meetings
will be held virtually via the Zoom video conferencing platform until further notice
.
Multiple options are still available for the public to view and participate in these public meetings
.
Visit the City’s
Electronic Meeting Information Page
for more details.
We appreciate that these temporary changes will have an impact on daily life for many, and we thank you for your understanding as we work to keep our community healthy and safe. For all the latest information on the City's coronavirus response, make sure to check the
COVID-19 Information Page
.
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Sandy has an opportunity to
win funds to construct an all-access playground at Tupper Park
, and we can all help make it happen! The 2020 Moda Assist program, sponsored by Moda Health and the Portland Trail Blazers, features a contest between Sandy, St. Helens and Astoria. Whichever city receives the most votes by April 2 will win a substantial contribution from Moda (at least $20,000)!
Everyone can vote
daily
on the
Moda Assist website
. We're within striking distance of taking the lead - let's show St. Helens and Astoria what we've got and bring those dollars home to our community!
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Electric Vehicle Coming to the Senior Center
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A grant-funded electric vehicle
is coming to the Sandy Senior Center! Sandy has been selected as a key partner in the SAGE Seniors for Electric Vehicles (EVs) Project, funded by PGE. SAGE is a nonprofit organization that promotes civic service and community engagement in Northern Oregon.
SAGE recently received a three-year grant to lease an electric vehicle and to install a charging station for the City of Sandy Senior Center, as well as another facility that serves seniors in Portland. In addition to the vehicle and charging station, SAGE will offer an EV 101 workshop and a ride-and-drive event for community members to try out different vehicles, and SAGE will support a car share program to serve seniors in our region.
The City is excited to partner with SAGE to support the use of electric vehicles while also
breaking down barriers to transportation so seniors can stay connected and engaged
in community. This project has been made possible by
DEQ’s Oregon Clean Fuels Program
via the
PGE Drive Change Fund
.
Learn more about all the great work being done by
SAGE!
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Your Public Safety Fee Dollars at Work
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The City is
hiring two new police officers using proceeds from the Public Safety Fee
that was approved by the City Council last year! The newest members of our Police Department will be sworn-in at the Council meeting on April 6.
Sandy Police is committed to protecting the lives of our citizens and ensuring a safe community. The addition of these new officers is coming at an ideal time as the department helps lead the response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Help us welcome the newest members of our City team, and
learn more
about everything the Police Department is doing for our community.
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Learn About Proposed Developments in Sandy
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We know that many residents have questions and input to share about proposed developments in Sandy. Did you know the City maintains a comprehensive information page with all active land use applications, including application status and important dates?
Take a look at the full activity map from February below
. Note: the map is saved on Dropbox due to the file size. It is not necessary to create a Dropbox account to view the map.
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Land use matters understandably generate a high degree of public interest, and the City wants to hear your voice! Though we always mail notices of upcoming proceedings to nearby property owners as required, please know that anyone is welcome to attend and participate in public hearings at the Planning Commission and City Council level. Even during COVID-19, we invite you to take part online or over the phone. Take a look at our
upcoming meeting schedule
and come share your input!
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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.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City Council is conducting meetings virtually via the Zoom video conference platform. Learn more about the variety of ways you can still participate by visiting our
electronic meeting information page
.
Click the image below
to access Sandy's public meeting calendar and learn more about everything your city government is doing to serve you better!
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