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Clatsop County is seeking public comment on its amended Property Management Policy. The deadline to receive comments is May 5, 2024.

The purpose of the Property Management program is to:

• Maintain a complete and accurate inventory of County-owned real property, including tax foreclosures
• Return surplus properties to the property tax rolls by sale or auction to private parties/entities in a fair and equitable manner
• Retain or transfer suitable properties to public agencies or qualified non-profits per Oregon statute

The policy guides the categorization of County-owned real property for future use, managing those properties, and selling, leasing, trading or transferring to other public, non-profit or private entities.

• Comments can be submitted at the ClatsopCounty.gov website
• Emailed to countyadmins@clatsopcounty.gov
• Mailed or hand-delivered to Clatsop County; 800 Exchange, Suite 400, Astoria, OR 98577.

The next meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 17. 

The TAC discussion will focus on policies and partnerships that the County will need to remain stable as the Habitat Conservation Plan and other outside regulatory changes impact the County. 

This is a virtual-only meeting.

Today the Northeast experienced an earthquake. Earlier this week, Taiwan was struck by a strong earthquake and a tsunami warning was issued for Taiwan.

In Clatsop County, some residents had concerns that our coast could be impacted by a distant tsunami from the Tsunami earthquake. That was not the case and our Emergency Management staff monitored the situation closely that night.

We encourage you to take a few minutes now and visit Clatsop County’s Tsunami web page. It is better for you and your loved ones to have this information before a tsunami occurs.

If you live, work, visit the coast or drive 101 to get to Portland or other places, you need to know where assembly areas are. 

Find that information at ClatsopCounty.gov. Consider taking time this weekend to drive or walk to assembly areas near you.

For any tsunami or earthquake that could impact us, we will keep you informed via ClatsopAlerts!, social media, ClatsopCounty.gov and in partnership with local media.

Escape the Vape Campaign Receives Many Video Entries

In February, Clatsop County Public Health Department launched Escape the Vape, a youth vaping prevention video contest with cash prizes for youth and their school. 

Clatsop County middle and high school-age youth were invited to create and submit a 30-second public service announcement video to educate their peers on the dangers of e-cigarette use, also known as vaping. 

“We are excited with the number and quality of responses we received. Their creativity was powerful and through memes, rap songs and graphics, youth showed the dangers of e-cigarettes. Of the 27 submissions, 18 were from a group effort and 9 were individual entries,” said Carolina Guerrero-Lara, health promotion specialist. 

Each video submission now will be reviewed by a team of youth and adult judges and finalists will be selected from the middle school and high school divisions. 

Finalist videos will be posted on the Escape the Vape website on Wednesday, April 17, with online voting to determine the final rankings. Voting will be open to the public at Escape the Vape from April 17 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

A survey is being conducted to gather feedback from childcare providers by staff from the Department of Land Conservation and Development. The survey closes Sunday, April 14, 2024.

The goal is to help the Child Care Facility Barriers work group identify and address obstacles in zoning, building codes, and permits for starting or expanding childcare facilities.

This survey is for individuals who have experience in establishing or expanding childcare businesses in Oregon, including those who were not successful in navigating the permitting path. 

If you are a childcare provider and have participated or attempted to participate in zoning and permitting processes for various types of childcare facilities, your input is important to understanding and addressing existing barriers.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is inviting public comment through 5 p.m. May 17, on planned projects, timber sales and other management activities in state-owned forests in fiscal year 2025.

Oregonians can weigh in on draft Annual Operations Plans (AOPs) for state forests in Astoria, Forest Grove, Klamath Falls, North Cascade, Tillamook, West Oregon, and Western Lane Districts. These plans lay out on-the-ground activities expected to take place in the coming fiscal year.  

• Online comments can be submitted received through ODF’s comments page 
• Comments can be entered at: www.oregon.gov/odf/recreation/pages/comment.aspx or emailed to: odf.sfcomments@odf.oregon.gov  
• Comments can also be mailed to ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 

Read more.

Clatsop County Voices: Martha Johnson

Clatsop County is collecting your stories for our Clatsop County Voices campaign. 

Recently we heard from Martha Johnson who shared her memories from attending Clatsop Community College in the mid-1970s. 

She also talked about how much she enjoys living in Clatsop County.

Listen to Martha’s story and more.

Share your story four ways:

1. Call 503-325-7870 and record your story
2. Record a conversation with a family member and upload the audio file
3. Email communications@clatsopcounty.gov to request an interview
4. Write up your story and send it to: Clatsop County; 800 Exchange St., Suite 410; Astoria, OR 97103 or communications@clatsopcounty.gov

Stories will be posted through June 30 at the Clatsop County Voices webpage. After that the County will donate them to the Clatsop County Historical Society.

For more information, visit ClatsopCounty.gov.

Septic Issues? Let This Program Help

Clatsop County homeowners who need to repair or replace septic systems that are damaged, non-working or have failed are encouraged to look into a new program.

Financial assistance to help with the costs can be provided to individuals and homeowners. Depending upon eligibility they could receive a:



• Grant which does not have to be paid back
• No-interest, no payment loan, with a 30-year term or due when the title changes  

This program will serve up to 105 participants, both homes and small businesses. To be eligible, household income must be at 120% of area median income or less, and the septic system must be on private property in Columbia, Clatsop or Tillamook counties.

Application Form

Public Invited to Comment on Updates to Estuarine Resources, Coastal Shorelands, and Beaches and Dunes Goals

For the first time in more than 40 years, Clatsop County Development will update plans regarding estuarine resources, coastal shorelands, and beaches and dunes.

The public is invited to attend a presentation and provide comment from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Judge Guy Boyington Building in Astoria. Light refreshments will be served. Two additional public meetings will be scheduled in the future. Visit ClatsopCounty.gov for more updates.

Clatsop County is updating three portions of the Comprehensive Plan: Estuarine Resources (Goal 16), Coastal Shorelands (Goal 17), and Beaches and Dunes (Goal 18). 

Read More.

Applications Invited for Two Planning Commission Vacancies

Clatsop County is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving on the Clatsop County Planning Commission. 

“Planning commission members play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of our communities and property values,” said Gail Henrikson, community development director. “We strive to see that all geographical areas of the county are represented to the greatest extent possible.”

Committee application forms are available at ClatsopCounty.gov or at the County Manager’s office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410 in Astoria.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2024.

Read more.

Clatsop County Fair is accepting vendor applications for the 2024 Clatsop County Fair. The vendor application must be completed online. The deadline is Monday, July 1, 2024 or until capacity is reached.

Read more.

Clatsop County Sheriff Alerts Public About Scam

Clatsop County Sheriff Matt Phillips is urging the public to be aware of attempts to financially scam Clatsop County residents.

A recent effort involved callers stating that a warrant would be issued for a person’s arrest unless they paid immediately. 

It is common for scam callers to say they are with law enforcement or the Internal Revenue Service and ask for banking information or for the individual to send payment by gift cards or wire transfers.



The Clatsop County Sheriff’s office has put together tips on how to avoid being scammed are available at the Clatsop County Sheriff scam alert web page.

Crews will be:

• Performing road repairs on Sunset Beach Lane
• Brush chopping on Lewis and Clark Road
• Performing ditch maintenance on Logan Road and Youngs River Road
• Replacing culverts on Kampy Lane as well as Wadsworth Road at MP 1.11 and MP 1.87
• Grading Lower Nehalem Road
• Performing shoulder work on Hillcrest Loop, MP 1.5 - 2.5. Minor delays can be expected
• Applying herbicide Countywide, weather permitting

Traffic Impacts – County Roads | Week of April 8

 Road Closure — Youngs River Road at MP 6:

• Thursday, April 11, 7am – 5pm, Youngs River Road will be closed to all traffic at MP 6 for a culvert replacement.

NOTICE:

• Due to recent vandalism and theft of private logging operations alongside Pipeline Road, Lewis and Clark Timber will close the Pipeline Road gate from 12 p.m. Friday afternoons to 7:00 a.m. Monday mornings for the rest of the month of April. While vehicle traffic will be prohibited during the timeframe, public access is still available. Please report anything suspicious to the Sheriff’s Department.

Ballots for the Special Recall Election for Elsie-Vinemaple RFPD board members will go out Wednesday, April 10, to registered voters served by the Elsie-Vinemaple RFPD.

The voter registration deadline for the Recall Election is Tuesday, April 9.

Primary election voter registration deadline is April 30.

To check your registration and/or update your party affiliation for the Primary election, please go to www.OregonVotes.gov. Ballots will be sent out for the Primary election beginning May 1.

Recording Hours Change

Recording office hours changed to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Recording information

We have developed a way for you to search for free for a document that has been recorded in Clatsop County without coming in or calling our office. 

Once you find the document you are looking for, you can request an email copy without paying a research fee.  

Just go to our website under Recording Information – Records Research, click on Locate a Document.

Passports

An appointment is required prior to coming in for new passport processing.

Routine service can take 6-8 weeks; Expedite service can take 2-3 weeks. Forms are available at www.travel.state.gov  

Appointment Scheduling Saves You Time

Please go to our web page and schedule an appointment for passports, park passes, marriage licenses, dog licenses, and recordings with us.

If you do not have an appointment, you may be asked to wait if we are with someone who has scheduled an appointment. 

Clatsop County is a great place to work. Find out about current Clatsop County career opportunities where you can make a difference every day.

• Administrative Assistant II. Closes 4/17/24
• Election Worker (Temporary). Open until filled
• Electrical Inspector. Open until filled
• Emergency Management Coordinator – Outreach.  Closes 4/12/24
• Emergency Management Coordinator – Planning.  Closes 4/12/24
• Environmental Health Specialist I/II. Closes 4/26/24
• Senior Human Resources Business Partner. Closes 4/14/24

If you have questions, concerns, feedback, or need assistance, please contact Human Resources. We’re happy to help!

Clatsop County is committed to being transparent and providing the information you need, when you need it.

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