I am encouraging each of you to vote NO on Measure #36-115 November 6th.
This annexation proposal only includes a portion of last spring's annexation proposal that was voted out by the citizens of Newberg. This appears to be in an effort to make the annexation less shocking and seemingly more appealing. The rest of the property that has been left off this ballot will be annexed in later (possibly by another election, possibly not) if this one passes.
Additionally, the supporters of this measure are sending the message to the public via their signs posted along the roadside that passing this annexation will DECREASE downtown traffic flow on Highway 99W. This can only be achieved if Crestview is developed, meets up with Mountainview, and then heads west to our street - Main Street. Do we REALLY want to be the westside runway to the Austin Bypass?
Do yourselves and your neighbors a favor and do NOT let this pass.
VOTE NO on #36-115!!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
GET YOUR SPEECHES READY!
If you are planning on speaking at next Tuesday's meeting, giving your opinion regarding the proposed LID, then please do this:
Write it down, make a copy, and hand it to the clerk at the meeting.
Please make sure that you provide this as the City has been known to omit testimony from meeting minutes as well as lose written testimony.
Thank you, and see you at 6 pm next Tuesday!
Write it down, make a copy, and hand it to the clerk at the meeting.
Please make sure that you provide this as the City has been known to omit testimony from meeting minutes as well as lose written testimony.
Thank you, and see you at 6 pm next Tuesday!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
FIRST MEETING SET FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 16th
According to an email received yesterday from Paul Chiu,
"...a letter of notification will be mailed out this week to invite homeowners to attend an informational meeting two weeks from today. This meeting will be the first official meeting to engage the neighbors. Thanks."
That should make it on Tuesday, October 16th.
"...a letter of notification will be mailed out this week to invite homeowners to attend an informational meeting two weeks from today. This meeting will be the first official meeting to engage the neighbors. Thanks."
That should make it on Tuesday, October 16th.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Tiny Mountainview LID of 2004-05 Very Costly
In 2004 the City of Newberg developed an LID just a few blocks north of us called the "Mountainview LID." Mountainview Dr. in-between N. Main St. and Crater Ln. (1 block stretch of road) and 1/2 of Crater Ln. for 2 blocks to the north of Mountainview Dr. was selected for this LID.
Apparently, after reading this archive from The Newberg Graphic, it appears as though the City TOOK ADVANTAGE of the fact that 27 homeowners along this stretch had NON-REMONSTRANCE's on their titles! In other words, these homeowners were sitting ducks.
"Mountainview LID (http://www.newberggraphic.com/news/archive/1-1-05/index.htm)
Readers of The Graphic expanded their vocabulary when the story of the Mountainview LID started making headlines.
The local improvement district issue was born when the city of Newberg tried to make good on non-remonstrance agreements — a contract a property owner signs saying that he or she will not protest assessments on his or her property for improvements, such as streets — that 27 homeowners in the area signed.
The city asked homeowners and the St. Peter Catholic Church to help pay for an extension of Mountainview Drive one block west of Main Street and for half street improvements to two blocks of Crater Lane. The initial estimates put the neighbors on the defensive, and protest ensued; curt letters to the editor were submitted and printed, and neighbors made regular appearances at city council meetings to point out the inequities they saw in the assessment.
The city of Newberg and the neighbors have since come to a de facto peace pact, the neighbors settling when an engineer’s report — with more accurate, and lower, assessments on property owners — was released and passed by the council.
But the effects of the LID opposition linger. As a way of defeating the assessments, some neighbors drafted a pair of initiative petitions and gathered enough signatures to place them on the March ballot. One initiative is specific, asking Newberg voters whether the city’s LID ordinance should be eliminated. The other is more general, asking whether the city should retain its authority to create special assessments of any kind.
City councilors are organizing a campaign to defeat the initiatives, and anticipate the support of some of the neighbors affected by the Mountainview LID."
That little stretch of improvement cost those homeowners over $177K.
From http://ci.newberg.or.us/website/Mayor_Council/Agendas/2005/Council%20Agenda%202005-0222.pdf reads,
"Resolution No. 2005-2560 authorizing the City Manager to award the contract for the
Mountainview Local Improvement District (LID) project to the Saunders Company, Inc. in the
amount of $177,442.19."
Keep in mind this figure is only for the hands-on labor and materials of the improvement - this DOES NOT include the planning, the figuring, the meetings, and any other costs associated with the LID the City incurred and passed on to the community.
The City has not provided me with any information regarding property owners or who has non-remonstrances on their titles. Do you think we're in the same boat as our neighbors to the north?
Something else to think about is that a long stretch (600.06 feet to be exact) of this LID belongs to Chehalem Parks and Recreation District (CPRD), who according to their home page deem themselves, "Community Partners" with the City of Newberg (http://www.cprdnewberg.org/). Obviously, they will not protest this LID. CPRD already receives our tax money each year when we pay our property taxes, yet they have an equal vote. Is this type of double-dipping fair?
Apparently, after reading this archive from The Newberg Graphic, it appears as though the City TOOK ADVANTAGE of the fact that 27 homeowners along this stretch had NON-REMONSTRANCE's on their titles! In other words, these homeowners were sitting ducks.
"Mountainview LID (http://www.newberggraphic.com/news/archive/1-1-05/index.htm)
Readers of The Graphic expanded their vocabulary when the story of the Mountainview LID started making headlines.
The local improvement district issue was born when the city of Newberg tried to make good on non-remonstrance agreements — a contract a property owner signs saying that he or she will not protest assessments on his or her property for improvements, such as streets — that 27 homeowners in the area signed.
The city asked homeowners and the St. Peter Catholic Church to help pay for an extension of Mountainview Drive one block west of Main Street and for half street improvements to two blocks of Crater Lane. The initial estimates put the neighbors on the defensive, and protest ensued; curt letters to the editor were submitted and printed, and neighbors made regular appearances at city council meetings to point out the inequities they saw in the assessment.
The city of Newberg and the neighbors have since come to a de facto peace pact, the neighbors settling when an engineer’s report — with more accurate, and lower, assessments on property owners — was released and passed by the council.
But the effects of the LID opposition linger. As a way of defeating the assessments, some neighbors drafted a pair of initiative petitions and gathered enough signatures to place them on the March ballot. One initiative is specific, asking Newberg voters whether the city’s LID ordinance should be eliminated. The other is more general, asking whether the city should retain its authority to create special assessments of any kind.
City councilors are organizing a campaign to defeat the initiatives, and anticipate the support of some of the neighbors affected by the Mountainview LID."
That little stretch of improvement cost those homeowners over $177K.
From http://ci.newberg.or.us/website/Mayor_Council/Agendas/2005/Council%20Agenda%202005-0222.pdf reads,
"Resolution No. 2005-2560 authorizing the City Manager to award the contract for the
Mountainview Local Improvement District (LID) project to the Saunders Company, Inc. in the
amount of $177,442.19."
Keep in mind this figure is only for the hands-on labor and materials of the improvement - this DOES NOT include the planning, the figuring, the meetings, and any other costs associated with the LID the City incurred and passed on to the community.
The City has not provided me with any information regarding property owners or who has non-remonstrances on their titles. Do you think we're in the same boat as our neighbors to the north?
Something else to think about is that a long stretch (600.06 feet to be exact) of this LID belongs to Chehalem Parks and Recreation District (CPRD), who according to their home page deem themselves, "Community Partners" with the City of Newberg (http://www.cprdnewberg.org/). Obviously, they will not protest this LID. CPRD already receives our tax money each year when we pay our property taxes, yet they have an equal vote. Is this type of double-dipping fair?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Response from Mr. Chiu
Here is Mr. Chiu's indirect response to my email inquiry regarding public meetings (below) and a complete list of property owners:
"Sue,
We appreciate your inquiry with two emails. We are just starting this project. Informational and progress meetings will be arranged for homeowners in the next month or two. We'd be more than happy to share with you and we'll certainly contact you and work with you when we reach that point. Thank you.
Paul Chiu, P.E."
"Sue,
We appreciate your inquiry with two emails. We are just starting this project. Informational and progress meetings will be arranged for homeowners in the next month or two. We'd be more than happy to share with you and we'll certainly contact you and work with you when we reach that point. Thank you.
Paul Chiu, P.E."
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Public Meetings
What kinds of meetings can we attend??
I've sent an email to Paul Chiu:
"Dear Mr. Chiu - In addition to the information I requested from you four days ago, I also have another question. Would you please tell me what types of meetings the property owners within the proposed Main Street LID are entitled to attend? Are we welcome to attend any meetings being held between the City and the newly-hired consultant? If we are ultimately responsible for paying their salary should the LID pass, it would seem a reasonable assumption that we would be welcomed attendees. Please advise. Thank you. Sue Lampson."
I'll let you know his response.
I've sent an email to Paul Chiu:
"Dear Mr. Chiu - In addition to the information I requested from you four days ago, I also have another question. Would you please tell me what types of meetings the property owners within the proposed Main Street LID are entitled to attend? Are we welcome to attend any meetings being held between the City and the newly-hired consultant? If we are ultimately responsible for paying their salary should the LID pass, it would seem a reasonable assumption that we would be welcomed attendees. Please advise. Thank you. Sue Lampson."
I'll let you know his response.
REPRESENTATION?
One of our neighbors recently contacted me. She had been talking with some of her neighbors who thought we would only be able to fight the proposed LID if we had some sort of representation.
Please read the flyer I put at your door, which is also the first post on the blog (below), as we need only use our voices. Our ability to remonstrate is our ability to overturn this project.
Two important points:
1. If you have a non-remonstrance on your title you won't be able to vote.
2. We have to wait until the consultant has come up with a plan, they've received bids, and put together their master plan on how much the improvement will cost and who gets charged what. It isn't until that point we can actually do the math and figure out if 60% of the value of the improvement is actually fronting properties that can vote, and if those property owners actually don't want the LID.
Please read the flyer I put at your door, which is also the first post on the blog (below), as we need only use our voices. Our ability to remonstrate is our ability to overturn this project.
Two important points:
1. If you have a non-remonstrance on your title you won't be able to vote.
2. We have to wait until the consultant has come up with a plan, they've received bids, and put together their master plan on how much the improvement will cost and who gets charged what. It isn't until that point we can actually do the math and figure out if 60% of the value of the improvement is actually fronting properties that can vote, and if those property owners actually don't want the LID.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
POLL
Please vote in the poll that's on the far left upper corner of the page. How do you think this LID will affect your property value?
CONSULTANT HIRED
Yesterday, September 7th, the City of Newberg hired a consultant to orchestrate the proposed Main Street LID. Their initial "kick-off" meeting was held yesterday, according to Dan Danicic of the City Public Works department.
Now that the LID is at this stage, the project engineer is PAUL CHIU and he would be the one to whom we would address any questions. His contact information is as follows:
PAUL CHIU, P.E., Senior Engineer
CITY OF NEWBERG – Public Works Dept. / Engineering Div.
414 East First Street; Mailing: P.O. Box 970, Newberg, OR 97132
Tel: 503-554-1751 Fax: 503-537-1277
Email: Paul.chiu@ci.newberg.or.us
I will ask him for a property list and keep you posted of any new information I receive.
Now that the LID is at this stage, the project engineer is PAUL CHIU and he would be the one to whom we would address any questions. His contact information is as follows:
PAUL CHIU, P.E., Senior Engineer
CITY OF NEWBERG – Public Works Dept. / Engineering Div.
414 East First Street; Mailing: P.O. Box 970, Newberg, OR 97132
Tel: 503-554-1751 Fax: 503-537-1277
Email: Paul.chiu@ci.newberg.or.us
I will ask him for a property list and keep you posted of any new information I receive.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
TALK TALK TALK!
Have you talked to you neighbors about the proposed Main Street LID?
Hopefully everyone involved along our street received a flyer regarding the up-and-coming latest plan Newberg has devised on how to spend our hard-earned out-of-pocket money.
Remember, if this plan passes you will be charged. You will have to pay or a lien will be placed against your property.
Hopefully everyone involved along our street received a flyer regarding the up-and-coming latest plan Newberg has devised on how to spend our hard-earned out-of-pocket money.
Remember, if this plan passes you will be charged. You will have to pay or a lien will be placed against your property.
YAMHILL COUNTY WANTS THIS PROJECT!
Here is a link to Yamhill County's suggestion regarding making our street a runway to a "...east/west minor arterial in the north Newberg urban area." I am unsure of the date this was suggested:
http://www.co.yamhill.or.us/plan/planning/planning.asp?sel=11
2.1.7 City of Newberg Transportation System Plan
This plan provides a comprehensive analysis of the transportation system within Newberg. It examines the existing conditions for all transportation modes within the city. Future transportation needs were identified in the plan based on the long-range impacts of local and regional growth on the transportation system in the Newberg urban area. The plan recommends a Newberg-Dundee by-pass and identifies several alternatives for a future east/west minor arterial in the north Newberg urban area. A list of roadway capacity improvement projects that involve County roads include:
1. Main Street between Illinois and Mountainview
2. Springbrook Road from Crestview Drive South to Highway 219
3. Chehalem Drive between Highway 240 and Bell Road
4. Fernwood Street between Springbrook and City limits
5. Columbia Street between Chehalem Drive and College Street
6. Wynooski Road from 12th Street to 4th Street.
Ultimately, our stretch of road was transferred to the jurisdiction of the City of Newberg.
http://www.co.yamhill.or.us/plan/planning/planning.asp?sel=11
2.1.7 City of Newberg Transportation System Plan
This plan provides a comprehensive analysis of the transportation system within Newberg. It examines the existing conditions for all transportation modes within the city. Future transportation needs were identified in the plan based on the long-range impacts of local and regional growth on the transportation system in the Newberg urban area. The plan recommends a Newberg-Dundee by-pass and identifies several alternatives for a future east/west minor arterial in the north Newberg urban area. A list of roadway capacity improvement projects that involve County roads include:
1. Main Street between Illinois and Mountainview
2. Springbrook Road from Crestview Drive South to Highway 219
3. Chehalem Drive between Highway 240 and Bell Road
4. Fernwood Street between Springbrook and City limits
5. Columbia Street between Chehalem Drive and College Street
6. Wynooski Road from 12th Street to 4th Street.
Ultimately, our stretch of road was transferred to the jurisdiction of the City of Newberg.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Property List To Come
Dear Neighbors:
A few days ago I sent Dan Danicic an email asking if he would submit to me a complete list of all properties affected by the proposed LID and whether or not there is a non-remonstrance on the property title.
His reply was that the City is in the process of hiring an engineer (which we'll be charged for) to design (more charges) the improvement (ka-ching) and that the compilation of a list of affected properties will be one of their first orders of business. Once that is complete he will submit that requested list to me and anyone else who wants it.
Once I have that list I will post it on the blog.
Thanks.
A few days ago I sent Dan Danicic an email asking if he would submit to me a complete list of all properties affected by the proposed LID and whether or not there is a non-remonstrance on the property title.
His reply was that the City is in the process of hiring an engineer (which we'll be charged for) to design (more charges) the improvement (ka-ching) and that the compilation of a list of affected properties will be one of their first orders of business. Once that is complete he will submit that requested list to me and anyone else who wants it.
Once I have that list I will post it on the blog.
Thanks.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
MAIN STREET L.I.D.
$$$
BE INFORMED
Dear Main Street Neighbor –
The City of Newberg has decided that Main Street from Illinois to Lynn Streets needs improvement and they have decided to form what is called a LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, or LID on our behalf to pay for the improvements. Specifically, according to personal email with Dan Danicic at the City of Newberg, they want to install: new asphalt, curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes. AND THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS!
This LID project was first relayed to the public in the Saturday, March 15, 2007 issue of The Newberg Graphic. In an article entitled, “City Will Determine Future of TV in Newberg”, the very last paragraph read as follows,
“Will direct city staff to seek requests for proposals to create an engineer's report for possible
creation of a local improvement district (LID) on North Main Street. City staff has requested the
Illinois Street to Lynn Drive section of the street be reconstructed to collector street standards to
accommodate increased travel due to development.”
Our street will become a MAJOR COLLECTOR street for the City, defined by City code as, “MAJOR COLLECTOR. A collector that is intended to serve through traffic, and that typically has sufficient traffic volume to warrant striped bike lanes.”
If you own property that has a property line along Main Street between Illinois and Lynn Streets you will be part of this LID and you will be SENT A BILL FOR THE WORK. This includes property on corners of Main Street with a side-street address. If your property is on a cul-de-sac with a Main Street address, you may be involved in the LID and charged for the improvements.
The City of Newberg has a web page that confirms their intent to plan for this L.I.D.
http://ci.newberg.or.us/page.asp?id=157
WHAT IS A LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT?
From Newberg City Code 36.41
“LOCAL IMPROVEMENT. A capital construction project, or part thereof, undertaken by the city pursuant to the procedure to be followed in making local assessments for the benefits from a local improvement upon the lots which have been benefited by all or part of the improvement:
(1) Which provides a special benefit only to specific properties or rectifies a problem caused by specific properties; and (2) The costs of which are assessed against those properties in a single assessment upon the completion of the project; and (3) For which the payment of the assessment plus appropriate interest may be spread over a period of at least ten years by the property owner; and (4) For which the total of all assessments for the local improvement shall not exceed the actual cost incurred by the city in completing the project; and (5) For which the status of a capital construction project as a local improvement is not affected by the accrual of a general benefit to property.”
$$$
BE INFORMED
Dear Main Street Neighbor –
The City of Newberg has decided that Main Street from Illinois to Lynn Streets needs improvement and they have decided to form what is called a LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, or LID on our behalf to pay for the improvements. Specifically, according to personal email with Dan Danicic at the City of Newberg, they want to install: new asphalt, curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes. AND THEY WANT US TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS!
This LID project was first relayed to the public in the Saturday, March 15, 2007 issue of The Newberg Graphic. In an article entitled, “City Will Determine Future of TV in Newberg”, the very last paragraph read as follows,
“Will direct city staff to seek requests for proposals to create an engineer's report for possible
creation of a local improvement district (LID) on North Main Street. City staff has requested the
Illinois Street to Lynn Drive section of the street be reconstructed to collector street standards to
accommodate increased travel due to development.”
Our street will become a MAJOR COLLECTOR street for the City, defined by City code as, “MAJOR COLLECTOR. A collector that is intended to serve through traffic, and that typically has sufficient traffic volume to warrant striped bike lanes.”
If you own property that has a property line along Main Street between Illinois and Lynn Streets you will be part of this LID and you will be SENT A BILL FOR THE WORK. This includes property on corners of Main Street with a side-street address. If your property is on a cul-de-sac with a Main Street address, you may be involved in the LID and charged for the improvements.
The City of Newberg has a web page that confirms their intent to plan for this L.I.D.
http://ci.newberg.or.us/page.asp?id=157
WHAT IS A LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT?
From Newberg City Code 36.41
“LOCAL IMPROVEMENT. A capital construction project, or part thereof, undertaken by the city pursuant to the procedure to be followed in making local assessments for the benefits from a local improvement upon the lots which have been benefited by all or part of the improvement:
(1) Which provides a special benefit only to specific properties or rectifies a problem caused by specific properties; and (2) The costs of which are assessed against those properties in a single assessment upon the completion of the project; and (3) For which the payment of the assessment plus appropriate interest may be spread over a period of at least ten years by the property owner; and (4) For which the total of all assessments for the local improvement shall not exceed the actual cost incurred by the city in completing the project; and (5) For which the status of a capital construction project as a local improvement is not affected by the accrual of a general benefit to property.”
DO WE HAVE A CHOICE?
Yes, and no. Once the City has devised their plan, the only way for their plan to be overturned is for 60% of the assessed value of the total improvement to be declined by written signature in the form of what is called a “remonstrance.”
Simply, this means that if the job costs $100,000 then $60,000 (60%) of that job has to be remonstrated. If your portion is assessed at $1,000 then that is only 1% of the total.
BIG FAT CAVEAT: If your property title has a “non-remonstrance” attached to it, you have no choice and no vote. Non-remonstrances are typically on homes newer than 30 years. CHECK YOUR TITLE!!!
If you’re opposed to this LID and want to file a remonstrance you must be PRO-ACTIVE or your voice will mean nothing.
A LOT TO THINK ABOUT…
Before the City of Newberg brings this to us for feedback this fall, we need to be prepared with comments and questions specific to our busy little neighborhood. Some things to consider would be:
Taxation – We pay tax money to the City every year for these types of improvements. Additionally, all of the developments to the north that are the source of this increased traffic had to pay System Development charges – where is that money??
Usage – The majority of traffic along this portion of Main Street is from the north: school traffic and from the hundreds of acres of housing developments that used to be filbert orchards. The City has already said our street to must, “…accommodate increased travel due to development.” yet we’re the ones being asked to pay for that accommodation. This is not fair practice!
Speed – The signs say “25 m.p.h.” but we all know that speeds along this stretch of road already regularly reach a dozen beyond. What impact will widening and improving this stretch of Main Street, to “MAJOR COLLECTOR” street standards have on speeds in our neighborhood? They will go UP!
Property Value – Increased traffic volume + Increased speed = LOWER PROPERTY VALUES!
WHO TO CONTACT?
Daniel Danicic, Public Works Director for the City <dan.danicic@ci.newberg.or.us> is in charge of this project and has been extremely helpful and open to questions.
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION?
Upon review of the tax lot map, there are more than seventy lots/properties affected by this proposed LID. I have requested the City forward me a list of all the property owners and who has a non-remonstrance on their title. PLEASE help spread the word to your neighbors of what is to come so we all can be prepared once the City officially notifies us of their intentions.
In the meantime, please visit http://mainstreetlid.blogspot.com/ where we can post updates, comments, questions and keep in touch. Thank you!
Sue Lampson, 703 N. Main St., Newberg.
mainstreetlid@yahoo.com
Yes, and no. Once the City has devised their plan, the only way for their plan to be overturned is for 60% of the assessed value of the total improvement to be declined by written signature in the form of what is called a “remonstrance.”
Simply, this means that if the job costs $100,000 then $60,000 (60%) of that job has to be remonstrated. If your portion is assessed at $1,000 then that is only 1% of the total.
BIG FAT CAVEAT: If your property title has a “non-remonstrance” attached to it, you have no choice and no vote. Non-remonstrances are typically on homes newer than 30 years. CHECK YOUR TITLE!!!
If you’re opposed to this LID and want to file a remonstrance you must be PRO-ACTIVE or your voice will mean nothing.
A LOT TO THINK ABOUT…
Before the City of Newberg brings this to us for feedback this fall, we need to be prepared with comments and questions specific to our busy little neighborhood. Some things to consider would be:
Taxation – We pay tax money to the City every year for these types of improvements. Additionally, all of the developments to the north that are the source of this increased traffic had to pay System Development charges – where is that money??
Usage – The majority of traffic along this portion of Main Street is from the north: school traffic and from the hundreds of acres of housing developments that used to be filbert orchards. The City has already said our street to must, “…accommodate increased travel due to development.” yet we’re the ones being asked to pay for that accommodation. This is not fair practice!
Speed – The signs say “25 m.p.h.” but we all know that speeds along this stretch of road already regularly reach a dozen beyond. What impact will widening and improving this stretch of Main Street, to “MAJOR COLLECTOR” street standards have on speeds in our neighborhood? They will go UP!
Property Value – Increased traffic volume + Increased speed = LOWER PROPERTY VALUES!
WHO TO CONTACT?
Daniel Danicic, Public Works Director for the City <dan.danicic@ci.newberg.or.us> is in charge of this project and has been extremely helpful and open to questions.
NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION?
Upon review of the tax lot map, there are more than seventy lots/properties affected by this proposed LID. I have requested the City forward me a list of all the property owners and who has a non-remonstrance on their title. PLEASE help spread the word to your neighbors of what is to come so we all can be prepared once the City officially notifies us of their intentions.
In the meantime, please visit http://mainstreetlid.blogspot.com/ where we can post updates, comments, questions and keep in touch. Thank you!
Sue Lampson, 703 N. Main St., Newberg.
mainstreetlid@yahoo.com
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