City Council Meeting
This evening’s Florence City Council meeting will not include an agenda item to discuss the proposed year round homeless shelter that was proposed last Thursday to the City Council. tonight’s meeting will center around a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant and a second public hearing to consider a street closure for Bay Street for the annual Rods and Rhodies Car show. The council will also consider an amended contract from RH2 Engineering for the preliminary work on the Rhododendron Street alignment project. The City has set the date of August 14th at 5:30 pm for discussion and public comment for the proposed aforementioned homeless shelter that will operate as a year round facility. Members of the City council have said they needed more time to review the information submitted and possibly visit a similar shelter in Coos Bay. The Special City Council meeting will be moved to the Florence Events Center in anticipation of a large crowd.
New Roof Taking Shape for Siuslaw Middle School
A major roofing project at Siuslaw Middle School has been making progress over the summer. The previous 25-year-old roof was on the verge of failing, so the school board approved a plan earlier this year to replace it. Instead of going for another 25-year roof, they opted to spring for an all-metal roof with a 50-year life span. That brings the expected lives of the building and the roof in line. The project is expected to by “nearly” complete by the time classes resume September 5th. The $2.2-million price tag will be paid for out of general fund revenues over the next 15-years.
New Life for Dredge Spoils
A large pile of material that has been removed from the Siuslaw River Channel over the past decade has been steadily shrinking. It’s not by accident. Port of Siuslaw Manager David Huntington says nearly 30-thousand cubic yards of “dredge spoils” at the port’s RV park, is being used to help restore the former Waite dairy ranch, three miles east of Florence, back to its natural state. Huntington says the use of the material is a “bonus” for the Port District. In addition to providing space for additional dredging, it will provide them with more options on possibly adding additional camp sites at the park. Another bonus is that the ranch restoration is aimed at helping to restore native salmon runs on the Siuslaw.
Pedestrian Operation
Florence Police will be conducting a pedestrian Enforcement Operation on Friday August 18th at the intersection of 9th Street and Kingwood. Between the hours of 10 am and 1 pm. Over the years the Florence Police has done similar operations to remind citizens of the Right of Way granted to pedestrians. Drivers must give pedestrians who exhibit a desire to cross through an intersection whether it is marked or unmarked. In the case of a street that has one lane in each direction a driver must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian is safely across the street. Where streets are three lanes or more a driver must remain stopped until the pedestrian crosses the adjacent lane. Turning vehicles must allow for the pedestrian to clear the lane and at least 6 feet of the adjacent lane. There is also no passing allowed when a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk as that may be an indication that a pedestrian may be attempting to cross the street.