City News, As We Enter A New Year 2013

In an effort to keep you informed of the progress of the City’s goals and other on-going City business, here is an update for January 2013.

For a starter, I’m pleased to report that ODOT has executed a “Notice to Proceed” on a $70K grant to provide landscaping and improve the City Hall road frontage [about 450’] to serve as a template for redesign of Hwy 97 to include a design plan, landscaping, sidewalk installation and storm water mitigation.  The project cost is $90K of which $20K is the City’s share.  Project start dates will be forthcoming.

In mid-2012 the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) implemented a new process for funding the repairs and improvements to state highways and other types of intermodal transportation.  The new process is called STIP (Statewide Transportation Improvement Program).  Last October the City applied for an ODOT 2013-2014 STIP grant to complete the funding for the traffic signal at 1^st Street/Reed Road and Hwy 97.  The county is currently contemplating the commitment of approximately $230K of the La Pine Industrial Group’s Capital Funds to facilitate the signalization of 1^st Street/Reed Road and Hwy 97 intersection. In mid-December, the City Manager completed another STIP Grand request for curbs and sidewalks along 1^st Street and the west side of Hwy 97 between 1^st Street and 6^th Street with new signalized crosswalks on Hwy 97 plus a 10’ wide multiuse pathway along Hwy 97 between the Wickiup Park & Ride and the northern edge of the Crescent Creek Subdivision.

The Council has also approved installation of 8 new streetlights at several locations, south along Huntington Road, starting at Crescent Creek Subdivision and at two locations in Huntington Meadows.

The City is currently working with the La Pine Cemetery Board to transfer ownership and operations of the cemetery to the City.

The City Council has appointed Ginny Woodruff, city resident, to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission and Jim Fleming, La Pine community resident, to fill a vacancy on the Public Works Committee.

Councilor Kathy Agan and Councilor-elect Greg L. Jones, recently completed “League of Oregon Cities” training classes, “Governing Basics – What You Need To Know” and “Government Ethics in Oregon.”

Ken Mulenex, Mayor