News
5/17/12
PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED ON LODGING TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL
At its May meeting, the City Council decided to schedule an additional public meeting to gather more public comments and answer questions regarding the proposal to raise the City Transient Lodging Tax from the current 7% to 9%. This public meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 2nd at 10:00am in the City Council Chambers. The Council will not make a final decision at this meeting, but only intends to gather public comments and discuss any concerns.
In March, the Manzanita City Council received the proposal by the Manzanita Business Alliance (MBA) to raise the City transient lodging tax which is paid by tourists visiting Manzanita from 7% to 9%. By State law, 70% of the net proceeds of any new or increased local transient lodging tax adopted after 2003 must be used for tourism promotion and/or tourist-related facilities as narrowly defined in the State law. The City currently does not fund any tourist promotion or economic development programs except for a total of $800 in dues to county and regional economic development organizations.
The MBA explained in its proposal that the business community needs assistance in promoting tourism outside of the summer season in order to provide a more stable year round economy to support current and new businesses. In addition, Tillamook County may be considering a countywide transient lodging tax which would be coordinated with City transient lodging taxes so that there would be one uniform room tax rate Countywide. The MBA suggested that the City act first by increasing the tax locally. This would provide local oversight in the use of tourism dollars and enable those who live and work here to preserve Manzanita’s village atmosphere.
At the April Council meeting, the Council indicated that it was willing to pursue the tax increase, and began the process of adopting the Ordinance to change the transient lodging tax rate. The effective date of the increase is currently proposed to be July 1, 2012.
One of the links below is to a list of answers to frequently asked questions on this proposal. Anyone is welcome to attend the public meeting on June 2nd or send written comments to cityhall@ci.manzanita.or.us . All written comments will be passed on to all Council members.
Lodging Tax increase proposal by Manzanita Business Alliance
Proposed Ordinance increasing transient lodging tax from 7% to 9%
Frequently asked questions on Lodging Tax increase proposal
TOWNHALL MEETINGS HELD
At goal-setting workshops for 2012, Mayor Bullard and City Council members expressed a desire to “take the pulse” of Manzanita citizens. An often stated vision of maintaining the village atmosphere while serving the financial, structural and safety needs of Manzanita led the Council to seek public opinion on how to best reach their goals.
The Manzanita City Council held two town hall meetings on March 8 and March 10 to begin to get input from Manzanita residents, second-home owners and businesses on issues facing the community. Some of the questions asked included: What should the City do with the old fire station building? How should the City pay for needed improvements to the storm drainage, road and water systems? What are the issues which need to be addressed concerning parking in the residential areas? Should a fourth police officer position be filled?
A total of 40 people participated in the two town hall meetings and gave the Council their ideas and what they were concerned about. The Council intends to use this information to guide the development of possible solutions to the issues discussed. The Council thanks all members of the community who participated in these discussions. If needed, future townhall meetings will be planned to get input on specific solutions.
Mayor Bullard said, “The city belongs to all of us. The Council needs the thought and opinions of all its citizens. We hope that they will assist us as we plan for the future.”
The link below will take you to summaries of some of the issue areas that were discussed. If you were not able to attend one of the townhall meetings and would like to comment on these areas or any other areas of concern to you, please send the City Council a note.
1/6/2012
Classic Street Cottages Planned Development approved
On January 4, 2012, the City Council approved an Ordinance allowing a planned development of 24 clustered residential units at the intersection of Dorcas Lane and Classic Street. Classic Street Cottages will be a “pocket neighborhood” of three clusters of homes built on small lots around common areas. Each common area will have a neighborhood facility such as a fire pit, a picnic shelter or a community building. The homes to be built in this development are designed to coordinate with one another so that privacy is optimized, but neighbors are encouraged to get to know one another.
The developer plans to build in phases. The subdivision re-plat for the first phase is scheduled to be finalized at the January 17th Planning Commission meeting.
Classic Street Cottages Planned Development
Ordinance 12-01 Classic Street Cottages Planned Development
12/15/11
City Council sets goals for 2012
The Manzanita City Council met in early November to discuss its progress in achieving its stated goals. The Council decided to refine and clarify its existing goals and adopted a list of 4 goals for 2012. The major goal is identifying a way to fund and build necessary improvements to the water, street and storm drainage system. With the construction of the new Nehalem Bay Fire and Rescue District main station, the City also needs to determine how the current City fire station will be used, and whether or not City offices should be consolidated in the building. The Council also wishes to move forward with its commitment to review parking issues in residential areas, and develop new regulations if appropriate. Funding opportunities for constructing a second bicycle/pedestrian path from Nehalem Bay State Park up the Classic Street Connector to the downtown area are also on the Council’s list of priorities.
The Council directed the City staff to develop a series of “town hall” meetings and informational reports for the community to have a discussion on these issues. The first “town hall” meeting will be scheduled in early February, and more information will be made available on this website as more details are developed.