I enjoy the quote attributed to Lily Tomlin, “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody!” A great way to get in action is to share your perspective with decision makers — city leaders, county leaders, state representatives, national representatives, pastors, civic groups, neighbors…. The following are some ideas to get you started.
The Board of Commissioners generally holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6 p.m. The Board usually meets in the Judge Guy Boyington Building located at 857 Commercial St. in downtown Astoria. The public is always welcome to attend the Board meetings. The latest meeting announcements and agenda/packets is available at https://www.co.clatsop.or.us/meetings?field_microsite_tid_1=27.
It’s our experience during the regular meetings (NOT THE WORK SESSIONS) there is an opportunity for anyone to give a 3-minute presentation about any item on the agenda (except public hearings) OR any topic of county concern that is not on the agenda. This public input makes a difference!
Don’t feel like speaking in public? Write a letter! Contact information is at https://www.co.clatsop.or.us/boc.
Astoria City Council is the policy making body for the City of Astoria. Meetings are held the first and third Monday of the month at 6:00 P.M. at 1095 Duane St., Astoria.
There is normally an opportunity to speak about an issue not on the agenda — limited to 3 minutes. We use this time to share our concern about homelessness and do a bit of education.
Contact information is at https://www.astoria.or.us/City_Council.aspx. Agendas can be seen at https://www.astoria.or.us/Agenda_Minutes.aspx.
This body reviews conditional uses, variances, amendments, zone changes, and other land use permits. It is the Commission’s duty to maintain the Comprehensive Plan, Development Code, and Zoning Map of the City, which are required under the State-Wide Planning Goals. In addition, the Commission serves as an advisory board to the City Council concerning the future development of the City. Members are appointed by the Mayor.
More information is at https://www.astoria.or.us/Planning_Commission.aspx. Agendas can be seen at https://www.astoria.or.us/Planning_Commission_Agendas_Minutes.aspx?deptid=3.
The Warrenton City Commission meets at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in the Commission Chambers at Warrenton City Hall. See https://www.ci.warrenton.or.us/citycommission. Agenda and minutes are at https://www.ci.warrenton.or.us/meetings?field_microsite_tid_1=27.
Agendas and minutes are at https://www.cityofgearhart.com/meetings.
The new council meets regularly at 6 p.m. on the Second and Fourth Mondays of every month. Work sessions will precede council meetings at 5 p.m. on most Mondays. The council website is at https://www.cityofseaside.us/city-council. The complete meeting calendar is at https://www.cityofseaside.us/calendar. City meeting agendas as minutes can be found at https://www.cityofseaside.us/minutes-and-agendas.
Four Councilors and the Mayor are elected at-large for four-year terms, with a limit of eight years continuous service per member. Council meets on a regular basis, at least once a month, and is presided over by the Mayor, who leads the meetings and ensures that proper rules of order are followed. All Council meetings are required by law to be open to the public, and a recording of the proceedings is taped, and transcribed into written minutes which are later approved by Council.
Copies of agendas and minutes are available online or from City Hall.
1st Tuesday, 7:00 pm (Regular Meeting)
2nd Tuesday, 5:30 pm (Work Session)
City Council Members
Contact information is at https://www.ci.cannon-beach.or.us/citycouncil.
From my experience, our representatives enjoy hearing from the public. I communicate in two different ways. The easiest are emails meant to just express my opinion (e.g. “Did you see the following newspaper article?”). My long letters tend to be written when a decision is going to made by a public body. For example, some time ago the Astoria Planning Commission was in the process of drafting updates to the Development Code that would potentially impact warming centers. The proposal would have eventually landed at the Astoria City Council for consideration. For this LONG letter I listened to audio recordings of all of the work sessions, reviewed the minutes of the current warming center’s temporary Conditional Use Permit hearing, re-read portions of the Astoria Comprehensive Plan, and contacted several other warming centers. My point was to document “for the record” concerns I had about the draft code and recommendations. My letter can be seen here.
A letter or email might be something as simple and direct as “With Clatsop County having the highest rate of homelessness in the state, what are [you, the city, the county] doing to address this?” Or perhaps “Homelessness is a quality of life issue for both the homeless and community. How are you working toward a solution?” Or “I’m in support of the soon to be vacated county jail being transformed into a drop-in resource center.”
Still working on this tab!