Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Transparency and accountability continue to be a topic of concern in Philomath...

 - Marion Dark proposes audio recording for ALL City of Philomath meetings
City Council votes down motion 3-2
(Opposed to audio recording:  Edmons, Low, Thomas
In Favor: Dark and Jones)


WHY TRANSPARENCY MATTERS:
26 acre "Mini-City" proposal before Planning Commission July 15th, 7 pm

35%  growth from developments approved in the last 2 years

No clear City plan for Water Treatment Plant/Infrastructure costs estimated at $29 Million

Water Town Hall experts site "low water flows" of Mary's River and reveal in 2015 Philomath was set to have water restriction imposed by Regional Water Master


During the June 24th City Council meeting, Councilor Marion Dark made a motion attempting to establish audio recordings for all City meetings, adding Public Works and the Finance/Administration Committee, where many real city finance decisions are made.  She urged the keeping of the recordings on the City’s website for a minimum of 3-6 months for public access. 

After 30 minutes of discussion and objection, City Manager, Chris Workman had convinced three Councilors to vote the motion down.  Vote: 3-2 (Opposed: Low, Edmonds, Thomas. In Favor: Dark, Jones).

Why Transparency Matters?

Philomath has approved an unprecedented (35%+) amount of growth since 2017, with another 26-acre,  Master Plan Development Hearing before the Planning Commission, July 15th.  The original Hearing on May 20th was suspiciously canceled by the city (unknowing to the Planning Commission), the same day a 2000 address mailer alerting Philomath residents of the Hearing was released. 
Philomath has exceeded the lifespan of our Water Treatment Plant facility over 10 years ago.  To date there has been no clear communication to citizens or up front planning addressing the Treatment Plant and other needed infrastructure expenditures estimated at $29 million.

In May, The City sponsored a Water Town Hall event with expert speakers  addressing Philomath’s overall water supply, facility, distribution concerns and impacts from climate change showing warming trends for the entire valley.  Guest experts at no time stated that Philomath has enough water for continued population growth and

Happy Birthday to PhilomathInfo.com!


Welcome to PhilomathInfo.Com!
 PhilomathInfo.com was birthed  through a collaboration of community patriots who found a need
for transparency and accountability in City Government.

With limited success in basic and convenient access to, public meeting information, land use proposals, audio recordings of public meetings, and governing City documents, the need arose for a centralized location for such important and defining information.

The editors of PhilomathInfo.com wish to welcome you and encourage you to be engaged in your community and your government.

Remember:  The City Council and our Local Government are tasked with serving the Citizens of the Community.  It is your right to be involved in your government.

So take a look around, share your thoughts and help us build an informational fact-based website and blog, where you will find what you may not find on other Websites.

 Topics will Include...

  • The Business of our City Government
  • City Meeting schedules
  • Audio Recording of Public Meetings
  • Election Information and Countdown!
  • Guest Editors and Commentary 
  • Water, Water, Water...Is There Enough, What Will It Cost?
  • ...and more
Trending issues such as...
  • Affordable Housing
  • Water Rate Increases - July 1, 2019 through July 1, 2021
  • New Development Proposals in Philomath 
  • Updates on Current Development Proposals
  • Public Safety
  • Councilor Terry Weiss' resignation
  • Philomath Water Forum summary
  • SB1573 - The end of Voter Approval of Annexations
  • SB2001 - The end of Single Family Housing
  •