City Manager

I was recently invited by the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce to share a presentation regarding a "2008 State of the City Message" with Mayor Larry Rich and City Council President Rick Coen. The following is a summary of that presentation.

Click here to view the full presentation: State of the City Presentation February 2008

Click here to view the Accomplishments in 2007, Goals for 2008-2012

What's New at City Hall

1. Costco

Costco is now considering property north of Roseburg formerly occupied by Perry's Electric. Representatives are working with Douglas County regarding development requirements.

2. Airport Runway Extension Study

The City Council recently narrowed alternatives for the airport runway extension to four. Although there are no immediate plans to extend the runway, narrowing the potential scope will allow the runway protection zone to be determined which will then allow the City to move forward the plans for development of the property north of Edenbower.

3. Public Safety Center

Bonds have been sold to pay for construction of a Public Safety Center to be located at the corner of Douglas/Stephens/Rose. The Center will serve as headquarters for the Police and Fire Departments. Harmon Construction of Coos Bay has been awarded the Public Safety Center bid at $12 million. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for March 10, 2008. Departments are anticipating moving into the facility by June 2009.

Click here to view the Public Safety Center Quick Facts

4. Former Rite Aid/Safeway Site Redevelopment

Staff has been working diligently with the property owner, interested business operators to develop a multi-story building that would contain retail, office and a "town square" focus. Preliminary designs have been developed for use to market this important property.

5. System Development Charges (SDC)

An adhoc Task Force has been formed and meeting regularly to review the Transportation SDC's to ensure comparability with other communities, increase user friendliness, not serve as an impediment to growth and economic development and update our capital project list to reflect Transportation System Plan projects. This group will be providing a recommendation to the City Council soon to include alternative funding sources to maintain the City's transportation system.

6. Urban Growth Boundary Expansion

A citizen's advisory and steering committee has been formed to plan the amount of land necessary to meet the 20 year growth needs of our City. The committee will manage growth in the Roseburg urban area through cooperative efforts of the City of Roseburg and Douglas County to insure the quality of life of present and future residents of the area, and to contain urban development and preserve adjacent resource lands by:

a. Establishing and periodically reviewing an urban growth boundary to identify and separate urbanizable land from rural land while insuring sufficient amounts of urbanizable land to accommodate the population needs.

b. Planning and developing a timely, orderly, and efficient arrangement of public facilities and services to serve as a framework for urban development.

7. 2007-2012 Strategic Plan

In a desire to help us implement the City's mission and vision statements, the City Council, Mayor, Staff and advisory commissions developed service related organizational goals for the next five year period. We believe this deliberate planning effort will move our organization and community toward a desired future. The resultant product is the "Strategic Plan 2007-2012" which was adopted by the City Council on June 11, 2007. The Plan clearly defines the City's goals, proactive strategies, committed leadership and effective management based upon the following principles: a Safe City, Great Neighborhoods, a Healthy Economy and an Effective Government.

The most recent version of the plan can be viewed here: November 2007 Update

8. Highway 138 Corridor Study

City officials and citizen groups have been working cooperatively with the Oregon Department of Transportation to study the Highway 138 Corridor. The goal of the study is to improve traffic congestion downtown and on Stephens Street, improve travel across the railroad tracks, fill in gaps in the bike-pedestrian system and address economic development issues. After a community open house in early 2008, ODOT is undergoing further review of the Corridor. A full report is expected to be presented to the City Council in late spring.

9. Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Budget

Staff is preparing the proposed budget for fiscal year 2008-2009. The proposal will be presented to the Budget Committee for consideration in early May.

As always, should you have any questions or comments about these topics, please feel free to contact staff at 541-672-7701 or drop me a line at eswanson@cityofroseburg.org.

Sincerely,
P. Eric Swanson
City Manager

How To Contact Us...
Hours
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday

900 SE Douglas,
Roseburg, OR 97470

Telephone 541-672-7701
Fax 541-673-2856
TDD 1-800-735-2900

City Manager
Eric Swanson

City Recorder
Sheila Cox

Human Resources Director
Barbara Gershon

Management Technician
Debi Davidson

Administrative Assistant
Koree Tate

City of Roseburg

900 SE Douglas Avenue

Roseburg OR 97470

Phone: (541) 672-7701

Fax: (541) 673-2856