City snapshot — maintaining Sisters

• Abbas Well Drilling hit water last week in Creekside Campground for the City’s new Well #4 at a depth of 295 feet in hard rock, which is what they had hoped for. Public Works Director Paul Bertagna reported that the hole would then be viewed with a video camera and a 48-hour blow test of the pump would be conducted.

• City Council approved the appointment of 14 people to the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Comprehensive Plan update. Two-thirds of the members live within the city and one-third live in Sisters Country, although several of the out-of-town residents do own businesses in town. The members represent many different entities, interests, and demographics in an attempt to reflect the people living in Sisters. Council also approved the appointment of 14 members to the Strategic Advisory Committee which is made up of public entity partners that work with the City. They will provide technical advice and review for the Comprehensive Plan update. (See related story.)

• The public improvements for McKenzie Meadow Village Phase III were accepted by the City Council. Going forward, the City owns and accepts perpetual operation and maintenance of the public infrastructure. That infrastructure includes the water system, sewer system, storm water, and streets serving the Hayden Homes development.

• Republic Services reported to the City that during the recent free fall cleanup, they collected 780 yards of yard debris, 150 yards of trash, and nine appliances. That equates to roughly 10.5 trucks of yard debris and two trucks full of trash.

• The soon-to-open new Sisters Depot Kitchen & Cocktail Bar has been granted a full on-premises commercial and off-premises liquor license from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

• The City sent out 388 2020 surveys to Sisters businesses, mostly via email with 32 mailed. As of last week, 124 surveys have been completed online, 25 are started but not yet finished, and four were mailed in. A reminder notice went out to those who have not yet returned their responses.

• The Sisters Country Economic Development (SCED) committee is making plans for a Made in Sisters event this spring which will serve both as a public relations opportunity for Sisters businesses to showcase their products made locally as well as a fundraising event for SCED.

• According to Public Works Director Paul Bertagna, the City has been awarded a 75 percent grant from FEMA for relocation of the City sewer line from the upstream side of the Locust Street bridge to being buried under the creek to avoid damage from debris coming down the creek.

• A new committee has been formed in the City — the Public Works Advisory Committee — to work with members of the City Public Works Department in an advisory capacity on maintenance issues, infrastructure improvements, and other duties of the department.