We've certainly had a busy year. Formed in spring of 1997, Citizens For Florence has demonstrated its commitment to our goal of improving the livability of Florence.

CFF Web Page

The CFF web page has generated quite a bit of interest. We've had over 2,500 visitors since spring of 1998.

The web page, because of the immediacy of this medium, can provide information on situations such as the recent sewage spill in a quick, easily understandable format. Our web page tries to provide information, 24 hours a day, in a format that other media cannot - full text of important public documents, details of the workings of City Hall, political and community calendars constantly updated, City budget details, photographs which are always available, links to other web sites, and much more. Over the past year we've published:

v Weekly weather report

v Consent Decree from the Clean Water Act lawsuit, setting out the details of the settlement between the City and Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

v Tsunami inundation map and City evacuation plan

v Documents used by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency to obtain a search warrant of the City's records at the sewage treatment plant

v State of Oregon Ethics Rules for public officials

v News articles from sources outside Florence

v CFF's 1998 and 1999 Annual Reports

v Photos of the Cannery Dune

v Directions on how to obtain records from public agencies

v Reports on the proposed outlet mall and Fred Meyer retail complex

v Listing of lawsuits against the City

v City Council meeting agendas and analyses of City expenditures

v Lists of sewage spills into the Siuslaw River

v Senior Resource Guide
 

Outlet Mall Appeal

In October 1998, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) agreed with our position that the City had illegally changed the zoning for the property at the corner of Hwy. 101 and Munsel Lake Road, and returned the proposed zone-change back to the City of Florence. As originally recommended by CFF, the City will be reviewing this parcel's zoning in the next few months during its Comprehensive Plan update. If you wish to have input on this issue, contact Sandi Young at City Hall (997-8237) for the date of the Planning Commission work session.

Non Profit Status

In September 1998, we filed our request for verification of our non-profit status from the IRS. We received the determination letter in January 1999. A copy of that letter, and other information regarding CFF's status as a non-profit organization is located in the Siuslaw Public Library.

Fred Meyer Design Review

After numerous negotiation sessions with Fred Meyer representatives, CFF finally worked out a mutually acceptable Agreement. Fred Meyer agreed to:

The public access right-of-way to the Cannery Dune will be the first legal public access to this Florence treasure. When the Fred Meyer complex is completed, CFF will install the interpretive sign (at the southwest corner of the parking lot) detailing the ecology and unique aspects of this 40-acre open dune.

All in all, CFF believes their appeal of the City's design approval, while unpopular in the beginning, resulted in a much better design for our community, and for Fred Meyer. The agreement also contributed significantly to our goals of protecting the Siuslaw River, encouraging non-motorized transportation, protecting the aquifer and downstream (from stormwater runoff) residents, as well as finally providing legal public access to the Cannery Dune.

Cannery Dune

CFF has adopted the Cannery Dune at the northern edge of Florence. This dune has long been an unofficial tourist attraction, and is a unique example of a living dune. Its proximity to Hwy. 101 provides an excellent opportunity for public education. In addition to developing an interpretive sign at the entrance to the dune, CFF has agreed to work with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (owner of the dune) in controlling non-native vegetation such as European beach grass. The CFF web page also has photographs of some of the interesting features of the Cannery Dune. If you're interested in joining one of our Dune Watch work parties, or just want to tag along to view this long neglected gem, contact CFF. Everyone is welcome.

Community Involvement

In the past year, CFF supporters attended countless meetings of City Council, City Planning Commission, Citizens Advisory Committee, City Budget Committee, Stormwater Development Plan Committee, Siuslaw Watershed Council, Downtown Development Plan Committee, and others dealing with issues of interest to the Florence community.

In May, we participated in the City-sponsored Florence Clean-up Day, and picked up litter along a one-mile stretch of Rhododendron Drive. We are hoping this will become an annual event here in Florence.

Future Projects

Some of the projects we'll be working on include:

v Design and construction of the interpretive sign for the Cannery Dune will be one of our major projects in the coming year. CFF is looking for volunteers to research and develop appropriate language for the sign, as well as contributions for construction.

v Continued community support for videotaping of City Council meetings is high on our priority list. Many Florence residents find it difficult to attend the regular night-time meetings, and find the video replay service invaluable. The new City Council's efforts at "opening up" City Hall to the public are exemplified by their willingness to continue this public service, even in the face of budget cutbacks.

v Regular "patrols" by the Dune Watch group will be organized to work with the BLM and Department of Forestry in removing non-native vegetation on the Cannery Dune.

v Development of the Cannery Dune viewing area to include examples of intermittent dunal lakes, dunal wetlands, and riparian/dune edge habitat is also on our "wish list." All of these ecosystems are on publicly owned land, within easy walking distance of the Cannery Dune. This project would require considerable volunteer time and resources.

v CFF's long range plans include continued public education activities through web page production, sponsoring and participating in public meetings, and publishing informational newsletters.

If you have other ideas or projects you believe would fit with CFF's goal of improving the livability of Florence, email us at citizensforflorence@yahoo.com

Contributions

We have full recognition by the IRS as a not-for-profit corporation, and contributions to CFF are tax deductible. Names of contributors remain confidential.