Phone 625-1436
Sherwood has a contract with Tualatin for one million gallons of Bull Run water per day. Sherwood also has four wells as a back up supply.
Sherwood, Or., Sept. 28, 1999
Monday, the City of Sherwood completed construction of it's second water line bringing Bull Run water from Tualatin to Sherwood (they have an existing 12 inch line) .This one is a 4.5 mile, 2.4 million dollar 24 inch line, and with the elevation gradient between the two cities, there is about 180 PSI pressure, which would allow up to 12 million gallons a day of capacity. However the present contract with Tualatin is for about 1 million gallons per day average. If Sherwood votes to go to the Willamette, the line will then carry Willamette river water instead of Bull Run water
Sherwood, Or., Oct. 27, 1999
On Tuesday, the Sherwood City Council voted in favor of participating in the Willamette river treatment plant. They also filed a Notice of Revenue Bond Authorization in the amount of $18 million to pay for their share of the plant.
Sherwood, Or., Dec. 29, 1999.
Today the Sherwood Citizens for Safe Water delivered 461 signatures to Sherwood City Hall, to force a vote on the $18,000,000 revenue bond approved by the city to finance their share of the Willamette treatment plant. About 315 valid signatures are required. The measure may be on the May 16, 2000 ballot. Those wanting to assist in the Sherwood campaign can call 625-1436.
Sherwood,
Or., Jan. 21, 2000
Last
week the Sherwood City Council tried to abandon the Ballot Title Challenge which
is scheduled to be heard by the Circuit Court on Jan. 24. The Ballot challenge
was previously filed by Tigard CFSW member Gordon Martin.
Amazingly, at their Jan. 11 City Council meeting, the Council wrote a new
ballot title, and the following day filed it with the County Elections division
for the Mar. 14 election, and filed a notice in the Oregonian on Jan. 17, thus
starting the process all over again. CFSW
asked the Secretary of State for a legal opinion of their action. Their response
was that the Council's action was illegal. The city then dropped it and
continued with the original ballot title.
Hillsboro, Or., Jan. 27, 2000.
Last
Monday arguments on the ballot title challenge for Sherwood and Tualatin regarding the
Referendum on the Revenue Bond authorizations of each city to fund their share of the
Willamette River treatment plant were heard by Judge Mark Gardner of the Circuit Court.
The petitioners, who were members of the Citizens for Safe Water organizations in
Tigard and Tualatin appeared pro
se
(without legal council).
Today
(Thursday) ju
The measure will be on the Mar. 14 mail in ballot for Sherwood. If the Tualatin CFSW group turns in enough valid signatures by Feb. 1, theirs will be on the May 16 ballot. The Tualatin group claims they should have enough signatures at this time to comply.
Sherwood, Or., Feb. 29, 2000
In a last minute attempt to sway voters, the City of Sherwood included an insert in the city's latest water bills, titled "Water Bond Election Fact Sheet." The insert made some claims which we believe are not an accurate representation of the facts to the voters. The insert states that the supplemental Bull Run water Sherwood has been getting from Tualatin is available only when Tualatin has a surplus, and that there may not be a surplus and therefore there may not be extra water available to Sherwood, starting this summer during high usage periods. Our response is as follows: At this time Tualatin has a contract with Portland for 10.8 million gallons per day (mgd) of Bull Run water. Last summer Tualatin had a peak usage of about 7.5 mgd. Tualatin has a contract to supply Sherwood with 1.0 mgd. Sherwood still has its four producing wells to provide water. It is highly unlikely that the demand this summer or next summer will exceed the supply. In addition. late last year the City of Portland in several letters told Tualatin that a new contract for an additional 6 mgd could be negotiated. But neither Tualatin nor Sherwood has pursued this offer because they both want to go to the Willamette River.
The insert also stated that Sherwood has several significant internal improvements that must be done to provide adequate pressure and quantity in several areas of the city. The Vineyards and Woodhaven developments have low pressure, as will the new elementary school. This situation mandates that we build several new pipelines and reservoirs. It went on to say Last year the City Council approved issuing enough bonds to construct the internal improvements and to pursue a new water source. The city is ready to proceed with the internal system improvements. But without the water revenue bonds, these projects will not be able to proceed without finding another funding source, which is unlikely.
Our response to this is as follows: This is the first we have heard of this. During the many months of discussion leading up to the Oct. 12, 1999 City Council meeting at which they agreed to approve the revenue bond to finance the Willamette River project at the next meeting, the Council never mentioned needing funding for internal improvements. In fact, at the Oct. 12 meeting one of the Councilors asked the City Finance Director if they had to approve the bond funding at that time, and his answer was not unless they wanted to go to the Willamette River for their long term water. In addition, at this same meeting, the mayor mentioned that the City had 6 or 7 million dollars in revenue bond authority which they have had for many years, and have not used. These could be used to pay for any internal system improvements, which the City estimates should cost less than 4 million dollars.
The insert also stated that Without the water revenue bonds, these (internal system improvement) projects will not be able to proceed without finding another funding source, which is unlikely.
Our response to this is as follows: If this ballot measure is turned down by the voters, and the city wants additional funding for internal improvements, or for a water source other than the Willamette River, all they have to do is pass another resolution, stating in the resolution that the revenue bond funding will not be used for a Willamette River water source. It is highly unlikely that the citizens would oppose this.
In conclusion, Citizens for Safe Water is of the opinion that this insert is in violation of State Election Law. The Oregon Department of Justice, in a direction to the Elections Division of the Secretary of State Office, stated that "Public bodies generally may provide information to the public concerning their activities. However, when the information relates to a measure before the voters, special care should be taken to ensure that the information is fairly presented and is not used to lead voters to support a particular position in the election. In view of the potential financial penalties for violation of ORS260.432 and 294.100, we urge agencies to consult with counsel before embarking on any informational program related to a ballot measure."
Sherwood, Or., Mar. 14, 2000
As of 10pm today (Election Day) the Sherwood Revenue Bond measure 34-9 was going down in defeat by 81% to 19%. CFSW has campaigned against this funding for Sherwood's share of the Willamette River treatment plant. Voter turnout was high for a special election, with 2446 (40%) of the city's 6138 voters returning their ballots in this vote by mail election. This should send a strong message to the Sherwood City Council that Sherwood residents do not want to drink Willamette River water.
Portland, Or., May 16, 2000
Today the four Citizens for Safe Water chapters in Tigard, Wilsonville, Tualatin and Sherwood submitted a formal statement to the Regional Water Providers Consortium Board. The statement conveyed the CFSW position regarding future water sources for the SW cities, and requested that a fifth scenario (which does not include the Willamette River treatment plant) be added to the existing four scenarios in the "Regional Transmission and Storage Strategy" report. The statement is posted on the CFSW website and can be seen by clicking here.
CFSW Files Initiative petition in Sherwood. July
24, 2000
Today Citizens for Safe Water filed an Initiative Petition in the City of
Sherwood. If 935 valid signatures are gathered, an election will be held
to determine if a new section should be added to the Sherwood City Charter which
would require a future vote of the people before Willamette River water can be
used as a drinking water source. Sherwood residents are concerned that the
city is contracting with Tualatin Valley Water District for their water.
Tualatin Valley recently acquired a 49% interest in the Willamette
treatment plant, and signed an agreement with Wilsonville which will eventually
give TVWD controlling interest in the plant, and the right to sell their share
of the plant to outside interests.
All Sherwood City Council seats up for
grabs in November., Sept. 10, 2000
With the resignation of City Councilor Scott
Franklin, all seven City Council positions, including the mayor's seat, will be
on the November ballot.
Petitions now being circulated in TVWD,
Tualatin and Sherwood., Oct. 3, 2000
Signatures are now being gathered in the Tualatin Valley Water
District, and the cities of Tualatin and Sherwood. In all cases the
petition measures will change the city charters (and the TVWD ordinances) to
require a future vote of the people before Willamette River water can be used.
If you can help get some signatures, for TVWD call Jim at 503-590-2818. For Tualatin call Kathie at 503-692-5227, and for Sherwood call Glenn at 503-625-1436
Tualatin Valley Water District now
managing Sherwood's water., Oct. 2, 2000
The TVWD started operating Sherwood's water
system today. The TVWD will handle maintenance, customer service and
billing, water quality testing and compliance, etc. The agreement will
last five years, and the city has the opportunity to renew for two additional
five year periods. TVWD has agreed not to use Willamette River water
during the initial five year contract. The water will be supplied by
Sherwood's wells, and the Portland Bull Run system. Sherwood residents are
concerned about the contract because the TVWD owns 49% of the Willamette River
treatment plant which is under construction.
Sherwood
City Council votes to send Citizens for Safe Water initiative to voters, Aug.
15, 2001
Last night, at the request of Sherwood CFSW director Glen
Brostrom, the Sherwood City Council voted to refer the CFSW Initiative petition
(which is currently being circulated) to the voters. If passed, the
Sherwood City Charter will be changed to require a future vote before Willamette
River water can be used for drinking.
Sherwood passes referendum to require vote on Willamette water, Nov. 7, 2001. In yesterday's election Sherwood voters approved a measure which will change the city charter to require a future vote before Willamette river water can be used as a drinking water source within the city. The measure passed by 86%
