City of Rockaway Beach – Mayor’s Monthly Update

By Mayor Charles McNeilly

Welcome to my City of Rockaway Beach Monthly Update with a look back at the month of July 2025.

We have enjoyed another Independence Day celebration. The parade … some say one of the best; the Firecracker Wiener Nationals Dog Races … as the crowd gets larger, we may need to consider other viewing options; the Lion’s Club Treasure Hunt and Races … fun for the kids; and the epic Fireworks Show … always a crowd pleaser. We owe the success of the 4th of July to our staff, contractors, and volunteers who made it all possible. Thank you to everyone who put in the time and effort to make the Fourth of July in Rockaway Beach so special! But most of all I want to thank those who took time to clean up the fireworks debris left behind on our beach.

The countywide burn ban has been in effect since July 15th. The ban includes no open pile burning and no burn-barrels. Beach campfires and permitted fire pits on private property are allowed. Given our moderate fire rating, we urge everyone to exercise caution with any fires.

Councilor McGinnis and I attended the Salmonberry Trail Kickoff event in Wheeler. The Salmonberry Trail will be transformational for Tillamook County. Rockaway Beach has been working on a funding opportunity for the trail and has developed a greater understanding of the challenges to bringing the trail to the coast.

The new Pelican Brewing Company Rockaway Tap Room is set to open in August in the old Roastery location. The Pelican Tap Room is a welcome addition to the city for locals and visitors alike. The Beach Bite is back and serving delicious pasta and pizza. Additionally, the Spirits of the West, a distillery, will be opening soon next to Jui Jitsu 101. It’s always exciting to welcome old friends and new businesses to town!

City Hall

Finance Director Johnston has published the Q4 Financial Report for FY 2024–25, and the results are excellent. Our city’s net position increased by over $2 million this fiscal year. This is an indication of our city’s financial health.

We began the new fiscal year on July 1. With a budget just over $35 million, FY 2025–2026 is shaping up to be a transformative year for Rockaway Beach. I, along with the city leadership and staff, am excited about the work ahead of us. I have a feeling it is going to be another momentous year with a long list of projects and initiatives to work on together.

Fire Department and Emergency Preparation

Our Ladder Truck is nearing the end of its production. Chief Hesse traveled to South Dakota to perform the final inspection, and a few minor issues are being addressed. We expect delivery soon, after which we will conduct training and transfer equipment before putting the unit into service. A “push-in” ceremony will be scheduled for August or September.

The Fire Department recently revamped its training room with new tables, chairs, and a brand-new smart whiteboard. These upgrades will improve an already stellar training program.

I am thrilled to announce that Firefighter/EMTs Shawna Yost and Fjara Venezia have joined our summer team. They are hard at work familiarizing themselves with our procedures, responding to 911 calls, and engaging in beach safety activities, such as extinguishing leftover campfires and educating the public about water safety.

Our summer staff has also been busy preparing Emergency Preparedness mailers in collaboration with Nan Devlin and the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association. These mailers contain vital safety information, emergency contact forms, important phone numbers, and window clings. The city will be mailing them out soon to ensure residents and visitors are well-informed and prepared.

Chief Hesse recently toured the Cannon Beach supply cache and evacuation sites with Emergency Volunteer Corp of Nehalem Bay (EVCNB) members, gathering valuable ideas and information. The ongoing collaboration with EVCNB continues to benefit both organizations, and the Fire Department looks forward to using these insights in developing our formal Emergency Management Plan.

Planning Department

Our new City Planner Abram Tapia began work on July 1^st. Mr. Tapia holds a Master’s in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon. He has already dug in and is delivering value to our community. Welcome City Planner Tapia.

During Tuesday’s County and City Planning Coordination Meeting, planners discussed the successful implementation of Middle Housing Updates and strategized around a regional grant application for planning assistance to complete our Housing Needs Analysis and Housing Production Strategies, as required by the State. These steps are crucial in understanding and addressing our local housing needs.

Planning Commission

At the July Planning Commission meeting, the commission held two public hearings. The first was for CU-25-2, an application for conditional use expansion of a non-conforming use in the C1 Zone at 127 South Miller Street. The record remains open for seven additional days for the applicant to submit written testimony, and the Planning Commission will discuss and decide on the application at their August 21 meeting. The second public hearing was for VAR-25-1, an application for a variance for a reduction in lot width (Tillamook County Assessor’s Map #2N1020BD Lot #6300), which was approved.

If any of the Planning Commission activities listed for July are of interest, you can read the meeting materials and view recordings of all Planning Commission meetings on the Planning Commission Page.

Public Works

With the arrival of Abram Tapia, Mary Mertz transitioned to the full-time Public Works Director. Superintendent Dan Emerson will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of Public Works. The City of Rockaway Beach is fortunate to have such a wealth of talent at all levels.

Public Works installed two new benches along the Old Growth Cedar Trail Boardwalk. Thank you, Planning Commissioner Bill Hassell, for championing this project. These benches offer a great spot to rest along the trail, and continue our tradition of improving accessibility to local attractions — kudos to the City crew for making it happen.

Besides the day-to-day activity, Public Works:

swiftly fixed the sewer line belly at the new Pelican Taproom to ensure timely opening.
installed a sewer connection to service the reopened Beach Bite.
repaired the irrigation system at Anchor Street Park and resolved a restroom plumbing issue.
painted red curbs throughout town, clearly marking no-parking areas.
opened the North Pacific Street infrastructure improvement and paving project for bids.
gathered cost estimates for the 101 Culvert Repair project which came in under original estimates.
posted new signs at the Jetty Creek Water Treatment Plant indicating that the area is restricted and camping is prohibited.

I am pleased to share that two of our Public Works team members have recently achieved Oregon DEQ certifications, highlighting not only their dedication but also the city’s commitment to exceptional service.

Mitch Leipzig, our Plant Operator II, earned his Wastewater Treatment Level II certification—a significant milestone requiring thorough technical knowledge, awareness of regulations, and practical problem-solving abilities. This accomplishment ensures our treatment facility continues to operate safely and efficiently, safeguarding both public health and the local environment.

Logan Romig, Utility Worker III, succeeded in passing the Wastewater Collections Level I certification, an exam that covers a broad range of topics from pipeline maintenance and safety protocols to system hydraulics. Known as the “arms and legs” of Public Works, Logan is always on the move, handling a myriad of tasks, often before being asked, and always with a smile.

These certifications are challenging to obtain, demanding a balance of direct experience and dedicated study, especially while fulfilling full-time responsibilities. Their achievements represent both personal growth and a significant step forward for our city as we continue to strengthen our skilled workforce. Congratulations to both and thank you. Please congratulate Mitch and Logan on their impressive accomplishments—Rockaway Beach is truly fortunate to have such dedicated team members.

City Council

The city replaced the uncomfortable folding chairs in the Council Room with comfortable padded seats. I look forward to seeing you at the August City Council meeting enjoying the new chairs.

The July City Council workshop entailed crucial discussions and reviews.

We had an informative presentation on the 2025 Sewer Rate Study by Josiah Close from HDR Engineering Inc.
The council reviewed the ODOT Speed Zone Investigation, which recommends reducing the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph in the downtown business core.
We examined revised applications for the Business Facade Improvement Grant.
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Source Water Protection Grant Fund Grant Agreement & Resolution 2025-40 was reviewed.
We discussed Memo & Resolution 2025-41, which authorizes payment to Stimson Lumber Company to support mechanical road brushing in the Upper Jetty Creek Watershed instead of using herbicides.
Resolution 2025-36 was reviewed to amend Resolution No. 2025-22 and correct a scrivener’s error.
We reviewed applications for the Forest Stewardship Advisory Committee.

During the Regular Session on Wednesday night, the City Council acted on several resolutions:

Resolution 2025-36 was approved to amend Resolution No. 2025-22 and correct a scrivener’s error.
Resolution 2025-37 was approved, which aligns with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s recommendation to modify the speed limit in the Rockaway Beach downtown business district on US 101.
Resolution 2025-38 was approved appointing Nancy Lanyon and Darlene Johnson members of the Forest Stewardship Plan Advisory Committee.
Resolution 2025-39 was approved, recommending the granting of a liquor license for Spirits of the West.
Resolution 2025-40 was approved, authorizing a Drinking Water Source Protection Grant Agreement to support the Lower Jetty Creek Watershed Acquisition. This resolution secures a grant of $1,422,270.00 from the OWEB Drinking Water Source Protection Grant Program.
Resolution 2025-41 was approved, authorizing a payment of $10,355 to Stimson Lumber Company. This supports the transition from herbicide application to mechanical road brushing on 10.9 miles of roads within and adjacent to the Upper Jetty Creek Watershed through July 2028.
Resolution 2025-42 was approved for awards to Tillamara, Inc., Pho Real, and Wortman Properties Management LLC under the 2025 Business Facade Grant Program.
The City Council also completed Councilor candidate interviews and voted to fill the council vacancy. Patrick Ryan received five first-choice votes and was subsequently appointed to City Council Position 4 with Resolution 2025-43. Patrick Ryan was sworn in as the newly appointed councilor.

If any of the Council activities listed for July are of interest, you can read the meeting materials and view recordings of all Council meetings (except Executive Sessions) on the City Council page.

Rockaway Beach Patrol

I am pleased to announce that our third Rockaway Beach Patrol Deputy arrived—just in time for the Fourth of July. Deputy Terrance Watters began his first shift in Rockaway Beach on July 2. Welcome Deputy Watters!

Tillamook Coast Visitors Association (TCVA)

Oregon Coast Today has published an article on Rockaway Beach featuring a range of the community’s summer activities. This coverage provides excellent visibility and positive promotion for our city. It is certainly worth reading.

The Tillamook Coast Visitors Association has completed a follow-up report on local industry sectors. This study revisits interviews first conducted during and after COVID, covering five sectors: farmers/fishers, museums/cultural heritage, retailers, restaurants, and lodging. Here is what they had to say about Rockaway Beach:

Farmers/Fishers/Agritourism:“The current government of Rockaway Beach was praised as business friendly.”
Museums/Cultural Heritage:“Rockaway Beach drew praise for its Community Grant programs.”
Retail:“Rockaway Beach was praised for its ‘incredible’ grants to businesses.”
Restaurants:“A restaurant owner praised Rockaway Beach for a façade grant that improved their building.”
Lodging:“Rockaway Beach was hailed as business-friendly and innovative for its grant programs.”

Nan Devlin reports that Rockaway Beach performed very well overall. She went on to say that the city’s support for the business community is making a real impact!

Key Dates in August for Community Engagement

The Forest Stewardship Plan Advisory Committee will kick things off with a tour of the Jetty Creek watershed sometime in mid-August. The Committee’s first meeting will be held Thursday, August 21^st at 2:30 pm in the City Hall 2^nd Floor Conference Room.

The City Council Workshop is on Wednesday, August 20^th at 4:30 pm in the City Hall 2^nd Floor Conference Room followed by the City Council Meeting at 6:00 pm downstairs in the City Hall Council Room. The City Council meetings were moved to the third Wednesday to accommodate my attending the Oregon Mayors Annual Conference.

The Planning Commission meeting is on Thursday, August 21^st at 5:00 pm in the City Hall Council Room.

The Coffee with Mayor and City Manager is Thursday, August 28^th at 9:00 am in the City Hall 2^nd Floor Conference Room.

Please stay informed and engaged!

The most efficient way to keep up to date with your city government is to add your email address to the City’s email list through the City’s website, at the bottom of the landing page.