By Charles McNeilly, Mayor
Welcome to my City of Rockaway Beach Monthly Update with a look back at the month of April 2026.
One of our city’s priorities is to ensure we provide residents and visitors with clean, safe, dependable, and affordable drinking water. To that end the City of Rockaway Beach signed an agreement to purchase 800 acres of forestland, including 600 acres in the lower part of the Jetty Creek watershed, which is our city’s primary drinking water source. The purchase price of $4.35 million will be covered in large part by state funding – including $1.25 million from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program, and another $1.55 million through loan forgiveness from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The remaining $1.55 million will be paid via a loan from DEQ, which the city will repay over 30 years. Through effective financial planning by our city staff, this acquisition will not increase water rates throughout the lifetime of the loan. Additionally, we will add recreation opportunities on the property outside of our drinking watershed, which will benefit residents and support tourism.
At the April 8th City Council meeting, the Council awarded about $17,000 in Small Community Grants. Recipients are Meals for Seniors ($4,999), Go Rockaway ($4,999), Tillamook County Developmental Disabilities Program ($1,799), and the Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Arts Music & Cultural Foundation ($4,999). Kudos to the Rockaway Beach Planning Commission for their hard work in reviewing, scoring, and making recommendations for the grant awards.
Other highlights for April include:
- This year’s July 4th parade theme is “Generations by the Sea – Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom.” From grandparents to grandchildren, our community comes together to celebrate America’s 250 years of independence. (City Hall)
- It is time to submit nominations for the 2026 Grand Marshal and Volunteer of the Year. More information, including the parade route, can be found on our July 4th Events page on our city website. (City Hall)
- Fire and Rescue Department hosts a community CPR and First Aid class every month. (FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS)
- Oregon Health Authority & Department of Environmental Quality awarded Public Works the Drinking Water Source Protection Award. (Public Works)
- The Oregon Health Authority designated Rockaway Beach Public Works as an Outstanding Performer. (Public Works)
- Rockaway Beach’s Facade Grant Program is featured in a case study titled “Fix up the Buildings, Attract New Business“. (RURAL TOURISM PARTNERS)
Upcoming Events
The Community Emergency Preparedness Meeting – Summer Hazards & Wildfire Risk Reduction is on Wednesday, May 6th at 6:00 pm in the Council Room at City Hall.
Memorial Day Service is on Monday, May 25th at 10:00 am at the Rockaway Beach Wayside.
The Coffee with the Mayor and City Manager is Thursday, May 28th at 9:00 am in the City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room.
CITY HALL
This year’s July 4th parade theme is “Generations by the Sea – Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom.” From grandparents to grandchildren, our community comes together to celebrate America’s 250 years of independence. It is time to submit nominations for the 2026 Grand Marshal and Volunteer of the Year. More information, including the parade route, can be found on our July 4th Events page on our city website.
Finance Director Johnston published our third-quarter financial report. The report includes new features, such as historical charts and Transient Lodging Tax revenue history by season as well as temperature and rainfall. This report is available on our Finance Department page on our city website.
We were notified that Tillamook County is planning to pave the following roads in Rockaway in May:
- Breaker (from Washington to the road end)
- Washington (from Anchor to Dolphin)
- South Anchor (from Washington to Stark)
- South Beacon (from Washington to Stark)
We want to thank Tillamook County Public Works for these needed improvements.
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Our Fire and Rescue Department hosts a community CPR and First Aid class every month. Registration for the upcoming May 16th session is filling up quickly. Registration for the Saturday, June 20th class is open.
The Fire Department met with representatives from PulsePoint, a mobile application integrated with the local dispatch center. Upon downloading and activating the app, users are notified of cardiac arrest incidents and nearby Automated External Defibrillator (AED) locations. The program encourages bystander-initiated CPR before the arrival of the Fire Department and has demonstrated effectiveness in semi-rural areas by improving survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest.
Good news on the Public Protection rating report from our Fire Department which resulted in our rating being improved. We are proud of the work of the Fire Department staff in completing this survey. It took months to gather the information needed and we also had support from our Public Works department and Tillamook 911 in completing the survey. Our rating improved to class 4; the new rating goes into effect August 1st and will likely lower homeowner insurance premiums in the City of Rockaway Beach.
Firefighters Anthony Allen and Doolin O’Connor successfully passed their EMT National Exams, further enhancing our Fire Department’s medical response capacity. With one Paramedic, one EMT‑Intermediate, three EMT‑Advanced, six EMTs, three EMRs, and one EMR student, the department continues to provide top notch critical emergency medical services to both residents and visitors.
At the April 8th Council workshop, HGE Architecture and Fire Chief Hesse presented their initial work on the city’s options for replacing or upgrading our aging and deteriorating Fire Station. Their presentation included a review of the current and future needs of the Fire Department, ensuring that any proposed solution would adequately serve the community for years to come. The architects provided a preliminary analysis of four potential options and associated cost estimates: three options at the location of the current station, and one at a 10-acre site outside the flood and tsunami inundation zones. After careful consideration, the City Council directed the team to narrow the remaining feasibility work to one option at each site. Next, the team will refine cost estimates, conduct further geotechnical analysis, and explore available funding opportunities for both locations. I recommend watching the recording of the recording of the workshop on our city website.
Weekly training activities focused on vehicle fire response, with crews utilizing the car prop to simulate realistic heat conditions and practice safe and effective extinguishment techniques.
Fire One training continues to progress steadily, with task books being completed and signed off each week. Instruction covers Mayday procedures, which equip firefighters to effectively call for help in emergency situations. Participants also practice forcible entry techniques, enabling them to gain access during fire incidents, and review hydrant operations essential for establishing reliable water supply during firefighting efforts. The Fire Department also conducted training focused on the use of gas monitoring equipment. Recent responses to propane gas leaks have highlighted the significant risks associated with such incidents. The crew will receive instructions on procedures designed to ensure the safety of both personnel and the public during these emergencies. Final Fire One testing is scheduled for May, reflecting the department’s ongoing commitment to training, preparedness, and operational excellence.
Fire Department calls for service remain steady, medical calls continue to lead the way. The ladder truck has responded to several incidents since being placed into service, however last week marked a milestone. On a reported structure fire in Garibaldi, Ladder 21 used its Ladder for the first time on an incident. The “first raise” was a success, allowing for safe and quick access to the roof.
The recent pancake feed and emergency fair, and Easter egg hunt proved to be successful, reflecting strong community participation and engagement. The Fire Department extends sincere appreciation to the council for its ongoing support, which is instrumental in making these events possible.
The Emergency Management Program continues to gain momentum, evolving steadily to enhance the resilience of the community. Captain Grace and Chief Hesse are actively advancing the initiative to improve assembly sites and evacuation route signage. New signage is expected within one to two weeks. Captain Grace received notification that Oregon’s Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) selected Rockaway Beach as a resilience hub receiving two 40-foot Conex boxes containing emergency supplies from OREM. The containers will come with food and medical supplies and communications equipment as well as a propane generator and solar array, allowing them to serve as an assembly point during emergent situations and support small communities’ needs for one to two months.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
City Planner Tapia met with Cascadia Partners to formally kick off our Development Code Update project. This project seeks to modernize existing land use policies to update local regulations affecting residential development. These updates will ensure compliance with State housing laws, address permitting and land use barriers, and support housing production, affordability, and choice. Staff will review potential amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, Comprehensive Plan Map, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance. The city anticipates formally introducing the project and expected timeline at the June Planning Commission meeting.
Planner Tapia will attend a four-day Managing Floodplain Development course offered by Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the National Flood Insurance Program. The course will be led by DLCD staff and experienced floodplain management instructors. This opportunity will create a solid foundation as our staff finalize proposed updates to our floodplain code.
The Planning Department approved two zoning permits for internal modifications: one for a commercial space on Hwy 101 and one for a residential structure off Beach Drive. Additionally, a sign permit was approved for a sign on Highway 101.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission discussed their recommendations for funding large community grant applications at their April meeting. The Community Grants provide support to non-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and community entities that serve the Rockaway Beach residents and visitors. The city received six Large Grant applications, and the Planning Commission recommended funding four of them. The recommended applications are for Meals for Seniors, Hope Chest Thrift Store, Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Arts Music & Cultural Foundation (NCAM), and the Rockaway Beach Business Association.
The Planning Commission also conducted a Community Grant Program review and City Planner Tapia presented how the city will determine lot boundaries for zoning applications going forward.
If any of the Planning Commission activities listed for April are of interest, you can read the meeting materials and view recordings of all Planning Commission meetings on the city website Rockaway Beach Meeting Agendas & Minutes page.
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works received the Oregon Health Authority & Department of Environmental Quality Drinking Water Source Protection Award for the initiative-taking steps that the city has taken to substantially lower risks to the public water system’s drinking water source. We are one of fifteen cities to receive this award. Additionally, the Oregon Health Authority designated Rockaway Beach as an Outstanding Performer; one of only six cities to receive both designations. Thank you Superintendent Dan Emerson and your team!
Public Works staff have been busy. Between managing daily tasks to keep our utilities running smoothly, staff were also busy helping our contractors to move vehicles parked on N. Pacific, fixing leaks, posting additional signage to assist area hotels during construction, and provide additional traffic control support. With the summer season quickly approaching, staff have been working to upkeep City parks, remove downed trees, perform maintenance of equipment and (unfortunately) remove graffiti and repair damage from our public restrooms.
The Nedonna Beach Watermain project is moving forward at a pace near schedule. The boring has begun on Nedonna Avenue and trenching is continuing down Beach Drive. Service disruptions are scheduled, impacting homeowners on Nedonna Avenue. If you have questions – please access our project page (which staff are continually updating with status and upcoming water service disruption information).
The N. Pacific project is complete! If you have a chance – take a stroll or drive down N. Pacific between N. 3rd and N. 11th to check out the result. What was once the worst road in town, is no more. We think you will be impressed by the finished product. In anticipation of faster speeds on this road, Public Works ordered new 25mph signage to be placed on N. Pacific.
Oregon Woods – the company that built the Old Growth Cedar Boardwalk – was in town to complete inspections of the trail, which has experienced faster than anticipated deterioration. While we do not have a trail counter (the only truly accurate way to track the number of visitors), It is estimated that the trail sees 25-40K visitors annually – which is higher than the 1,000 annual visitors that had been expected at the trail’s inception. If you build it, they will come, and we want to make sure it continues to be available as residents and visitors seek out the trail.
Public Works is updating our emergency operating plans and creating additional system maps as part of the plans. These maps are essential for staff when emergencies arise.
Congratulations to Public Works Plant Operator Tristan Silveria on his one-year anniversary as an employee of our city. Tristan very quickly became a valued member of our staff. Thank you for joining Public Works.
CITY COUNCIL
The April City Council Workshop covered the following:
- HGE Architecture and Fire Chief Hesse presented their initial work on the city’s options for replacing or upgrading our aging Fire Station
The April City Council Regular Meeting covered the following:
- Presentation – Forest Stewardship Plan – Ben Hayes, Springboard Forestry
- Presentation – Large Community Grant Closeout Report – Theresa Bruneau, Meals for Seniors
- Presentation – Small Community Grant Report – Jessica Hooker, Friends of the Library
- Consideration to Determine Meals for Seniors 2024-2025 Large Community Grant Complete
- Consideration to Determine Friends of the Library 2024-2025 Small Community Grant Complete
- Consideration of Resolution No. 2026-17: A Resolution Adopting the Forest Resources Stewardship Plan
- Consideration of Resolution No. 2026-18: A Resolution Approving Awards for the 2025-2026 Small Community Grant Program
- Consideration of Resolution 2026-19: A Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Execution of a Contingent Purchase and Sale Agreement for Certain Real Property in the Lower Jetty Creek Watershed
If any of the Council activities listed for April are of interest, you can read the meeting materials and view recordings of all Council meetings (except Executive Sessions) on the city website Rockaway Beach Meeting Agendas & Minutes page.
RURAL TOURISM PARTNERS
Tourism website traffic was up in April year over year.
Rural Tourism Partners featured Rockaway Beach’s Facade Grant Program in a case study titled “Fix up the Buildings, Attract New Business“. The study describes Rockaway’s investment in its business community through the grant program and the positive business environment it fostered.
Road Trip: Spring Break in Rockaway Beach published in Portland Monthly and Seattle Met.
KEY DATES IN MAY FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Meetings
The City Council Workshop is on Wednesday, May 13th at 4:30 pm in the City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room followed by the City Council Regular Meeting at 6:00 pm downstairs in the City Hall Council Room.
The Budget Committee meeting is on Wednesday, May 20th at 5:00 pm in the City Hall Council Room.
The Planning Commission meeting is on Thursday, May 21st at 5:00 pm in the City Hall Council Room.
We offer in-person and virtual options for attending all our public meetings. Meetings are recorded so they are available for viewing at your convenience. Agendas and packets are available on our city website. Sign up for our city email list on our city website to have meeting packets sent to you automatically.
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 submission form.
If you have ideas to share, questions or concerns about what is going on in the City of Rockaway Beach, please email me at cmcneilly@corb.us.