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Council hears event and preparedness updates: steam locomotive centennial, Great ShakeOut drill, restroom and public-works milestones
Summary
The council heard from the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad on a Locomotive No. 25 centennial train visit, a countywide Great ShakeOut emergency drill planned for Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m., public-works updates on a near-complete waterfront restroom and a water-planning review, and considered a proposed fireworks ban (first reading).
The council received several community-event and preparedness updates. Trevor Park, who identified himself as general manager of the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, described plans to celebrate Steam Locomotive No. 25’s roughly 100th anniversary with a special train running from Garibaldi and stopping in Wheeler; he asked residents to serve as a welcoming committee when the train arrives in town for about an hour.
On emergency preparedness, Melvin Camper said the Great ShakeOut drill — coordinated countywide through the Tillamook County emergency coalition (TC4) — is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m. He urged residents to 'drop, cover and hold on,' prepare a 'go bag' with food, water and medication, and to use local assembly-area maps and community radio channels for communication during an event.
Public works updates included a near-complete waterfront restroom (contractor punch list to include moving a retaining wall to allow ADA parking) with an expected completion target of September 30, and water-distribution plans under Oregon Health Authority review with bidding anticipated in October. Staff also reported the theft of a utility trailer from the city 'boneyard'; the trailer is insured and a police report was filed.
The council heard staff read Ordinance 2025-05, a proposed ban on fireworks within city limits meant to reduce wildfire and waterway risks; the ordinance will be read a second time next month and staff will identify fines and posting strategies ahead of major holidays. Separately, auditors had identified minor scrivener errors in the city’s fiscal-year appropriation resolution; staff presented Resolution 2025-16 to correct those typographical errors and council adopted the correction by voice vote.
Why it matters: The items cover public safety and community events that affect residents’ day-to-day life, tourism and municipal infrastructure. The Great ShakeOut and public-works projects relate to preparedness and accessibility; the fireworks ordinance is a preventive public-safety measure that will return for formal adoption.
Next steps: Staff to finalize restroom punch list and move forward to closeout, to post water-project bidding documents following OHA approval, to return the fireworks ordinance for a second reading next month, and to proceed with outreach for the OCSR centennial event.
