City Council Discusses New Public Safety Building, Introduces Voting System, Considers Owner's Representative

Public Safety Building Discussion

The meeting began with a detailed discussion led by Preston Devereaux regarding the potential construction of a new public safety building. Preston emphasized the need for a modern facility, comparing the current situation to other regions that have successfully upgraded their public safety infrastructure. He mentioned the difficulties faced by the Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) due to the high cost of living in Gearhart, which makes it challenging to attract and retain volunteer firefighters. Preston highlighted the increasing property values, which have made it nearly impossible for potential volunteers to afford living in the city.

Preston suggested that if the city were to consider a paid fire department, it might be more feasible to merge with Seaside Fire & Rescue. He also pointed out the impracticality of comparing Gearhart's needs to other districts like Banks, which had received numerous donations to offset their construction costs.

Introduction of New Voting System

Chad Sweet introduced a new polling program designed to engage the community more effectively during town hall meetings. The system allows residents to log in via their phones or computers to participate in real-time voting on various issues. Chad explained the different types of questions that could be asked, including multiple-choice, open-ended, and survey questions. He demonstrated how the system works, showing how responses could be collected, saved, and reported.

Chad emphasized the importance of community participation and transparency, noting that the system could be configured to ensure that only Gearhart residents' votes are counted. The council discussed the potential benefits and challenges of this new system, including the need for helpers during town hall meetings to assist those unfamiliar with the technology.