A. Generally: The city council finds and declares that blighted areas as defined in Oregon Revised Statutes 457.010(1) exist in the city and that there is a need for an urban renewal agency to function in the city.
B. Conditions Contributing To Blight: The city council finds the following conditions have contributed to blight in the city as defined by Oregon Revised Statutes 457.010(1)(b) and (1)(h):
1. The transition out of the traditional natural resource base economy, which has resulted in a loss of timber and wood products jobs. (Source: OEDD)
2. The 1993 closure of the Trojan Nuclear Energy Plant, which caused a loss of over four hundred (400) jobs.
3. The flood of 1996, which caused thirty six million dollars ($36,000,000.00) in public and private property loss and/or damage in the city of Clatskanie and Columbia County. (Source: Col-Pac Economic Development District)
Unknown damage due to flood such as damage to foundations and supporting structures for downtown buildings.
4. The loss of the Beaver Lumber Company and seventy five (75) jobs due to the flood of 1996.
5. The closure of other businesses due to the flood of 1996 and the downturn in Clatskanie's economy.
6. The following dilapidated structures in the city including, but not limited to:
a. The dock behind the city minimart;
b. The old IOOF building; and
c. The former Johnson Oil Gas Station that has suspected ground contamination, which prevents new development.
7. Infrastructure inadequacies including, but not limited to:
a. No storm water drainage system;
b. Uneven and damaged sidewalks in the downtown area;
c. High water events cause reverse flow of water through drainage culvert from the river into the city downtown parking lot; and
d. Flood protection is needed from high water events in two (2) or three (3) areas.
8. Riverbank erosion throughout the downtown and the proposed urban renewal area.
C. Agency Powers Exercised By Council: The city council elects to have the powers of the urban renewal agency exercised by the city council acting as the urban renewal agency of the city. (Ord. 604, 2-7-2001)