The Cannon Beach Gazette reached out to Marc Hagman, Executive Director of the Cannon Beach Conference Center, with an emailed list of questions regarding the delay in reaching an agreement between the Cannon Beach Conference Center (CBCC) and the City of Cannon Beach for an easement to replace the city water reservoir above mid-town Cannon Beach.
All questions and answers are printed verbatim
1. According to the attorney for the City of Cannon Beach, the city initiated negotiations with the Cannon Beach Conference Center in July 2022 for an easement to construct a new water reservoir to replace the old water reservoir. According to the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, when private property is taken for public use, the property owner must receive “just compensation” from the government. “Just compensation” can sometimes be a subjective amount for both parties and is frequently the cause of a failure to come to an agreement. Is “just compensation” the reason for the lengthy negotiations, or is something else causing the delay in reaching a settlement?
The two issues we have been working through are fair and reasonable compensation and ensuring that we do not lose access to the use of our property.
2. Will the location of the new water reservoir have any negative impact on your existing “Challenge Course” or “Zipline” located in the forest directly to the north of the existing water reservoir?
Yes, the placement of the new reservoir eliminates the original and long-standing access for our guests to the zipline. Our ability to use this amenity is a loss to our guests. The city’s proposal of a pathway was an inadequate solution because of the difficulty it caused in getting to our zipline as well as its proximity to the area where approximately 30 trees will be removed by the city and a fence built around the new reservoir.
Our initial proposal was for two short ziplines that would keep guests away from the new reservoir while also allowing full access to our current zipline. In the end, CBCC identified a possible alternative pathway that could provide access from a different starting point to the zipline. While we were discussing this solution with the city, we were surprised to be informed they were enacting imminent domain. We are unclear as to why they thought this was necessary.
3. The Cannon Beach City Council voted unanimously to initiate the condemnation process in order to move forward with construction of the new water reservoir. Do you have any comment about their decision?
This was a surprise to us since we had worked for many months in good faith toward what we had hoped would be a fair and reasonable solution for both parties.
4. According to the “Media Talking Points” provided by the City Attorney: “This has been a disappointing and frustrating process for the City. If the Conference Center was going to refuse to negotiate a revised easement with the City, that should have been communicated at the outset but instead it has resulted in additional delays and project costs.” Your response to this?
From the start of this process our aim has been to be a blessing to the city and work out the details in good faith in a spirit of cooperation. The Conference Center has been asked to shoulder a heavy burden in both the impact on the property and the expenses we are having and will have to incur. Our first responsibility is to the guests and donors who have made the Conference Center possible through decades of generous and sacrificial support.
As the city has acknowledged, this is a complex project. A permanent agreement of this magnitude requires thoroughly working through many details. This is further complicated by the number of individuals involved (both from the city with its officials, contractors, advisors, etc. as well as the Conference Center with the leadership, our Board of Directors and other necessary consultants). At one point, the city asked us to sign an agreement for which the details had not yet been finalized. There have also been delays wherein the Conference Center waited for months for further details necessary to move forward. To us, this is understandable, again, due to the complex nature of this undertaking.
5. Do you believe that the Cannon Beach Conference Center and the City of Cannon Beach are close to coming to an agreement on an easement for a new water reservoir?
Yes, negotiations have continued, and our assessment is that we are very close to finalizing an agreement.
6. Can you briefly explain the history of the Cannon Beach Conference Center, its main purpose, and how long it’s been a part of the local community?
Cannon Beach Conference Center was founded in 1945 by a couple who loved the Lord and the beauty of the Oregon Coast. Our mission today remains the same as it was at its founding, which is to provide a friendly, comfortable atmosphere where people can find refreshment and renewal. April through December we offer a variety of Bible-based conferences for women, men, couples, retirees, military, families, etc. The summer focuses on our week-long family conferences as we also enjoy increased sunshine and warmer temperatures. In addition to our conferences, we host over 130 Christian retreat groups each year including numerous churches and parachurch organizations. We are also the location of Ecola Bible College and the Christian Culinary Academy. We are an interdenominational ministry and a member of Christian Camp and Conference Association.
7. How many people are employed at the Conference Center, how many students attend classes, and how many visitors annually attend scheduled events at the Conference Center? (I’d like to give readers some general information about the CBCC)
We love the fact that the approximately 13,000 annual guests who come to our campus spend time shopping and being a blessing to all the businesses of the town. In the same manner, the 80 students who attend the college that meets on our campus are also an important part of our town as they work in many of the local businesses. Our staff of 50 year-round employees doubles during the summer months to help us properly care for the numerous guests we welcome to Cannon Beach during the warmer months of the year.
8. Is there anything else you’d like readers of the Cannon Beach Gazette to know about the Cannon Beach Conference Center, or anything else you’d like to add about the ongoing negotiations with the city?
We love being a part of this community and count it a privilege to have been here since before the town of Cannon Beach became a town. Our long history of working with the city can be seen throughout the decades, and we are confident that it will continue with this project and into the future.
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