NORTH BEND — Positive about the future, the mayors of Coos Bay and North Bend say they have their share of work to be done, but are moving forward.    

Mayor Jeff McKeown and his North Bend counterpart, Rick Wetherell, spoke Wednesday at an Independent Business Operators luncheon and second governmental affairs quarterly meeting of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

Held in the Salmon Room at The Mill Casino-Hotel, the event drew dozens of local business owners and other community members, as well as city councilors and city staff from North Bend and Coos Bay.

Each of the mayors spoke separately, and each echoed some similar issues, including a struggle with the Department of State Lands and the newly formed Coos Bay/North Bend Communication Committee.

McKeown said Coos Bay is working through a number of projects, including replacing a fire station that was built  years ago as a temporary structure; developing a Hollering Place in Empire; making downtown facade improvements; and negotiating with DSL over who owns land in the city.

A topic that impacts both cities, the land issue first came up when the Coos Historical and Maritime Museum contacted the DSL in May about leasing property underneath a dock in Coos Bay. Land underneath bodies of water is owned by the state, but even if such land is filled, the state still maintains a claim. A recent study conducted by the department found at least 53 acres of such land in both Coos Bay and North Bend.

McKeown said the city also is looking for a replacement for Councilor Roger Gould, who submitted a letter of resignation to the city on Jan. 17.

“It will be very important who we select,” McKeown said.

Regarding downtown improvements, the mayor of Coos Bay said the city recently hired a consultant who embarked on a study for an action plan for redevelopment.

“We think that with an action plan that we can begin to do something to revitalize (those) areas,” McKeown said. He added that the consultant suggested the city make improvements to its traffic flow downtown and to put more retail shops on the ground level of buildings in the area and more businesses upstairs.  “The development of our core areas is really key.”

Assistant City Manager Joyce Jansen will spearhead the project, McKeown said.

Another issue for the city of Coos Bay is combining its dispatch and 911 call center with one in Coquille. McKeown said combining the two would eliminate duplications of costs and services in the community.

McKeown said he also is pleased with the progress of the Coos Bay/North Bend Communication Committee — a joint council of city councilors from each city who will meet bi-monthly to discuss shared issues.

“Before we can cooperate, we have to communicate effectively,” McKeown told the audience. He said North Bend has been very gracious and the committee seems to be off to a good start.

Wetherell, who whistled on his way to the lectern, addressed the audience and said that in the spirit of the new committee, he agreed completely with McKeown.

“That concludes my remarks,” Wetherell said jokingly.

Wetherell introduced councilors Barry Hayes and Bill Richardson — saying he taught both of them while an educator for the North Bend School District — and then  said there are 100 more North Benders than last year, 9,830 North Bend citizens; 100 city staff members and a city budget of about $19 million.

He said he hopes to be remembered as the mayor who let City Administrator Jan Willis do her job.

“She makes it work,” Wetherell said. “We are building and remodeling and reshaping our city.”

Highlights he shared included the improvements that are being made to the North Bend pool, thanks to grants and fundraising and efforts by the community; the Coquille Economic Development Corp. — the business arm of the Coquille Indian Tribe — finalized a lease agreement with Home Depot to bring the big box store to North Bend; restoration work on the McCullough Bridge recently began to extend the bridge’s life expectancy; and the Hotel North Bend finally began work to revitalize the 75-year-old structure.

Wetherell said he, too, is happy with the progress of the Coos Bay/North Bend Communication Committee, but old North Benders have asked him, “What are you doing?” The mayor said the city is helping its neighbor and itself at the same time.

“The city of North Bend is alive and well,” Wetherell said.

Also at the luncheon, Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, told the crowd of her bid for secretary of state. Walker, who is originally from Reedsport, said she is running for the seat because she wants to hold governmental spending accountable, stopping school administrators from walking out with gold parachutes and to increase transparency in Oregon’s government.