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Welcome to Bear Valley Meadows! Bear Valley Meadows Golf Course was built in 1996 by the City and Community of Seneca and was designed by Lee Brune. The course is what is considered a "pasture-style" course with long fairways situated along the Silvies' River at almost 5,000 ft. Several websites have featured information about the Golf Course, feel free to check out the links below. The Golf Course is overseen by a volunteer Golf Committee. Bear Valley Meadows is a seasonal course, only open from May through October. This course has 9 holes and 3550 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. While it seems that the Course gets many visitors throughout the long summers, few have left us ratings or feedback. We'd love to hear from you about your experience in our "neck of the woods". Click on the contact tab above or leave feedback on the website links below. Thank You for Visiting! Golf Course Details Details: Holes: 9 Designed by: Lee Brune Public/Private: Public Year opened: 1996 Golf Season: Open: 5/01 Closed: 10/01 Guest Policy: Open Tee times welcomed: No Fairways: Bent Grass Greens: Bent Grass Course Policies: Metal spikes allowed: No Dress code: Casual Credit cards accepted: No Green fees: Annual Membership Dues Family: $150 Singles: $100 Under 18: $20 ​ Out of County: Family: $40 Single: $30 ​ Daily Green Fees: Nine Holes: $7 All Day: $12 Facilities: Pro in house: No Driving range: Yes Rental clubs: No Rental carts: No Honor Box: As there is no attendant to the Course (except for special events). The Bear Valley Meadows Golf Course works on an honor system. There is an Honor Box for Green Fees. IMG_1793 IMG_1831 IMG_1785 IMG_1810 IMG_1807 IMG_1848 IMG_1821 IMG_1823 IMG_1786 IMG_1846 IMG_1693 IMG_1709 IMG_1680 IMG_1739 IMG_1716 IMG_1741 IMG_1728 IMG_1774 IMG_1764 IMG_1756 IMG_1870 IMG_1878 IMG_1857 IMG_1820 2016 Oyster Feed 2016 Oyster Feed 2016 Oyster Feed 2016 Oyster Feed 2016 Oyster Feed 2015 Oyster Feed 2015 Oyster Feed 2014 Oyster Feed Oyster Feed 2 2014 Oyster Feed 2014 Oyster Feed 2012 Oyster Feed 2008 Oyster Feed 2012 Oyster Feed 2012 Oyster Feed 2012 Oyster Feed 2012 Oyster Feed 2012 Oyster Feed 2012 Oyster Feed Oyster Feed ​ ​ The Annual Seneca Oyster Feed draws people from all over Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, not to mention all of the locals. Oysters are picked up fresh from the coast and trucked to Seneca the day before the event. The event is the 3rd Saturday in May, rain or shine. The proceeds from the event go toward maintenance and improvements of the Bear Valley Meadows Golf Course. ​ Photos Courtesy of Meaghan Leigh Photography the Blue Mountain Eagle. Click the photo to be directed to the Article. Bear Valley Meadows Golf Course is located on Highway 395 in Seneca, Oregon. This is an indigenous course. Pay your green fees in the white box by the first tee and pick up a play card and map of the course. A ball field fence stands to the right of the first tee. The view north is of the Strawberry Mountain Range. Players turn westward for the second hole. When playing the second hole, a Helicopter Landing Pad offers the possibility for some wild bounces between the fairway and the rough beyond. These first two holes serve as the entrance to the heart and soul of the course which is hole number three. At the third hole you see the Silvies' River for the first time. You tee off over the river and drive through a narrow gap of willow thickets. While the thickets don't look like much of a hazard from the distance, up close they are dense, impenetrable jungles of willow whips and sharp, brittle punji-sticks which welcome golf balls into their lair along with the intemperate golfer's club. At the ninth hole, you tee off over the Silvies' River for the final time, then cross the river. You will say to yourself, there are no fairway bunkers, there are no large trees looming, but the shrub willow thickets will have you begging for both by the end of the day. OregonGolf.com VisitEasternOregon.com TravelOregon.com 12 Valley Way, Seneca, Oregon 97873 (541) 542-2161

Fire Station Fundraiser Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction The City of Seneca is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction to continue fundraising efforts for our New Fire Station. Dinner will include all you can eat Spaghetti with Garlic Bread for $10/adult and $5/kids under 12 years old. All Silent Auction items are generously donated and the event is sponsored by the Grant County Chamber of Commerce. Silent Auction Items Glass Mosaic Gecko by Barbara Northington This beautiful glass art window was designed, hand made, and donated by Barb Northington. While Barb is currently retired from a distinguished career in the medical field, she graces us with her time, creativity, and dedication to the City. She's one of the leaders of the Seneca Community Garden, along with the amazing Susie Hood, and serves on the Seneca City Council. The glass in this mosaic has been painstakingly hand pieced and laid on an existing, framed window, then re-framed for display . In frame, this mosaic window measures 21.5" tall by 16" wide. Bidding will start at $300.00 and can be bid on by following this link: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/43042/auctions/71022/auction_items/1931389 Oil Painting on Canvas by Pearl Wright Not much is known about this painting by Pearl Wright, except the year it was painted, which is handwritten on the back. It was found in the estate of Bjerte "BJ" Larsen Williams and donated to the City for the fundraiser by her widower, Bill Williams. He thought BJ had been friends with Pearl and had spent considerable time at the Valley Art Association in Forest Grove, OR. More about Pearl Wright and her legacy can be found through the Valley Art Association at valleyart.org. ​ This oil painting was found out of frame and measures 29" tall by 25" wide, edge to edge. Bidding will start at $1,000.00 and can be bid on by following this link: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/43042/auctions/71022/auction_items/1931434

History of Seneca The Seneca post office was established in 1895 and the city was named by postmistress Minnie Southworth for her brother-in-law, prominent Portland judge Seneca Smith. The area was historically settled and used by the Paiute Indians, early homesteaders and trappers moved into Bear Valley in the late 1800's, but Seneca only began growing in earnest in 1929 when it became the northern terminus of the now-vacated Oregon and Northwestern Railroad, owned by the Edward Hines Lumber Company, which came up from Burns to the south. That time marked the beginning of large-scale shipping of Ponderosa Pine logs to the Hines sawmill in Hines from Seneca and the surrounding Malheur National Forest. The Seneca School was established in 1932. The company established a planing mill and railroad shops in Seneca, and it became, in spirit, a company town, although in reality it was not: the company did not own either the property or the buildings.[1] When Hines came to the area they made a promise to the Chamber of Commerce: “We will never enter into commerce other than the manufacture of lumber.” While this was legally true in practice is was only almost true. The development of Seneca was done by a corporation known as "The Seneca Company." This was headed by Edward W. Barnes. It was Barns who bought the town site to its current location, which was originally part of the Lincoln Ranch. The people that lived in Seneca had to buy their houses from the builder; they were not provided by Hines. This arrangement was similar to that of the town of Hines. The lumber company brought in a large developer from the South to build the town of Seneca, although Mrs. Hines had a hand in picking the design of the various styles for the original homes. The development of the town of Hines is well documented, Seneca less so. In 1940 Seneca's population was 275. Logging in the area began to decline in the 1970's, and the Hines Company ceased operations of its lumber mills and railroad in 1984. The town was incorporated as a city in 1970 as lumber company control began to wane. According to the 1980 census, Seneca's population was 285. The 2015 Census stated the population was 193. [1] http://www.senecakids.org/SenecaProject/Seneca-MoreInfo.html

Seneca School The Seneca School, Grant Union School District #3, was established in 1932. Over the years it has had many interested people working diligently to keep the School alive in good repair. One such group, The Seneca School Foundation, was established with the intent of being able to facilitate the upkeep and repairs that were so desperately needed so that the School can remain open and safe for it's staff and students. While it was successful in achieving some of it's goals, most of it's funding for major projects was part of a county-wide school bond initiative in 2000 that was voted down by Grant County citizens. Since then, the Foundation was established and there have been many financial contributions in various forms made by local citizens and organizations, and some funds provided by Grant Union School District for emergency need repairs. As with any older facility, more funding is always needed to help keep the buildings and curriculum up to current standards. One of the Schools major upgrades was the New Windows Project. Between 2009 and 2012, there was funding, from private citizens and partial grant funding from the school district, to replace all of the basement floor level windows in March of 2013. Click here to see the photos. One of the greatest achievements by the Seneca School staff and students has been the Seneca School History Project. While this Project has many parts and pieces, one of the most impressive is the School Mural. This project was started in 1985 and was contributed to by several local Artists-in-Residence and by the entire school, all classes and teaching staff taking part. While I could write more, pictures have more value and tell the tale better. Click the link below to see for yourself. The Seneca School History Project The Seneca School Foundation The Seneca School Foundation, Inc. (TSSF) was founded in May of 2002 and later that year was registered with the State of Oregon as a nonprofit corporation, organized with the intent to assist the Seneca School in overcoming the budgetary challenges it now faces. In November 2003, the Federal Internal Revenue Service acknowledged the Foundation as an organization meeting the requirements of IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) and granted it tax exempt status under IRS Code Section 501(a). Its mission is to assist in the maintenance and growth of the Seneca School and to enhance the quality of the programs it provides as an institution of K-8 education and life-long learning. Its goal is to physically restore, enhance, and indefinitely preserve the Seneca School as an institution of traditional, well-grounded education, providing its students with a center for year-round learning and activities and a source of real-world knowledge and experience by linking the Seneca Kids of yesterday with the Seneca Kids of today. Link to SenecaKids.org Link to Seneca School

It is the policy of the City of Seneca, within constitutional limitations, to provide for fair housing throughout the City of Seneca for all residents. In the United States, the federal Fair Housing Act protects your right to rent an apartment, buy a home, obtain a mortgage, or purchase homeowners insurance free from discrimination based on: Race Color Religion Gender National Origin Disability (mental and physical) Familial Status (presence of children under 18 in the home) In Oregon it is also illegal to discriminate on the basis of: ​ Legal source of income Marital status Sexual orientation Gender identity Survivors of domestic violence Links to Fair Housing Enforcement and Education Agencies U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity: https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp Oregon Housing and Community Services (Public Housing Authority of Oregon): http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/pages/index.aspx National Association of Realtors – Fair Housing Program: http://www.realtor.org/programs/fair-housing-program Fair Housing Initiatives Program: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUDsrc=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/partners/FHIP/fhip Fair Housing Act: http://www.justice.gov/crt//about/hce/title8.php National Fair Housing Alliance: http://www.nationalfairhousing.org/ FDIC Compliance with Fair Housing: https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/rules/2000-6000.html#fdic2000part338 The Fair Housing Council of Oregon (FHCO) is a statewide non-profit organization that provides a wide range of resources to communities. They promote equal housing by providing education, outreach, technical assistance, legal aid assistance, and enforcement opportunities. Their contact information is: Fair Housing Council of Oregon 506 SW 6th Ave, Ste 1111 Portland, OR 97204 Phone: (503) 223-8295, (800) 424-3247 Email: information@fhco.org Website: http://www.fhco.org/ ​ ​

Permits & Licenses Special Event Permit Special Event Permit Information ​ An event may be considered a "Special Event" if any of the following apply: gatherings/events that involve large groups of people, advertised to the public and do not occur regularly on a site, cause impact to or use City streets (including curb or parking lane), sidewalks and/or public rights-of-way, and/or use City facilities or property (i.e., city buildings, parks and parking lots) ​ Examples include, but are not limited to a road race, bike race, walk, parade, festival, market, carnival, concert, block party, car show, vigil/protest, wedding, etc. ​ Permit Application Requirements: Special Events require a permit issued by the City. Additional documents which the City may also require to make an application complete include: ​ Certificate of Insurance releasing the City of Seneca from liability. Street closure plan. Traffic control plan. ODOT and/or Clackamas County approval. Park/shelter reservation form if event is to be held at City park. Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) Permit: If alcohol use is planned for your Special Event, submit OLCC permits with your application. Temporary Restaurant License & Food Handler Certificate: For any food service establishment in the street, public right-of-way, and City facility. ​ Traffic Control Plan You will need to include a Traffic Control Plan if your event is to affect public right-of-way with any one of these conditions (Note: Public right-of-way extends beyond the paved or travel surface of a roadway): ​ Restrict or close a roadway (lanes, bike lanes, shoulders, etc.) Restrict or close a sidewalk/pathway Restrict or close a driveway Restrict or close parking spaces Restrict or close a Public Parking Lot Directing traffic with the use of a Certified Flagger, Police Officer or signs Posting of any signs in the right-of-way Examples of Traffic Control Plans: A Traffic Control Plan should site specific map of routes or locations where event will take place: ​ Streets and cross streets with lane configurations Location and placement of all required MUTCD advance warning signs (list type of signs to be used) Location and placement of all certified flaggers Placement of cones and cone tapers Show traffic, pedestrian and bike detours and/or delays Show affected businesses ​ Additional Information After receipt of the Special Event Permit Application, you may be contacted by affected City departments if additional information is needed or to discuss the specific plans to accommodate the Event and its impact upon the public generally. Submission of Application for Permit An application is available through clicking the link above or picking one up at the City office during regular business hours. Once the form is completed it can by submitted to the City by email, fax, or mail to the City of Seneca: ​ City of Seneca 106 A Ave./P. O. Box 208 Seneca, Oregon 97873 Fax: 877-688-0015 Email: cityseneca@centurytel.net Conditional Use Permit Conditional Use Permit Information Business License Application Appeals Appeals

2024-25 Budget Hearing NOTICES Regular Fees Copies, per page (8.5x11) . . . . . $0.10 Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00 City Hall Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free Notary Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free Burn Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free ​ Special Event Permit . . . . . . . . $25.00 ​ Building/Property Fees ​ Conditional Use Permit . . . . . . $25.00 Encroachment Permit . . . . . . . $25.00 Building Permit Application . . Free Variance Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00 ​ Utility Fees ​ Utility Deposit Fee . . . . . . . . . . . $80.00 Water Turn-On Fee . . . . . . . . . . .$50.00 Returned Payment Fee . . . . . . . $25.00 + Amount Owed Availability Fees per month (Water & Sewer/each). . . . . . . $10.00 Pro-rated Billing . . Half or Whole Month Records Request Fees ​ All forms, notices, and access to all public City documents are available during regular City Hall business hours, 9am to 2pm, Monday through Thursday. ​ Copies, per page (8.5x11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.10 Copies, per page (8.5x14) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.20 Scanning fee, per page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.20 Faxes, up to 5 pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00 Faxes, per page > 5 pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.20 Archive Retrieval Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 Staff Time (<30 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0 Staff Time (>30 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hourly Rate Certified Mailing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Postage Certified Copies (per doc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00 Map Copies (full-size) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cost Summarization Fees (available upon request) . . . . . . Hourly Rate Fees Utility Rate Changes Just a reminder of the utility rate increase, passed by resolutions 01-16 to 03-16. Click here for a full list of the rate changes. ​ Burn Permits are required for all burning and can be obtained free of charge at City Hall during normal business hours, or click here . Just a reminder . . . All forms, notices, and access to all public City documents are available during regular City Hall business hours, 9am to 2pm, Monday through Thursday. Council Meeting Agenda Fees Button

The Wigwam At the 2016 Oyster Feed Seneca_2 Seneca, looking north from the south of town. Some of the many small buildings you see in the foreground were originally bachelor bunk houses at Camp 1. When Camp 1 was no longer in use the buildings were brought to Seneca and made into houses. Sometimes two small buildings were put together to make a larger family house. Some, if not all, of these small buildings were built at the Herrick mill site outside of Burns. Seneca Logo 2017 Logo designed by Eloise Boren at E R Printing & Graphics, The Wigwam At the 2016 Oyster Feed 1/25 Notices Forms About Us - The City of Seneca sits nestled in high Bear Valley near the base of the Blue Mountain Range. Sitting at almost 5000 ft, Seneca is known for its record low temperatures (-54 degrees!) throughout the Fall, Winter and Spring months. This small community of less than 200 people has great pride in its town and relishes the remote and personal feel that Seneca offers it's residents. At any given time of the year, there are groups of children riding bikes and playing throughout the town - so we ask that you slow down, watch for children, and enjoy your visit to our beautiful valley. ​ The Seneca post office was established in 1895 and the city named by postmistress Minnie Southworth for her brother-in-law, prominent Portland judge Seneca Smith. While early homesteaders moved into the valley in the late 1800's, Seneca only began growing in 1929 when it became the northern terminus of the now-vacated Oregon and Northwestern Railroad , owned by the Edward Hines Lumber Company , which extended south to Burns. That time marked the beginning of large-scale shipping of Ponderosa Pine logs to the Hines sawmill in Hines from Seneca and the surrounding National Forest. The company established a planing mill and railroad shops in Seneca, and it became essentially a company town. In 1940 Seneca's population was 275. Logging in the area began to decline in the 1970's, and the Hines company ceased operations of its lumber mills and railroad in 1984. The town was incorporated as a city on August 6, 1970 as lumber company control began to wane. Bear Valley Meadows Golf Course presents: The 2021 Seneca Oyster-LESS Classic Postponed Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 regulations, not again this year. Let's hope 2022 is the BEST Oyster Classic yet! What's Going On?! CLICK HERE to see current notices. Amenities Click to see what Seneca has available for you! Oyster Feed ​ Click to find out about the Annual Oyster Feed (May 15th, 2021) which raises money for the Bear Valley Meadows Golf Course. Latest Projects Wastewater System Improvements The City of Seneca was awarded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the State of Oregon for the 2014 Wastewater Facility Plan. Fall of 2019 Winter 2020 Forms Utility Services Utility Agreement Service On/Off Trash Only (Non-Res) General Use City Hall Building Rental Business License Burn Permit Public Records Request To view a list of Fees click here . Forms