vernonia’s
voice the city
july/aug
2007
05
CityNews...
By Scott Laird
Council Adopts Budget, Administra-
tor Kline Warns Situation Serious...
At a special city council session on June 25,
2007, Vernonia’s city council voted to adopt the
2007-2008 budget with little fanfare. City Admin-
istrator M. R. “Dick” Kline confirmed that the city
is in a “...serious financial situation...” because
of a negative fund balance in the Community
Development Fund and a shortage in Loan Re-
serves that legally needed to be restored. Kline
presented a budget that was balanced using in-
ter-fund loans from funds that have positive bal-
ances. Kline remained upbeat about Vernonia’s
ability to remain financially solvent through sound
fiscal responsibility and a “...very tight budget...”
over the next two years. Kline warned the coun-
cil to expect adjustments to the budget through
possible supplemental processes throughout the
fiscal year as there may be unmet needs, particu-
larly loan payments for Phase I of the wastewater
treatment facility that are not budgeted.
Kline clarified that the Library Memorial Fund
is being dissolved because it is not necessary,
and that funds from that account will be used for
library purchases, and are not going into the gen-
eral fund to help balance the budget.
Kline stated that he hopes to have the city
converted to a new chart of accounts by July 15.
The software for the new chart of accounts is ex-
pected to cost the city less in operating costs and
should allow for accurate reports to be available,
making the city’s financial situation more trans-
parent. Mr. Kline later stated that he expects the
additional information in the line items to be very
helpful. Kline thanked all city employees and all
city committee members for their work during the
budget process.
At the July 2 regular city council meeting,
Kline announced that he intends to call a town hall
meeting or a press conference to clarify the bud-
get deficit situation once all the facts are known.
eral fund contingency and would leave that fund
with a balance of between $5,000- $10,000 for
Council Declares 20 Acres City
the entire fiscal year. The Budget Committee had
property as Surplus...
previously rejected a motion to add this purchase
The Vernonia city council declared a 20 acre par- into this year’s budget during the budget hearing
cel of property that is inside city limits and owned process.
by the city to be surplus property, beginning the
process that would make it available to be put up In Other City News...
for sale. The city is researching the idea of selling
At the June 18 City Council meeting, council
the property after doing some initial development
approved an OLCC Limited On-Premises Sales
work. Mayor Sally Harrison stated that there has
application for Cafe’ 47 at 845 Bridge Street. At
been interest expressed in the property by devel-
the special June 25 City Council meeting, coun-
opers. The property was appraised a year ago at cil approved a resolution changing building per-
$500,000. Kline suggested that the possible sale mit fees and approved a resolution increasing
of city owned property is a good option to relieve city parks’ usage fees. At the July 2 City Coun-
some of the financial hardship the city faces, as cil meeting, council approved a new Intergov-
this could add income and increase tax value and ernmental Agreement between the city and the
receipts; he recommends moving forward with Department of Administrative Services (DAS), al-
this process. A public hearing is scheduled for lowing the city to utilize various DAS Motor Pool
services; approved requests from the Jamboree
July 16, 2007.
Committee and from the Lion’s Den concerning
Council Approves Funds for Police street and alley closures for Jamboree weekend;
and approved the Police Department’s listing of
Equipment...
items in their possession and deemed them sur-
plus property.
At the City Council meeting on July 2, council
approved by consensus a request from the Police
The council also received information con-
Department for funds to purchase two new ve- cerning a conditional use permit request that was
hicles to replace aging vehicles in the fleet. The approved by Columbia County for a dog training
vehicles to be replaced are the 2001 Ford Crown and boarding operation at 15640 Airport Way. The
Victoria, which is the K-9 unit, and the four wheel property site is not under the city of Vernonia’s
drive 1999 Chevy Suburban. These vehicles will jurisdiction but falls to the County for decisions.
be replaced with a 2007 Dodge Charger and a The City Parks Committee had expressed reser-
2007 Ford Expedition. The expectation is that vations about the proposed use which were for-
these new vehicles will save the city money in warded on to Columbia County, and a presenta-
needed repairs as well as with fuel costs as both tion to city council by the applicant was canceled
replacement vehicles are rated at higher miles- due to health issues and was not rescheduled. At
per-gallon averages. Both these vehicles will be the council meeting on July 2 it was made known
equipped with new ICOPs technology which in- that the opportunity to appeal the county’s deci-
cludes digital cameras for the front and rear that sion had already passed.
record actions in which the vehicle is involved,
collision sensors that are activated and save data
The city offered written responses to topics
back in the event of a collision, radar record- from the floor that had been raised and not re-
ing, and an Emergency Assist Feature that can sponded to since January 2007.
broadcast audio even if an officer is away from
the vehicle. The ICOP’s units are being pur-
Jamboree Committee Chair Randy Parrow
chased as part of a bulk purchase order among announced that City Councilor Shirlee Daughtry
numerous other agencies, saving the city about has been named Citizen of the Year. This is the
$1,000. City Administrator Kline states that funds second time that Daughtry, a lifelong Vernonia
for these purchases would come from the gen- resident, has received this honor.
Principal Keeps Job continued
in his position over our kids,” said Jeanne Hill in an email sent out to community
members. “Vernonia has worked very hard at getting drugs out of it’s schools. We
strongly feel that if he is allowed to “quietly” keep his job, that sends out a very
wrong message to our kids.”
“For those that disagree with my decision, I can say that there is private infor-
mation as well as legal ramifications that they are probably not aware of,” said
Cox.
While the community has a very active and vocal Drug-Free Coalition, numer-
ous parents within the district have expressed support for Miller citing his popular-
ity and excellent communication with students and parents alike.
“I am delighted and so proud of Ken Cox’s decision,” said Rose Curtis, a par-
ent of a Vernonia school student. “Mr. Miller made a stupid mistake, but we all
have. I think Mr. Miller will use this as a lesson. Hopefully everyone will learn
from this. I support him 110%.”
Tabitha Shively a 16-year-old student said “Everyone makes mistakes. He [Miller] has
given lots of kids a second chance. He is a role model, but I think he deserves one more
chance.”
At a special meeting on Wednesday, July 11 Dr. Cox resigned his position as Chairper-
son of the Drug-Free Coalition, stating “My responsibility is to the school district, not to
the Coalition.”
“My goal is for people to come to this community for the quality of the schools,” Cox
said in closing. “We’re not there yet but my hope is that we get there soon. This has been
a big set back for everyone’s efforts here.”
A Clatsop County court date has been set for Miller to appear August 6