06
vernonia’s
voice
december
city news
2007
Staff Article
CityNews...
City Council November 5, 2007
Council Passes Adult Entertainment
Ordinances...
City Council unanimously passed the
second reading of the Adult Enter-
tainment Ordinances that had been
working it’s way through the system
this fall. This was the final step in the
process, putting into place limitation
on how and where an adult entertain-
ment business can operate within the
city limits of Vernonia. The city Plan-
ning Commission had drafted the ordi-
nance with the idea of protecting local
residents, and crafted the ordinance to
withstand challenges in court.
Vernonia Police Department Joins
“A Child is Missing” program...
Chief Workman presented a short video
presentation and informed council that
his department is now part of a nation-
wide alert system that can be activated
when any child, or at-risk adult goes
missing. The system makes automatic
phone calls to alert a community that
someone is missing and asking for help
or information in locating the missing
person. The system generates up to
1,000 calls in sixty seconds, and is
free of charge to the city.
City Council November 19, 2007
City Receives and Accepts Offer on
20 Acre Property...
Chris and Lisa Balmes of Chris Balmes
Properties informed the council that
they had received an offer of $450,00
for the 20 acre property that the city
owns and has offered for sale. The of-
fer includes $10,000 earnest money,
and is subject to the purchaser receiv-
ing preliminary plat approval with con-
ditions acceptable within one year, and
includes a sixty day feasibility period.
Chris Balmes, the real estate agent
handling the property for the city, rec-
ommended that the city seriously con-
sider the offer, and council agreed to
proceed with the sale at the November
19th council meeting. Closing would
be within thirty days of the purchas-
er receiving preliminary plat approval
with acceptable conditions.
Council Approves New Vernonia Po-
lice Department Manual...
Police Chief Mathew Workman pre-
sented council with the new Depart-
ment Manual, which was purchased
through Lexipol with funds budgeted
in 2006. Chief Workman explained that
the Vernonia officers will be required to
read and be tested on the manual and
that the department will receive auto-
matic updates from Lexipol. Council
approved the new manual to replace
the existing manual.
Mayor Harrison Announces New
Topics from the Floor Policy...
Mayor Sally Harrison announced that
the city is implementing a new policy
regarding how citizens will be able to
make statements from the floor dur-
ing council meetings. Beginning De-
cember 2nd citizens wishing to make
statements during the Topics from the
Floor portion of the agenda will be re-
quired to fill out a file card with their
name, address, and question/comment
ahead of the start of the meeting and
submit them to the Mayor. Citizen Mike
Seeger went on record as opposed to
this new policy, stating he felt it lim-
ited the publics ability to be heard by
local government. Mayor Harrison as-
sured the audience that this is only to
enhance record keeping, and that the
council continues to maintain an open
policy at their meetings.
Council Hears Proposal for Assistance
in Search for New City Manager...
Jenny Mesner, Member Services Di-
rector from the League of Oregon Cit-
ies, presented the council with a pro-
posal to assist the city in it’s search
for a new City Manager. The League
of Oregon Cities would help with de-
veloping a profile, advertising, provide
summaries of applicants, help with the
interview process, provide four back-
ground checks, offer technical review
of applicants, help narrow the field, and
provide sample contracts for negotia-
tion purposes. Cost for the League’s
services to the city of Vernonia would
be $5,500. The city would be respon-
sible for any additional advertising,
and travel expenses for applicants if
necessary. Mesner explained that the
pool of potential applicants is currently
somewhat limited and recommended
waiting, due to the holiday season, until
January 1st to begin the search. Cur-
rent City Manager, M.R. “Dick” Kline,
has expressed his intention to resign
his position when the city has located
a suitable replacement, although Mr.
Kline has not formally tendered his
resignation in writing.
Council Approves Signing of Law En-
forcement Intergovernmental Agree-
ment for Motor Vehicle Pursuits...
Council gave approval for Mayor Har-
rison to sign an agreement between
law enforcement agencies in Columbia
County establishing updated protocols
for any agency involved in a multi-
agency vehicle pursuits.
Airport Committee Appointment City Retains Consulting Firm...
Made...
Council approved the retention of R.
Mayor Harrison appointed Bud Dow Brown Consulting for a fee of $5,000.
to the open spot on the Airport Com-
mittee.
Committee member Mike
Seeger expressed dissatisfaction that
the Mayor chose to disregard the rec-
ommendation that the committee had
made for the appointment. The Mayor
reminded the audience that committee
appointments are at at her discretion
and she is under no obligation to fol-
low the committee’s suggestions.
The Buckhorn
restaurant &
General store
Family-style dining
Cozy fireplace seating
Lunch & dinner
Full bar
Gifts & UPS Shipping
503-429-3751, 934 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR
11am-9pm, Tues.-Sat. & 11am-6pm, Sunday
lottery games
mc/visa