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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2008)
06 vernonia’s voice march city news 2008 CityNews... the “vagueness” of the qualifications that are required, it was agreed by the council that the broad scope of the position calls Police Present Concerns... During Topics from the Floor, Council for allowing the city to consider a range heard concerns from Vernonia Police Ser- of potential applicants when attempting geant Mike Kay and Officer Mike Conner to fill the position. Council adopted the concerning restrictions placed on officer new job description. overtime in a letter from Interim City Ad- ministrator Aldie Howard and Mayor Sally Sports Equipment Storage Container Ap- Harrison. Howard was requesting that any proved... overtime by officers be approved by him Council approved a recommendation prior to being granted. The officers ex- from the city’s Parks Committee to allow pressed concerns that this restricts their the Vernonia Boosters to place a storage ability to respond in a timely manner and container for equipment at Spencer Field. could put both citizens and officers at risk The placement is to be reviewed in six while awaiting approval to respond to an months. urgent call. City Council February 4, 2008 Emergency Housing Approved... Council approved an ordinance to allow Temporary Emergency Housing in a general commercial zone, specifically on the empty lots between Weed Avenue and Rose Ave- nue. It is proposed that approximately eigh- teen FEMA provided manufactured homes will be placed on the site. Council Adopts Job Description for City Administrator Position... Council was presented with a complete job description for the position of City Ad- ministrator. According to Dick Kline who prepared the description, and who was serving as City Administrator at the time the description was written, the city has been operating without a comprehensive description for this position. The new de- scription spells out the functions, knowl- edge/abilities/skills, and qualifications of the position. After a discussion that noted could be dangerous for citizens and first responders. Economic Development Committee Be- comes Official... Council gave final approval for the cre- ation for a new Economic Development Committee. Contracts for Interim City Administra- tor and Temporary Finance Director Approved... Council agreed to terms of contracts with Interim City Administrator Aldie Howard and with M.R. “Dick” Kline as Finance Director. Howard will receive $6,000 per month and work at least forty hours per week. Kline will receive $4,000 per month and also be re- City Council February 4, 2008 quired to work at least forty hours per week. Kline’s contract was scheduled to expire on EMS States Concerns... February 28, 2008. Howard’s contract will During Topics from the Floor, members run through June 30, 2008. Neither will re- of both Vernonia Fire Department and ceive any benefits from the city. the Vernonia Ambulance Association expressed concerns about restrictions Action on Community Learning Center placed on the Vernonia Police Depart- Tabled... ment that hinder their ability to respond in Council heard concerns from members of support of Emergency Medical Services the Vernonia Community Learning Center (EMS) personnel. EMS protocol requires (VCLC) committee members during topics them to wait until the scene is deemed from the floor about extended use by the safe by law enforcement on certain types Columbia County Flood Relief of the VCLC of calls. Calls in the Vernonia area outside building and the loss of programs there. of city limits are handled by County Sher- The Council also received a recommenda- iffs which can mean a long wait time. In tion from the VCLC committee addressing the past Vernonia officers have responded these concerns. Council decided to table outside their response area when it has any decision about extending the lease been deemed necessary. The city now for the building facility with the Columbia requires this type of response to be ap- County Flood Relief and requested staff proved by the City Administrator causing to convene a meeting with the two groups what EMS personnel consider delays that to try to reach a mutual agreement. From Our Elected Officials By Vernonia Mayor Sally Harrison To my Friends and Neighbors, The date is February 21, 2008 – eighty days since the “Flood of 07”. Eighty very long days when you are dealing with a wrecked home, insurance companies, mortgage holders, FEMA, SBA, raising, moving, cleaning, and still trying hard to have a sem- blance of a life. But on the flip side –it’s only been eighty days since the flood and look at all we have accomplished! Even with all the bureaucratic hoops that must be jumped through, all the information needed, decisions to make, and the turbulence produced, we are march- ing together toward our goal of normalization. I am so proud to be counted among the citizens of Vernonia. We not only are seeking a normal life but a better life. There are some very impor- tant projects in the works. And believe me everyone is working hard everyday to see that we are successful. First, seeing to it that everyone gets their homes lifted that need it and buying out those that need it. If you have questions or need information about that, you need to go to the Learning Center. That’s where I go and have never been disappointed. Second, the School District with some assistance from the City is coming up with long range, flood-proof solutions for the schools. No easy task. I’m hoping Vernonia comes together and supports the schools’ efforts. Good schools are the The Buckhorn restaurant & General store cornerstone of a great community. Lastly, we have wonderfully innovative prospects for Vernonia sewer problems thanks to a working Public Works Committee. The ball is rolling, engineers are en- gaged, DEQ is on board, and I’m really enthusiastic about the prospects. As this proj- ect goes forward, I’ll keep you updated. I will say that the solution we are looking at may remove the lagoons. Then there are the long range plans for reducing the amount of flood water through different kinds of mitigation. Bridges have been mentioned as has a dam of Rock Creek or other kinds of impoundments to contain the water and clear the rivers for free flow. This brings me to an ongoing concern: storm water control. The City has contracted with Civil Engineer Dale Merrell to do not only a rate study for the city’s utilities but form a plan for storm water control. I’m very excited about the prospects. Of course how we will pay for these improvements becomes a major concern. LID’S (Local Improvement Districts) seem the most advantageous for then it’s the ones who need the work done that pay for it. Patience has never been one of my long suits, but believe me, we all need to practice that virtue. We want to do things right the first time and be proud of the outcome. When all is said and done, we want to be the community that others look to as an example of how to handle a disaster. 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