vernonia’s
voice
city news
january
2009
Epler Resigns As Fire Chief
Vernonia Fire Chief Paul Epler has resigned his position, according to the Vernonia Rural
Fire Protection District Board. Board President Steve Weller confirmed Epler’s resignation,
stating that the Board had met in Executive session on December 9, and that during the regular
meeting immediately following the executive session, Epler tendered his resignation, which
the Board then accepted.
Weller explained that the Board would be looking to fill the position-- possibly by hiring
an Interim Chief, before actively pursuing a permanent replacement for Epler.
Who Pays For a Declared Emergency?
When the City of Vernonia was forced to declare a State of Emergency in December, it took on
numerous expenses and un-budgeted costs. With the city already on unstable financial ground, who
ends up footing the bill for those emergency costs is a question on the minds of many citizens.
According to Interim City Administrator Jim Johnson, there is a direct line that is followed
when requesting resources. When the city has exhausted its resources in an emergency, it contacts
the county; when the county’s ability to deal with a situation is depleted, it goes to the state; the state
refers major situations to the federal government.
“Because of Vernonia’s isolation from the county seat and other cities, we are forced to look out
for ourselves,” said Johnson. “This is likely to be the case in the future, as well.
“It became very clear that we couldn’t handle everything that was going on with the snow and
no power and so forth, without some assistance from somebody else,” said Johnson. “And you only
get that assistance by declaring an emergency. We asked for the help that is available through an
Emergency Operations Plan. We just don’t have the kind of equipment you need to handle this size
snow-fall.
“I would do the same thing again, given similar circumstances,” said Johnson, when asked, in
hindsight, whether the city made the right decision in declaring an emergency.
“The other thing is, you can’t get reimbursed for expenses, if you don’t declare an emergency,”
continued Johnson. “We may or may not get reimbursed for this. We’re going to work hard to
prove that we deserve to be reimbursed. There are expenses that are involved in establishing a shel-
ter, paying for the food, gas for generators, and snow removal.” Johnson noted that the city intends
to research all avenues for reimbursement.
Initial estimates for expenses from the emergency were $68,666.63. Johnson noted that that
total included both direct and indirect costs, which included time for some city staff who are on sal-
ary and won’t actually be paid for their time spent working during the emergency.
This most recent situation has prompted city officials to begin looking at ways to be better
prepared. Mayor Sally Harrison has expressed a desire for the city to be more self-sufficient in
emergencies. Purchasing large generators, and rescue equipment through military sources is one
option that will be explored, according to Interim Police Chief Mike Kay. Leasing four-wheel-drive
jeeps is another option. Expanding training and recruitment for Citizen Emergency Response Team
(CERT) crews is something else that was already being considered, and that Johnson is in favor of.
The city is planning to hold at least two After-action meetings to brainstorm about what went well
and what could be done better during future events.
The bottom line is that both the state and federal governments probably need to sign off on a
declaration of emergency, and if no reimbursement is forthcoming, the city may find itself on the
hook for expenses incurred. Where they will find the funding remains to be determined.
07
City to Retain Johnson as
Administrator
At a special meeting of the Vernonia City Council on December 26, council agreed to
retain Jim Johnson in an Administration capacity. Johnson, who was hired as Interim City
Administrator, will be rehired as an Independent Consultant, which limits his ability to directly
supervise city employees, but does allow him to continue his work with the city. Johnson was
restricted to how many hours he could work under guidelines that administer PERS benefits he
is currently receiving, and was scheduled to end his employment with Vernonia in February.
The new agreement will extend his stay for approximately six more months.
Johnson made the suggestion to council to restructure his contract. Johnson explained that
the new format will require the city council to directly supervise staff, which would probably
take the shape of weekly meetings with councilors, city department heads and Johnson, and
would include guidance from him. Johnson will still be able to prepare and present staff reports
and oversee city projects. Council agreed to this format.
Council will be required to create a new ordinance which will outline the details of the
new agreement and structure of Johnson’s employment and responsibilities. That contract is
expected to be created during a work session at the January 5, 2009, City Council Meeting.
The ordinance will then be read twice-- once at the January 19 council meeting, and then ad-
opted and take effect at the February 2 meeting. The city is also required to suspend the current
ordinance that establishes the City Administrator position.
Johnson has been assisting the city in its search for a permanent City Administrator. Re-
cent interviews produced a top candidate, who then rejected the city’s contract offer. Council
agreed at the December 26 meeting to not offer a contract to any of the other candidates, thus
necessitating the need to re-negotiate Johnson’s contract, and restart the hiring search.
Vernonia Police Officers Give a
Helping Hand
The officers of Vernonia’s Police Department have been making extra contributions to the
community, that have been coming out of their own pockets. This year, they replaced a Santa
suit that was destroyed in last year’s flood. The suit is used by Vernonia Cares during the an-
nual Lighted Parade, and helps bring holiday joy each year to the children of Vernonia.
Each month, Vernonia’s officers make contributions to a Union Representation Fund. Por-
tions of that fund that are not used can be donated to community needs that the officers choose.
In the past, the officers have donated to help pay for a Homecoming fireworks display, made a
donation to Echoing Evergreen Day Camp for kids, and this year they replaced the Santa suit.
“I just wanted to give our local police force a pat on the back,” said Janelle Thomas-
Cedergreen, who helps organize the Lighted Parade each year, and appreciated the donation
from the Vernonia officers.
The officers have also paid for outside trainers for the Citizen Emergency Response Team
(CERT) training, donated time to prepare and participate in the SKID program which encour-
ages students to not drink and drive, and have volunteered to chaperone the high-school prom,
as well as volunteered their time to help with traffic control for the Lighted Parade.
Columbia County Flood Relief Update County Commissioners Meet in
Vernonia for Airport Hearing
By Jill Hult
Columbia County Flood Relief (CCFR) has relocated to 850 Maple Street between Mari-
olino’s and Sentry. Clients may access the main office from Maple Street.
Along with moving their offices, CCFR will be going through a reduction in staff as of
December 31, 2008. CCFR was fortunate to receive staffing assistance through an emergency
employment grant awarded by the Department of Labor through the Workforce Investment Act
at the request of Columbia County and administered by Management Training Corp (MTC).
CCFR was able to employ eleven people who qualified by living in the County and by be-
ing unemployed at the time of the disaster or unemployed due to the disaster. The grant was
originally for a six months, but was awarded an extension until December 31, 2008 because of
the amount of work being done for flood recovery. Dan Brown, Deputy Director of Columbia
County Flood Relief said “The efforts of our recovery would have been greatly hampered
without the assistance of this grant. We greatly appreciate everyone who worked on our behalf
to ensure we had the staff to get the job done.”
The Flood Relief Center has adjusted its’ operations to accommodate for this change. Dan
Brown added “Our goal is to continue to serve the needs of our clients with as little interruption
as possible. We will still be around to aid in the ongoing recovery.”
With the reduction in staff and the smaller configuration of the new office, the Flood Relief
Center is asking clients to call and make an appointment rather than walking in. Office hours
will remain Monday – Friday from 9:00AM – 5:00 Please call 503-429-4948 for assistance
with your particular recovery needs.
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By Scott Laird
Columbia County Commissioners met in Vernonia on December 1, 2008, to hear tes-
timony concerning the industrial development proposed by Tim and Michele Bero on pri-
vate property next to the Vernonia Airport. The development plan requires a zone change,
and is being opposed by neighbors to Bero’s property. The development has also been
supported by some Vernonia citizens. The Bero’s request for the zone change was rejected
by the County Planning Commission by a vote of 3-2 in October, and was then referred to
the County Commissioners, who stated their intention to make a decision when they meet
on January 21.
The Chair of the County Commissioners, Tony Hyde from Vernonia, announced at
the beginning of the Hearing that they would only hear new testimony that had not been
presented already to the Planning Commission. The commissioners first heard a staff re-
port from County Planner Glen Higgins, who noted that his office recommends approval
of the development. Speaking in favor of the development was Andrew Glomb, a Pol-
ish airplane manufacturer, who had traveled from Poland and expressed his intention to
partner with Bero to manufacture light aircraft at the new development. Also speaking in
favor were several area residents, business owners, and Sally Harrison who stated she was
testifying as a citizen of Vernonia, and not as the Mayor.
Speaking in opposition to the proposed development were several neighbors who live
across the street from the Bero’s property, John Burns--an airport and zoning expert, Mike
Sheehan--an attorney from Scappoose and Pat Zimmerman-- who’s expertise includes
land use issues ,and who ran against Hyde for his County Commission position this past
November.
The hearing was often tense with several terse exchanges between Commissioner
Hyde and opponents to the project. Heather Hines began her testimony in opposition by
chastising the proponents of the project for their rude and disrespectful behavior towards
the opponents during the hearing.
At question is whether the County can grant the exception needed for a zone change
from Primary Forest (PF-76) to Rural Airport Industrial (AI). Opponents have raised
questions about road access to the site; about whether the county is required to look at
other potential sites within the county before granting the exception; about how many jobs
will be created and how many workers will be traveling into the area on a daily basis; the
size of the industrial buildings and what exactly will be manufactured; infrastructure and
utilities; and how nearby development might affect future high water events in the area.
The Bero’s and their representatives continue to state their intention to provide flex-
ible manufacturing space for airport related products, with the hope of providing living
wage jobs for members of the Vernonia Community.
Complicating the County Commissioners decision is that Commissioner Joe Corsiglia
was voted out of office in November and will be replaced by Earl Fisher in January. Cor-
siglia was the Commissioner that heard testimony at the hearing in Vernonia, but Fisher
will be part of the Commission that makes the final decision.