06
vernonia’s
voice
march
city news
2009
CityNews...
City Council February 2, 2009
Council Hears from Students on Two Issues...
The Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots Lego Team, a group of stu-
dents aged 9-14, presented council with the idea of Amphibi-
ous floating homes as an option for flood mitigation. The stu-
dents researched the idea of floating homes similar to those
being used in Holland. The group asked council to consider
this option and to talk with FEMA about approving the use of
amphibious houses. Members of the team making the pre-
sentation were Bridger Stewart, Jacob Eyrrick, Kaitlyn Eyr-
rick, Bill Oregon, Megan Ely, Brad Ely and Anthony Pelster.
Chief Kay Announces Acquisition of Used Equipment...
Interim Police Chief Mike Kay announced that he has acquired
a Zodiac Mark II rescue boat which will be permanently sta-
tioned in Vernonia. The Rescue Boat and motor were pur-
chased with $2,300 donated by the Vernonia Lions Club. Kay
has also leased a 2004 Ford F250 King Cab from the State of
Oregon for $230 per month. The vehicle has 43,000 miles.
During a later conversation, Chief Kay clarified that the two
Ford Ranger trucks that the city leased for $70/ month each,
and were discussed at the January 19 City Council Meeting,
would both be used by the Public Works Department, and the
Ford F250 was replacing the Ranger initially intended for use
by the Police Department.
order to conduct training. Seager stated in his email request
that he trains about 175 students each year who stay for
about three nights.
Council Approves Amendments to Fee Schedule...
Council approved the following amendments to the Fee
Schedule: A $35.00 fee to turn service on or off and $102.00
Refundable Security Deposit for water service inside the city;
a $60.00 fee to turn service on or off and a $102.00 Refund-
able Security Deposit for service outside the city; and a $5.00
monthly fee each, for water and sewer when there is no ser-
vice for a customer. The city also made an adjustment to
Administrative and Planning Fees, so that when two or more
reviews are required for a land action, then the highest of the
fees is charged, or the fee will be equal to the actual cost of
reviewing the request, whichever is greater.
A discussion was held concerning multi family unit housing,
and the change in fee structure that council previously adopt-
ed. Council instructed Interim City Administrator Jim Johnson
to return in two weeks with a plan and an impact analysis, if
council were to restructure or phase in those rates, allow-
ing relief for current property owners who have seen large
increases in their billing. Many multi family units in the city
previously were charged for only one meter and then usage.
Under the new system, multi units are charged service for
each individual unit.
The Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robotics Lego Team tells City Council their
idea for amphibious houses as flood mitigation
Emily Mitchell and Kaitlyn Carr, members of Vernonian’s Ford
Institute Leadership Program class, asked the council to con-
sider the idea of a community amphitheater project, which
could be used to hold concerts, a community drama program,
and increase business in Vernonia. Mayor Sally Harrison ex-
pressed support for the project, while noting that the project
would need to find a location, get planning commission ap-
proval and secure funding before it could be built. Interim
Police Chief Mike Kay mentioned that he would be willing to
work with the interested parties to move the project forward.
City Council February17, 2009
The Zodiak Rescue boat the Vernonia Police Department has pro-
cured, along with the engine that was purchased with a $2300 dona-
tion from the Vernonia Lions Club
Senior Citizens Police Academy Underway...
Interim Chief Kay announced that the Senior Citizen Police
Academy has begun with twenty-seven participants. The
Academy is designed to provide information during eight
classes including topics such as narcotics, emergency prep-
aration, and Fraud and Scams. Kay stated this is a unique
program and is the only program of it’s kind in the county, and
the closest program like it is in Boise, Idaho.
Police Department Declares Vehicle Surplus...
Council approved Chief Kay’s request to declare the 2004
Crown Victoria patrol car as surplus. Kay stated this was
part of a plan to down size the fleet from six to four vehicles.
The current fleet consists of a 2007 Ford expedition, which
is also the K-9 unit, a 2007 Dodge Charger patrol car, a
2006 Ford Crown Victoria patrol car, and the new 2004 Ford
F250 utility truck. The department is currently attempting to
sell the 2004 Crown Victoria and 2000 Expedition that were
declared surplus.
Emily Mitchell and Kaitlyn Carr address City Council about a
community amphitheater
Council Chooses Committee Assignments...
The city council has been assigned to positions with City
Committees to act as liaison to the council, and regularly
attend those meetings. Councilor Brett Costley will attend
Parks Committee Meetings, Kevin Hudson will attend Pub-
lic Works Committee and the Unmet Needs Committee,
Cindy Ball, the Cemetery Committee, and the to be formed
Public Safety Committee, Randy Parrow will attend the Li-
brary and the Community Learning Center Committee, and
Mayor Sally Harrison will liaison with the Airport and Eco-
nomic Development Committee.
Police Request Reallocation Funds...
Interim Chief Kay has acquired two completely refurbished
camera systems, allowing the Police Department to request
reallocation of funds that had been allocated for the pur-
chase of a new ICOP Camera system. Chief Kay stated
that he would like the funds to be reallocated for “...other
department needs, that are pretty major needs, after the last
storm...to get the vehicles ready to go.” Kay went on to
state that funds would be used “ ...to get these two camera
systems installed. And that would mean that every car in
our police fleet has a camera on board. Which in my opinion
is more beneficial for us.”
Council Approves Commercial Use at Airport...
The City council considered and approved a request from
Mike Seager, for limited commercial use of the Vernonia Air-
port. Seager is a part time flight instructor. Mr. Sealer’s re-
quest stated that he would only be using the airport to meet
students, who he would then fly to the Scappoose Airport in
Parrow Requests Funds Go Back Into General Fund...
Councilman Randy Parrow suggested that funds that had
been specially allocated to the Police Department for the
purchase of an ICOP camera system, but were not used by
the Police Department, be returned to the General Fund, and
then reallocated when specific needs were identified. Interim
Police Chief Mike Kay agreed to submit a proposal with an
itemized list for use of the funds, and went on to clarify that
his intention was to use the funds to meet a list of Depart-
ment needs that was submitted to council in October, and for
repairs to the 2007 Ford Expedition incurred during the De-
cember storms, and also to help acquire equipment for storm
preparation, such as generators through the Military Surplus
Program.
Council Amends Fee Schedule, Again...
Council created two new categories and rates for water bill-
ing: Multiple Dwelling---Master Meter, $226.00 per month for
each Property for the first 2,000 gallons of water used per
unit, plus $1.25 for each additional 1,000 gallons used; and
Mobile Home Park---Master Meter, $1,688.00 for the first
2,000 gallons of water used per unit, plus $1.25 for each ad-
ditional 1,000 gallons used. This amendment is intended to
address the large increase in rates incurred by two property
owners with multi family units.
Police Department To Use Prevention Coalition Funds...
Interim Police Chief Mike Kay announced that the Executive
Committee of the Vernonia Prevention Coalition has decided
to have the police department handle the Coalition Coordi-
nator and Mentoring positions that are funded through the
grant the Coalition recently received. Kay stated that his de-
partment would take on prevention/intervention duties, which
would include having an officer working on the school cam-
pus--- similar to a school resource position. That officer would
also be available to teach classes, be on campus to handle
police situations, and act as a mentor to students. Kay an-
nounced that he would be assuming the coalition Coordinator
duties and that current staff would absorb the work of Men-
toring Coordinator and be reimbursed through the grant for
extra time spent. Time spent on Prevention Coalition respon-
sibilities would be tracked with separate time cards. Kay also
announced the re-creation of a school OSSOM Program that
already has forty-three high school students involved.
From Our Elected Officials
By Senator Betsy Johnson
As the 75th Legislative Assembly progresses in Salem, I am joining with my colleagues
in the Senate to tackle the many challenges that confront Oregon. My largest concerns are
the budget shortfalls of approximately $855 million for the current budget cycle and the
projected $3 billion shortfall for the next budget cycle. These shortfalls will not only hinder
state agencies from providing critical services to Oregonians, but may also require us to
prioritize and restructure state programs designed to assist local governments with ongoing
challenges.
The challenges we face lie in the slow economy. Money is tight, businesses are closing,
employees are losing their jobs, and fewer tax revenues are being collected as a result. In
an effort to cushion Oregonians from the full impacts of the recession, I voted to pass the
Oregon Jobs Stimulus Plan. This bill authorizes the State of Oregon to undertake a bonding
package thereby providing $175 million to be spent on crucial state-owned ‘shovel ready’
maintenance projects targeted to start by April 1. These projects will create jobs by funding
long-deferred maintenance at Oregon’s colleges, universities, and other state facilities that
Oregonians depend on every day. The reach of this spending is limited but it is my hope that
this effort will get us on the path to recover.
Recently, I watched with keen interest the passage of the federal stimulus bill that con-
tains a significant amount of money dedicated to local public works projects. While it is
unclear how these dollars will be distributed, and how much of it can be contributed to Ver-
nonia’s wastewater treatment facility, please be assured that I will be in close contact with
the federal and state officials, and advocate strongly for Vernonia’s needs. I am especially
mindful of the needs of the schools in Vernonia. The Oregon Solutions process has provided
a strong foundation that I can use as a platform to advocate for the construction of new
schools outside the reach of flood waters. This is my greatest concern, and it is my goal to
do everything possible to help the citizens of Vernonia with this difficult challenge.
As I consider these difficult times, I am reminded of Governor Tom McCall’s words:
“Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say, ‘This is
my community and it’s my responsibility to make it better.’” Vernonia is blessed with many
“heroes”, and it is through these people that we will see ourselves through the challenges that
lie ahead.
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