06 vernonia’s voice may city news 2009 CityNews... City Council April 2, 2009 Hudson resigns from Public Works Committee... In a letter read by Mayor Sally Harrison, Public Works Com- mittee Chair Helen Hudson announced her resignation from the committee. Police Department Presents Mission Statement... Interim Vernonia Police Chief Mike Kay presented the Council with a Mission Statement that is based on the stated depart- ment values of integrity, teamwork, respect, professionalism and excellence. Police and Citizens Discuss Recent Actions... Interim Police Chief Mike Kay reported on several recent ar- rests his department has made and referenced three recent media releases. Those press releases included arrests on March 20 on Bridge Street in Vernonia that involved under- age drinking by minors, furnishing alcohol to minors, delivery of marijuana, assaulting a public safety officer, and resisting arrest, among other charges; an arrest on March 26 after a report of attempted theft of vehicle parts from a residence that led to a high-speed chase and eventual capture of the suspect; and a vehicle stop on March 27 that led to the arrest of two men who were charged with possession and delivery of heroin. Several citizens spoke during topics from the floor to commend the Vernonia Police Department for their work during these arrests, while one citizen expressed concerns about excessive use of force during the arrest on March 20. Council Awards Contract for Update of Wastewater Plan... Council has awarded a contract for an update of the city wastewater facilities plan to Brown and Caldwell, an Environ- mental Engineering and Consulting firm. Brown and Caldwell was chosen from six proposals. According to Interim City administrator Jim Johnson, Brown and Caldwell was cho- sen based on the qualifications of their proposal. They were also the lowest bidder, and also did a good job telling the city how to “fast track” the project to be able to take advantage of available Federal Stimulus Funds. Johnson stated that the intention is to begin construction of a new wastewater treat- ment facility by February 16, 2010. Brown and Caldwell’s fee was stated to be $175,787, which will be paid for with funds from a Community Development Block Grant that the city was awarded. City Establishes Emergency Preparedness Committee... With the second reading of Ordinance #854, council estab- lished an Emergency Preparedness Committee. The Com- mittee would be responsible for assisting the city in emer- gency training, education, coordination, and advisement in relation to community emergency preparedness. Avenue at City Hall; Alley Way between the Lyons Den Pub and the Old 76 Gas Station; and a request for no parking on Bridge Street from Saturday August 8th from 8:00AM until the end of the Parade. Council Awards Contract for Demolition of Old City Hall Annex... Northwest Excavating, a local Vernonia company submitted the low bid at $4,350 and was awarded the contract for re- moval of the old City Hall Annex on Bridge Street. Police Department Receives Defibrillators... Interim Police Chief Mike Kay showed council one of three AED Defibrillators that the city has received as a donation. City Council April 20, 2009 Council Holds Hearing on Street Vacation... City Council heard testimony and held discussions on a re- quest for a street vacation of a portion of East avenue between C and D Streets. In a staff report, City Planner Carrel Con- nell reported that the city had previously vacated the section from C Street to the alley, and recommended that approval for the applicants, Darwin Holm and Kris Burkland, be subject to three conditions: that the applicants prepare a fifteen-foot easement to provide access, that the applicants provide an engineer-approved legal description of the property, and that a certified copy of the ordinance vacating the street be filed by the applicants with Columbia County Clerk. No one spoke in opposition to the request. Council decided to delay voting on the vacation until those requirements were met. Council Hears Update on GIS... Ben Fousek from KLS Surveying reported on the progress of the Geographic Information System (GIS) that the city has contracted to have developed. Fousek reported on maps he has created so far. He also reported that costs to the city in the next fiscal year would be around $1,100 per month to continue to maintain and develop the system, and that they are also requesting a $10,000 budget for capital improve- ments for the system. Fousek also reported that Don Wal- lace, owner of KLS has acquired a dedicated GIS database server. Fousek said he hopes to make improvements to the city permit system. Fousek identified some problems that he thought the GIS system would address and improve includ- ing: lack of retention of information due to staff turnover, bet- ter collection and retention of data, better communication and organization of information for city entities. Council Approves Street Closures for Jamboree... Council approved a request from the Jamboree Committee for closures for food and non-food vendors: on Adams Av- enue from Bridge Street to Maple Street; Park Avenue; Weed Vernonia Police to Host Public Information Officer Academy... Interim Police Chief Mike Kay announced that the Vernonia Police Department will be host for an Effective Public Informa- tion Officer Academy to be held June 22-24. Kay stated that around 100 officers from around the Pacific Northwest will attend. Kay also stated that the Vernonia Department will be host to four more classes that he will report on in the future. Kay stated there is no charge for attending any training for officers from host agencies. Kay also informed council that two Vernonia Officers will be attending a Desert Snow Train- ing in Pendelton, Oregon. The three-day training is designed to expose attendees to current concealment methods being utilized in passenger-type vehicles by terrorists and other ma- jor criminals, and is designed for all front-line officers who en- counter passenger vehicles during their daily assignments. Council Approves Signing of Letter of Intent... Council approved the mayor to sign a letter of intent to make a one-year commitment to the Oregon Community and Eco- nomic Development Department (OECDD) Main Street Pro- gram. Oregon Main Street is a statewide commercial district revitalization program, and works to assist communities in achieving viable commercial districts. Election Information City Council Column By Brett Costley Budget season is about to start in the city. If you’ve ever wondered where your tax dollars go, or would like to express your opinion on how the city should spend those tax dollars, here is your chance. The budget message will be given May 11. No public comments will be taken then, but public comments will be taken on May 14. Both meetings are at 7 PM at city hall. On a different note, President Obama has recently called for the nation to do more commu- nity service. His call got me to thinking about volunteerism in Vernonia. I don’t have any specifics, but I believe that the average citizen of Vernonia does much more volunteering than the average American. Volunteerism even seems to be a full time job for many of our locals. While we are doing pretty well as a whole, it doesn’t hurt to think individually whether you are doing your share or if you have the opportunity to do more. Currently, the city has several committee openings on the planning commission, and public works. Of course, not everyone has interest in volunteering with the city. Churches, the PTA, the Scouts, the food bank, clean-up day, and service organizations are some of the many other choices. So is helping out an elderly or disabled neighbor. So, to paraphrase another president: Ask not what Vernonia can do for you; ask what you can do for Vernonia! Tot al Body Condit ioning Stop Making Excuses! Start Shaping up for Summer! Join today! Boot camp style training with a serious kick to get you started! Special pricing… $79.00 for 12 Classes* Classes on Monday & Wednesday at 8:30am and 6pm & Friday at 8:30am and 12:30pm Sign Up & Save! Individual Training Sessions Also Available Teresa Williams, NSCA-CPT Certified Fitness Trainer 503-429-5051 or 503-799-3424 fitnessbytw@netzero.com Council Approves Spending for Police Priority Needs... Interim Police Chief Mike Kay provided council with an item- ized list of needs, and requested money that had been origi- nally allocated for an ICOP Camera System. The Depart- ment received two free refurbished camera systems from the Oregon State Police, and Kay had previously requested the unused funds for other department priorities. The priori- ties list was made up of the following items: Equip the new 2004 Ford F250 with emergency equipment-- $5,083.50; in- stall the refurbished ICOP camera systems in the 2004 and 2006 Crown Victoria vehicles-- $489.00 each; repair the ICOP system in the 2007 Expedition that was damaged dur- ing the 2007 flood; and replace one ballistic vest for the new department officer-- $695.00. The total request for funds was $7,606.50. Council approved the request. *Pricing available for single classes The Public Certification Test of the counting equipment for the Special Election to be held on May 19, 2009 will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. The testing will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the County Elections Dept. The public is welcome to attend. Drop sites for the election will be as follows: • RAINIER CITY HALL: May 1 - May 18 - During Office Hours 106 B St. West May 19 - 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM • CLATSKANIE LIBRARY: May 1 - May 18 - During Office Hours 11 Lillich St. May 19 - 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM • SCAPPOOSE CITY HALL: May 1 - May 18 - During Office Hours 33568 E. Columbia Ave. May 19 - 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM • VERNONIA LIBRARY: May 1 - May 18 - During Office Hours 701 Weed Ave. May 19 - 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM • MIST-BIRKENFELD RFPD OFFICE May 1 - May 18 - During Office Hours 12525 Highway 202 May 19 - 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM • COUNTY COURTHOUSE 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday ELECTIONS DEPT. Drop Off Box located in lower parking lot Election Day, May 19, 2009, Elections Dept. Will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.