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!
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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.
