city news
july12
Vernonia City News...
At the July 5, 2011 Vernonia City
Council Meeting
Harrison Appointed to VCLC Com-
mittee—At the request of the Vernonia
Community Learning Center (VCLC)
Committee, Sally Harrison was appoint-
ed to the committee by Mayor Josette
Mitchell.
DADS Recycling Update—Council re-
ceived a memo from City Planner Carole
Connell explaining that a Land Use per-
mit and Conditional Use permit obtained
by DADS Recycling have expired. Ac-
cording to the memo, the Planning Com-
mission has granted two extensions
for permits at DADS new site on Mist
Drive, and stated in their last action
that there would be no more extensions.
DADS has completed it highway access
approach and had it approved by ODOT.
According to Connell other conditions
of their permit have not been met, in-
cluding their driveway, fence gate and
storage containers. Roger Lindsley rep-
resented DADS at the meeting and stat-
ed that the rest of the conditions could
be met soon and asked for consideration.
Council recommended DADs provide a
timeline for completion of the work and
go back to the Planning Commission.
Council Approves Solid Waste
Rates—Council approved a rate in-
crease for City of Vernonia customers
from Waste Management for collection
rates. Columbia County approved an
increase of disposal costs at the transfer
station, leading to Waste Management
requesting to pass those increases on to
their customers. Customers will see an
approximately 1% increase in their bills.
Council Approves Use of FMA Funds
for School Property—Council ap-
proved two concurrent motions: one
which recommended that the Columbia
County Board of Commissioners use
available Flood Mitigation Assistance
(FMA) funds to purchase the approxi-
mate twenty acres of current Vernonia
School property currently located in a
special flood hazard zone; and the sec-
ond which stated that the City of Ver-
nonia accept this property as permanent
green space to be maintained in perpe-
tuity. The land purchase and exchange
is all part of a previously agreed upon
MOU between the City, School District
and County.
Council Approves Contract for GIS
Services—Council approved a contract
between the City and Sean Pickner for
GIS consulting services. The contract is
2011
5
not to exceed $25,000. Pickner worked
on the City GIS project last year under a
one-year contract. The contract contains
a specific scope of work and Pickner will
report to the City Administrator.
Council Approves Contract Amend-
ment with City Attorney—Council
approved an amendment to the con-
tract with City Attorney Alexandra E.
Sosnkowski. The amendment simply
changes the name of the firm and adds
Ruben Cleaveland as assistant and back
up counsel.
Counsel Holds Executive Session—
Council entered into Executive Session
under ORS 192.6602(d), to meet with
persons designated to conduct labor ne-
gotiations. No decision was announced
after Council returned from Executive
Session.
On the Shelves: What’s Happening at the Vernonia Library
Book Donations Wanted--Just a reminder,
10,000 or less to engage and motivate young readers,
the Friends of the Vernonia Library are seeking
while helping these smaller libraries drive traffic and
donations for their annual Book Sale. Donations can
encourage summer reading.
be made during library hours. Please no textbooks,
On Wednesday July 13 at 6:30 PM, juggler
encyclopedias or Readers Digest Condensed Books!
Rhys Thomas will bring his Juggle Mania show to
Juggle Mania Comes to
the Vernonia Public Library at
Vernonia--The
Oregon
College
701 Weed Ave. Juggle Mania
Savings Plan has partnered with the
is described as hilarity and
Oregon State Library and the Oregon
dexterity in the form of comedy
Library Association on “Destination
juggling and circus tricks. Over
College Savings,” a statewide
the last 20 years, Juggle Mania
campaign designed to promote Oregon
has appeared to laughter and
public libraries’ summer reading
applause on cruise ships in the
program. As part of its sponsorship,
Mediterranean, at festivals in
the Oregon College Savings Plan
Japan, by dogsled in Alaska,
is underwriting a series of free
and at schools and libraries in
Rhys Thomas will bring his Juggle
special performances in libraries in
America. Thomas also teaches
Mania show to the Vernonia Public
communities with a population of
physics via circus tricks at
Library July 13 at 6:30 PM.
museums across North America, as well as in Trinidad
and Singapore.
“Destination College Savings” kicked off
June 1 in public libraries across the state and continues
through Sept. 6. Last year, more than 165,000 children
and teens statewide participated in the summer reading
programs offered throughout Oregon, reading more
than 1.6 million pages.
Participation in “Destination College Savings”
is easy. Oregon parents (or legal guardians) first enroll
their children in the 2011 Summer Reading Program
at their local public library, then fill out a postage-
paid entry card, available at the library, and drop it in
the mail, or enter online at Oregon College Savings.
com. All entries must be postmarked by Sept. 2 and
received by Sept. 6. Visit Oregon College Savings.
com for official rules and prize details. No purchase
necessary. Void where prohibited.
By Sally Harrison
The Vernonia Economic Develop-
ment (VED) Committee, in conjunction
with some “special angels” installed a beau-
tiful new Welcome Sign on the corner of
Bridge Street and Rose Avenue on June 29,
2011.
The Committee spent considerable
time and energy considering the many op-
tions for the improvement of the sign.
Shirlee Daughtry provided the
historic photo of Engine #105 dumping
logs into the Mill Pond. Doren Lower, the
Graphic Arts instructor at Vernonia High
School composed the fabulous layout and
design.
R
PAY OLL PLUS LLC
Full Service Payroll
Bookkeeping
QuickBooks Assistance
Income Tax Preparation
The VED Committee passed the
hat among its members to start the ball roll-
ing for the fund raising. Then came a gener-
ous donation by both Vernonia Pride and the
Vernonia Lions Club—so much appreciated
in these hard economic times. When the
Committee was running out of options to
raise the remaining funds, Eleanor Thomp-
son brought out her checkbook to make up
the considerable difference. The sign was
installed by Bud Dow and Tim Bero.
Everyone who conceived the idea
and donated labor and funds to bring this
sign to Vernonia hope the citizens and visi-
tors enjoy the beauty and historic signifi-
cance of this new sign that greets everyone
at the south entrance into town.
I C U
P EE K
Dyslexic
I Hear U
the
Bird
What U say
Matters 2 Me
Validate
words by Oprah Winfrey
TSP
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503-429-1819
LTC#29629-C
edisheldon@gmail.com
StPierreGraphics @aol.com
New Welcome Sign Installed
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291
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