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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2011)
city news august23 2011 Vernonia City News... At the August 15, 2011 Vernonia City Council Meeting: Connor Promoted to Interim Chief—See story on front page. Council Outlines Process for Hir- ing City Administrator—Councilor Randy Parrow asked to discuss the possibility of hiring Bill Haack as City Administrator. During the discussion Mayor Mitchell suggested that Council wait until the three empty Council po- sitions have been filled before Council make any decisions. The three emp- ty seats are expected to be filled at a special council meeting on August 29. Council tentatively scheduled inter- views with City Administrator candi- dates for August 30-31. City Makes Grant Request for Re- zoning—Council approved a Grant request from the City Planning De- partment to the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. The grant request is for $6,000 and will be used to amend the City Plan and Zone Map and then adjust the land inventory accordingly. According to City Planner Carole Connel, the city has up to ninety parcels that are inap- propriately zoned and cannot be built upon because of flood hazards, result- ing in an inaccurate supply of land for housing and employment needs, which could impact the location and size of the Urban Growth Boundary. Council Approves Flood Purchas- es—Council approved the purchase of three properties as acquisition projects from the 2007 Flood event. The prop- erties that have been purchased are 540 Mist Drive, 544-546 Mist Drive, and 550 Mist Drive. 5 Vernonia City Council Upcoming Meetings and City Hall Closures Due to the Labor Day Holiday, the next regular Vernonia City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 6, 2011. MEETING PLACE: City Hall MEETING TIME: 7:00 PM CLOSED MONDAY, SEPT. 5, 2011 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 These dates are subject to change without notice On the Shelves: What’s Happening at the Vernonia Library The 2011 Summer Reading Program has ended on a high note at the Vernonia Public Library. The story/craft time was very well attended leaving standing room only many days. We also were delighted to see so many community members of all ages enjoying the evening performances brought to Vernonia during the summer reading program including Hart’s Reptile World, Jugglemania!, Christopher Leebrick – professional storyteller, Washington County Museum with the School Days Program, and Knights of Veritas. The success of the program is based on the generous donations, time, and effort by so many in our community. This year we would like to send a special thank you to the following businesses and organizations for donations and financial support to fund this program: Vernonia Sentry, Mariolino’s, Black Bear Coffee Company, Costco, McMenamins, Out Of This World Pizza, Old Spaghetti Factory, Vernonia’s Voice, Oregon College Savings Plan, Vernonia Lyon’s Club, Vernonia Study Club, and Friends of the Vernonia Library. A big thank you to Linda Johnston, Pat Styles, Melissa Zavales, Barbara Ward, Angela Fields, Grant and El Donna Williams, and Todd and Kelli Martinez for going ‘above and beyond’ to ensure the program was a success for the children this year. The Summer Reading Program is now over but planning is underway for our preschool story time and our afterschool program starting in late September. Information is updated regularly at the city website, www. vernonia-or.gov, and as always our programs are free. Columbia County Holds Hearings on Transit Rates Due to decreases in state and federal funding, community contributions, and because of increased cost of providing public transit services, Columbia County has determined that fares must be increased in order to continue providing public transit in the County. The reduction in federal/state allocations for transit services has caused Columbia County to consider several options which include: reduce service, raise fares or do a combination of both. After an analysis of the routes and rider use the County has determined that a fare increase and the establishment of a zone based fare system will allow them to continue the current level of service, however the Citizens Transit Advisory Committee has indicated that a review of the fare system should be completed in six months to determine if further changes are necessary. The last fare increase occurred in August of 2008. In order to change the fare schedule and fare collection method to a zone based system, the public must be notified and allowed to comment on the changes. As a result a public hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, August 10, 201 for the purpose of considering a proposal to establish a zone fare system and proposed fare increases for the Columbia County Rider Transportation System, to become effective upon adoption of a Board Order. On August 10, 2011 the Columbia County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing for public input on the proposed changes. Because the Board felt that further public notice was needed, the public hearing was held open until Wednesday, August 24, 2011 to allow for citizen comment at the Board meeting. Testimony can be provided in person at the Wednesday, August 24, 2011 meeting of the County Board of Commissioners, at 10:00 AM. The Citizens Transit Advisory Committee and the County Commissioners have both met to review rider data and discuss recommendations for revisions in the Transit Fare Schedule. As a result of those reviews the following recommendations for changes were made: Recommendation No. 1: The Transit rider fare system be changed to a zone based system consisting of three primary or base zones: Zone 1 representing North County, Zone 2 representing South County and Vernonia, and Zone 3, any destination outside of Columbia County. In each zone, a base fare would be charged for each ride and when a rider crosses a zone an additional $1.00 would be added to the trip cost. Flex Route fares would increase from $1.50 to $2.50. and monthly passes would also be increased. The recommended discounts provided for youth, seniors, and person with disabilities criteria would set age requirements for eligibility. A “reduced” fare under the student and elderly/disabled categories, would be established for persons ages 12 and under, ages 62 and over, or having a disability. For students, a student ID would be required as proof of enrollment in a college or university. Recommendation No. 2: Demand Response rates are increased by 20% from the current rates. Recommendation No. 3: The Committee also decided to not recommend any service reductions at this time, but opted to revisit the fare and service issues in six months and provide recommendations for any further fare increases or service reductions necessary to maintain the system. For more information contact Columbia County Transit Administrator Janet Wright at 503-397- 1035. PUBLIC NOTICE “Community Action Team of Columbia County, Inc. (CAT) is seeking proposals from qualified General Contractors to prepare the 6-building, Blue Heron Hollow Apartment Complex (located at 600 California Street, Vernonia, OR) to be elevated approximately five feet (5’), to elevate the structures, to install a pony wall system including supports, to set the building down and secure it to the new foundation, to raise the courtyard foundation to grade elevation specified in plans, and install sidewalks, stairs, ramps, decks and railings as per plans and specifications. All Request for Proposal (RFP) documents can be obtained by visiting https://www.cat-team.org or by sending an Email to ddubach@cat-team. org or calling 503-366-6555. All proposals are due to CAT at its offices at 125 N. 17th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051 no later than 5:00 PM on September 6, 2011. There is a mandatory pre-bid conference at 10:00 on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at the project site in Vernonia. Questions should be directed to Casey Mitchell at 503-366-6550 or via email at cmitchell1@cat-team.org. CAT is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, does not discriminate because of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age if the individual is 18 years of age or older, or disability, and invites proposals from minorities, women and emerging small businesses.” the “I can’t believe it’s mine” home The perfect mortgage from will make you feel right at home. the “make room for more” home U.S. Bank Home Mortgage is committed to providing you with a mortgage loan that is right for you. We take the time and care to guide you through the mortgage process, so you can trust you’re making the right move. Put the strength of one of America’s leading home mortgage lenders to work for you. Because there’s no place like U.S. Bank. the “you and me at last” home Vernonia Branch 905 Bridge Street 503-429-6271 usbank.com | 888-831-7524 Mortgage loans subject to credit approval. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage loans offered through U.S. Bank National Association. ©2011 U.S. Bancorp. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.
