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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2012)
city news may22 2012 Vernonia City News... At the May 7, 2012 City Council Meeting: Council Acknowledges Officer Carnahan—Mayor Josette Mitchell and the City Council presented Vernonia Police Officer Shawn Carnahan with a Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding performance, dedication and commitment in his service and for going beyond the call of duty. Council Hears Several Presentations— City Council heard presentations from: Lew Barnes who is running for State Representative for House District 31; Chief Mike Greisen of the Scappoose Fire District, representing the Portland Urban Area Security Initiative; Ashley Swanson from the Public Health Foundation of Columbia County discussing the dangers of electronic cigarettes; and Jeff Mathia of Metro West Ambulance who was in attendance to celebrate EMS week. Mayor Appoints Poetter and Hammons to Parks Committee— Based on a recommendation from the Parks committee and with consent from the rest of Council, Mayor Josette Mitchell appointed Katie Poetter and Jerimaih Hammons to serve on the Vernonia Parks Committee. ODOT Receives Noise Variance— Council approved a request from Oregon Department of Transportation for a variance from City Ordinance allowing night time construction work for fifteen nights along Bridge Street. ODOT says night work is required to avoid long lane closures during the day. Specific dates for the work are not yet available. ODOT is required to notify property owners when the work is scheduled to begin. Council Approves Request for Expenditure—Council approved a request from the Public Works Department for a $9,000 expenditure to make repairs to the city owned backhoe. Council Hears Several Topics From the Floor—Council heard statements from several citizens during Topics From the Floor including: Sally Harrison and Ferenc Szlavich who spoke separately against increasing Water and Sewer rates; DeAnna Pearl from the Vernonia Prevention Coalition who spoke about the upcoming Summer Meals Program; William Krause who spoke in favor of electronic cigarettes; and John Wacker Council Approves Open Space who encouraged Council to consider any System—Council approved Resolution regulations against electronic cigarettes. 14-12 which establishes an Open Space System for the City of Vernonia which Council Approves Parks Vendor and includes all City owned property that Host Agreements—Council approved is not part of a park, the airport, a city revised versions of a Park Vendor/ owned building and/or cemetery. The Concession License Agreement and a creation of this system allows the city revised Volunteer Park Host Agreement. to secure insurance on properties they Both will be used to negotiate future now own through acquisition of flood damaged properties. contracts. Council Authorizes RSQ for Grant Administrator—Council authorized the City Administrator to issue a Request for a Statement of Qualifications for a Grant Administrator to manage efforts to complete the Wastewater Facility Improvement Plan. Funding for this position is through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG ). Council also authorized a Request for Proposal for an Environmental Assessment Report which is required when using CDBG funds. This report is also funded through the CDBG program. Council Approves Resolution for Flood Plain Enforcement—Council approved Resolution 13-12 which allows for enforcement of the City ‘s flood hazard enforcement ordinance. The ordinance is in place to ensure compliance with National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA requirements. The ordinance allows for several enforcement options which include issuance of a citation, denial or disconnection of city water service, and nuisance action or institute proceedings for removal of structure. A Presentation about Global Climate Change Presented by Paul Rippey Need body work? At Meyer’s Auto Body we’ll take your order and give you great service. Meyer’s Auto Body 493 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-0248 Council Streamlines Committees— Council approved revised Resolutions that establish the VCLC, Cemetery, and Library Committees. Each resolution had been updated by committee members prior to adoption by Council to streamline committee functions and operations. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Amendments to the Off-Street Parking provisions of the Vernonia Land Development Code SITE LOCATION: Affects properties in the Downtown Zone and certain land uses citywide. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Vernonia proposes to amend Section 9-01.04-50 to reduce parking requirements and establish a public parking maintenance program. Additional information about the text amendments, City File #PA 12-01 can be obtained by contacting Joann Glass at City Hall 503- 429-5291 ext. 104. The Public Hearings will be held on June 7, 2012 by the Planning Commission and on July 16, 2012 by the City Council at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064. The Public Hearings are governed by the Comprehensive Plan amendment criteria of Vernonia Land May 25, 2012 7:00 PM Vernonia Community Learning Center 939 Bridge Street Based on An Inconvenient Truth (by former US Vice President Al Gore) 5 The eoening mill include a narrated slide presentation mith lots of time for discussion, sharing and questions. Use and Development Code Section 9.01.09-50. A staff report will be available to the public at City Hall one week before the hearings, and may be copied for a nominal fee. Failure to raise an issue in a hearing, in person or by letter or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision-maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the board based on that issue. Public testimony is welcome, and written statements will also be received before the hearing. All meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing to the City Recorder at 503-429-5291, ext. 104; TTY 1-800-735-2900 or at City Hall, 1001 Bridge St., Vernonia OR 97064. 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