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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2012)
city news At the October 1, 2012 City Council Meeting Council Makes No Decision on Rezon- ing--Council chose to make no decision after a public hearing on a rezoning proj- ect that had been recommended by the Planning Commission. (see full story beginning on the front page) Council Approves Street Closure for Salmon Festival--Council approved a request from the Salmon Festival Com- mittee to close Park Drive during the Salmon Festival on October 6, 2012. Council Accepts Planning Resigna- tion, Appoints Two to Public Works Committee--Council accepted the resig- nation of Don Wallace from the Planning Commission. Wallace had served for over twelve years. Also, Mayor Josette Mitchell, with approval from the rest of the Council and based on a recommen- dation from the Public Works Commit- Vernonia City News... tee, appointed Sally Harrison and Jacob Lee to the Public Works Committee. Council Approves Study for Conser- vation Options—Council authorized the City Administrator to contract with Siemens, an energy consulting company, to complete a feasibility study to estab- lish conservation options in street light- ing, building lighting and HVAC sys- tems. Siemens is providing this analysis at no cost to the City. Council Authorizes Contract For Wa- ter and Wastewater Systems Anal- ysis--Council authorized the City Ad- ministrator to negotiate a contract with BacGen Technologies for four distinct studies of the City’s Water and Wastewa- ter Systems. The studies would include both a Facility Audit and an Engineer- ing and Project Finance Report for both systems. The work will be immediately helpful to planned improvements to the wastewater treatment system. The work On the Shelves - What’s will also be incorporated into the Mas- ter Capital Plan now in development. Cost for the studies is $19,000; $9500 would come from an already secured EPA STAG Grant and the balance will be funded from the Water SDC account contingency line item. Council Authorizes Wastewater Rate Study--Council authorized the City Ad- ministrator to issue a Statement of Qual- ifications for a Wastewater Rate Study. This study is an anticipated part of the planning process for the wastewater fa- cilities upgrade project and is required by DEQ. Total cost is not to exceed $24,000 and is an eligible expense to be funded with an Oregon Business Devel- opment Department Grant the City has already secured. Public Works Committee Will Serve as Brownfields Committee--The Pub- lic Works Committee has added to its responsibilities to serve as the Brown- Happening at the Vernonia Library Free Discussion: Digital Books and the Future of Reading The October 20, 2012 event is part of Oregon Humanities’ statewide Conversation Project. The works of James Joyce are the same whether published in print or pixels. But the question remains: does the Joyce devotee read the same way on page as on screen? Cultural critic Neil Postman said, “Technology always has unforeseen consequences and it is not always clear, at the beginning, who or what will win, and who or what will lose.” In what ways do e-books serve or change the act of reading? As reading becomes a predominantly digital experience, what effects might this have on writing and on our interactions with information overall? This is the focus of “From Print to Pixels: The Act of Reading in the Digital Age,” a free conversation with author Mark Cunningham on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 4:00 PM at the Vernonia Public Library. This program is sponsored by Oregon Humanities. Cunningham is the author of two historical novels: The Green Age of Asher Witherow, which was a #1 Book Sense Pick from the American Booksellers Association, and Lost Son, based on the life and work of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. He writes occasional book reviews and cultural commentary for the Oregonian, and his work has appeared in the Kenyon Review, Tin House, The New York Times, and numerous other publications. Through the Conversation Project, Oregon Humanities offers free programs that engage Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Monday, October 15, 2012 Monday, November 5, 2012 City Closures are scheduled for: November 12, Veteran’s Day Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules community members in thoughtful, challenging conversations about ideas critical to our daily lives and our state’s future. For more information about this free community discussion, please contact Jennifer Moloney at 503-429-1818 or library@ vernonia-or.gov. Oregon Humanities (813 SW Alder St, #702; Portland, OR 97205) connects Oregonians to ideas to change lives and transform communities. More information about Oregon Humanities’ programs and publications, which include the Conversation Project, Think & Drink, Humanity in Perspective, Happy Camp, Public Program Grants, Responsive Program Grants, and Oregon Humanities magazine, can be found at oregonhumanities.org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust. Activities and events happening at the Vernonia Public Library: Tuesday, October 9 th – After School Program 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Monday, October 15 th – Preschool Storytime 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Tuesday, October 16 th – After School Program 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Saturday, October 20 th – ‘From Print to Pixels’ Oregon Humanities Conversation Project 4:00 PM Monday, October 22 nd – Preschool Storytime 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM october9 2012 5 fields Assessment Advisory Committee for the City of Vernonia. Council Chooses Not to Replace Rest- room at Lake--Council chose not to act on a request to purchase a vault rest- room for Vernonia Lake to replace the restroom which was destroyed by fire. Council sent the request to the Parks Committee for review. Council Moves Forward With E-Cig- arette Ordinance--Council heard the first reading of Ordinance 886 which adopts provisions included in the Ore- gon Smoke Free Workplace Law and the Indoor Clean Air Act which will forbid the use of electronic smoking devises within the interior, and on the grounds of any facilities owned by the city of Vernonia that have been designated as tobacco free and in city owned vehicles. PUBLIC NOTICE “Second Level of Concern” WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY Due to low stream flow on Rock Creek at 12 cubic feet per second (cfs) or less, the City of Vernonia has declared a “second level of concern” to avoid depleting the city’s water supply to the extent that it would be insufficient for human consumption, sanitation, fire protection and aquatic life protection. (ORS. 796 Ordinance Prohibiting Nonessential Uses of Water) PLEASE CONSERVE WATER Section 4: No person or customer shall sprinkle, water, or irrigate any shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, flowers, or any other vegetation, except as follows: WEST of State Street on EVEN-Numbered Days EAST of State Street ODD-Numbered Days These restrictions will remain in place until water flows exceed 12 cfs. Using water conservation during this time will benefit all residence and help to curtail any further restrictions during this dry weather event. For further information, please contact City Hall 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia OR 97064 503-429-5291 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 291 A Street call Kim Lovable service at a reasonable price • Bathing • Haircuts • Nail Clipping • Nail Polishing • Specialty Shampoos
