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
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