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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2014)
6 may1 2014 At the April 21, 2014 City Council Meeting: Council Approves Wastewater Fund- ing Scenario - Council approved a fund- ing scenario for the Wastewater Upgrade Project which would have the City refi- nance an existing DEQ loan at a lower interest rate and then apply to finance the remaining $5.5 million through a USDA loan at 1.13%. According to information provided to Council the City could also be eligible for up to a $1 million grant from USDA. This financing scenario would reduce the total proposed debt for the project by $1.3 million. Council Approves Two Temporary Public Works Positions - Council ap- proved the hiring of a full-time tempo- rary Public Works employee for five months. According to information pro- vided to the Council, Public Works Fore- man Jeff Burch will be working on the Sewer Rehab Project and his hours will be charged to that line item, freeing up funds in the Water and Sewer Account to cover the cost of the temporary em- ployee. The temporary employee will fill in for a Public Works employee who is unable to work due to knee surgery. Council also approved the hiring of a part-time temporary employee to work on streets. This employee will be paid through a grant the City received for street improvements. city news Vernonia City News... Council Approves Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Facilities - Council approved Ordinance 894 and declared a moratorium on medical marijuana facili- ties in any area subject to the jurisdiction of the City of Vernonia. This moratori- um includes facilities that dispense mar- ijuana through ORS 475.314, Oregon’s Medical Marijuana law. The morato- rium begins May 1, 2014 and sunsets in one year on May 1, 2015. The Reso- lution was based on a sample provided by the League of Oregon Cities (LOC). According to the LOC ninety-one cit- ies have already enacted a moratorium. Council noted that this one year mora- torium allows the City the opportunity to study and better manage and protect themselves and their citizens with re- gards to this changing issue. Council Approves Update to Hazard Mitigation Plan - Council approved an update to the City’s Hazard Mitiga- tion Plan which is part of the Columbia County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mit- igation Plan Update. The City had orga- nized a Steering Committee to identify local threats and hazards and developed actions. These were reviewed by com- munity members, business owners, and federal, state and local agencies and then submitted their plan to be included in the County plan. codifying Title 3 Public Protection of the Vernonia Municipal Code and repealing numerous previous ordinances. By this action all Public Safety rules are in one place in the City ordinances. Council Approves Betterment Fund Application - Council approved a Bet- terment Fund Recipient Application form for 2015. Betterment Funds are received by the City through the busi- nesses in the Enterprise Zone and are designated to benefit local community groups/organizations. Applicants will be juried and picked as recipients by the Vernonia City Council. Bleacher Repairs - Council discussed the repair of bleachers, owned by the Vernonia Logging Show and shared with the City, and approved a Parks Com- mittee recommendation to spend Parks funds in a collaborative effort with the Logging Show to make repairs. It was agreed that the City will no longer use the bleachers after the repairs are done and the Parks Committee and Logging Show will work together to find funding to eventually replace the bleachers with new ones. Council Discusses More Test Bores - Council discussed a recommendation from the Public Works Committee to have Shannon & Wilson Inc. conduct more test bores. The testing is part of the City Codifies Public Safety Ordinanc- Wastewater Upgrade Project and would Topics From the Floor - DeAnna Pearl, es - Council approved Resolution 893, be used to see if the hyporeic trench representing the Vernonia Prevention Coalition and Sandy Welch spoke in favor of having Council approve a one year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of Vernonia. • April 7, 2014 Took a report of a REPORTS TAKEN Scott Laird spoke against the morato- suspected hit and run (vehicle) at • April 4, 2014 Arrest on an rium. 735 Jefferson Ave. Investigation outstanding warrant at 735 still ongoing. Jefferson Ave. • April 7, 2014 Responded to a • April 3, 2014 Responded to Theft of Identity in the 1600 block a Theft and Criminal Mischief, of Heather Lane. Investigation still located in the 200 block of E St. ongoing. Investigation currently ongoing. • April 7, 2014 Responded to a • April 3, 2014 Responded to reported Assault at 1000 Missouri City Council Meetings are a Theft and Unlawful entry into Ave. Suspect is a juvenile. scheduled for 7 PM: a vehicle at the 2000 block of Investigation will be turned over to Monday, May 5, 2014 Nickerson Loop. Investigation the Juvenile Department. currently ongoing Monday, May 19, 2014 • April 7, 2014 Took a report of • April 6, 2014 Took a report of a Theft at 1000 Missouri Ave. City Closures are scheduled for: a stolen vehicle from behind 733 Suspect is a juvenile. Investigation Monday, May 26, 2014 Bridge St. Vehicle is described will be turned over to the Juvenile Memorial Day as a dark blue 2001 Volkswagen Department. Jetta. Dates and times subject to change • April 17, 014 Responded to a due to conflicts of schedules Vernonia Police Blotter Vernonia Dental D DM an 503-901-1705 16720 Noakes Rd. Vernonia . Dr City Administrator Report - Mayor/ City Administrator Josette Mitchell told Council she had a discussion with Rick Gardner, the current President of the Ridge Riders, and informed him that the lease under which they had been using the Horse Arena has been found legally invalid. Mitchell said she is working on an agreement with the group for use of the area based on a recommenda- tion from the Parks Committee. Mitch- ell also informed the Council that Park Hosts have been placed at both Ander- son and Airport Parks and that a tempo- rary seasonal Parks employee has been hired. Mayor Appoints Two to Airport Com- mittee - With the approval of Council, Mayor Josette Mitchell appointed Doug Davenport and re-appointed Tim Bero to the Airport Committee. reported Theft at the 100 block of North St. Investigation is still ongoing. • April 18, 2014 Responded to a possible Restraining Order Violation at 500 block of Madison Ave. • April 25, 2014 Responded to a reported Theft at the 1000 block of Washington Ave. Investigation is still ongoing. TRAFFIC/OTHER CITATIONS • April 2, 2014 Issued a traffic citation for improper display of tags. On Bridge St. and Adams. • April 23, 2014 Issued a traffic citation for Speed Racing. On Bridge St and Grant. Vernonia Community Preschool e rm JOIN THE TEAM! ri h C Council Approves Separation of Debt in Water and Sewer Funds - Council approved a recommendation from the Public Works Committee to separate the Operations and Maintenance and the Debt Service line items to help clarify the billing statements so customers will see what they are paying for, as well make it clearer for accounting and bud- geting purposes. April 1-27, 2014 (Updated) Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures Terry’s Gym could be moved further north and reduce the expense. Council tabled the recom- mendation and asked for more informa- tion from the Public Works Committee. s er h to p M . S c u he 622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881 OPEN HOUSE Fri. May 9th 10:00-11:30AM Space is limited for the 2014-2015 school year. Call Amy Cieloha with questions or to register (503) 429-0745 Grace Family Fellowship Church 957 State Avenue
