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
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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
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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.
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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
