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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2014)
city news At the August 18, 2014 City Council Meeting: CDBG Public Hearing- The City held a Public Hearing to hear testimony about a plan to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for construction of a new Senior Center and Food Bank facility. The City of Vernonia is eligible to apply for CDBG funds in 2014. The funds can be used for public facilities and housing improvements, primarily for persons with low and moderate incomes. Susan Wagner, representing Community Action Team (CAT) which has been hired as the Project Development Manager for the Senior Center and Food Bank, is preparing the request to apply for funds and explained the process to the Council. Wagner told Council they would apply for $2 million in CDBG funds and assured the Council that a joint project between the Senior Center and Food Bank was an allowable project under CDBG. Deadline to request to be considered for an application is September 30. Three citizens, Pat Ray, Sandy Welch and Jack Harvey all testified in favor of applying for funds for the Senior Center/Food Bank. Jim Tierney, Executive Director of CAT, also testified in favor of the project and spoke at length about the process for applying, the timeline for the project, why the project would benefit the senior citizen community and the details of the project. Tierney told Council that the project plan calls for two projects, a $2.1 Vernonia City News... million dollar project for construction and $700,000 to do street improvement and other ancillary requirements of the development project which are not covered by CDBG funds. Tierney said additional funds would need to to be raised for the project. Tierney noted that the Senior Center has been losing $10,000 per year but told Council part of the development plan would include setting aside a reserve for operations for the first several years to ensure the entity can function successfully. No citizen testified against the project. Three citizens, Tobie Finzel, Brett Costley, and Bill Langmaid, all testified as neutral, but questioned the business model and financial ability of the Senior Center to remain solvent. Costley suggested the funds might be put to better use if applied towards the city’s Wastewater Upgrade Project and reduce the debt for the City by $2 million. Council has already approved requesting to apply and agreed they would take no further action until they have received an approval to officially apply for the funds. NOTICE OF POSITIONS OPEN MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL CITY OF VERNONIA City Moves Forward With Water Meter Checks- Council held a discussion and agreed to continue having members of the Public Works Committee verify all water meters in the city system. The hope is to have the project complete by the end of September. Councilor Donna Webb expressed concern that the volunteers are not receiving enough instruction and direction. Council agreed to have the Public Works Committee NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a General Election will be held on the 4th day of November 2014, at which time the legal voters of said City will be entitled to vote for candidates to certain city offices. OFFICES OPEN FOR ELECTION: County Jail for Offensive Littering and Public Indecency. • August 12, 2014 – Report of a Motor Vehicle Crash on Bridge St. near N. Mist Dr. • August 14, 2014 – Report of a Domestic Dispute in the 400 Block of Rose Ave. ◦ VERNONIA MAYOR TWO YEAR TERM 2015-2016 Position held presently by Josette Mitchell ◦ VERNONIA COUNCIL MEMBER FOUR YEAR TERM 2015-2018 Position held presently by Donna Webb ◦ VERNONIA COUNCIL MEMBER FOUR YEAR TERM 2015-2018 Position held presently by Bruce McNair Election packets are available at the office of the City Recorder, 1001 Bridge St, Vernonia, OR 97064. Original nominating petitions can be filed no later than August 22, 2014, by 4:00 p.m. with the City Recorder. No faxes accepted. For more information call Joann Glass, City Recorder at 503-429- 5291 ext. 106. TRAFFIC CITATIONS • August 1, 2014 – Issued a traffic citation for Violation of Posted Speed Limit on North Mist Dr. near Elm St. • August 2, 2014 – Issued a traffic citation for Violation of Posted Speed Limit on North Mist Dr. near Elm St. ***AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT NOTICE*** Please contact the City Recorder, Vernonia City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064 (Phone No. 503-429-5291) at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting time if you need an accommodation. TCC users please call Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900. The City of Vernonia is an equal opportunity provider D Vernonia Dental Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules e rm City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 Monday, September 15, 2014 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, September 1, 2014 Labor Day . Dr ri h C FOR TOWING EMERGENCIES IN AND AROUND THE VERNONIA AREA DM Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures 5 Public Works Monitoring Water Levels- Mayor Mitchell informed Council that Public Works Foreman is monitoring the water gauge at Rock Creek and will inform Council if there is a need to request voluntary reductions in water use by citizens. Water levels were adequate at the time of the meeting. August 1-15, 2014 ARRESTS/REPORTS TAKEN • August 1, 2014 – Arrest on an outstanding arrest warrant. • August 2, 2014 – Report of a Motor Vehicle Accident Bridge St. near Riverside Dr. • August 4, 2014 – Report of Theft of Prescription Medications from the 900 block of Riverside Dr. • August 4, 2014 – Arrest for Menacing/Harassment/Disorderly Conduct at Hawkins Park. • August 5, 2014 – Report of Criminal Mischief on Bridge St. between Madison Ave. and Jefferson Ave. (Vehicle Damage) • August 7, 2014 – Arrest and transported to the Columbia 2014 discuss it at their meeting on August 26 th Topics From the Floor- Mike Pihl and move it forward. told Council he looked at two trees of concern in front of the new Spencer Mayor Reads United Way Park. Pihl said one tree was healthy, Proclamation- Mayor Josette Mitchell and one tree is not healthy and should read a proclamation, proclaiming be removed. Pihl also told Council he September 2014 “United Way of will be doing some logging on private Columbia County Fund Raising Month,” property on Louisiana Avenue and that and urging all citizens in the community the City should consider logging trees to support activities and efforts of the on adjacent property they own to avoid United Way of Columbia County. issues with blowdown. an Police Blotter august21 s h o t p M er . h S c eu 622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881 Polife and County personnel are required to use a rotation of available providers, UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK for a servife by name. REQUEST TOWING SERVICE FROM Shop Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00
