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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 2014)
city news At the October 20, 2014 City Council Meeting: Council Approves Zone Change- Council approved an application from Bud and Sharla Dow to change the zone designation for the Lincoln School property from Residential R to General Commercial GC. (See full story on front page) Topics From the Floor - Council heard an update on activities at Vernonia Schools from Summer Snow and Alexis Baska representing the Vernonia High School Leadership Class. Council Approves Marijuana Tax - Council held a public hearing to consider adoption of Ordinance 896 establishing a tax on the sale of marijuana and mar- ijuana-infused products in the City of Vernonia. Measure 91, which was voted on in Oregon on November 4 would le- galize marijuana in the state. Council’s legal advisor Ruban Cleaveland advised Council that there is no current law that prohibits local governments from taxing marijuana, but the passage of Measure 91 could restrict local governments from instituting taxes. Cleaveland advised Council that many cities in Oregon are considering establishing taxes ahead of the possible passage of Measure 91. Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 896 which taxes up to 20%, of the gross receipts of sales of mari- juana, medical marijuana and marijuana infused products. Vernonia City News... City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Monday, November 17, 2014 Monday, December 1, 2014 City Closures are scheduled for: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Veterans Day November 27 & 28, 2014 Thanksgiving Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules 2014 5 resignation of Jacob Lee from the Public State Trail and asked permission to place upgrade and moved money from contin- Works Committee. brochure holders at Anderson Park and gency to pay for it. Vernonia Lake. Council approved his Police Chief Provides Data - At the re- request. Council Instructs Staff to Move quest of Council Vernonia Police Chief Forward with Tree Removal - Council Mike Conner provided a report detail- Topics From the Floor - Sally Harrison was informed there are two “dangerous” ing the costs associated with officer’s told Council that the Vernonia Ridge trees on City property that need to be on-call shifts and driving police vehicles Riders equestrian group has asked her removed, one in the parking area at home. Council took no action. to be their spokesperson in dealing with the new Spencer Park and one at Ora the City about the dispute over their Bolmeir Park. Council instructed staff At the November 3, 2014 City Council lease for the horse arena. Harrison stat- to get bids to remove the trees. Meeting: ed that a judge has overturned the deci- sion that previously negated the lease so Council Forms Subcommittee - Coun- Council Hears Presentation on “Walk the lease is still enforceable. Harrison cil agreed to form a subcommittee to Your Wheels” - Council heard a presen- said the judge gave a ninety day period resolve ongoing issues concerning wa- tation by Paula Hansen about a project before a pre-trial hearing would be held ter and sewer rates. The subcommit- she is working on called “Walk Your and encouraged the parties to resolve tee would include members of the City Wheels.” Hansen has addressed Coun- the disagreement without going to trial. Council, the Public Works Committee cil in the past concerning the danger of Harrison asked that the City meet with and City staff and would bring sug- bikes, skateboards and other wheeled the Ridge Riders to discuss the prob- gested actions back to the Public Works vehicles on sidewalks in downtown lems with the lease and that the Ridge Committee and City Council. Vernonia. Hansen told Council she has Riders would really like to get the issue done a survey of downtown business Council Receives Request for Book resolved. Council made no response to owners and almost everyone signed a Storage - Council received a request Harrison’s request. petition she presented to Council saying from the Friends of the Library group to their business had been negatively af- Council Approves Second Reading continue using an office in the VCLC fected by riding on sidewalks and would of Ordinance - Council approved the building to store donated books for fu- like the City to post signage concerning second reading of Ordinance 896, estab- ture book sales. Because the City is local laws. Hansen presented Council lishing a tax on the sale of marijuana in considering leasing the building to the with an idea for a sign, gave them an es- the City of Vernonia. The ordinance be- Vernonia Senior Center for their resale timate of $51.84 per sign and said eight comes effective immediately. shop, the Friends of the Library ex- signs were needed. She said she would pressed concern that they may not have be attending a Lions Club meeting to see Council Approves Computer Server a dry, climate controlled and vermin free if they would be interested in support- Upgrade - Council approved a proposal space to store books they accumulate ing the project. Council said they were from ISOutsource, their IT support ser- throughout the year. The Friends of the in support of the project and suggested vice, for an infrastructure upgrade to Library have supported the Vernonia Li- a meeting of downtown business own- maintain the integrity and security of the brary with over $4900 in books, materi- ers to discuss placement of the signs as City’s information. The cost estimate als, equipment and programs during the well as what to do about other issues, is $8600 for new software and labor. last two years. Council instructed staff namely the trees in the downtown cor- This upgrade was not in the budget but to include the request while negotiating ridor. Council asked staff to arrange a became a priority when the City com- any lease by the Senior Center for use of meeting and asked Hansen to come back puter system was recently attacked by a the VCLC. after she had met with the Lions Club. computer virus. Council approved the Council Receives Quarterly Financial Report - City Finance Director Angie Handegard provided Council with a quarterly financial report. Handegard reported that the city looks to be on track Council approves two Eagle Scout financially with several funds doing bet- Projects - Council heard a presentation ter than expected. from John Fitch of Boy Scout Troop 201, representing Brad Ely who is work- Council Amends Water Ordinance - ing on an Eagle Scout project to repair Council adopted Ordinance 897, which and replace interpretive signs at Ver- amends Ordinance 895 to clarify the nonia Lake and along the Linear Trail. rules and regulations for the conduct and Ely has raised most of the funds and se- management of the Water Department. cured materials he needs for the project, City staff had requested this amendment but asked Council for $560 to buy the because some the language and chang- acrylic plexiglass for the display signs. es of policy in Ordinance 895 were not Council approved the funds from the clear. The amendment to Section 4 adds Parks budget. subsections 4.1 and 4.2 and explains Council also heard a presen- how accounts considered “inactive” or tation from Jacob Eyrrick who is also “Temporary Vacancy/Stand By” should working on an Eagle Scout project. Eyr- be charged. rick proposed creating a brochure which Council Accepts Resignation From would highlight local services for hik- PW Committee- Council accepted the ers and bikers visiting Vernonia on the Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures november6 The Vernonia Police Blotter October 1-30, 2014 REPORTS TAKEN/ARRESTS • October 3, 2014 Report of Theft taken in Hawkins Park. • October 11, 2014 Citation for a Nuisance Violation in the 400 Block of A St. • October 12, 2014 Informational Report was taken in the 900 Block of Bridge St. • October 18, 2014 Report of a Missing Person was taken in the 1000 Block of Weed Ave. • October 23, 2014 Arrest for DUII in the 500 Block of East Bridge St. • October 27, 2014 Report of Burglary, Theft, Trespass, and Unlawful Entry at the Vernonia Lake Mill Pond Birk the old house of music • October 29, 2014 Arrest on Warrant in the 700 Block of Bridge St. TRAFFIC CITATIONS/VIOLATIONS • October 22, 2014 Citation for Driving without a License and Failure to Carry Registration near Grant St. • October 24, 2014 Citation issued for No Operators License and Defective Lighting near Texas Ave. Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 10/01/2014 through 10/30/2014 responded to 231 calls/incidents. 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