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.
Terry’s
Gym
“it’s not that far”
Reserve now for your holiday party
www.thebirk.com
JOIN
THE TEAM!
503-901-1705
16720 Noakes Rd. Vernonia
