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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2015)
city news At the January 5, 2015 City Council Meeting: Vernonia City News... Avenue all the way to California Avenue. Laird suggested that Council consider reviewing the ordinance and shorten the Mayor and New Councilors Sworn In- zone. Mayor Josette Mitchell and new City Sally Harrison spoke on behalf Councilors Jill Hult and Mike Seager of the Ridge Riders equestrian club and took the oath of office follow- ing their election in Novem- ber 2014. Mitchell returns as Mayor for her third term; this is the first term for Seager and Hult. Council Approves Airport Supple- mental Budget- Council approved an Airport Fund Supplemental Budget which included increased revenues of over $2100. Since the adoption of the 2014-15 budget the Airport has rented two vacant hangers and the RV site. The available cash on hand was also over $1,000 more than was budgeted. Council added the additional revenue to the Airport budget for maintenance. Council Names President and Committee Liaisons- Council Discusses LSN City Councilor Randy Par- Easement Agreement- City row was elected City Council Administrator Gian Paolo President by the rest of the Mammone informed City Council. New Councilor Jill Council that he has some Hult will act as Council liai- questions about an agreement son to the Airport Commit- prepared by Light Speed Net- tee, Mike Seager will act as work (LSN) to install and liaison to the Public Works provide broadband/network Committee. Councilor Par- City Recorder Joann Glass administers the oath of office to Josette services to the Health Clinic Mitchell who is serving her third term as mayor of Vernonia. row, who is already liaison to building. The City is the land the Parks Committee, will also serve as owner of the property where the build- liaison to the Library Board. Mayor Jo- told Council that the Ridge Riders are in ing is located. Mammone told Council sette Mitchell will continue to serve as the process of withdrawing their litiga- he is having the City attorney review the liaison to the Cemetery Committee and tion against the City and Harrison en- agreement and expects to bring the issue Councilor Kim Tierney will continue to couraged the City to schedule and meet back to Council in the near future. serve as liaison to the Emergency Pre- with the Ridge Riders to resolve their differences concerning the lease agree- Council Discusses Damage at Cem- paredness Committee. ment for the use of the Anderson Park etery- Council reviewed photographs of Mayor Appoints Roberts to Parks Horse Arena. damage to grassy areas adjacent to the Committee- Mayor Josette Mitchell, Brett Costley told Council that, road in the Vernonia Cemetery. It was with approval from Council, appointed since the State of Oregon has approved suggested that Council should consider Brittanie Roberts to the Parks Commit- the legalization of marijuana, he encour- closing the cemetery gate during winter tee. aged Council to not waste City resources months to restrict access and limit driv- Topics From the Floor- Paula Hanson in any attempt to create any special or- ing in the site. Council said they did not told Council that the signs for the “Walk dinance to zone out any retail establish- want to restrict access, but to instead in- Your Wheels” Campaign are being ment. Victoria McAdams discussed installed at downtown businesses and thanked Council for their support and with Council a water billing issue. Mc- how easily the project came together. Adams told Council she discovered in The “Walk Your Wheels” safety project September that she had an unusually was initiated by Hanson to encourage large water usage at the rental where she REPORT TAKEN • January 1, 2015 Arrest for users of bicycles, skateboards and lives. The City replaced her water me- Trespass and Disorderly Conduct scooters to follow local ordinance 764, ter. Her high usage continued and in No- vember McAdams was facing a shut off in the 1400 Block of Alder St. which prohibits riding on sidewalks in downtown, and to encourage local law by the City. It was then discovered that • January 2, 2015 Arrest for enforcement to enforce the ordinance. the meter was not the problem, but that Stalking Order Violation Council later gave permission for a there was a leak. McAdams said she has • January 6, 2015 Report of “Walk Your Wheels” sign to be installed paid a portion of her bill but still has an Unauthorized Use of a Motor on the Vernonia Community Learning outstanding balance of $500. She asked Vehicle in the 700 Block of Council to forgive some of the bill be- Alabama Ave. Center by City staff. cause she was led to believe by the City • January 8, 2015 Report of Scott Laird told Council that he Theft in the 400 Block of Bridge St. has been researching the “Walk Your that the meter was the problem. Coun- Wheels” project and noted that he had cil later authorized the City Administra- learned after speaking with Vernonia tor to negotiate with McAdams to settle TRAFFIC/OTHER CITATIONS Police Chief Mike Conner, that the area her outstanding balance and forgive the • January 3, 2015 Cited for Driving covered in the ordinance that prohibits extra usage. Council also instructed the While Suspended and Failure to Carry Proof of Insurance near riding on sidewalks extends from Weed City Administrator to send copies of bill- ing accounts that are behind to landlords. january15 2015 5 struct the City Administrator to put up barriers at the damaged areas. Council also discussed the need for parking areas in the cemetery. Council Enters Executive Session- Council entered into Executive Session under ORS 196.660 (2) (b) Discipline of Public Officers and Employees. When Council returned to open session they took no action and made no comments concerning the discussion in Executive Session. Council Discusses Ridge Riders- City Administrator Gian Paolo Mammone told Council he had discussed the Ridge Riders situation with city attorney Rubin Cleaveland. According to Mammone, Cleaveland told him the Ridge Riders had filed a motion for the entire case between the two parties to be dismissed and that Cleaveland had concerns about the legality of that procedure. Cleave- land also said that the Ridge Riders have refused to provide information requested through the discovery process. Council asked that the City Administrator and the City Attorney be available to talk about the issue with the City Council at their next meeting. Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Our next issue will be out February 5th. Police Blotter January 1-11, 2015 Bridge St and State Ave • January 9, 2015 Cited for Driving While Suspended and Failure to Carry Proof of Insurance near Bridge St. and Grant Ave. • January 10, 2015 Cited for Driving While Suspended and Driving Uninsured near Grant Ave. and North St. Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 01/01/2015 through 01/11/2015 VPD responded to 105 calls/ incidents. Vernonia Veterinary Clinic Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures Small and Large Animals City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Monday, February 2, 2015 Tuesday, February 17, 2015 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, January 19, 2015 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, February 16, 2015 Presidents Day Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules • Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry • Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction • Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements Jim Morrison, Jr. General Contractor CCB# 112057 Ph: (503) 429-0154 MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net Vernonia, OR 97064 • Licensed • Bonded • Insured Now Open Mon, Wed & Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for Appointments (503) 429-1612 Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470 700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
