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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2015)
6 city news january15 2015 City Department Updates: January 1-9, 2015 Administration / Utility Billing • Utility clerk sent out bills on 12/24/2014 to 958 customers for a total amount of $158,372.12 . As of 1/9/2015 the outstanding balances were as follows: 90 day 2,108.36 60 day 8,306.14 30 day 27,715.92 • Utilities shut offs will be on 1/22/2015 Police Department - VPD • January 1st , 2015 – January 8th, 2015 – The total number of Calls for Service and Officer initiated activity was 69. • Reserve Officer Update: Pending results of Medical & Psychological Evaluations. • Surplus Patrol Vehicles: VPD will be accepting sealed bids on two patrol vehicles through February 13, 2015 Finance • The Finance Director spent most of the week going through old files, sorting and reorganizing. This is a tedious project as all files must be reviewed to determine retention requirements and it hasn’t been done for many years. • Staff is still working to resolve the Library computer issues. Staff will present the latest proposal to Council at the next meeting. • The server upgrade project is completed and the final cost was just under the estimate given by our IT provider. The upgrade will be good for at least three years. The upgrades must be done in order to ensure that all software updates and security is up to date. • The Finance Director continues to work on the Waste Water Treatment Plan project documents. A meeting of all agencies involved with the project is scheduled for next week. There has been a change of staffing at Tetra Tech (the consulting engineering group) and there is a new project manager assigned to the project. He has over 20 years experience and we are confident that he will do a good job for the City. • The City’s insurance provider has awarded the City $7,500 through their risk management incentive grant program to help pay for a security fence at “pump station #1” near the transfer station. This will eliminate the possibility of someone getting hurt on the property and deter vandalism that has occurred in the past. Public Works • Staff replaced wastewater pump and float controls at the water plant. The water plant is at too low of an elevation so all wastewater from the water plant and public works shop must be pumped to the sewer system. • Staff continues to work on the water meter groundtruthing. • Modifications to raw water pump #1 are complete now and it is back in service. Raw water pump #2 will now get the same modifications so that both pumps are exactly the same. The modification required replacement of the intake check valve which is no longer available from the manufacturer. • Staff replaced the roof on the public works oil storage shed. It was replaced with a metal roof. • Staff installed a new water service on Knickerson Loop. Planning / Building • Planning Commission Vacancies: The Planning Commission is in need of two more members and welcomes any one that is interested in Land Development to apply for a position. • The Building Department Building and Electrical Inspectors continue to process all applications in a timely manner. Library • Circulation Statistics: 1,978 items were checked out in December 2014. By comparison, 1,738 items were checked out in November 2014 and 2,091 items were continued on page 14 On The Shelves By Shannon Romtvedt benefits families who receive some form of public Kids assistance (WIC, free or reduced school lunch, etc.). Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan I would like to thank staff, Library Board Visit www.portlandcm.org/mission/access for more Bad Magic by Pseudonymous Bosch members, the Friends of the Library, and community information. members for welcoming me to the Vernonia Public Little Kids * Library as Library Director. It’s quite an adventure Don’t forget, the library has a membership pass to Mouse’s First Snow by Lauren Thompson. Also in starting a new job, a mix of exciting and exhausting, OMSI! Please call or visit the library to make a res- the series, First Summer, Fall, and Spring so I appreciate the support and encouragement. I ervation or for more information. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle am so happy to be here, working for my community. Mix it Up! and Press Here by Herve Tullet Upcoming Programs It’s quite honestly a dream come true. My First Series by DK Including: My First ABC, The library is going through a transition pe- Movies at the Library Body, Colors, Numbers, and Things that Go riod as we train new staff (me) and work towards re- Thursday, January 15, 6 pm PG-13 *Suggested titles are part of a new collection on solving public computer issues. Thank you patrons Saturday, January 24, 2 pm PG display at the library, funded by the Oregon State for your patience. We appreciate it! Library Ready to Read Grant. Call or visit the library for movie titles. A few announcements: Starting in February, the library will offer both a Preschool Storytime every Monday at 10:30 am and a Baby and Toddler Time every Wednesday at 10:30 am. Baby and Toddler Time was previously a monthly program, which I started as a volunteer. I am happy to expand the program and offer more opportunities for little ones and families to interact, learn, and play at the library. January 31 is the last day to check out the Portland Children’s Museum Pass. Please call the library to reserve the pass if you would like to visit the mu- seum before the end of the month. Thank you to the Friends of the Vernonia Library for purchasing our membership every year for patron use. The pass was well used and we will miss it. The Children’s Museum discontinued membership programs with libraries and is now of- fering a “Museum Access Program.” This program Preschool Storytime Mondays, 10:30 – 11:15 am Did You Know? Adults What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hy- pothetical Questions by Randall Munroe The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion Sequel to the Rosie Project All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Hours & Contact Info Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 5 pm Tues & Thurs 1 pm – 7pm Sat 10 am – 4 pm Closed Sundays Closed Monday, January 19 for MLK Holiday Teens The Young Elites by Marie Lu I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson Phone: (503) 429-1818 E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov The Vernonia Public Library has an online catalog. Check for titles we have on the shelves, see what’s Book Discussion Group new to the library, log-on to your account to renew Last Monday of every month, 5:30 pm Selection for January 26: Wind in the Willows by a book, or place a request on a title checked out by another patron. To view the catalog, visit the City Kenneth Grahame of Vernonia website www.vernonia-or.gov and link New & Recommended Titles to the library page. DM e rm an call Kim D Vernonia Dental 291 A Street Lovable service at a reasonable price • Bathing • Haircuts • Nail Clipping • Nail Polishing • Specialty Shampoos . C r D s hri r e h to p M . S c u he 622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881 Quick...name everything in your home If you can’t, you need a home inventory in case of fire or theft. Let’s get together for an Insurance and Financial Review to make sure you have a tangible plan to help protect your financial security. Sheryl Teuscher LUTCF Rainier 503-556-0186 sheryl.teuscher@ countryfinancial.com Policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company ® , Bloomington, IL. COUNTRY Financial ® is not affiliated with and does not endorse any realtor, bank or mortgage broker. 122014-03644AC
