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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 19, 2015)
city news march19 Vernonia City News... At the March 16, City Council Meeting: 9 AM - 3 PM beginning in June. Council approved the request for the months of June and July and will revisit the request to see if there have been any issues. Council had previously rejected the request to hold the Market on Adams Avenue which was presented by City Administrator Gian Paolo Mammone on behalf of the Open Air Market. Council Votes to Forgive Portion of Water Debt - Council received a letter from Mrs. Sandra McLean who experienced higher than normal water use during a time she had a water leak. It took some time to locate the leak and Mrs. McLean had bills approximately $100 over normal use. She told Council she is on a fixed income and requested help. Council voted to forgive Council Approves Library Internet Policy - Council 50% of her overage and instructed staff to develop a approved a new internet use policy at the Vernonia payment plan for the remainder of the amount. Library presented by Library Director Shannon Romtvedt. The new policy no longer requires parent Topics From the Floor - Frank Patrick, representing permission slips be signed for use of the internet by the Curl family, told Council he is challenging the City’s minors because of the difficulty in keeping track of this ability to change their utility rate structure and increase paperwork, but instead will track a list of minors who the amount they charge for the 2 inch water meter on are restricted from use of the internet. his client’s property. The complaint is in response to letters recently sent out by the City informing some Council Approves Library Surplus List - Council customers that they had been billed incorrectly for a approved a list of items, including computers, smaller size water meter than was actually in use. keyboards, monitors, printers, and shelving as surplus and authorized their disposal or sale. Council Approves Street Closure for Open Air Market - Council approved a request from Bill Council Hears Water Services Report - Council Langmaid, representing the Open Air Market, to hold received a written and verbal report from GIS the Market on Adams Avenue, at Bridge Street and consultant Ben Fousek on the Water Services work the to close the street for the market on Saturdays from City has been doing. The report summarized work to 2015 5 replace the antiquated utility billing system, map and locate all water services in the system, standardize billing and rates, and provide analysis for City decision makers. Council Approves Extension of Ball Field Lease - Council approved a proposed extension of the lease agreement for use of land owned by Richard Titus and Kenneth and Penny Smejkal for city ballfields. Council Delays Decision on Use of Fields for Jamboree - Council delayed making a decision about use of the new sports fields at Spencer Park for use during Jamboree until they have an opportunity to have a consultant examine the fields for established growth and give them guidance about maintenance. Council Discusses Open Positions - Council and the City Administrator discussed plans and timelines for filling several open staff positions. Open City positions include a newly created parks manager, a full time permanent Public Works position, and the City Plan- ner position. There also needs to be a determination of whether the GIS position should remain a contract position or become a staff position. City Department Updates: March 7-13, 2015 Administration/Utility Billing • As of 3/13/2015 the outstanding balances for active accounts were as follows: 90 day 502.95 60 day 1700.13 30 day 2144.49 • Late Fees were applied on 3/16/2015 • Reminder Shut-offs will be on 3/26/2015 Police Department - VPD •The following is a brief synopsis of the re- cent activities, events, and accomplishments for the Vernonia Police Department. • Statistics; The total number of calls for ser- vice and officer initiated activity in February 2015 was 246. • March 5th, 2015 – March 10th, 2015 – The total number of Calls for Service and Officer initiated activity was 36. Finance • Staff contacted our recently resigned City Planner and she agreed to review three sets of plans that were recently turned in for new home construction. Building permits cannot Police Blotter March 1-15, 2015 REPORT TAKEN March 12, 2015 Animal Complaint, Dog at large TRAFFIC / OTHER CITATIONS • March 6, 2015 Cited for Driving While Suspended/Uninsured and Failure to Register on Bridge St. • March 6, 2015 Cited for Driving While Suspended/Uninsured on State St. • March 8, 2015 Cited for Violation of the Basic Rule 67/55 Driving while Suspended/Uninsured on HWY 47 S near Arctic Way • March 8, 2015 Cited for Violation of the Basic Rule 70/55 in HWY 47 S near Arctic Way • March 12, 2015 Cited for Driving while Suspended/Uninsured and Expired tags near Grant Ave. and North St. • March 12, 2015 Cited for Driving while Suspended/Uninsured and Failure to Carry Registration near Bridge St. and Jefferson Ave. Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 3/01/2015 through 3/16/2015 VPD responded to 127 calls/incidents. be issued until the plans have been reviewed for compliance with City and State codes. We are hoping to have a replacement plan- ner soon. • Tetra Tech is finishing up with a few minor revisions to the RFP for the WWTP. It should be back to USDA soon for their final review and approval. • Finance Director and the Police Chief have begun going over possible suggested revi- sions to the Vernonia Police Association con- tract due for renewal in July. The goal is to have a contract that is fair to the employees while keeping the budget constraints in mind. • Finance Director continued work on the budget draft for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Department heads will have their budget re- quests in sometime next week and then the final draft should be ready soon after. Fresh flowers are approved within all portions of the cemeteries, but only in approved vases. Artificial flowers will be allowed between October 1 st and April 1 st , when in the judgment of the cemetery, they become unsightly, they will be removed. Vernonia Cemeteries will not be responsible for storing or keeping any artificial decorations left on the graves during the period between October 1 st and April 1 st . Vernonia Memorial and Vernonia Pioneer Cemeteries are not responsible for any item left on the grave, such as vases or personal effects. Please do not leave items of value that you want returned. Glass containers as well as any type of ceramic containers or figurines are strictly prohibited. No balloons are allowed. No windsocks or whirligigs are allowed. These items can cause hazards for visitors, mowing equipment, cemetery maintenance personnel, and other cemetery equipment. City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, May 25, 2015 Memorial Day Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules • Public Works staff pumped out Airport Park restrooms. This can now be done with the City’s street sweeper vactor truck. Last year staff cleared and removed brush from behind restroom so that our truck is able to get to the access hatches. This saves $500 in outside pumping costs. • Staff installed the Lake pump. Extra hours continued on page 6 Cemetery Rules and Regulations Mowing Season Begins April 1st Vernonia Veterinary Clinic Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Monday, April 6, 2015 Monday, April 20, 2015 Public Works Small and Large Animals • 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
