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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2015)
city news At the April 20, 2015 City Council Meeting: Council Hears Presentation on Disaster Recovery - Council heard a presentation from Jim Tierney, Executive Director of Community Action Team (CAT), regarding Small Community Disaster Recovery. Columbia County Flood Relief and CAT were instrumental in assisting the City of Vernonia and its residents after the Flood of 2007. Tierney told Council the community was able to secure funding and assistance totaling over $47 million from various sources during the recovery project. He provided information documenting the recovery effort and said the documents could be used in the event of a future disaster. Tierney noted that the immediate response by volunteers to gather data from damaged property owners led to 109 homes being lifted or bought out, four commercial buyouts and one commercial flood-proofing project. The community received $2.5 million in faith group labor and $250,000 in other volunteer labor. Council Approves Spencer Park Fencing Plan - Council approved a plan presented by staff, and recommended by the Parks Committee, to install bollard and wire fencing around Spencer Park. Council approved the estimated $5,000 expense based on the funding being available from the Parks budget. Council Approves WWTP Funding- Council approved Resolution 05-15, approving a State Revolving Fund Loan Agreement to fund the Waste Water Treatment Project. Council Approves Funds Transfer- Council approved Resolution 06-15 for an interfund transfer in the Parks Budget in order to pay for new parks staff, pay for the major repair at Vernonia Lake, and install fencing at Spencer Field. A total of $25,319 was transferred from Building Operations and Maintenance, Advertising and Contingency line items to Salaries, FICA, Operational Materials and Contract Services. Council Directs Lot Line Adjustment- Council directed staff to proceed with a lot line adjustment to establish a standard lot size for the former cemetery care taker house at the top of Bridge Street. The City is considering renovating and selling the home. Council Offers Some Assistance on Water Bill - Council offered Jeff Harrison a 50% reduction on his water usage bill after he experienced a large and unnoticed water leak on his property on Springboard Lane. Harrison Vernonia City News... previously told Council he repaired the leak as soon as it was identified but still received a bill for use of 219,900 gallons of water totaling $950. Based on previous situations, Council offered Harrison a reduction of $457.29 and a payment plan for six months to pay for the water use during the leak. Council Approves Jamboree Committee Requests - Council approved requests from the Jamboree Committee for use of City owned areas and street closures during Jamboree Weekend, August 7-9. Approved use requests included: Shay Park for vendors; Anderson Park Horse arena for Ridge Riders Horse Gaming Show; Hawkins Park for a concert on Friday afternoon/ evening as well as the logging show; the former WOEC parking lot; the former Health Center area, the former Senior Center area, portions of the new Spencer Park for the car show, motorcycle show, softball tournament, and other exhibits; and Vernonia Lake for the fishing derby. Council also approved a request from Cedar Side Inn to host a beer garden during Jamboree at Hawkins Park during the concert on Friday and the logging show on Sunday. Council Considers Emergency Debris Sites - Based on a request from the Emergency Preparedness Committee, Council discussed potential sites for debris collection in the event of some type of future natural disaster. Staff identified three private properties and three city owned properties as potential sites. Council chose two City owned sites, one on each side of the Nehalem River, as the preferred locations. In addition staff proposed a strategy of loading debris into dumpsters and removing it immediately instead of piling the debris and then removing it all at one time later. This would help avoid potential contamination of any site used. Council Approves Planning Commission Change - Council Approved a recommendation from the Planning Commission to number positions on the Commission in order to better track Commissioner’s terms. Council adopted Ordinance 902 to institute this change. Police Apprehend Vandal - Police Chief Mike Conner reported that a minor involved in graffiti vandalism was caught and referred to Columbia County juvenile court. Conner will seek restitution. City Administrator Report - City Administrator Gian Paolo Mammone updated Council on Spencer Park and maintenance at Anderson Park, and the hiring of Parks Superintendent James McMahon and Public Works employee Kari Johnson; the City will post for the hiring of a second Public Works position in May. Mammone also informed Council that he has not yet resolved the vacant City Planner position. Mayor Appoints Fennell to Library Board - Based on a recommendation from the Library Board and with approval from Council, Mayor Randy Parrow appointed Brandi Fennell to the Library Board. Topics From the Floor - Terry LaChapelle complained to Council about a continuing sewer problem and asked that the issue be resolved immediately. At the May 4, 2015 City Council Meeting: Council Holds Hearing, Approves Conservation Easement - Council held a Public Hearing to take comments on the acquisition of a Conservation Easement on the property at 1462 Bridge Street, the location of the Lincoln School. Council had previously approved a zone change on the property, from Residential to General Commercial, but attached specific conditions for development, including the Conservation Easement, which would preserve the building on the site. During the hearing there was no testimony for or against the Conservation Easement. During neutral testimony, Dennis Chadek, a neighboring property owner, asked to have the Conservation Easement explained. Later in the meeting Council unanimously approved the Deed of Conservation Easement and the Declaration of Covenants and Vernonia Police Blotter April 14-30, 2015 REPORTS TAKEN • April 19, 2015 Report of Criminal Mischief in the 400 block of Bridge St. • April 20, 2015 Report of Harassment, and Interference with 9-1-1 in the 1100 Block of Ruth Ave. Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 4/15/2015 through 4/30/2015 VPD had a 102 calls for service. Terry’s Gym Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 JOIN THE TEAM! 503-901-1705 16720 Noakes Rd. Vernonia 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks Available 2015 5 Restrictions. Council also adopted Ordinance 903, which re-zones the property, by a vote of 2-1. Councilor Kim Tierney voted against, stating she was concerned that Council had approved the zone change even though the Planning Commission and city staff recommended against it, that she had concerns about the amount of traffic on the street, and that she considered this spot zoning. Council had a first and second reading of the Ordinance which will now take effect in thirty days. Council Hears Presentation on LNG Projects, States Opposition - Council heard a presentation about the Oregon LNG and Oregon Pipeline projects. Dan Serres of Columbia Riverkeeper, and local citizens Diana Peach and Steve Calhoun all expressed concerns about safety, water contamination, damage to fish habitat, and impacts on Vernonia’s drinking water intake. Later in the meeting all three Council members present stated their opposition to the project and directed staff to prepare a formal declaration of their opposition for the May 18 Council meeting. Downtown Trees - Council received a preliminary report from City Administrator Gian Paolo Mammone that included a budget for streetscape improvements in the downtown corridor of $68,000 for tree removal, replacement of pavers, replacement of trees in planter containers, and striping of parking spaces. Council expressed concern that the project was not funded in the budget for next year. Mammone told Council this was a preliminary estimate of costs. Council directed staff to return with a more formal plan. City Administrator Report - City Administrator Mammone reported to continued on page 13 Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Monday, May 18, 2015 Monday, June 1, 2015 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, May 25, 2015 Memorial Day Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules Drive Thru Espresso & More Need more room? See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! may7 Authorized U-Haul Dealer Boxes and Supplies Available We can make your reservation Pick up here or anywhere 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. Box 292 Vernonia, Oregon 97064 (503) 429-7867 10-6 Tue-Sat 12-4 Sun Route 26 Diner $1.00 off Prime Rib Dinner 503- 324-0985 47700 NW Sunset Hwy, Banks