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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2015)
city news At the June 15, 2015 City Council Meeting: Topics From the Floor - Tony Schrader presented Council with concerns he has about the Knickerson Ridge Estates Subdivision. Schrader’s property is adjacent to the development and he told Council he has asked the developer to fix a sidewalk and control surface water run off. Schrader presented Council with a packet of information that included emails dating back to 1998, that he says shows a pattern of non compliance and incomplete improvements during construction by developer Jim Smejkal. Schrader raised concerns that construction had occurred on documented wetlands, that culverts are undersized, that enough fill and compaction was not provided, that fire hydrants may not provide adequate flow and that a creek had been moved without permits. Schrader said that documentation concerning the development appears to be either missing or is non-existent. Schrader asked Council to place a moratorium on all building permits and have the City reinspect and certify that all construction standards have been met. Council instructed staff to investigate the issue. Council Discusses Livestock/Animals in City Limits - Staff informed Council that they have received numerous complaints from citizens concerning livestock and farm animals within City limits. The current ordinance states, “Livestock or poultry within the City is limited to not more than two small animals and five chickens. Roosters are prohibited in City limits.” Council instructed staff to amend the ordinance to clarify the definition of “small animals” and add language similar to the City of Hillsboro ordinance which sets limits based on the size of the property, sets standards for enclosures and would require a permit. Citizens who currently have animals would be allowed to keep Vernonia City News... • As of June 5, 2015 the outstanding balances on active accounts are as follows: 90 day, $25.49; 60 day, $114.85; 30 day, $1,197.64. • Door hangers will be on June 29, 2015 • Shut offs will on July 1, 2015 • Updating business license information Public Works • The crew worked on the perimeter fence around the New Spencer field. The fence will Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures be completed Monday, June 8 th , 2015. The chain link fence will come down June 9 th or 10 th , 2015. • The Public Works crew worked on rebuilding the pieces that make up the Dewey Pool dam. The dam in now up. Library • Circulation Statistics: 1,587 items were checked out the month of May 2015. By comparison, 1,566 items were checked out April 2015 and 1,529 items were checked out in May 2014. • The library will be closed Saturday, June 27. Please visit the library at the Open Air Market from 10 am – 2 pm for Summer Reading registration, crafts, and books for sale. Proceeds from book sales go to the Friends of the Vernonia Public Library. • 10 new members joined the library in May 2015. Welcome! • Free wifi is now available at the Vernonia Public Library! Wifi is being funded through Nominations Wanted For “Citizen of the Year” City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Monday, July 6, 2015 Monday, July 20, 2015 The Vernonia Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show Committee is seeking nominations ”or “Citizen o” the Year” to be recognized at the 2015 Jamboree celebration on August 7-9. City Closures are scheduled for: Friday, July 3, 2015 I” you know someone who deserves recognition ”or their contributions to the Vernonia community please ”ill out this nomination ”orm and drop it o”” in the box at Vernonia City Hall by July 10, 2015. Independence Day Holiday 2015 a generous donation by the Friends of the Library. City Clerk/Administration • The assistant to the City Administrator met with prospective logging companies to have the pre-bid meeting for the WWTP Timber Harvest project. The deadline for interested companies to submit bids was Friday, June 12 th at 3:00pm. FOR TOWING EMERGENCIES IN AND AROUND THE VERNONIA AREA Polife and County personnel are required to use a rotation of available providers, UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY ASK for a servife by name. REQUEST TOWING SERVICE FROM My nomination ”or 2015 Jamboree Citizen o” the Year is: Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules 5 and donation of items previously used them until they die or property ownership $4,000. and stored at the Vernonia Community changes. Council Moves Forward with Cem- Learning Center (VCLC), including Council Approves Water/Sewer Billing etery House - Council moved forward several sized tables, metal folding chairs, Change - Council approved Resolution with a plan to sell the former caretaker and pop-up canopies. The items will 10-15, Amending the Master Fee Sched- house at the Cemetery that includes a lot be donated to the Vernonia Festivals ule. No change in the total amount most line adjustment, and the surplus and de- Committee for future use throughout the accounts pay has been made. The chang- molition of the shed that is on the proper- community. es adjust the amount each customer pays ty so the property can be made ready for in the water base rate from $36.00 to sale. Council discussed the placement of City Administrator Report - City $24.50 per month and adds a Water Loan a new storage shed and site for a trailer Administrator Gian Paolo Mammone Repayment fee of $11.50 per month for a caretaker on the cemetery property was on vacation, but Assistant to the City Administrator Josette Mitchell and adds the words “Each residential once the lot line had been adjusted. and Finance Director Angie Handegard or commercial account shall pay...” The Council Approves Timber Harvest Bid updated the Council on several projects. change also adjusts the sewer fee from - Council directed staff to issue a Notice Council was informed that staff $53.00 to $36.00 per month and changes to Award the Timber Harvest at the old is currently researching timed locks the Sewer Loan Repayment Fee from mill site to Northwest Land Designs. The for restrooms in City Parks that would $40.00 to $57.00 and adds the words City received two bids for the project. automatically lock and unlock restrooms, “Each equivalent residential or commer- cial account shall pay...” Council agreed Council Authorizes CDBG Grant allowing better access to park users to a suggestion from staff that a letter go Process - Council authorized staff to during daylight hours. out with the next billing to make custom- complete a Project Notification Intake Council was informed about ers aware of the change and that the new Form and submit it to CDBG-IFA staff several personnel positions. The open for the Rose Avenue Project. The Intake Public Works position has been filled. billing take effect July 1, 2015. Form is the first step to notify the intent The potential Park Host for Anderson Council Approves Staff Training - to apply for funding for the Senior Park has rejected the position; the new In response to recent events, Council Center/Food Bank project. Host at Airport Park has started. approved a recommendation from CIS, the City’s insurance carrier, that all staff Council Denies Travel Trailer Permit- Council Enters Executive Session - attend Sexual Harassment Training. The Council denied a request by Gary Self Council entered into Executive Session training is free and will take place in to occupy a travel trailer at 1117 Cougar under ORS 196.660(2)(d) “Labor Girabaldi, OR. City Hall will be closed Street while he helps a family member Negotiations” and (f) “Exempt Public on August 18 from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM, until they relocate. Self did not have Records.” Upon returning to Open permission or a signature from the Session, Council instructed staff to move for staff to attend the training. property owner on his application. forward with the negotiated contract with Council Approves Tractor Purchase - the Police Union. Council approved the purchase of a new Council Approves Surplus of VCLC John Deere tractor with a mower deck. Items - Council approved the surplus The purchase is part of the approved 2015-16 budget. Cost will be $25,753 Police Blotter June 1 - 15, 2015 and will be financed through Wauna Credit Union. Payments will be shared REPORT TAKEN Lake. by the Cemetery, Parks, Water and Sew- • June 5, 2015 Report of Violation of a • June 7, 2015 Citation for no Operator’s er funds. Release Agreement in the 1100 Block of License on East Bridge S. Grove St. Council Approves Computer Upgrade Vernonia Police Department responds - Council approved a plan to upgrade • June 6, 2015 Other Agency Assist. to calls that do not always end in their IT service for backing up informa- TRAFFIC / OTHER CITATIONS Arrest, Report, or Citation. 6/1/2015 tion. The plan includes new hardware, • June 2, 2015 Citation for Driving While through 6/15/2015 VPD had a 123 calls software, set up and a fireproof safe for storage, and will cost approximately Suspended and Uninsured near Vernonia for service. City Department Updates: June 1 - 12, 2015 Administration/Utility Billing june18 _______________________________________________ Shop Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00
