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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 16, 2015)
july16 2015 free VERNONIA’S volume9 issue14 www.vernoniasvoice.com reflecting the spirit of our community Adult Foster Care Home Opens Concerns About Livestock Vicki and Lonnie Perry have service, residential facility, and will also Restrictions Brought to Council opened a new adult foster care service in offer adult day care and respite service, Vernonia citizens packed the City Hall Chambers to let the City Council know their concerns about limiting their ability to keep and raise livestock and poultry on their private property. Approximately 50 citizens attended the regular City Council meeting on July 6, 2015. Eight citizens spoke during the meeting to express their personal concerns. At their June 15, 2015 meet- ing Council had previously discussed amending the current city Ordinance that limits the number of poultry al- lowed to five and the number of “small livestock” to two. According to the or- dinance citizens within city limits are also not allowed to keep roosters. City staff recommended to Council that they clarify the Ordinance to make it more clear and enforceable after receiving complaints about resi- dences with livestock in City limits. Council asked staff to return with more information to help them amend the current Ordinance. On July 6, staff brought addi- tional information to the meeting for Council. Included in that informa- tion was Oregon Revised Statue ORS 609.125, that defines livestock to in- clude horses, cattle, llamas, sheep, goats, swine, domesticated fowl and “any fur bearing animal bred and main- tained commercially or otherwise, within pens, cages and hutches.” Un- inside 3 farm to school 9 baseball boys go to state 11 summer reading program 12 new vhs football coach der ORS 609.010 Domesticated Fowl is further defined as “birds bred and raised for human benefit or use.” Information provided to Coun- cil additionally included definitions of types of animals from the City of Hill- sboro and sample ordinances dealing with livestock issues from the City of North Plains and the City of Rainier. Citizens that addressed the Council raised numerous concerns that included: • the uniqueness of Vernonia • the various size of parcels within city limits • the proliferation of small urban farms • the ability of residents to raise their own food and feed their families Some of the most compelling comments came from Vernonia High School student Kaitlyn Eyrrick, who represented the Critters-R-Us 4H club. Eyrrick told the Council there were four separate 4H clubs operating within city limits, with children raising goats, chickens, rabbits and cattle. Eyrrick said 4H kids learn financial, people, and academic skills, and demonstrated her public speaking skills she said she learned in 4H. Eyrrick told the Coun- cil that 4H kids who live in city limits would be disadvantaged if they were limited in the number of animals they can raise. Citizens asked the Council to not take away their ability to raise and support their families. They said they had been responsive to complaints about roaming livestock. They sug- gested the City use nuisance violations to deal with complaints rather than im- posing restrictions on livestock own- ers. Council scheduled a workshop for September 14 to work out details of a revised ordinance and invited several members of the audience to participate. They also instructed staff to place a moratorium on any new nuisance vio- lations until the ordinance has been re- vised. their home outside Vernonia. The Perry’s facility, Vernonia’s Creekside Adult Foster Home, LLC, is now licensed for three residents at 11847 Keasey Road, about eight miles from downtown, and will provide an based on availability. “We want to create a family like atmosphere and give our residents a sense of belonging,” says Lonnie Perry. “Our goal is to help keep local folks near their home,” adds Vicki Perry. opportunity for aging senior citizens to remain in their community when they are no longer able to live on their own. Nestled in the trees near the end of Keaasey Road in a country setting, and fronting a scenic stretch of Rock Creek, the Perry’s will provide a full Lonnie explained how the Perry’s decided to open an adult foster care facility. Lonnie says he was working in Alaska and Vicki was at home, caring for his elderly mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and has since Former Vernonia City Councilor Bruce McNair is back after being appointed to fill an empty seat on the Council. McNair was appointed by the current members of the Council to fill the vacancy created when Mayor Josette Mitchell resigned on March 2, 2015 to accept the position of City Recorder/ Assistant to the City Administrator. Council President Randy Parrow was appointed by the Council to fill the Mayor’s position and Parrow’s spot on the Council has remained vacant. McNair was appointed following a Special City Council meeting on July 8, which included an interview with McNair, who was the only applicant for the open seat. McNair was originally chosen by a citizen committee and appointed by the Council to fill one of three empty seats on the Council in September of 2011, along with Donna Webb and current Councilor Kim Tierney. McNair chose not to run for election in 2014 when his original term expired. Instead he volunteered to serve on the Public Works Committee. He brings a solid working knowledge of the Wastewater Treatment Upgrade Project, which is just getting ready to begin construction. He has also served on the City Budget Committee for numerous years. continued on page 10 McNair Appointed to Council Council Approves Open Air Market Extension The Vernonia City Council extended the closure and use of Adams Avenue for the Open Air Market on Saturday mornings for two more months at their July 6, 2015 meeting. Council originally approved market orga- nizer’s request to locate the market to the new lo- cation on Adams Avenue, which is closer to down- town and the Linear Trail, for June and July, and said an extension for August and September would be based on a positive report of success. Market organizer Bill Langmaid told Council the Market has achieved its goals. Langmaid reported the market has 13 ven- dors signed up, has averaged seven per week, and has several more who have expressed interest. This assured income will allow the market to help have placed unoccupied canopies for shade for visitors share the cost of improvements with the city that and said his booth has increased business by two and half they have requested, like picnic tables and a bike rack. Langmaid told Council they have signage on the times. Brett Costley, another vendor, said his booth has Linear Trail which is helping draw many new visitors, continued on page 6
