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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2015)
city news august6 Vernonia City News... At the August 3, 2015 City Council Meeting: McNair Sworn in as New Councilor – Bruce McNair was sworn in as the newest Vernonia City Councilor. McNair was appointed to fill the vacancy created when former Mayor Josette Mitchell resigned to take the position of City Recorder/Assistant to the City Administrator. Council President Randy Parrow was appointed to take over the Mayor position and McNair now fills Parrow’s seat. McNair served as a City Councilor from 2011 to 2014. He has also served on the City Budget Committee for seven years and was most recently serving on the Public Works Committee. Council Hears Nickerson Ridge Update – Council heard a report from City Administrator Gian Paolo Mammone and also reviewed a memorandum from City Attorney Alex Sosnkowski concerning development at Nickerson Ridge Estates. Council had previously requested a moratorium on any new building permits until it can be determined if original developer Jim Smejkal had complied with all required improvements back in 2000. According to Mammone, a recent test of fire hydrants did not provide the required water pressure needed to allow homes in the development to be built without sprinkler systems. After a meeting with representatives from Department of State Lands Mammone reported that there also appears to be concern that some improvements were done without proper permits. Investigations by City staff have revealed a lack of documentation showing completion of improvements. City Attorney Sosnkowski recommended not placing a moratorium on permits but instead using the permitting process to ensure any new construction is done to code. Council indicated that they are interested in solving this issue and allowing continued development as long as all required improvements have been completed. Council directed staff to continue to investigate the issue. 2015 5 Valdez and Dan Cavender who have expressed interest in becoming vendors at Vernonia Lake. The current vendors, Larry and Gail Snethen, have been attempting to sell their establishment. Valdez and Cavender told Council they recently purchased a home near the lake and were interested in learning more about the vendor contract with the City. Valdez and Cavender said they were interested in improving the food choices being served, selling additional supplies for fishing and camping, providing an inviting atmosphere for visitors, adding services like bike and boat rentals, capturing State Park and trail visitors, and promoting special events. Council directed the Parks Committee to review the current vendor contract and bring suggested changes to Council. Council also suggested that Valdez and Cavendar explore taking over operations of the concession stand for the rest of this season and then consider bidding on the vendor contract and purchasing the business after Council has had an opportunity to consider changes. Council to Hold Public Hearing on Smoking Ban in Parks – Council reviewed a proposed ordinance that would ban the use of any tobacco products in areas zoned Public Recreation, which includes all City parks, trails, natural areas, playgrounds, public restrooms and athletic fields. The ordinance calls for a verbal warning for violators and then ejection from the park for persons that refuse to comply. Council suggested staff make some minor language changes to the proposed Topics From the Floor – John Brewer told Council he ordinance and to schedule a Public Hearing for August would like to see a skate park developed to give kids 17. something to do. He also asked about the possibility of adjacent property owners leasing lots that became open Council Hears Presentation from Potential Lake space following flood mitigation and was told City Vendor – Council heard a presentation from Marilyn Staff is working to finalize plans for this to happen. City Department Updates for July 13-31, 2015 ADMINISTRATION / BILLING • As of July 31, 2015 the outstanding balances on active accounts are as follows: 90 days $105.58, 60 days $217.18, 30 days $1,175.02. • Utilities clerk added 4 new water/sewer accounts to our billing system. • 8 Electrical Permits, 6 Building Permits, and 1 Mechanical Permit were issued. POLICE DEPARTMENT - VPD • July 1 - July 15, 2015: The total number of Calls for Service and Officer initiated activity was 190. • July 16 - July 23, 2015: The total number of Calls for Service and Officer initiated activity was 79. • July 24 - July 31, 2015: The total number of Calls for Service and Officer initiated activity was 67. • Nuisance Violations: 181 open violations, 52 completed. • Police Officer Opening Update: Applicant interviews have been completed and we have started the background process on one applicant. FINANCE • The Finance Director sat on the panel for police officer interviews. We interviewed eight potential candidates. • The pre-construction meeting was held at City Hall for the WWTP project. Representatives from all agencies and contractors involved with the project were present. • Audit prep is slowly beginning. The auditors will be here mid-September. Vernonia Police Blotter July 15-31, 2015 For fast cash! 010412 Reports Taken • July 23, 2015 Informational Report taken • July 25, 2015 Arrest on a Restraining Order Violation on Rose Ave. • July 30, 2015 Arrest on a Detainer Warrant near Texas Ave. • July 31, 2015 Arrest on a Detainer Warrant near Jefferson Ave. Citations/Other Violations • July 23, 2015 Sited for DUII, Hit and Run, and Reckless Driving near Nehalem St. Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 7/15/2015 through 7/31/2015 VPD had 181 Calls for Service. • Finance Director will be meeting with USDA to go over the funding checklist for the WWTP. • Staff prepared the RFB for the Spencer Park restrooms and it was published. Anyone interested in bidding can find the information at www.vernonia-or.gov. • Finance Director supplied budget information to the Public Works Committee to assist in the process of determining the figures to use in the “sewer rate study.” every 2-3 months and takes a full day and 2 -3 staff to complete. • Staff replaced two faulty water meters and installed another new water service on Nickerson Ridge Subdivision. • Traffic paint was picked up and crosswalk painting was completed. • Staff are monitoring Rock Creek water levels on a daily basis. It is still flowing 15cfs. 1st level of water curtailment starts at 14cfs. • We had a water main break on Mist Drive. PUBLIC WORKS • Public Works continued patching streets and fixing potholes. • The Water Plant was dumped and cleaned. This preventative maintinance job is done continued on page 6 The City of Vernonia is accepting bids for the construction of a restroom facility at the New Spencer Park. The restroom is a prefab kit and will be delivered to the site. For more information or to request a bid package please contact Josette Mitchell at jmitchell@vernonia-or.gov or 503-429-5291 x106. You may also pick up at City Hall at 1001 Bridge St. Vernonia, OR. All bids must be received at City Hall by 3:00 pm on August 13, 2015 to be considered. 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks Available 503-530-8119 State Licensed PB-0388 Open everyday at 9 a.m. City Closures are scheduled for: Friday, August 7, 2015 Closed at Noon for Jamboree Monday, September 7, 2015 Closed for Labor Day Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules Need more room? Debit/Credit now accepted (Across from Fred Meyer) City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7 PM: Monday, August 17, 2015 Tuesday, September 8, 2015 Terry’s Gym See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! 2245 Baseline St., Cornelius Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures 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 JOIN THE TEAM! 503-901-1705 16720 Noakes Rd. Vernonia
