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
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2245 Baseline St., Cornelius
Vernonia City Council
Meetings and Closures
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Boxes and Supplies Available
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