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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2015)
community/city news Vernonia City News... At the September 21, 2015 City Coun- cil Meeting: Council Considers Sewer Rate Change – Council agreed to provide data to FCS to create a new rate structure for the City sewer utility rate. The City previously paid for a rate study but it was discov- ered after it was complete that incorrect meter sizes were used in the calcula- tions. That led to the “ground truthing” project which looked at every meter in the City system to confirm the meter size. The new rate system would create a fixed charge to cover costs associated with operations, maintenance, and debt service, and a variable rate to cover a customer’s usage. The new rate system will be designed to charge more for high volume users who tax the system more and charge low users less based on water consumption. A winter time average is being used to calculate the consumption rate per thousand gallons used. Council Considers Additional WWTP Improvements – Council was informed that the engineer for the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade proj- ect is recommending a change order to the project to include additional treat- ment for ammonia. (See full story on Page 6.) Council Discusses Coffee Cart at Rose Avenue – Council discussed a request by Sue Hadley, proprietor of Javalation in St. Helens, for information about plac- ing a temporary to-go coffee business on the Rose Avenue property along High- way 47 near the Vernonia Health Center. Hadley asked about details for a ground lease and what site improvements would be provided and required. Council asked staff to provide some examples of ground leases, current rental rates for unimproved properties in Vernonia and a map and utility map of the property and the cost of bringing utilities to the site for their October 5, 2015 meeting. Seager voting against. Council Authorizes Resolution Sup- porting Transportation District – Council approved a request to draft a resolution approving a County Order to form a county-wide Transportation Dis- trict. The Resolution will be brought back for final approval at the October 5 th City Council meeting. (See full story on page 3.) Council Approves Workers Comp Coverage Change for Volunteers – Based on advice from the City’s insur- ance agent, Council approved Resolution 13-15, changing coverage for volunteers and placing it under a blanket Acci- dent Policy instead of the City’s Work- ers Compensation coverage. Councilor Bruce McNair voted against. Council Approves Travel Trailer Per- mit – Council approved a request from Wallace John Pollock to inhabit a travel trailer at 1032 Nehalem Street until Jan- uary 9, 2015. Council approved the re- quest by a 4-1 vote with Councilor Mike City Administrators Report – City Ad- ministrator Josette Mitchell reported that Public Works workers are installing wa- ter and sewer lines to Spencer Park. The City has accepted a bid for $49,999 for construction of the restroom facility, not including plumbing and electric, and is waiting for bids for that additional work. City staff is continuing to assist New Police Officer Sworn In – The newest member of the Ver- nonia Police Force, Cody Pesio, was sworn in by Mayor Randy Parrow. Pesio is from Clatskanie and is 25 years old. He graduat- ed from Clatskanie High School. He has completed Reserve Acad- emy and has about 18 months experience. He will be attending the Oregon Police Academy in the near future. His wife Danica Pesio did the honors of pinning on Pesio’s badge. • September 22, 2015 Arrest on a Warrant on Nehalem HWY South Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 9/15/2015 through 9/28/2015 VPD had 92 calls for service. Oregon’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system has many outstanding providers, extraordinary acts, and meritorious service that are recognized every year at the Oregon EMS Awards Program held during the Oregon EMS Conference. On Friday evening, September 25 th , at the Oregon EMS Awards Banquet in Salem, Metro West Ambulance emergency medical services crewmembers, Flo Lennox, Paramedic, and Kieran Henthorn, Advanced EMT, were recognized as Oregon’s EMS Providers of the Year. Need more room? See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks Available 2015 5 with the CDBG application for the Se- nior Center. Mitchell reported that the project was awarded a $250,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust and is still awaiting a request from The Ford Family Foundation. No “As Built” plans for the Nickerson Ridge Estates subdivision have been received from the Smejkal family. It is believed KLS Surveying has plans which have been requested. Staff is continuing to work with Terry LaChapelle regarding an ongoing sewer issue. Council discussed the is- sue and agreed that the City should use their equipment to participate and help uncover the connection where the prob- lem is believed to be. Topics From the Floor – Mike Pihl, owner of Nehalem View RV Park asked Council to reduce the number of hook- ups that the City charges for Water and Sewer service. Pihl told Council he is charged for 28 hookups but only uses 24. Council referred the issue to staff for fur- ther investigation. Scott Laird, representing The Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia, asked Council to consider waiting until after the holiday season to begin removing and replacing trees in the downtown corridor. Council will receive more in- formation from staff at their October 5, 2015 meeting about tree removal and will discuss options at that time. Metro West Paramedic and EMT Receive EMS Providers of the Year Vernonia Police Blotter September 16-28, 2015 REPORTS TAKEN • September 17, 2015 Report of Criminal Mischief on Bridge St. • September 22, 2015 Report in Violation of Court Stalking Order on Bridge St. • September 24, 2015 Report of Theft II on Cherry St. Council Approves Parks Supplemen- tal Budget – Council approved a change to the Parks Budget to correct an error that occurred during the 2015-16 budget process. Finance Director Angie Han- degard told Council that $15,000 was being held in a restricted fund to recon- nect electricity at Spencer Park, and no expense line item for this was included in the budget. A supplemental budget, adding $12,170 to Cash on Hand, which came in well above what was expected, and $12,000 to Spencer Park Expense was used to correct the issue. october1 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 Flo Lennox, is a Senior Paramedic in Washington County for Metro West Ambulance, serves as a preceptor for both college and high school students, is a member of the company’s Safety Committee, is a very involved volunteer responder for the Vernonia Volunteer Ambulance Association in Columbia County, and a longtime leader for the Girl Scouts. She teaches CPR, First Aid and babysitting safety classes, serves the homeless during the holidays, giving so much of her time to others. In September 2014 Flo was diagnosed with cancer. Undergoing chemo and radiation while still teaching her scouts and volunteering, Flo has won her battle. Back to wearing her Paramedic Uniform, “Mama Flo” as she is lovingly known, has returned to serving the communities she loves. For all she gives to the patients she cares for and the communities she loves, Flo Lennox received the Oregon EMS Paramedic of the Year. Kieran Henthorn, is an Advanced EMT and Operations Supervisor for Metro West Ambulance. In addition to his full time duties, Kieran is a part-time Advanced EMT for Pacific West Ambulance, a volunteer responder with the Vernonia Volunteer A m b u l a n c e Association and a volunteer responder with the Molalla Fire Department. Kieran is driven by strong compassion. He is a shining example of how to perform under pressure while retaining a deep compassion for others-how to care for people in places and in a way that no one else can. For his demeanor, skill and compassion to the patients and the various communities he serves, Kieran Henthorn received the Oregon EMS EMT of the Year.
