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.
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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.
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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.
