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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 5, 2015)
city news At the October 19, 2015 City Council Meeting: Council Discusses Javalation Coffee Business – Council received a report from staff that included information for development of a section of property at the Rose Avenue Project. A drive- thru coffee business, Javalation, has expressed interest in the site. The staff report included costs for installation of utilities and other infrastructure at the site, a map of the potential layout of the site, and an example lease, ordinance, standards and fee schedule from the City of Tillamook for temporary units on public space. The City still needs to finalize the cost of shared expenses for street improvements on Cougar Street before any plans for development can move forward. Council Dissolves Lease, Enters into MOU with Senior Center, Food Bank – Council voted to dissolve a prior lease agreement with the Vernonia Senior Center and Vernonia Cares Food Bank for the property and development at the Rose Avenue Project. Staff requested the lease be dissolved after meeting with representatives from IFA, who suggest- Vernonia City News... ed that the City’s application for CDBG funding would be ineligible if it includ- ed an outright or implied commitment, predetermined agreements, or specific partnerships. A new MOU between The City of Vernonia, the Vernonia Senior Citizens and Vernonia Cares was ap- proved, separate from the CDBG appli- cation, which stated that, subject to the City being awarded CDBG funds, the groups would work together to develop the property. Council Discusses Nickerson Ridge – Council heard an update from City Administrator Josette Mitchell on de- velopment at Nickerson Ridge Estates. Mitchell told the Council that two homes in the development encroach into the 50 foot buffer protecting a stream that is es- tablished by City ordinance. One struc- ture is 32 feet from the stream and the other is 41 feet from the stream. Mitch- ell told the Council that permits for con- struction were issued by the City Plan- ning Department without consideration of the buffer zone. Mitchell said a third lot will also have issues with construc- tion within the buffer. All property own- ers will be required to request a variance Vernonia Police Blotter October 9-31, 2015 REPORTS TAKEN • October 9, 2015 Death Investigation • October 10, 2015 Assisted Another Agency on Jefferson Ave. • October 11, 2015 Motor Vehicle Accident on N Mist Dr and E Bridge St • October 11, 2015 Assisted Another Agency on Timber Rd. • October 15, 2015 Report of a Stolen Vehicle • October 18, 2015 Motor Vehicle Accident on N Mist Dr and E Bridge St • October 20, 2015 Arrest on Warrant in the area of Rose Ave. • October 24, 2015 Arrest for Criminal Trespass on Missouri Ave. • October 26, 2015 Arrest for a Warrant on Jefferson Ave. TRAFFIC/OTHER CITATIONS • October 19, 2015 Citation for driving uninsured near N Mist Dr. Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 10/15/2015 through 10/31/2015 VPD had a 131 calls for service. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of a Type III Review for Variance Request When: You are invited to attend and comment at the Planning Commission public hearing on Thursday, November 19th, 2015 at 6:00 pm. Where: Council Chamber, City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 Why: To consider a request by Terrence Lindauer for a variance to wetland/stream buffer for Tax lot ID#5N4W34CD00700. Why: To consider a request by Jared & Nicole McWhirter for a variance to wetland/stream buffer for Tax lot ID#5N4W34CD00900. Why: To consider a request by Kyle Cota for a variance to wetland/stream buffer for Tax lot ID#5N4W34CD00800. Why: To consider a request by Dustin & Rebecca Kofstad for a variance to wetland/stream buffer for Tax lot ID#5N4W34CD01000. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Vernonia Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing regarding File # VAR 15-01, VAR 15-02, VAR 15-03, and VAR 15-04 to consider a variance request from the provisions of Section 9.01.04- 60. A copy of the request is available for inspection at Vernonia City Hall located at 1001 Bridge Street, and may be copied for a nominal fee. • Section 9.01.10-40 Type III Procedures • Section 9.01.08 Variances • Section 9.01.04-60 Slope Hazard and Riparian Development Guidelines A staff report will be available to the public at City Hall one week before the hearing, and may be copied for a nominal fee. Failure to raise an issue in a hearing, in person or by letter or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision-maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the state Land Use Board of Appeals based on that issue. Public testimony is welcome, and written statements will also be received before the hearing. The Public Notice will be onsite at City Hall, Vernonia Library, and on www. vernonia-or.gov Notice to mortgagee, lien holder, vendor, or seller: The City of Vernonia Title 9 requires that if you receive this notice it shall be promptly forwarded to the purchaser. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to public hearing to Nicolas Welch at 503-429-5291, TTY 1-800-735- 2900 or at City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064. The Public Hearing is governed by the The City of Vernonia is an Equal Vernonia Title 9 Land Development and Opportunity Provider and Employer. Zoning Code Sections: from the Planning Commission. At the November 2, 2015 City Council Meeting: Council Approves Airport Culvert Repair – Council discussed and approved the repair of a section of damaged culvert at the Vernonia Airport. Councilor Mike Seager told the Council a section of the culvert, which drains water from the north side of the runway and runs underneath the entire runway, had collapsed last winter. Seager had recommended replacing a 200 foot section of the culvert at an estimated cost of $8,000. According to the City Staff Report, the Airport Fund only had $1,500 to pay for the project, and recommended the rest of the funds, $6,500, would need to be borrowed from the General Fund Contingency, and repaid by the Airport Fund over five years. Councilor Bruce McNair raised concerns about depleting the General Fund Contingency in that amount. Council agreed to do a repair on the section of culvert that collapsed, about 30-60 feet, instead of the full replacement. Cost was estimated to be $2,500. Council adopted Resolution 16- 15, authorizing the $1,000 interfund loan from the General Fund to the Airport Fund. Council Approves Surplus Property at Airport – Based on a recommendation from the Airport Committee, Council adopted Resolution 17-15, declaring property at the airport to be surplus and to be sold. The property included a FEMA november5 2015 5 Trailer that was to be used as a lounge for pilots at the airport, which turned out to be too large. It also included a Ford 9N tractor and a Jacobson Reel Mower; both were described as not operational and needing to be sold as scrap. Indoor Clean Air Act Changes January 1, 2016 – Council was informed, through correspondence from The Public Health Foundation of Columbia County and the Vernonia Chamber of Commerce, that the Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act is changing to include inhalant delivery devices, starting January 1, 2016. The Indoor Clean Air Act, which prohibits smoking indoors and within 10 feet of doors, open windows, vents, and accessibility ramps, or in cars with minors under the age of 18, will now effect people who use e-cigarettes. Police Chief Report – Police Chief Mike Conner told Council that his department will doing training exercises over the next several months. He said he is also working on the annual policy updates. He said new officer Cody Pesio will begin attending Police Academy in December, which will last 16 weeks. He said he has also contacted ODOT after four separate accidents have recently occurred at the intersection north of the green bridge. Topics From the Floor – Amanda Rose Sicard, a junior from the Vernonia High School leadership class, provided Council with an update on school district activities, including sports, new teachers, pep band, and leadership class. Job Opening - City Recorder City of Vernonia, OR Position serves as Council Clerk, elections official, and is responsible for City records retention. The City Recorder will be involved in the conduct of City business. To obtain an application and full job description, please visit: www.vernonia-or.gov. For questions, contact HR at 503-429-5291 x 107 or email financial@vernonia-or.gov. All application materials must be received prior to 5pm on Friday, November 13 th , 2015.
