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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 2016)
city news At the March 21, 2016 City Council Meeting: Vernonia City News... Upgrade Project, the Rose Avenue Project, and the California Avenue City to Receive Assistance for Storm Project. She told the Council the timber Damage - City Administrator Josette harvest at the Mill Site brought in $7,774 Mitchell informed Council that the in profit which will be used to replant the City will receive funding assistance site. from FEMA for the December 8, 2015 Mayor Appoints Two to Budget declared disaster, high water event. The Committee – With approval from the City can be reimbursed for costs incurred rest of the Council, Mayor Randy Parrow for damage to public infrastructure appointed Brett Costley and George Tice and for City labor. Mitchell told the to the Budget Committee. Council that FEMA usually reimburses Council Hears Presentation From local governments for 75% of their 9-1-1 District – Steve Watson, the new costs, but the City qualified for 85% for Executive Director of the Columbia 9-1- debris removal, since they completed the 1 Communications District introduced task within 30 days. Mitchell thanked himself to the Council. Watson told the staff members Angie Handegard, Eva Council 9-1-1 text messaging will be Leininger and Ben Fousek for their coming to Columbia County this summer effort documenting the damage and as a part of a pilot program for the state. work; Councilor Bruce McNair thanked He also asked citizens to register their Mitchell for her leadership. cell phones for the Columbia Alert Council Approves Marijuana Ordinance – Council heard the first reading of Ordinance 910, regulating the location and operation of marijuana facilities. The second reading was scheduled for April 4. The ordinance states that a marijuana facility may not be located within 1,000 feet of another marijuana facility, that no on site consumption of marijuana may take place, that hours of operation shall not be earlier than 8:00 am or later than 10:00 pm, that doorways and windows can not allow the viewing of marijuana products, that signage should not draw undue attention, and that on site manufacturing of extracts, oils or other derivatives is prohibited. Network by going to their website at www.Columbia911.com. At the April 4, 2016 City Council Meeting: Council Enters Executive Session, Directs Planning Staff Action – Council entered into Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2)(h) To consult with council concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation likely to be filed. Upon returning to open session, Council directed City Planner Ryan Crater to respond with a list of requirements and outline violations of the conditional approval of the building code and reference the 1999 code. Council Approves Travel Trailer Extension – Council approved a request from John and Vicki Brewer to extend a permit for Wallace Pollock to inhabit a travel trailer at 1032 Nehalem Street. The permit is extended until October City Administrator Report – City 4, 2016. The Brewers confirmed that a Administrator Josette Mitchell updated pump service comes to the site monthly, Council on the Wastewater Treatment that the trailer is not connected to Council Approves New Fee Schedule – Council approved Resolution 02-16, a new Fee Schedule, which included changes to Sewer Fees, Parks Fees, Cemetery Fees, and Library Fees. Vernonia Police Blotter March 10-31, 2016 REPORTS TAKEN • March 10, 2016 Report of Hit and Run with property damage on Bridge St. • March 13, 2016 Report of Criminal Mischief on Riverside Dr. CITATIONS/OTHER VIOLATIONS • March 27, 2016 Cited for Violation of the Posted Speed Limit on Nehalem HWY • March 27, 2016 Cited for Driving While Suspended Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 03/01/2016 through 03/30/2016 VPD had a 116 calls for service Monday, April 18, 2016 Monday, May 2, 2016 Monday, May 16, 2016 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, May 30, 2016 Memorial Day Dates and times subject to change due to conflicts of schedules 2016 5 city utilities, and they are seeking a Treatment Upgrade Project, which is permanent living solution. progressing on schedule; the mailing of Council Discusses Flag at Shay Park – the first utility billing which included Mayor Randy Parrow brought concerns new sewer rates and concerns the City raised by citizens that the flag at Shay had received from some customers; the Park was showing signs of wear and SOQ was published for the Rose Avenue was not lit. City Administrator Josette Project and the RFP was published for Mitchell told Council that citizen Ilene the California Avenue Project; the City Grady donated $100 for the purchase of has received 12 applications for the a new flag. Council directed staff to find seasonal worker position; the City will receive site visits from FEMA staff for a way to light the flag. reimbursements from the December 8, Council Hears Second Reading of 2015 high water declared emergency. Marijuana Ordinance – Council heard the second reading of Ordinance 910, Council Hears About Good Citizen regulating the location and operation of Challenge – The Vernonia community marijuana facilities. The ordinance will has been invited to participate in the Columbia County Good Citizen take effect 30 days from the reading. Challenge, which will track voter Council Approves Sewer Funds turn out in the upcoming May 17 Transfer – Council approved a Primary Election, using school district recommendation from Finance Director boundaries. Angie Handegard to amend the current budget and decrease the amount of the Council Hears About Eagle Scout Transfer Out from the Sewer Fund from Project - Jared Cook of Scout Troop $243,746 to $215,000, decrease the 860 told Council about his Eagle amount of the Transfer In to the Sewer Scout Project. Cook is refurbishing Debt Fund from $228,746 to $180,000, 50 flag poles at the Vernonia Memorial and Transfer In to the Sewer Rehab Cemetery, which are used during the Fund $20,000. Accord to Handegard Memorial Day ceremony. these transfers will eliminate a projected negative balance in the Sewer Rehab City of Vernonia has U-Cut Fund, which is against Oregon Budget firewood available from the Law, and establishing an adequate Dec. 8th storm event at Airport ending balance in the Sewer Fund. Park for $75.00 per pick-up. Mayor Approves Schrader to Public For permits phone City Hall at Works Committee – With approval 503-429-5291 to register your from the rest of Council, Mayor Randy interest. Note: Permits will be Parrow appointed Tony Schrader to the issued based on the interest. Public Works Committee. Payment will need to be made City Administrator Report – City at City Hall prior to cut/pick-up Administrator Josette Mitchell updated weekend. Council on the following: the Wastewater The Vernonia Transfer Station is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturday April 9 & 23 May 14 & 28 June 11 & 25 Dates are subject to change due to weather NOTICE OF POSITIONS OPEN CITY OF VERNONIA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the General Election will be held on the 8th day of November 2016, at which time the legal voters of the City of Vernonia will be entitled to vote for candidates to certain city offices. OFFICES OPEN FOR ELECTION: VERNONIA MAYOR TWO YEAR TERM VERNONIA COUNCIL MEMBER FOUR YEAR TERM VERNONIA COUNCIL MEMBER FOUR YEAR TERM Election packets are available at the office of the City Recorder, 1001 Bridge St, Vernonia, OR 97064. Nominating petitions can be filed no sooner than June 1, 2016, and filed no later than Friday, August 26, 2016, by 4:00 pm with the City Recorder. For more information call Stephanie Borst, City Recorder at 503-429-5291 ext. 104. Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: april7 The City of Vernonia is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING The Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Main Station, 12525 HWY 202, Mist, OR. Agenda items include but are not limited to usual order of business, citizen input, Fire Chief’s report, financial reports and any other business needing to be discussed. William DeJager -Board President A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Vernonia, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, will be held at the Cabin in Vernonia, 901 Park Drive, Vernonia OR 97064. The meeting will take place on April 12th at 6:30pm The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message, the Budget Document and to estab- lish the agenda for future meetings. No deliberation will take place at this meeting. An additional, separate meeting of the Budget Committee will be held to take public comment. Any person may appear at that meeting to discuss to proposed programs with the Budget Committee. The meeting for public comment will be on: Date: April 19th, 2016 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Cabin in Vernonia A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after April 12th, 2016 at City Hall, 1001 Bridge St, between the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday
