6 city news january19 2017 City News storm water, building maintenance, and the police department reserve program. Police Report – Vernonia Police Chief Michael Conner provided the Council with a report comparing statistics on the activities for the Police Department during 2014, 2015, and 2016. Con- ner pointed out that the number of to- tal crimes committed (including crimes against persons, crimes against property, and crimes against society), has dropped signifi cantly, from 213 in 2014, to 153 in 2015, and to 90 in 2016. He also noted that traffi c citations and warnings writ- ten have increased during the same time period, to 33 citations and 309 warnings in 2014, 38 and 262 in 2015, and 82 and 558 in 2016. City Administrator Report – City Ad- ministrator Josette Mitchell updated the Council on the fi nal stages of the Waste- water Treatment Plant upgrade proj- ect. She told the Council that DEQ and USDA are reviewing the additional plan for ammonia treatment options and have called for a meeting with the City and their engineer. Mitchell told the Council there are several items that are required for ap- proval before the City can draw on the CDBG grant funds for the new Senior Center project. Those items include the creation of a plan to ensure fair access to the project by contractors, and a plan that ensures that the City has tools in place to communicate with non-English continued from page 5 speakers. Mitchell also told Council the City will have an initial meeting to go over paperwork with Scott Edwards Ar- chitecture, the fi rm chosen to design the new Senior Center/Food Bank. Mitchell reported she has had no contact with representatives from the Nickerson Ridge Estates developers, but when questioned by an audience mem- ber did locate a recent email that she had missed. She told Council she would up- date them at their next meeting. Mitchell reported that the City has received the fi nal reimbursement from FEMA in the amount of $18,282 from the high water damage in Decem- ber 2015 and said those funds would be put back into the specifi c fund line items from which it had been originally spent. Mitchell told Council the de- molition of the former Photo Solutions building was scheduled to begin the fol- lowing week. City Receives Letter About Cemetery – Councilor Bruce McNair read a letter the City received from Michael Johnson that offered thanks for the “...attention and good care you provide for the Memorial Cemetery. It is always in good condition when we come to visit.” The letter included a donation of $100 for the cemetery fund. McNair asked that the letter be forwarded to the Cemetery Committee. On the Shelves By Shannon Romtvedt Thank you to everyone who took the ti me to fi ll out the library survey. We received surveys online and in paper form with a total of 117 responses. Results will be compiled and used to plan for the upcoming budget year(s). A summary of results will be presented to the Library Board and City Council and will appear in the newspaper. Any questi ons about the survey can be directed to Shannon Romtvedt at the library (503) 429- 1818 or shannonr@vernonia-or.gov . Looking ahead to a ti me when the snow melts and the temperature rises, the library has several events coming up for children and adults. The 3 rd Annual Dr. Seuss event, featuring the Cat in the Hat, will be held on Thursday, March 2, 6 pm. This event has been one of our most well att ended and it’s quite a party. We are looking forward to another celebrati on with cake, door prizes, a reading by the Cat in the Hat, and other Seussish acti viti es. Library staff is also pleased to announce that we are a recipient of a grant from the Columbia County Cultural Coaliti on (CCCC) in the amount of $1,140. The grant funding is matched by contributi ons from the Vernonia Lions Club, the Friends of the Vernonia Library, and individual donors. The focus of the project, to be carried out in April 2017, is music in early educati on. Among other acti viti es, the library will host Andy Ferguson of Red Yarn, folk music and puppetry, a percussionist from the Oregon Symphony, and Joe Seamons of the band, Timberbound. A schedule of acti viti es and details for the Get Rhythm project will be made available in February. Please check out the following secti on of upcoming events for details on February programs, including a presentati on by Jim Buxton on the Total Solar Eclipse and a visit by author and song writer, Willy Vlauti n. Library events can always be found in the Vernonia’s Voice and on the Library Event Calendar available in the library and linked to our website and Facebook page. Upcoming Events Family Movie Night Thursday, January 26, 6 pm (Family Movie): Showing a classic story based on the book The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford Relax and enjoy a movie and popcorn at the library. Call or visit the library for movie ti tles. The Solar Eclipse Experience Thursday, February 2, 6 pm Presentati on by Jim Buxton on the Total Solar Eclipse coming up on August 21, 2017. Includes a slideshow, things to look for, tools to use, where to be, and informati on on the physics of the eclipse as well as eclipses of the past. Songs, short stories, toys, and bubbles for 0 – 3. Older siblings welcome. Author Visit: Willy Vlautin Preschool Storytime Fridays, 10:30 – 11:15 am Stories and a craft /acti vity for up to age 5. Tuesday, February 21, 6:30 pm Willy Vlauti n is a nati onally recognized author of four novels including Lean on Pete and The Free. He founded the band Richmond Fontaine in 1994 and put out a debut album in 2014 with his new band, The Delines. He currently lives in Scappoose, Oregon. His Vernonia visit will focus on the book Lean on Pete, with a Q&A about his novel and song writi ng. He will be bringing his guitar and books to sign. Ongoing Programs K-5 Library Craft Thursday, January 19, 4 – 5pm Third Thursday of every month, 4 – 5 pm. Snack and craft for students K-5 and parents. Older kids/teens welcome as long as there are enough materials. Book Discussion Group Last Monday of every month, 5:30 pm Selecti on for January 30: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak Writer’s Group Thursday, January 19, 6-7:30 pm Third Thursday of the month. For all levels of writi ng experience. New members always welcome. Baby and Toddler Time Mondays, 10:30 – 11:15 am Did You Know? Online Catalog Patrons oft en ask how they can fi nd out what is new to the library. If an item we have is not on the shelf, you can fi nd it in the online catalog and place a hold on it using your account number and phone number. Link through the city website or go directly to htt p://vernonia.biblionix.com/. To see what is new in the collecti on, click on “What’s New” on the right hand side of the page. You can narrow down your search to “Books,” “DVDs,” or “Audiobooks,” etc. and by ti me frame (last week, month, 2 months). The library receives donati ons added to the collecti on and purchases new materials. All new (or new to us items) can be found through this search. Hours & Contact Info Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 5 pm Tues & Thurs 1 pm – 7pm Sat 10 am – 4 pm Closed Sundays Phone: (503) 429-1818 E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov Friends of the Vernonia Public Library Membership Dues: Family: Minimum: $10.00 Individual: $5.00 $1.00 plus 2 hours minimum of work in the library Make checks payable to: Friends of the Vernonia Public Library Mailing Address: 701 Weed Avenue, Vernonia, OR 97064 Name Address City Phone Date State Zip Amount Enclosed $ I am interested in helping with the following committees (optional): Please Circle •Membership •Endowments •Book Sales •Publicity & Public Relations •Fund Raising •Library Services •Finance-Budget-Legal Matters Books on Wheels A NEW SERVICE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE VERNONIA PUBLIC LIBRARY Library volunteers will deliver books to citizens who are homebound or physically unable to come to the library. To apply or find out more details, call Audeen Wagner (503) 429-9700 or the Library (503) 429-1818. Vernonia Public Library • 701 Weed Avenue