city news
march2
2017
5
Vernonia City News...
At the February 21, 2017 City Council
meeting:
Council Approves Change to Utility
Billing Process – Council approved Or-
dinance 912 and incorporated suggested
changes from staff to the current process
used for utility billing by the City. Staff
member Ben Fousek told the Council
that when the City converted to a new
billing system at the end of 2014, cer-
tain changes were made that need to be
rectified to simplify the billing process
for both staff and customers. The new
changes would adjust the billing to go
out the last week of the month and no
later than the first business day of the
month, would have bills due the 15 th of
each month, and set water service shut
off for the 25 th of the month.
Council Moves Forward with MOA
on Nickerson Ridge – Council re-
cessed to Executive Session under ORS
192.660 (2)(f) “To consider information
or records that are exempt by law from
public inspection.” and (h) “To consult
with legal counsel concerning the rights
and duties of a public body with regard
to current litigation or litigation likely to
be filed.” Upon returning to Open Ses-
sion, Council approved a motion to au-
thorize the City’s legal counsel to offer a
Memorandum of Agreement to the own-
ers of the empty lots at Nickerson Ridge
Estates.
Topics From the Floor – Bob and Bon-
nie Lawrence asked for help with flood-
ing from Bear Creek that is eroding the
yard at their property on Maple Street.
Bonnie Lowrance told the Council there
are issues with a culvert that was re-
cently replaced just above their property.
City Administrator Josette Mitchell told
the Lowrances that she has discussed the
issue with a Department of State Lands
representative and that the Council has
made the flooding on Bear Creek a pri-
ority. She also noted that the installation
of the larger culvert and logging that
happened this past summer in the ravine
above the creek has led to more water in
Bear Creek during heavy rains.
Carol and Steve Calhoun spoke
separately and both told the Council they
were unhappy with the decision to re-
move all the downtown trees. Carol Cal-
houn encouraged Council to replace the
trees with a proper species and offered
suggestions for appropriate trees. Steve
Calhoun told the Council he has had a
business presence on Bridge Street for
twenty-three years and thinks there are
The Vernonia
Transfer Station
is open on the
2nd and 4th Saturday
from 8am-2pm
March 11 & 25
April 8 & 22
Dates and times are subject
to change due to weather
benefits to having trees in the downtown
corridor. He said any well designed city
has a diversity of plants and trees and
asked Council to consider replacing the
trees that were removed. He provided
ideas for urban designs that included
trees.
Terry and Gretchen Lindauer,
who live on Nickerson Avenue, ad-
dressed Council concerning the devel-
opment issues at Nickerson Ridge Es-
tates. Terry Lindauer told Council they
have lived in Vernonia for 27 years and
recently purchased adjoining lots in the
Nickerson development, one for their
house and one for a shop they intend to
build. Lindauer said he did his due dili-
gence and talked with “authorities that
have jurisdiction” before purchasing the
lots, but has had several problems that
has not allowed for the construction of
the shop. According to Lindauer the
original development was constructed
15 years ago and since then eight homes
have been permitted and constructed.
Lindauer said inadequate street drain-
age has led to standing water on both
their lots and those issues have led the
City to stop issuing building permits to
the developers or anyone else on any of
the remaining lots in the development.
Lindauer said that mistakes have been
made on both sides but Council needs to
resolve the issue.
Dr. Joseph Dombek, who also
lives in the Nickerson Ridge Estates de-
velopment and is also having drainage
issues with his home, asked the Council
to resolve the issue.
Council Gives Extension on Code Vio-
lation – Council approved a six month
extension to Janet Henry to develop a
suitable site to store her RV at her prop-
erty on B Street. Henry said she has
been parking vehicles in this spot for
23 years and was recently cited by lo-
cal code enforcement for obstructing
the right-of-way. Henry had signed a
Voluntary Correction Agreement in Au-
gust, with a deadline of March 1. Henry
asked to be allowed to continue parking
in the spot until the road is widened in
the future. Henry was told the City can-
not make an exception for individuals on
code violations. Henry told the Council
it would cost her thousands of dollars to
create a new space on her property, but
was told she needed to comply with the
code and fix the issue.
Council Hears Update on Columbia
County 9-1-1 – Council received an up-
date from Columbia County 9-1-1 Com-
Vernonia City Council
Meetings and Closures
City Council Meetings
are scheduled for 7:00 pm:
Monday, March 6, 2017
Monday, March 20, 2017
City Closures
are scheduled for:
Monday, May 29, 2017
Memorial Day Holiday
Dates and times subject to change
munications District Director Steve Wat-
son. Watson told the Council the com-
munications center is upgrading their
computer system which will be linked to
systems used by Washington and Clack-
amas County 9-1-1, as well as the City
of Lake Oswego. Watson said the new
system will provide an upgrade for the
local Vernonia Police Department and
the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection Dis-
trict. Watson said they are also working
on an agreement with Verizon for radio
system improvements that would benefit
Vernonia. Watson also mentioned that
the District is currently at an all-time
high for staffing levels and has been
making great strides in their training
and retention programs. Watson told the
Council that Text 9-1-1 is now live and
operational in Columbia County, along
with numerous other counties around the
region.
Council Tables Vendor Request –
Council tabled a discussion about a ven-
dor request from David Sterner, who
wants to set up a food stand on City
property, because Sterner was not in at-
tendance.
Council Approves Public Space Use
for Jamboree – Council approved a re-
quest by the Jamboree Committee for
use of City property and for street clo-
sures during Jamboree. The request in-
cluded use of Shay Park, Hawkins Park,
Spencer Park, Vernonia Lake, the lot at
the corner of Bridge Street and Grant
Avenue, the parking area at the corner of
Bridge Street and Washington Avenue,
the parking area near Greenman Field,
and the parking area at the corner of Ma-
ple Street and Adams Avenue. Nicole
Penney, Chair of the Jamboree Commit-
tee was told she would need to get per-
mission from the School District for use
of the sports fields at Spencer Park that
are leased by the District, and that the
City would work with the Ridge Riders
to secure use of the horse arena.
Council Approves Open Air Market
Street Closure – Council approved a re-
quest from the Open Air Market to close
Adams Avenue on Saturdays between
8:00 am and 3:00 pm from May 20 to
September 30, with the exception of Au-
gust 5 which is during Jamboree.
continued on page 6
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION
Proposed Zoning Code Amendment in the City of Vernonia, File No. PA 17-01
CORRECTIONS ARE IN BOLD
When: March 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Where: Council Chambers, City of Vernonia, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR
Why: Proposed Zoning Code Amendment to Travel Trailer Provisions
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Vernonia Planning Commission, will conduct
a public hearing on a request by the City of Vernonia to amend the Zoning
Code as it relates to the temporary habitation of travel trailers.
SAID PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the Vernonia Planning Commission
on Thursday, March 16th, 2017, in the Council Chambers of Vernonia City
Hall, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR at or after 7:00pm, at which time
proponents and opponents of the proposed home occupation will be heard.
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 board based on that issue. Public testimony is welcome,
and written statements will also be received before the hearing.
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 the public hearing to
Stephanie Borst at 503-429-5291 ext. 105, TTY 1- 800-735-2900 or at City Hall,
1001 Bride Street, Vernonia, OR 97064.
The City of Vernonia is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Vernonia Police Blotter • February 14-27, 2017
REPORTS TAKEN / ARRESTS
• February 13, 2017 Report of a Stolen
Vehicle near Rose Ave.
• February 18, 2017 Report of Assisting
an Outside Agency
• February 19, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant
near State Ave.
• February 24, 2017 Arrest for Assault IV
near 1st Avenue
CITATIONS / OTHER
• February 13, 2017 Cited for Violation of
City Ordinance
• February 14, 2017 Cited for Violation of
the Posted Speed 52 mph in a posted 35
mph zone. Near North Mist Dr.
• February 16, 2017 Cited Violation of
the Posted Speed 48 mph in a posted 20
mph zone. Near North Mist Dr.
• February 17, 2017 Cited for Failure to
Carry Proof of Insurance near HWY 47
• February 19, 2017 Cited for Driving
While Suspended near HWY 47
• February 20, 2017 Cited for Violation of
the Posted Speed 55 mph in a posted 35
mph near Rose Avenue
• February 21, 2017 Cited for Driving
While Suspended near East Bridge St.
• February 22, 2017 Cited for Violation of
the Posted Speed 57 mph in a posted 35
mph zone near Rose Avenue
Vernonia Police Department responds
to calls that do not always end in
Arrest, Report, or Citation. 02/14/2017
through 02/27/2017 VPD had 183 calls
for service.