city news
march16
2017
5
Vernonia City News...
more accessible; the fee was reduced through of the Wastewater Treatment
from $35 to $20 and scholarships are of- project. Mitchell said the City did not
fered through the Friends of the Library. sign off on substantial completion and
Police Chief Makes Two Presentations
instead signed Change Order #11 which
– Vernonia Police Chief Mike Conner Romtvedt Provides Library Update Mayor Appoints Bryson to Library
gives the contractor until May 15, 2017
presented Offi cer Cody Pesio with the – Library Director Shannon Romtvedt Board – Mayor Mario Leonetti, with a
to fi nish all work on the project.
Life Saving Award for his heroic ac- presented Council with an updated Be- recommendation from the Library Board
Mitchell said she met with the
tions in saving a female resident during havior Policy that she created with help and approval from the rest of the Coun-
Lowrance family and with a represen-
a house fi re in January. Conner also pro- from staff and the Library Board. Rom- cil, appointed Veronica Bryson to the Li-
tative from Columbia Geotechnical to
moted Offi cer Shawn Carnahan to Patrol tvedt told the Council the policy was brary Board.
discuss their State Emergency Repair
Sergeant. (See full story on front page.) developed after reviewing policies from
Council Approves Budget Calendar Permit to stabilize their stream bank on
other libraries, including Hillsboro, St.
Council Discussed Vendor Request,
– The Council appointed City Admin- Bear Creek. Mitchell said the Lowranc-
Helens and Banks. The two-page policy
Schedules Workshop – Council heard
istrator Josette Mitchell as the Budget es will be allowed to do more permanent
provides guidelines for acceptable be-
a request from David Sterner to place a
Offi cer and approved the Budget Calen- work after water fl ows decrease. She
havior and general conduct of patrons
food cart at the parking lot across from
dar presented by Finance Director An- also said the Department of State Lands
of the Library and notes that individu-
Spencer Field on Bridge Street. Sterner
gie Handegard. The calendar calls for is aware of a culvert that was placed in
als may be trespassed from the Library if
has been working with the City for sev-
the fi rst Budget Committee meeting to Bear Creek and the subsequent problems
they willfully violate the rules and do not
eral months to try to receive approval
be held on Tuesday, April 11, with ad- that have occurred following the instal-
respond to staff warnings or requests.
for his new business. Sterner told the
ditional meetings as needed every week lation of that culvert.
Romtvedt also provided the
Council his cart would be a moveable
on Tuesdays. Meetings are scheduled
Mitchell said she talked with
Council with the results of a community
trailer that would be at the location from
for 6:30 at the Cabin in Vernonia (Scout Robert Bradley from ODFW who is
survey about the Library. The survey
April until October. Council discussed
Cabin). There are two open positions on heading up the installation of a new
was available from December 4 through
the need for a lease agreement and the
the Budget Committee for anyone who pump at Vernonia Lake. Bradley said
January 5 and had 135 responses. The
possibility of developing a different site
would like to be involved in the process. the pump should be installed in April
stated purpose was to fi nd out what ser-
for vendors at the corner of Bridge Street
and operational by May 15.
vices patrons value, give patrons an op- City Administrator Report – City
and Grant Avenue, the site of the former
portunity to comment on hours and give Administrator Josette Mitchell told the
health clinic, but noted the high cost to
general feedback, and help guide future Council there was a meeting and walk
develop the site, including the installa-
projects. While Romtvedt
tion of electric power. Sterner said the
said there was nothing that
site at Grant Avenue would be his pre-
was especially unexpected
ferred location and Council scheduled a
in the results she did learn
workshop for March 13 to discuss their
some interesting informa-
options and respond to Sterner as quick-
Columbia County Habitat for Human- Anderson Executive Director, CCHFH.
tion. One thing Romtvedt
ly as possible.
The new Habitat for Humanity house
noted was that almost 90% ity (CCHFH) is opening up the application
Council Approves Water Leak For- of respondents considered process to a new group of potential home- slated to be built will be located in St. Helens
giveness Request – Council heard a the Library either “very owners. The application process will kick off on North 12 th Street. Any low income family
request from Steven Assad for some important” or “important.” with two application information meetings on who has lived in Colum bia County for at least
help with a large water bill following a She also noted that 21% of Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30 pm and March 25 at one year is eligible to apply. The program re-
leak that went undetected for almost a respondents did not have a 10:00 am, both at Warren Community Fellow- quires accepted homeowners to put 300 hours
month. Assad is the new owner of Riv- library membership. She ship.
of sweat equity into the construction of their
erside Meadows RV Park and told the also discussed the positive
“Becoming a partner family is a huge home as well as attend homeowner education.
Council he is trying to provide a low impact that the reduction commitment. Among other requirements, fam-
“The process is designed to empower
income housing option for the com- in the fee, implemented last ilies have to have a stable income to be able to families to make a better life for themselves. It
munity. Assad said one of his tenants year for members who live make an affordable mortgage payment. That’s is amazing to see the transformation over time
was away for the winter when a leak of outside the City limits, has why we make the information meeting a re- that a stable home can make,” says Anderson.
over 500,000 gallons of water occurred. had in making the Library quired part of the application,” states Jennifer
continued on page 9
At the March 6, 2017 City Council
Meeting:
Council offered to reduce Assad’s bill by
$1,107.78 and provide a payment plan
for the balance.
Affordable Homeownership
Opportunity Available in St. Helens
Reserve Police Offi cer Job Announcement
The Vernonia Police Department has openings for Reserve Police Of-
fi cers. Interested citizens can obtain an application and complete job
description in person at the Vernonia Police Department. Minimum quali-
fi cations include, but not limited to: must have a high school diploma or
GED; must be at least 21 years of age and be a U.S. Citizen; have a
valid Oregon driver’s license; be able to pass a criminal background in-
vestigation; and pass medical and psychological evaluations. Questions
regarding the position should be directed to Chief Michael Conner (503)
429-7335 ext. 110.
Budget Committee Positions Available
The City of Vernonia currently has two positions open on the Budget
Committee. The committee is made up of the City Council and fi ve
community members. This is your chance to be a part of the process!
If you are interested please contact City Hall for an application.
The Vernonia
Transfer Station
is open on the
2nd and 4th Saturday
from 8am-2pm
March 25
April 8 & 22
Vernonia City Council
Meetings and Closures
City Council Meetings
are scheduled for 7:00 pm:
Monday, March 20, 2017
Monday, April 3, 2017
City Closures
are scheduled for:
Monday, May 29, 2017
Memorial Day Holiday
Dates and times are subject
to change due to weather
Dates and times subject to change
Police Blotter • March 1-13, 2017
REPORTS TAKEN/ARRESTS
• March 6, 2017 Report of Criminal
Mischief near North Street
CITATIONS/OTHER
• March 3, 2017 Cited for Violation of the
Posted Speed 52 mph in a 35 mph near
N Mist Dr.
• March 4, 2017 Cited for Violation of the
Posted Speed 53 mph in a 35 mph near
N Mist Dr.
• March 7, 2017 Cited for No Seatbelt
and Failure to Provide Insurance or
Registration near Bridge St.
• March 11, 2017 Cited for Violation of the
Posted Speed 74 mph in a 55 mph near
Nehalem HWY South
• March 12, 2017 Cited for Failure to
Obey a Traffi c Control Device near East
Bridge St.
Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest,
Report, or Citation. 03/01/2017 through 03/13/2017 VPD had 139 calls for service.
