city news
april20
2017
5
Vernonia City News...
At the April 17, 2017 City Council
Meeting:
Council Approves Water Rate Adjust-
ment - Council approved a recommend-
ed adjustment to City water rates. (See
full story on front page.)
Council Approves Changes to Travel
Trailer Rules - The City Council ap-
proved and heard the first reading of
Ordinance #913 which amended the
current rules concerning habitation of a
travel trailer.
Under current City rules it is
prohibited for anyone to temporarily oc-
cupy a travel trailer as a dwelling, unless
in a designated park or site, and lawfully
connected to utilities. An occupant may
obtain a permit from the City in order to
temporarily occupy a trailer by making
an application, having it approved by the
City Council, and paying a $100 fee.
Council amended the rules and
applicants may now only receive a one-
time, six month permit, which cannot
be renewed. Approval of the applica-
tion can now be made by staff and is
no longer required by the Council. The
amended rules also clarify the language
allowing and restricting the use, and
state a clear procedure for applying for
the permit and the criteria that must be
met.
The Ordinance will be read for
a second time at the May 1, 2017 City
Council meeting and will take effect 30
days from that second reading.
Mayor Appoints Shrader to Budget
Committee - Mayor Mario Leonetti,
with approval from the rest of the Coun-
cil, appointed Tony Shrader to the Bud-
get Committee.
Topics From the Floor - Steve White-
man suggested there is a need for sig-
nage on the Banks Vernonia State Trail
that directs users to the City and local
businesses. Whiteman suggested a pri-
vate enterprise that could sell space on a
sign to businesses and maintain the sign
on City property. He was directed to dis-
cuss his idea with the Parks Committee.
Ben Fousek said he thought the
downtown looked better with the trees
removed, but suggested strategically
placing some new trees. He said remov-
al of the trees had identified a new issue
– the need for downtown businesses to
***PUBLIC NOTICE***
Date of Adoption: October 17, 2016
City of Vernonia Grievance Procedure for complaints of alleged discrimination
based on disability
At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on October 17, 2016 the City
Council adopted the grievance procedure for complaints of alleged discrimination
based on disability.
CITY OF VERNONIA
Grievance Procedure
For Complaints of Alleged Discrimination Based on Disability
Policy Statement: The City of Vernonia does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in
employment, or access to its programs, services, facilities and public contracts.
If you are an employee of the City of Vernonia or an Oregon Community Development Block Grant
project beneficiary and you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of a disability, the
City of Vernonia has adopted the following procedure for handling the grievance:
1. Submit complaint in writing for resolution to:
Michael Conner, Chief of Police
City of Vernonia
1001 Bridge Street
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-429-5291
Office Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday through Friday
2. A record of the complaint and action taken will be maintained. A decision by Michael Conner,
Chief of Police will be rendered within 15 working days of receipt of the complaint.
3. If the complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction by Michael Conner, Chief of Police,
the complainant may request a hearing, within 15 working days of the response, before the Vernonia City
Council for resolution. The request should be submitted to Michael Conner, Chief of Police, at the
address above.
4. Within 30 calendar days of the hearing, the complainant will receive a final resolution in
writing (or a method understood by the complainant) as proposed by the City Council. The decision of the
City Council is final.
5. All complaints received by Michael Conner, Chief of Police and responses from Michael
Conner, Chief of Police or City Council will be kept by the City of Vernonia for a period of three years.
Other arrangements for submission of a grievance such as a personal interview or tape recording will be
made available for the individuals with visual or motor impairments.
The Vernonia
Transfer Station
is open on the
2nd and 4th Saturday
from 8am-2pm
April 22
May 13 & 27
Vernonia City Council
Meetings and Closures
City Council Meetings
are scheduled for 7:00 pm:
Monday, May 1, 2017
Monday, May 15, 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
clean up their store fronts, and suggested
the City find a way to encourage prop-
erty owners to do this.
City Administrator Report - City Ad-
ministrator Josette Mitchell reported
that Christine Stevenson from Oregon
Department of State Lands documented
violations on Bear Creek and discussed
possible restorations that might help
with flooding issues.
Mitchell told the Council the
City is moving forward to obtain .89
acres of land off Rose Avenue. Mrs.
Elsina Creps is donating the land to the
City, which can be used as a wetland and
provide a benefit for City storm water is-
sues in the area.
Mayor Mario Leonetti suggest-
ed Michell investigate needed improve-
ments to Lagoon Way, the road leading
to the Transfer Station.
***PUBLIC NOTICE***
Date of Adoption: April 3, 2017
City of Vernonia Support of the Fair Housing Program
At the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on April 3, 2017 the City Council
adopted Resolution 02-17: A resolution amending Resolution 04-05, A Resolution
of the City of Vernonia supporting the Fair Housing Program
RESOLUTION NO. 04-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF VERNONIA SUPPORTING THE FAIR HOUSING
PROGRAM
LET IT BE KNOWN TO ALL PERSONS of the City of Vernonia that discrimination in the sale, rental,
lease, advertising of sale, rental or lease, financing of housing or land to be used for construction of
housing, or in the provision of brokerage or rental services because of race, color, religion, sex, disability
(physical or mental), familial status (children) or national origin is prohibited by Title VIII of the federal
Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988. It is the policy of the City of Vernonia to support the Fair
Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and to implement a fair housing Program to ensure equal opportunity
in housing for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability (physical and mental), familial
status (1. children, and 2. actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status or its
member) or national origin.
BE IT RESOLVED that within the resources available to the City of Vernonia through city, county, state,
federal and community volunteer sources, the City will assist all persons who feel they have been
discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, disability (physical or mental), familial status
(children) or national origin in the process of filing a complaint with the Oregon Civil Rights Division or
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Seattle Regional Office Compliance Division,
that they may seek equity under federal and state laws.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City shall publicize this Resolution and through this publicity
shall cause real estate brokers and sellers, private home sellers, rental owners, rental property managers,
real estate and rental advertisers, lenders, builders, developers, home buyers and home or apartment
renters to become aware of their respective responsibilities and rights under the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988 and any applicable state or local laws or ordinances.
THE FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM, for the purpose of informing those affected of their respective
responsibilities and rights concerning Fair Housing law and compliant procedures, will at a minimum
include, but not limited to; 1. The printing, publicizing and distribution of this Resolution: 2. the
distribution of posters, flyers, pamphlets and other applicable Fair Housing information provided by local,
state, and federal sources, through local media of community contacts; and 3. the publicizing of locations
where assistance will be provided to those seeking to file a discrimination complaint.
Resolution 04-05 As amended by Resolution 02-17 on 4/3/2017.
Reserve Police Officer Job Announcement
The Vernonia Police Department has openings for Reserve Police Officers. In-
terested citizens can obtain an application and complete job description in per-
son at the Vernonia Police Department. Minimum qualifications 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 investigation; and pass medical and psychological evalu-
ations. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Chief Michael
Conner (503) 429-7335 ext. 110.
Police Blotter • April 1-17, 2017
Reports Taken/Arrests
• April 1, 2017 Report of Theft III near
Jefferson Avenue
• April 3, 2017 Report of Mail Theft near
Bridge Street
• April 3, 2017 Report of Vehicle Accident
with Injury near North Mist Drive and East
Bridge Street
• April 4, 2017 Report of Seized Drugs
near Bridge Street
• April 5, 2017 Report of Other Agency
Assist. Vehicle Accident with Injury near
North Mist Drive and Pebble Creek
• April 9, 2017 Report of Vehicle Recovered,
Other Agency Assist near “B” Street
• April 9, 2017 Report of Theft III near “B”
Street
• April 9, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near
Bridge Street and Madison Avenue
• April 10, 2017 Report of Theft I and
Unlawful Entry of a Motor Vehicle near
California Avenue
• April 13, 2017 Report of a Stolen Vehicle
near Madison Avenue
• April 15, 2017 Report of an Abandoned
Vehicle near Nehalem Highway South
• April 16, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near
Madison Avenue
Ciitations/Other
• April 1, 2017 Cited for Driving While
Suspended near 1st Avenue and Cougar
Street
• April 5, 2017 Cited for Failure to Carry
Proof of Insurance near Bridge Street and
California Avenue
• April 11, 2017 Cited for Violation of the
Posted Speed, 70 mph in a 55 mph on
Nehalem Highway South
• April 13, 2017 Cited for Careless Driving
near North Mist Drive and Cherry Street