Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2017)
city news september21 2017 5 Vernonia City News... At the September 18, 2016 City Council Meeting: Council Tables Smoking Restrictions Ordinance – Council tabled a vote on Ordinance 914, which would regulate smoking and use of inhalant delivery devices in City of Vernonia Parks, until their November 6 meeting. Council instructed staff to distribute a survey to utility customers and receive more public input. The results of the survey will be discussed at a future City Council meeting. (See full story on front page.) Council Reviews Leak Forgiveness Ordinance – Council reviewed a draft of an Ordinance that would detail how water leaks and associated charges are handled by the City. Council has heard numerous requests during the last year for forgiveness for charges after leaks were found on the customers’ property. According to current City policy, if a leak is found on the street side of the meter, the City is responsible for the repair and use. If the leak is found on the property side of the meter, the prop- erty owner is responsible for the repair and any usage that occurred during the time of the leak, and any request for for- giveness had to be approved by Coun- cil. Council has been agreeing to split the difference for the cost of the water used during a leak with the property owner, based on the average usage dur- ing the previous four months. The new Ordinance would establish guidelines for staff to adjust a customer’s billing based on the amount of time between the discovery of the leak and the repair and creates a form for customers to fill out to request forgiveness. Staff will bring the Ordinance back to Council for approval at their next meeting. Council Approves Street Closure Request – Council approved a temporary street closure request submitted by Holly Vaughn. The request is for October 7 from 12 - 9:00 pm on Madison Avenue at Cougar Street for a neighborhood block party. Topics From the Floor – Gretchen Lindauer and Terry Lindauer both ad- dressed Council and expressed disap- pointment in the City’s handling of de- velopment issues at Nickerson Ridge Es- tates. The Lindauers own a home in the subdivision and have been waiting two years for approval of a building permit to build a shop, while a conflict between the City and the original developer has not been resolved. Gretchen Lindauer said she feels “betrayed” by the City, and COMBINED NOTICE Finding of No Significant Impact Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds September 18, 2018 City of Vernonia, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064 503-429-5291 This Combined Notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural require- ments for activities to be undertaken by the City of Vernonia. Request for Release of Funds: On or about October 9, 2017 the above- named entity will submit a request to the Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD) for the release of federal Com- munity Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL93-383), as amended, to undertake a project known as: ROSE AVENUE SENIOR CENTER & FOOD BANK The building will house senior citizen programming and services and emergency food service for low to moderate income individuals needing food assistance. Estimated Funding: $2,000,000 (2 million dollars) The project will be located at 547 Weed Avenue, Vernonia, OR 97064 Finding of No Significant Impact The City of Vernonia has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environ- mental Review Record (ERR) on file at the above address and is available for public review/examination or can be copied weekdays 8:00a.m.-12:30p.m. / 1:30p.m.- 5:00p.m. upon request. Public Comments Any individual, group or agency disagree- ing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the City of Vernonia, Office of the City Administrator, whom is responsible for receiving and responding to comments. Such written comments should be received at the above address on or before Friday, October 6, 2017. All such comments so received will be considered by the City of Vernonia prior to authorizing submission of a request of release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are ad- dressing. Release of Funds The City of Vernonia certifies to OBDD that Mario Leonetti in his official capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to en- vironmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is, upon its approval, the City of Vernonia may use the Grant funds, and OBDD will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National En- vironmental Policy Act of 1969 and related laws and authorities. Objection to Release of Funds OBDD will accept objections to its Release of Funds and the City of Vernonia certifica- tion for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or actual receipt of the request for release of funds (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: A. The certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer, Mario Leonetti B. City of Vernonia has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 C. City of Vernonia has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by OBDD D. Another federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and sub- mitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58), and shall be addressed to OBDD at 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97301-1280. Objections to the release of funds on bases other than those stated above will not be considered by OBDD. Potential objectors should contact OBDD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. It is estimated that any objection received after Thursday, October 26, 2017 will not be considered by OBDD. Certifying Officer: Mario Leonetti Mayor of Vernonia 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia, OR 97064 Terry Lindauer told the Council fixing the issues in the development needs to be a priority, and the City and Council, “need to do the right thing.” Sam Poetter told the Council he is a neighbor of the old Lincoln School property and is unhappy with the travel trailer restoration business on the prop- erty. He said the City has done noth- ing about a trailer that has been sitting in front of the property for four months, which the owners were told needed to be moved. Poetter also said the City needs to do something about the covered play area at Spencer Park, and clear it out for use by youth. Michelle Moline, who owns the travel trailer restoration business with her husband at Lincoln School, told the Council their business plan is within City guidelines and the property is zoned commercial. She said water run off from properties above the school on 4 th Street have been an issue and kept them from moving trailers or installing a fence. Casey Mitchell told the Council he would like them to approve the smok- ing restriction ordinance, which he be- lieves is a good compromise between an outright ban and no rules. Susan Armstrong appealed the $100 fee she had to pay for a Travel Trailer Habitation Permit and said she should not have to pay to live on her own property. Armstrong also read a letter on behalf of Del Allen asking Council to vote against the smoking restriction ordinance, and said she was also against the ordinance. Tom Miller asked Council to vote against the smoking restriction ordinance, calling it controversial, and suggested the City put it to a vote of the citizens. City Recorder Stephanie Borst read four letters into the record concern- ing the smoking restriction ordinance, with letters from Natalie Williams, Terry Whittlier, and Richard Carver all saying they were against the restrictions, and Tim Daugherty saying he was for the restrictions. Councilor Susan Wagner, who was unable to attend the meeting, sent a letter suggesting the City send out a ballot to receive more input from the community. City Administrator Report – City Administrator Josette Mitchell told the Council the City is waiting for delivery of the final bio-domes for the wastewater treatment plant, which will be installed and tested as part of the sewer lagoon system by November 8. Mitchell told the Council the Environmental Review for the Senior Center/Vernonia Cares project has been approved. The City must now notify the public they intend to request a release of funds from CDBG and take public comment; that process will end on October 24 and the City can then open an RFP (Request for Proposal) process for contractor services. Mitchell told the Council the main timber beam construction for the picnic shelter at Spencer Park is scheduled for September 23, which will be followed by separate work to install the trusses and roof. Mitchell told the Council she will be meeting with Vernonia School District Superintendent Aaron Miller to discuss the grandstands at Greenman Filed. (See full story on front page.) Mitchell said work on paving projects identified as priorities by the City is scheduled to start on October 2. Police Blotter • September 1-17, 2017 Reports Taken/Arrests • September 1, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Rose Avenue • September 7, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Bridge Street • September 9, 2017 Arrest for Driving Under the Influence,and Reckless Driving near Rose Avenue • September 14, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Nehalem HWY South • September 16, 2017 Informational Report Taken • September 16, 2017 Report of Criminal Mischief II near Alabama Avenue • September 17, 2017 Report of Non The Vernonia Transfer Station is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturday from 8am-2pm September 23 October 14 & 28 Dates and times are subject to change due to weather Injury Motor Vehicle Accident near North Mist Drive Citations/Other • September 9, 2017 Cited for Driving Under the Influence,and Reckless Driving near Rose Avenue • September 12, 2017 Cited for Driving Uninsured near Nehalem HWY South Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 09/01/2017 through 09/17/2017 VPD had 154 calls for service. Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, October 2, 2017 Monday, October 16, 2017 City Closures are scheduled for: Friday, November 10, 2017 Veterans Day Observed Dates and times subject to change
