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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 2017)
city news october5 2017 5 Vernonia City News... At the October 2, 2017 City Council Meeting: Council Approves Water Leak Policy – Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 915, which amends Ordi- nance 895, and establishes rules and regulations pertaining to requests from customers to adjust water use billing following the discovery and repair of a water leak that is the customer’s respon- sibility. The new ordinance allows city staff to adjust a customer’s bill based on the following criteria: if the repair is made within one to ten days customer is eligible for 50% credit for excess use; if the repair is made within 11 to 20 days customer is eligible for 35% credit for excess use; if the repair is made within 21 to 31 days customer is eligible for 25% credit for excess use. Topics From the Floor – Sharon Ber- nal provided an in depth history of the dispute between the City and the devel- opers at the Nickerson Ridge Estates subdivision and suggested that the City needs to take care of the issues, especial- ly the drainage problems, on behalf of the current homeowners. She asked the Council to address the discrepancy in information concerning the current law- suit filed against the City that is asking for building permits to be granted – Ber- nal said the Council returned from Ex- ecutive Session at one meeting and said they were not disputing the lawsuit and would comply with the court order to is- sue building permits but under protest, and then two weeks later said they were Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures going to contest the lawsuit. Michelle Moline updated the Council on her business and property at the Lincoln School and the progress she is making to survey the lot lines, install good neighbor fencing, and deal with drainage issues on the property that impact neighbors. She thanked the City for their cooperation in trying to help her deal with the issues. Scott Laird told the Council he was unhappy with their decision to table the vote on the ordinance regard- ing smoking in parks and to send out a community survey on the issue, because they did not make clear how the results of the survey will be used as part of their decision, and because a lot of time and effort had been spent by the Parks Com- mittee, city staff and the Council them- selves to draft an informed compromise ordinance. Terry Lindauer told Council they need to find a way to fix the drain- age issues at Nickerson Ridge Estates and make it a priority for the homeown- ers in the subdivision. He suggested the Council re-appropriate funding already approved for other street and drainage projects in the City. Randal Harvey told the Council she is unhappy with the business at Lin- coln School and suggested the Council reconsider the commercial zoning desig- nation for the property. City Administrator Report – City Ad- ministrator Josette Mitchell updated the Council on the Wastewater Treatment Plant and said the last of the bio domes City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: The Vernonia Transfer Station is open on the 2nd and 4th Saturday from 8am-2pm City Closures are scheduled for: October 14 & 28 Monday, October 16, 2017 Monday, November 6, 2017 Friday, November 10, 2017 Veterans Day Observed Dates and times are subject to change due to weather Dates and times subject to change have been delivered. Mitchell told the Council that progress is being made on the Spencer Park Picnic Shelter thanks to many com- munity volunteers. The next work party is scheduled for October 14 when deck- ing material, plywood, and metal roof- ing, along with a rooster weather vane, will be installed. Mitchell said the Council will discuss the future of the Greenman Field Grandstands at a workshop on October 16. Mitchell said streets paving work is now scheduled for October 9-13 and that neighbors have been notified. Mitchell told the Council that ODOT has scheduled engineering and inspection work on the Mile Bridge (the Green Bridge over the Nehalem River on Hwy 47 on the north end of Verno- nia) for 2018 and that repair and con- struction is scheduled for 2021. Mitchell said Columbia County officials are in- volved in the discussion as they might consider adding the CZ Trail Nehalem River crossing to the project. Council instructed Mitchell to ask ODOT if they can make the bridge repair a higher pri- ority and schedule it sooner. Mayor Appoints Williams to Library Board – Based on a recommendation from the Library Board, and with ap- proval from the rest of the Council, Mayor Mario Leonetti appointed Grant Williams to the Library Board. Mayor Asks for Moment of Silence for Victims of Las Vegas Shooting – On the day following the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Mayor Mario Leonetti asked for the Council and audience to take a moment of silence in honor of the vic- tims and their families. Vernonia Police Blotter • September 18-30, 2017 Reports Taken/Arrests • September 26, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Bridge Street • September 27, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Bridge Street • September 30, 2017 Arrest on a Warrant near Vernonia Lake Citations/Other • September 18, 2017 Cited for Expired Registration and Violation of the Posted Speed 54/35 mph near North Mist Drive • September 20, 2017 Cited for Violation of the Basic Rule 75/55 mph near Nehalem HWY South • September 25, 2017 Cited for Driving While Suspended, Driving Uninsured, and Violation of the Posted Speed 52/35 mph near North Mist Drive Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 09/01/2017 through 09/30/2017 VPD had 264 calls for service. Hunting Season is here! Archery Equipment - Sporting Goods Calls - Cammo - Boots - Accessories Binoculars - Scent Killers - Targets Family owned & operated for over 45 years 834 Bridge St, Vernonia 503-429-6364 TOO BUSY? 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