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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2018)
city news march1 2018 5 Vernonia City News... At the February 20, 2018 City Council Meeting: Council Approves Demolition of Greenman Field Bleachers – Council voted 5-0 to approve the demolition of the bleachers at Greenman Field. The stadium and football field are owned by the City but are currently being leased by the School District; according to the lease agreement the School District is re- sponsible for maintenance of the struc- ture. The School District only intends to use the football field for one or two more seasons until a new field is con- structed at the new campus using bond funds approved by the community in March 2016. The roof was identified as failing by a structural engineer this past summer, and was not used by the School District during the fall football season; the bleachers have been secured with fencing to prevent access and protect against liability. The City has been un- able to identify a profitable future use for the bleachers that would warrant the ex- pense to fix them, estimated at $150,000. City Administrator Josette Mitchell said she intends to discuss sharing the cost of demolition with the School District. Cost for demolition has not been esti- mated at this time. Council Agrees to Remove Dangerous Trees in Ora Bolmeier Park – Coun- cil voted 4-0 to remove all 40 trees in Ora Bolmeier Park that have been iden- tified as diseased and pose a danger to surrounding homes. The trees are locat- ed in the lower portion of the park and were examined by a certified arborist in December. Councilor Jill Hult stated a potential conflict of interest, as she has family that live in the neighborhood, and abstained from the discussion and vote. Council Approves New Booster Ball Field – Based on a recommendation from the Parks Committee, Council ap- proved a proposal by Vernonia Boosters Club to construct a new baseball/soft- ball field at Spencer Park. The Boosters will pay for the installation. Cost of the project is estimated by the Boosters to be about $6,260. Council Approves Work at Airport – Based on two recommendations from the Airport Committee, Council ap- proved $2,000 from the Airport Opera- tional Fund to build doors for a hanger owned by the City that would make the hanger available for rent, and for build- ing materials to construct a lean-to for tractor storage. Council Approves Extension of Enter- prise Zone in Scappoose – As a mem- ber of the Columbia County Enterprise Zone, the Vernonia City Council was Vernonia Police Blotter February 13-26, 2018 Reports Taken/Arrests • February 13, 2018 Arrest for Theft III near Jefferson Avenue • February 14, 2018 Report of Outside Agency Assist DUII • February 24, 2018 Report of Negotiating Bad Checks near Jefferson Avenue • February 25, 2018 Cited and released on a Warrant near Rose Avenue Citations/Other • February 19, 2018 Cited for Careless Driving and Violation of the Basic Rule 76/55 mph on Nehalem HWY South The Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 02/01/2018 through 02/26/2018 VPD had 157 calls for service. Barbee Family Benefit and Fundraiser Matthew Barbee, an 11-year veteran with the Tigard Police Depart- ment, was critically injured mid-Decem- ber in a motor vehicle accident. Matt, his wife Sherrie, and their three school age children are members of the Mist/ Vernonia community. Saturday, March 3 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the Vernonia Schools there will be a benefit for the Barbee Fam- ily including a Silent Auction, Spaghetti Dinner (including gluten free and veg- etarian options, salad, bread, and drink), Live Music, Bingo, and a Dessert Shop. Donations are coming in and there will be prizes/auction items for all ages. If you are interested in help- ing with the Spaghetti Fundraiser in any capacity, please contact Barb Carr at bcarr@vernonia.k12.or.us. asked to approve an extension of eco- nomic benefits and incentives for Pre- mier Jets, operating at the Scappoose Airport. Premier Jets applied to extend a three year property tax abatement for two additional years and proposes to invest $4.6 million in their new facility resulting in the creation of 17 new jobs. Council approved the request 5-0. place it. Council Approves Use of Office Space – Council approved a request from the Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce to allow the use of office space they uti- lize in the lobby of the City Hall build- ing to be used by a new organization, The Intercultural Society of Vernonia. Nicole Larke, speaking on behalf of the Chamber, told the Council the Cham- ber of Commerce is disbanding due to lack of interest, and is re-branding them- selves as the Intercultural Society. Larke said they are seeking 501(c)(3) status so they can access grants and will continue to help organize community events like the Halloween Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, July 4 th Celebration, and The Spirit of Christmas in Vernonia. Police Department Report – Police Chief Mike Conner told the Council that all Department policies have been updated. He told the Council that his Department will join other communities in Columbia County, along with several other regional agencies, on March 6 as the new Columbia 9-1-1 CAD system goes online. The new system will make it easier for different agencies to com- municate with each other. Mayor Appoints Davenport to Air- port Committee – With approval from the rest of the Council, Mayor Mario Leonetti re-appointed Doug Davenport to the Airport Committee. Davenport has currently been serving as the Airport Committee Chair, but his term had ex- pired. City Administrator Report – City Administrator Josette Mitchell told the Council that the City has received bids to repair the Library roof rather than re- Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, March 5, 2018 Monday, March 19, 2018 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, May 28, 2018 Memorial Day Holiday Dates and times subject to change Mitchell told the Council that the City is awaiting final approval from CDBG of the construction contract and RFP documents for the Senior Center/ Vernonia Cares project. Once all ap- provals have been received the City can go out for bid for a construction contrac- tor. Council to Discuss Senior Meals Sup- port During Budget Process – Council received a request from Senior Center Secretary Sandy Welch for continued support by the City for the Senior Citi- zen Meal Program. The City of Verno- nia supported the program with $10,000 in funding last fiscal year. Council said they would consider continuing to sup- port the program during their 2018-19 budget process this spring. Topics from the Floor – Steve Calhoun told the Council he thinks the trees at Ora Bolmeier Park are an asset to the community that add to the livability of the City. He encouraged the Council to consider keeping public spaces available for public use and to not cut down trees in the park. 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