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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 19, 2018)
city news april19 2018 5 Vernonia City News... At the April 16, 2018 City Council Meeting: Topics From the Floor – Janice McGuire updat- ed Council on the project to save the grandstands at Greenman Field. She said the group has identified a potential non-profit and is working on a business plan. She asked if the snack shack would be available for use during activities and events. John Brewer also updated the Council on the grandstand project and said he will receive a bid to re- pair the roof soon. Alex Waibel said he is a pilot and is interested in exploring the purchase of the Vernonia Municipal Airport. He said he is interested in purchasing an ad- jacent property owned by Tim Bero and extending the runway, and possibly paving it, to allow larger planes to use the airport. He would also consider develop- ing an industrial park at the site and more hangers. He is working with real estate agent Connie Knittel, who was in attendance and said she is working with another municipality on a similar project. Council Approves Ordinance for Recycling Sur- charge – Council approved the drafting of an Ordi- nance based on a request by Waste Management to adjust rates and add a small surcharge for curbside re- cycling pickup. The rate adjustment is based on a loss of markets and increased costs for handling recycled materials. (See full story on front page.) City Will Not Partition Ora Bolmeier Park – Fol- lowing a Work Session on April 9 to discuss changing the boundaries of Ora Bolmeier Park and potentially partitioning the property with the idea of selling some of the property as residential lots, Council agreed by consensus to not make any changes to park boundaries. Council instructed staff to continue with plans to log 40 trees in the park that have been identified as diseased and to replant the area with an appropriate species. City Considers School Resource Officer – Coun- cil authorized city staff, including Police Chief Mike Conner, to continue pursuing the hiring of a School Resource Officer (SRO). Conner said the cost of the position would be shared equally between the Verno- nia School District and the City of Vernonia. Council was presented with a draft Intergovernmental Agree- ment (IGA) and draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which defines the SRO position, goals of the program, and logistics for management. Council Finalizes Nebergall Water Issue – Council voted to forgive the entire amount of costs incurred for a water leak for water service belonging to Tim Ne- bergall. Mr. Nebergall came to Council in November of 2017 and explained that his water bill indicated a leak starting in October, but that the leak was not on his property on Noakes Road. The City installed the water line in the 1980s, which crosses two properties before reaching Mr. Nebergall’s property. Since being installed one property has been sold and partitioned. The City was able to access the line and make repairs in January. The accumulated consumption charges dur- ing the five months the leak occurred over the normal amount of water used totaled $1,118.40. Council Approves Change for Location of Open Air Market – Council approved a request by Bill Lang- maid, manager of the Vernonia Open Air Market, to change locations from Adams Avenue to the old health center site at the corner of Bridge Street and Grant Av- enue. The Open Air Market will operate on Saturday’s from May 19 through September 29, except Jamboree weekend. Council Approves Camping Fee Increase – Council approved a request from the Parks Committee to in- crease the Extended Stay Fee at Anderson Park during winter months to $850/month, and to increase the daily rate at Airport Park to $20/night. Council Amends Rules for Planning Commission – Council approved Ordinance 916 which amended the rules establishing the City Planning Commission. The Ordinance reduced the number of members on the Commission from seven to five, and reduced the num- ber of members who must be residents of the City of Vernonia from six to four. Mayor Appoints Normand to Budget Committee – With approval from the rest of Council, Mayor Mario Leonetti appointed Donald Normand to the Budget Committee. Beaver Creek Bridge to be Replaced on Highway 47 Full road closure planned for two months A contractor working for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will be replacing the Beaver Creek Bridge, located between Vernonia and Staley’s Junction (U.S. 26 and OR 47). To accomplish the work, a full 24-7 closure of OR 47 is planned from July 9 to September 6 with local access main- tained and a detour using Timber Road. Officials from the City of Verno- nia are continuing to meet with ODOT representatives in an attempt to adjust the dates of the closure so that it won’t have such a negative impact on summer business in the community. The Beaver Creek Bridge, at milepost 70, is an old, narrow bridge that is in poor condition and in need of frequent repairs. The plan is to remove the old bridge starting on July 9 and re- construct a new one it its place. The newly constructed bridge is expected to be ready for traffic on September 7. The work includes: • Constructing a work isolation area and removing the existing bridge; • Constructing pile foundations, abut- ments and bridge super structure; • Installing drainage and storm water fa- cilities, and paving; and • Installing a retaining wall. Local access will be maintained from McDonald Road south to the bridge site and from Johnson Road north to the site. A detour for thru traffic is Colum- bia County’s Timber Road that connects OR 47 (at milepost 64.5) with U.S. 26 (at milepost 38). Some work on the project has already been completed including clear- ing and tree removal from around the bridge and work site. There may be additional work required prior to the full closure which may include lane closures, flagging of traffic and some minor delays. Variable message signs Where do you read the Voice? Show us where you have traveled. Submit your photo and details by email to: scott@vernoniasvoice.com Here’s to Health placed along OR 47 and U.S. 26 will be used to warn travelers of any traffic con- trol changes and delays caused by con- struction. ODOT will be hosting a public meeting before the start of construction to review the project details, detour, and answer questions. The public will be notified when the meeting is sched- uled. For the latest information on the project, please visit http://www.oregon. gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details. aspx?project=17522. The Vernonia Transfer Station is scheduled to be open on the 2nd and 4th Saturday January - October 8:00 am - 2:00 pm Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, May 7, 2018 Monday, May 21, 2018 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, May 28, 2018 Memorial Day Holiday April 28 May 12 & 26 Dates and times are subject to change due to weather Dates and times subject to change Need more room? See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 We support providers in delivering great care to your community. 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks available Creating health together. colpachealth.org M @columbiapacificcco 10x10 $69 A CareOregon Company 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. 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