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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 2018)
city news september6 2018 5 Vernonia City News... At the August 20, 2018 City Council Meeting: Council Approves Merit Increase for City Administrator – Council ap- proved a 4% merit increase for City Ad- ministrator Josette Mitchell, effective September 3, 2018. Council Discusses Water Curtailment – Council reviewed Resolution 24-02 and Ordinance 796, which outline Wa- ter Curtailment Regulations for the City. The review came at the request of City staff who were looking for guidance af- ter enacting curtailment measures earlier this summer and closing the bulk water station at Anderson Park, often used by people not on the City water system. Council approved re-opening bulk water sales until flow on Rock Creek drops be- low 10 cubic feet per second. Council agreed that a more comprehensive re- view of current rules for water curtail- ment is needed and scheduled a work- shop for October 8, 2018. Council Schedules Workshop on City Priorities – At the request of City Ad- ministrator Josette Mitchell, Council scheduled a workshop to discuss and prioritize City projects on September 10 at 6:00 pm. Mitchell told the Council she has a list of 38 projects and would like direction from the Council on their priorities for staff attention. Police Chief Report – Police Chief Mike Conner provided the Council with a written report which showed the VPD has handled 2,823 incidents/calls for ser- vice in the last 12 months. Conner’s report said there are currently 66 open Code Violations, of which 24 are Land Use and Develop- ment that include unpermitted building, derelict/vacant structures, and unpermit- ted RV occupation; and 42 Public Pro- tection Violations that include potential vermin habitat, noxious vegetation, and trash. Conner’s report noted that there are no open positions on the force, and said Officer Abbie Hanson started Ba- sic Police Academy on August 13 and is scheduled to graduate in December, and Officer Mikael Walter is scheduled to start Basic Police Academy in Septem- ber and graduate in January. City Administrator Report – City Administrator Josette Mitchell told the Vernonia SK8 Still Fundraising After raising over $20k community group is now looking for large donors The group that has organized to bring a skate park to Vernonia is still hard at work, raising funds and staying visible in the community. The Vernonia SK8 group hosted the Kid’s Zone at this year’s Vernonia Friendship Jamboree and raised over $3,000 for the project. “We’re doing this for our kids,” says group member Jeremy Simmons. “This is a big project and it will take all of us working together to make it happen. It’s hard work, but in the end this community will have a beautiful, landscaped park tailored for us. It will be something we can all be proud of, and the end result will benefit everybody for generations to come.” Overall the group has raised $23,804 towards their goal of $60,000, which includes a $5,000 in- kind donation from Spohn Ranch De- sign for a concept design for the park, and a $2,000 match grant from Auto Warehousing Company. The group is still working to- wards a $25,000 match grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. The group includes Chair Wen- dy Sears, Treasurer Simmons, and JD continued on page 7 Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, September 17, 2018 Monday, October 1, 2018 City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, November 12, 2018 Veterans Day Observed Dates and times subject to change Council she had a meeting about the Senior Center/Vernonia Cares project that included Sid Scott of Scott Edwards Architecture, Grant Administrator Mary McArthur, staff from Five Star Build- ers - the low bidder on the project, and Casey Mitchell from Community Action Team representing the Senior Center and Vernonia Cares. Mitchell said the group identified $400,000 in items that were mistakenly in the specifications for the project, were overbuilt, or where the project could be amended to lessen costs. She also said the contractors were going to look at electric and plumbing figures, as those were both about twice the original estimates. Mitchell told the Council a new staff person was starting in the Public Works Department, and comes with a lot of experience, so they will not need much training. Mitchell told Council that util- ity billing clerk Angela Alipio has given notice and is leaving to take a job with Washington County; her last day of work for the City of Vernonia was August 21. The City has posted the job opening un- til September 7. Mitchell said the Vernonia Rural Fire Department responded to a fire on August 15 at Ora Bolmeier Park. She said the fire was contained to a small area and that a cause has not been re- ported to her at the time of the meeting. Mitchell told the Council the City has received a grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for the Archie Dass Dog Park. The grant is for $27,000 for fencing at the Ivy Street site. Topics From the Floor – Mike Snow told the Council that the Car Show at Jamboree was very successful and do- nated $800 from the proceeds to the City to be used for upgrades and maintenance at Spencer Park where the show is held. Vernonia Police Blotter August 1-31, 2018 Arrests/Reports Taken • August 1, 2018 Report of Stolen Vehicle Recovery near Mississippi Avenue • August 4, 2018 Arrest on a Warrant near Jefferson Avenue • August 5, 2018 Report of Assault IV, and Harassment near Bridge Street • August 5, 2018 Report of Assault IV, and Harassment near Bridge Street • August 5, 2018 Informational report taken • August 9, 2018 Arrest on a Warrant near Noakes Road • August 10, 2018 Informational report taken • August 18, 2018 Arrest on a Warrant near Siedelman Road • August 21, 2018 Informational report taken • August 27, 2018 Report of Theft II near California Avenue • August 27, 2018 Report of Accidental Gunshot wound near North Mist Drive • August 27, 2018 Report of Traffic Accident with injury near Timber Road • August 29, 2018 Report of Traffic violation for Violation of the Urban Speed 47/35 mph near State Avenue • August 13, 2018 Cited for Violation of the Urban Speed 67/45 mph near North Mist Drive • August 19, 2018 Cited for Citation/Other Driving While Suspended • August 2, 2018 Cited for near Rose Avenue No Drivers License, and • August 21, 2018 Cited for No Insurance near Rose Driving While Suspended Avenue and Driving Uninsured • August 7, 2018 Cited for near Rose Avenue Failure to Obey a Traffic • August 22, 2018 Cited for Control Device, and a Nuisance Violation near Failure to Carry Proof of Rose Avenue Insurance near North Mist • August 29, 2018 Cited Drive for Driving Uninsured near • August 7, 2018 Cited for Bridge Street Violation of the Basic Rule • August 29, 2018 Cited 61/35 mph near Lone Pine for No Drivers License and Road Driving Uninsured near • August 10, 2018 Cited for Jefferson Avenue Driving While Suspended and Driving While Vernonia Police Uninsured near C Street Department responds to • August 10, 2018 Cited calls that do not always for Failure to Carry Proof end in Arrest, Report, of Insurance near Timber or Citation. 08/01/2018 Road through 08/31/2018 VPD • August 12, 2018 Cited had 239 calls for service. 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