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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 2019)
city news march7 2019 5 Vernonia City News... At the March 4, 2019 City Council Meeting: Council Approves Annexation of Property into Spencer Park – Follow- ing a Public Hearing, Council approved Ordinance 920, approving the annexa- tion of two vacant tax lots adjacent to Spencer Park and California Avenue, to- taling .47 acre and a .3 acre right-of-way between the two lots. The annexation re- duces jurisdictional confusion and adds the lots, which were already being used as park property, to Spencer Park. At the hearing there was no public testimony. The lots were not included in the School District’s property, the originally owner, when plotted due to an administrative er- ror, discovered this year. Council Authorizes Sale of Cemetery House – Following a meeting in Execu- tive Session under ORS 192.660 (2) (e) “To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions,” Council voted to adopt Resolution 02- 19, declaring the house and property owned by the City adjacent to the Verno- nia Memorial Cemetery as “No Longer needed for public use,” and authorized the property to be placed for sale with a minimum bid of $95,000. Council Approves Bike Hub at Ander- son Park – Council approved a partner- ship with the Washington County Visi- tors Association (WCVA) to develop a bike hub in Vernonia at Anderson Park adjacent to the previously installed bike fix-it station along the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. WCVA will pay for the ma- terials and installation of a kiosk with Bike Hub identifying sign, a wayfind- ing map of Vernonia, and panel signs. The City will maintain the kiosk. City Administrator Josette Mitchell told the Council the kiosk addresses a long term goal of the City and the Parks Committee to place directional signage on the bike trail to help direct visitors to downtown businesses and other community amenities. Council Reschedules Ethics Train- ing – Council was told that voluntary Ethics Training provided through the Oregon Government Ethics Commis- sion has been rescheduled for March 18 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, prior to the regular City Council meeting. A pre- vious training was canceled due to in- clement weather. Council Schedules Rate Review – The Annual Rate Review Committee has scheduled to meet on March 12 and March 14 at 4:00 pm to discuss adjust- ments to the City Utility Rates. The Committee will include City Councilors Dale Webb and J.R. Allen, Public Works Committee members Sam Poetter and Don Normand, and city staff. Because the City has paid off another sewer loan, it is expected that the Rate Review Com- mittee will be recommending a reduc- tion in rates. Council Discusses Changes to Airplane Hanger Lease – Council discussed pro- posed changes to the hanger lease at the Vernonia Airport, recommended by the Airport Committee. The Commit- tee suggested changing the language of the lease which states that hangers can only be used to store airplanes and “re- lated purposes.” The Airport Commit- tee said member Gary Meyer would like to rent a currently unoccupied hanger to store motor vehicles. Council members questioned other wording in the lease concerning the City’s responsibility for insurance indemnity and asked staff to investigate. Council voted to table any decision on changing the lease. City Administrator Report – City Ad- ministrator Josette Mitchell said revised building plans for the Senior Center/ Food Bank building were being com- pleted and sent for review. Once re- viewed a construction bid process will be announced. Mitchell told Council she is waiting for a final bid on fencing for Don’t Sell it! Pawn it! 2245 Baseline St., Cornelius State Licensed PB-0388 Topics From the Floor – Janice Mc- Guire updated the Council on the Save the Greenman Field Grandstands proj- ect. She said the group is still working to secure adequate insurance coverage, and they are being required to hold a Builders Risk Policy, which has in- creased costs. She asked for an exten- sion of a March 24 deadline Council had set to have insurance in place, requesting 60 more days. Council gave consensus for the extension and asked staff to bring a formal agreement back to their next meeting for approval. The Vernonia Transfer Station is scheduled to be open on the nd 2 and 4 th Saturday January - October Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures March 9 & 23 April 13 & 27 City Council Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, March 18, 2019 Monday, April 1, 2019 Dates and times are subject to change due to weather Dates and times subject to change February 19 – March 3, 2019 Baseline Pawn, Inc. 503-530-8119 Mayor’s Report – Mayor Rick Hobart said he attended the Mardi Gras Mas- querade Ball held at Cedar Ridge and said he was really impressed with the event. He acknowledged the Intercultur- al Society of Vernonia for doing a great job hosting the event. Mayor Hobart said he appreci- ated the work City employees did trim- ming trees and brush at the site of the Ar- chie Dass Dog Park in preparation of the upcoming fence installation, tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of March. Vernonia Police Blotter For fast cash! (Across from Fred Meyer) the Archie Dass Dog Park and hopes to choose a contractor and begin installa- tion by the end of the month. The fenc- ing is being paid for with a grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation. Mitchell told the Council she is also continuing to work on a State Park grant application for a skate park at Spencer Park in con- junction with the Vernonia SK8 group which has been fundraising for the proj- ect. The grant application is due April 1 with a presentation to the selection com- mittee in June. Mitchell said she is finalizing bids for the purchase of trees for Spen- cer Park, which will be sold to citizens as memorials. Once a vendor is selected a packet will be available for prospective buyers identifying the species of trees for selection, the placement locations available, and the cost. Open everyday at 10 a.m. Reports Taken/Arrests • February 19, 2019 arrest on a Warrant near McDonald Road • February 20, 2019 arrest on a Warrant near Rose Avenue • February 24, 2019 Report of a Non Injury Vehicle Crash near North Mist Drive the Urban Speed Limit 57/35 mph near Rose Avenue • February 26, 2019 citation for Violation of the Basic Rule 52/35 mph near Rose Avenue • February 28, 2019 citation for Driving Uninsured near Bridge Street Citations/Other • February 25, 2019 citation for Driving While Suspended and Failure to Display Plates near Rose Avenue • February 25, 2019 citation for No Oregon Drivers License and Violation of Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 2/19/2019 through 2/28/2019 VPD had 146 calls for service. Need more room? See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! 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