Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2021)
City News April 15 2021 5 Vernonia City News... At the April 5, 2021 City Council meeting: Topics From the Floor – City Recorder Stephanie Borst read a letter into the record from Steven Assad. Mr. Assad is the owner of the Riverside Meadows Mobile Home Park where he provides low income housing opportunities with- in the community. He expressed con- cern about comments by City Council- ors at their March 1 and March 15 meet- ings that he characterized as an “attack on my tenants, the property, and me,” and said he was surprised by negative concerns. He explained he purchased the property in 2015 and described im- provements he has put in place, includ- ing upgrades to streets, hook ups, and fencing infrastructure; proactive on-site management; background checks and enforcement of rules for tenants to im- prove safety and security; and removal of rubbish. He said he has worked with the Vernonia Police Department to meet Code Enforcement ordinance concerns. Mr. Assad also spoke to the Council fol- lowing the reading of his letter. Gloria Lillethun told the Coun- cil she has had problems with people parking in front of her driveway in downtown, which is used by three fami- lies. Michael Calhoun asked the Council to reconsider their decision against participating in the Hiroshima Peace Tree Program he previously pro- posed which the Council rejected. the Downtown Zone; hillside standards for development; residential uses in a General Commercial Zone; application requirements for street and alley vaca- tions; partition/subdivision process and final plat revision; homeowner sidewalk maintenance; waiver of remonstrance update; flood code update; wetland stan- dards; hanging, alternative, and lottery sign codes; mural requirements; vehicle dispatch from a home based business; and modification to Accessory Dwelling Unit Standards. Council Tables Code Updates – Fol- lowing a Public Hearing and a long discussion about the details included, Council voted to continue the discussion of Ordinance 932 at the April 19 meet- ing, allowing staff to make revisions. The ordinance updates, revises, and changes twenty items in the current Title 9 code, which regulates development in the City. Among the development items addressed were: single family homes in Council Approves Waiver of Remon- strance – Council approved a request from John Cieply for a Waiver of Re- monstrance at 950 6 th Avenue, allowing him to delay installation of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. Vernonia Police Blotter April 1-12, 2021 Reports Taken/Arrests • April 1, 2021 Informational Report taken • April 2, 2021 Report of Disorderly Conduct and Menacing near Bridge Street • April 6, 2021 Report of Release Agreement violation near A Street • April 7, 2021 Report of an Abandoned Vehicle near Adams Avenue • April 7, 2021 Report of an Abandoned Vehicle near Maple Street Citations/Other • April 2, 2021 Cited for Driving While The City of Vernonia is currently looking for qualified individuals to fill a Facilities Maintenance/ Cemetery Caretaker position in Vernonia, Oregon. This full-time position will work independently, while coordinating with City Staff, to maintain City facilities and Vernonia Memorial Cemetery. Go the www.vernonia-or.gov for full job posting. Suspended, Careless Driving and Driving Uninsured near N. Mist Drive • April 5, 2021 Cited for Careless Driving near Wilson Cutoff Rd. • April 9, 2021 Cited for Driving While Suspended, Driving Uninsured, and Failure to Register Vehicle near Jefferson Avenue Vernonia Police Department responds to calls that do not always end in Arrest, Report, or Citation. 04/01/2021 through 04/12/2021 VPD had 63 calls for service. Vernonia City Council Meetings and Closures Please check the City’s website for details on upcoming City Council Meetings scheduled for 7:00 pm: Monday, April 19, 2021 Monday, May 3, 2021 Mayor Appoints Two to Library Board – With approval from the Li- brary Board and the rest of the City Council, Mayor Rick Hobart appointed Karin Lehman and Bill Holloway to the Library Board. Council Approves Open Air Market – Council approved a request for the Open Air Market to be held on City property at the corner of Bridge Street and Grant Avenue on Saturdays, begin- ning May 15 and ending September 25. Council Approves City Properties for Jamboree Use – Council approved the application from the Jamboree Com- mittee for use of properties on August 6-8. The request includes Shay Park, Anderson Park, Hawkins Park, Spencer Park, parking areas at Maple Street and Adams Avenue, and at Bridge Street and Washington Avenue, and the corner lot at Bridge Street and Grant Avenue. Council Approves Policy for Opioid Overdose Medication – Council ad- opted Resolution 2021-06 establishing a policy for the Vernonia Police De- partment to administer opioid overdose medications to treat and reduce fatali- ties. Council Approves Supplemental Budget – Council adopted Resolution 2021-07, adopting a supplemental bud- get, which moves funds from specific line items to adjust for unanticipated revenue and expenses. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to add an additional patio cover structure over some historical items for weather protection. File No. CUP 21-01 When: April 29, 2021 at 7:00 pm Where: See agenda for the hearing. This may be on-line only, it may be person, de- pending on the COVID restrictions in place at the time. The agenda will clarify. Why: To consider an additional patio cover structure over some historical items for weather protection. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Vernonia Planning Commission, will conduct a public hearing regarding File No. CUP 21-01. SAID PUBLIC HEARING will be held before the Vernonia Planning Commission on Thursday, April 29, 2021, see agenda for details of how to attend. The hearing will be at or after 7:00pm, at which time proponents and opponents of the proposed Condi- tional Use Permit will be heard. A staff report will be available to the public at City Hall one week before the hearing and may be copied for a nominal fee. Failure to raise an issue in a hearing, in person or by letter or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision- maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the State Land Use Board of Appeals based on that issue. Public testimony is welcome, and written state- ments will also be received before the hearing. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an inter- preter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with dis- abilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing to Stephanie Borst at 503-429-5291 ext. 105, TTY 1- 800-735-2900 or at City Hall, 1001 Bride Street, Vernonia, OR 97064. The City of Vernonia is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. www.vernonia-or.gov City Closures are scheduled for: Monday, May 31, 2021 Memorial Day Dates and times subject to change NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Vernonia, Columbia County, State of Oregon, to present the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, will be held on April 27, 2021 at 6:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message, the budget document and to establish the agenda for future meetings. No deliberation will take place at this meeting and no public comment will be heard. An additional separate meeting of the Budget Committee will be held to take public comment. Any person may appear to discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. This meeting will be held on May 4, 2021 at 6:30 pm. Due to ever changing Governor mandated restrictions related to COVID-19 all Budget Committee meetings will be held either online or in person. For attendance instructions, see the meeting agenda for details. A copy of the budget document will be available after April 26, 2021 at City Hall located at 1001 Bridge St. between the hours of 8 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday. This notice is also posted on the City’s website: vernonia-or.gov