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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2022)
6 City/Area News September 15 2022 Vernonia City News... At the September 6, 2022 City Council Meeting: Topics From the Floor – Dave Cook, in an obscenity-filled statement, raised concerns about the current level of police coverage in the City. Council Approves $2,100 Donation for Vernonia Cares – Susan Wagner made a formal request to the Council on behalf of Vernonia Cares Food Pantry for $2,000 to help fund a Turkeys for Thanksgiving program. Wagner told the Council several local citizens have donated to the project, and said local internet provider Gorge Net has pledged a significant donation. Council voted 5-0 to donate $2,100 from the Contingency Fund. Council Adopts Priority Projects – After previously hold- ing two work sessions to discuss the details of ongoing and future projects, Council voted 5-0 to adopt a list of 34 prior- ity projects for 2022-23. Included in the list were several sewer, water, and storm water projects, repairs of the Ver- nonia Lake restrooms, street connections, crack sealing on trails and streets across the City, Urban Growth Boundary expansion, completion of the Nehalem River Campground playground installation, Systems Development Charges in- crease study, Lake Campground development, Bear Creek culvert installation at Adams Avenue, adding camping sites at Anderson Park, and new trees planted in downtown. Council Approves Planning Contract – Council voted 5-0 to approve entering into a personal services contract with Winterbrook, a new planning firm, for a scope of work to provide the City of Vernonia with a feasibility analysis to complete the expansion of the City’s Urban Growth Bound- ary (USB), with a cost not to exceed $2,000. The Council had previously discussed that the firm currently providing planning services for the City is unable to provide avail- able staff to complete this project, which the City has been working on for several years. The City requested a bid from Winterbrook for the service. Council Discusses Park Hosts – Councilor J.R. Allen re- quested a discussion about Park Host positions across the parks system. Allen asked staff why Council or the Parks Committee are not involved in supervising those positions. City Administrator Josette Mitchell said questions or con- cerns from the Park Hosts need to go directly to the city administration. Council Hears Update on Habitat for Humanity Project Funding– Councilor J.R. Allen asked staff for an update on the status of the project and a request for funding from Habitat for Humanity for construction of a house for a local family. City Administrator Josette Mitchell told the Council American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA ) funds were not eli- gible to be used in this manner. City Administrator Report – City Administrator Josette Mitchell reported to the Council that the City of Vernonia is on the award list for a State Parks grant for planning a new campground at Vernonia Lake. The final award will be an- nounced on September 14. Mitchell reported that a water fountain has been in- stalled at the Archie Dass Dog Park. Mitchell said the project to pave Spencer, Alabama, and Weed avenues has been completed and Public Works is spreading shoulder gravel. Councilor Thanks Citizen Volunteer – Councilor Dale Webb thanked David Burns for volunteering to mow at the Archie Dass Dog Park. Informational Meetings on Proposed Changes to Forest Practices Act The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will host three in-person and one vir- tual information sessions to explain the pro- posed rule changes to Oregon Forest Prac- tices Act (FPA). The meetings will be open house style with 45 minutes of presentations followed by an hour-long question and an- swer period at various stations. The meet- 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, September 19, 2022 Monday, October 3, 2022 ings are scheduled for Roseburg, Pendleton, and Forest Grove. The virtual session will feature the same presentations followed by a group question and answer period. The FPA changes are the result of agreements reached between timber indus- try and conservation group representatives and formalized in the Private Forest Accord (PFA), and with the passage of Senate Bills 1501 and 1502. The changes to the FPA as- sure the timber industry long-term regulato- ry certainty while providing environmental protections sought by conservation groups. The Legislature directed ODF to work with the accord authors to make changes to www.vernonia-or.gov The Vernonia Transfer Station is scheduled to be open on the 2 nd and 4 th Saturday, January - October City Closures are scheduled for: Friday, November 11, 2022 Veterans Day September 24 October 8 & 22 Dates and times subject to change Dates are subject to change VOLUNTEER POSITIONS OPEN FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: Volunteers are needed to serve on various City Committees. Participating on a City Committee is a rewarding experience, providing an opportunity to learn and share your skills. It also enables volunteers to become involved in their local government. VERNONIA PLANNING COMMISSION The Planning Commission shall control the subdivision of and may make recommendations to the City Council, to the public officials, and to individuals regarding land use; location of thoroughfares, public buildings, parks and other public facilities; and, regarding any other matter relating to the planning and development of the City and the surrounding area. The commission may authorize and supervise studies, hold hearings, and prepare reports and recommendations on its own initiative or at the request of the City Council. Meeting Day and Time: 1 st and 3 rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM, as needed Location: City Hall, Council Chambers Open Positions: 2 vacant seats, of which 1 may be from out of town (Within 5 miles) AIRPORT COMMITTEE Meeting Day and Time: 4 th Tuesday of the month, As Available Location: City Hall, Council Chambers Open Positions: 3 vacant seats for in- town residents CEMETERY COMMITTEE Meeting Day and Time: 2 nd Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm Location: City Hall, Council Chambers Open Positions: 3 vacant seats for in- town residents PARKS COMMITTEE Meeting Day and Time: 4 th Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm Location: City Hall, Council Chambers Open Positions: 2 vacant seats for in- town or out of town residents PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Meeting Day and Time: 2 nd Thursday of every month at 6:00 pm Location: City Hall, Council Chambers Open Positions: 2 vacant seats for in-town or out of town residents MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS General duties and responsibilities of committees include: • Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council. • Promote the general welfare and economic benefit of the city and its citizens. • Participate in studies, and prepare reports and recommendations on their own or at the request of the City Council HOW TO APPLY Please complete an application for Appointment (www.vernonia-or.gov) and return to City Hall, 1001 Bridge Street, Vernonia OR 97064, Fax to 502-429-4232 or email to sborst@vernonia-or.gov. Any questions please call the City Recorder at 503-429-5291 ext. 105. the administrative rules that govern forest operations, known collectively as the Forest Practices Act. The information sessions are to help people understand the proposed changes so they can make formal public comments either at the virtual hearings or by written submission by the September 30 deadline. The in-person sessions will be in Rose- burg on September 15, and Pendleton on September 20. The details for the meeting in Forest Grove are: Date: September 21, Time: 5-7 pm Location: Holbrook Masonic Lodge, 2019 Main Street, Forest Grove, OR 97116 Virtual session, Zoom meeting: Date: September 22, Time: 5-7 pm Separate Formal Public Hearings infor- mation: There will be no informal portion or question and answer period at the formal public hearings. These hearings are to gath- er formal public comments on the proposed FPA rule revisions only. Verbal comments can be made at any of the virtual public meetings below: September 26, 6 pm, Zoom meeting September 27, 10 am, Zoom meeting September 28, 4 pm, Zoom meeting https://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/private- forest-accord.aspx Written comments can be sent to sb1501.rulemaking@oregon.gov until 11:55 pm on September 30. For more information and a copy of the proposed rule revisions see ODF’s Private Forest Accord website. Officer’s Use of Deadly Force Justified in Scappoose Shooting Last month, Columbia County District Attorney Jeff Auxier concluded that police officers were justified in their decision to use deadly force while respond- ing to a disturbance at Grumpy’s Towing in Scappoose, Oregon, on March 31, 2022. The District Attorney’s report re- veals that Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley encountered an armed suspect, Michael Stockton, upon arriving at the scene. Sheriff Pixley observed the suspect attempting to make his way to the rear of the building and ordered Mr. Stockton to “come back.” However, instead of comply- ing with commands, the suspect drew his weapons and fired at Sheriff Pixley before exiting the garage. After leaving the build- ing and moving to the rear of the property, the suspect again fired at the Sheriff. Sher- iff Pixley returned fire, striking Mr. Stock- ton, who continued to fire at the Sheriff. When Oregon State Police (OSP) Troop- ers arrived on the scene, the suspect was still firing his weapon. OSP Sergeant Chad Drew fired back at Mr. Stockton, hitting him several times. Troopers and Sheriff Pixley continuously administered CPR to Mr. Stockton until paramedics arrived. “Sheriff Pixley and Sergeant Drew selflessly risked their lives to protect our community. I commend them for their quick thinking and brave actions,” said Co- lumbia County Commissioner Margaret Magruder. Vernonia Police Blotter • August - September 12, 2022 Reports Taken/Arrests • August 3, 2022 Report of Felony Warrant Arrest near Vernonia Lake • August 4, 2022 Report of Theft II near North Mist Drive • August 14, 022 Report of Theft I near Bridge Street • August 16, 2022 Report of Warrant Arrest near Keasey Road • August 26, 2022 Report of Criminal Mischief near Bridge Street • September 5, 2022 Report of Felony Warrant Arrest near Rose Avenue • September 11, 2022 Report of Harassment near Alder Street • September 11, 2022 Informational Report taken near Bridge Street Citation/Other • August 24, 2022 Citations issued for Nuisance Violations Trash, Potential Vermin Habitat / Fire Hazard, and Junk Vehicles near East Avenue • August 25, 2022 Citations issued for Driving While Suspended and Driving Uninsured near Rose Avenue • August 26, 2022 Citation issued for Ordinance Violation Habitation of a Travel Trailer without a permit near North Mist Drive • August 26, 2022 Citation issued for Ordinance Violation Habitation of a Travel Trailer without a permit near Ivy Street • September 9, 2022 Citation Issued for Nuisance Violations Dangerous Structure, Potential Vermin Habitat / Fire Hazard, Attractive Nuisance, Trash, Exterior Surfaces near Rose Avenue Vernonia Police Department had 168 calls for service from 08/01/2022 to 08/31/2022. Vernonia Police Department had 43 calls for service from 09/01/2022 to 09/12/2022.
