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About Vernonia freedom. (Vernonia, Oregon) 1978-198? | View Entire Issue (March 21, 1979)
Page 8 —• Vernonia Freedom W ednesday March 21,1979 County Commissioners March 7 The Columbia County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Robert Hunt presiding, Commissioners Marion Sahagian and A. J. Ahlborn, county counsel John Hunnicutt, and board secretary Gloria Salvey present. Notice of acceptance of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee was received from Glen Higgins. The Board discussed the Subdivider Agreement presented by Norman R. Brown for “ Cedar Grove E states.” Commissioner Sahaian suggested that the proposed amount of the bond for road improvements be increased from $47,000 to $55,000 based on the fact that the streets will not be put in for two or three years, and because of the inflation factor, did not feel that $47,000 was sufficient. The Board concurred with this recommendation, and Hunt indicated he would write a letter to Mr. Brown advising of this. A news clipping from the March 2,1979. Oregon Journal, relating to designation of “lagging counties” was reviewed. The news item related specifically to the lagging areas tax credit, which gives business a 10 percent break on state corporate excise (income) taxes for those areas so designated and approved by the Economic Development Commission and the governor. The Board adopted a resolution requesting the Governor to continue Columbia County as a “lagging” area, allowing the tax break for any industry coming to the county. New offers were received from W.G. Ostrander for Lots 7-12 inclusive, Block 13, Blanchard’s Addition to Rainier, of $3,880. and for Lots 7 and 8, Block 14, Blanchard’s Addition to Rainier, of $1,1150. The Board accepted these offers, since they were amounts indicated as appraisal value by the Assessor’s office. Board approved liquor license renewal applications for Goble Tavern and for Jay Dee Tavern. Board approved an Agreement with the City of St. Helens be signed, allowing the county to utilize the city’s building inspector for “A” level inspections. Mr. Chuck Rilea, SAIF, met with the Board to discuss the Safety program inaugurated by the county several months ago. He indicated the program was working well and has accomplished quite a bit, there were still some items th at needed attention. He reported specifically one vehicle, a car, had been in for service on a steering problem, and was released. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle lost the steering gear, and fortunately, no accident resulted, but it could have been an extremely hazardous situation, both for the employee driving the vehicle, and for others who may have been on the road at the same time. He noted also that numerous complaints about the varying head conditions in the courthouse have been received. Commissioner Ahlborn stated that with regards to motor vehicle maintenance, there are forms to be subm itted requesting a vehicle be repaired, or checked, but unless the driver completes this form, no action is taken. This was to alleviate the problem of verbal complaints being made, and stated that if a problem is brought to the mechanics’ -attention, in writting, it is repaired. With regard to the Courthouse heating variations, Commissioner Hunt and Commissioner Ahlborn both indicated that the heating probleih in the jail had been corrected, but that in the past, numerous instances have been found where air and or heat vents have not been connected to anything. Hopefully, these situations have been corrected. Dan Sprague met with the Board. Prior to allowing Mr. sprague to speak, Hunt advised him that the Board was going to allow him only 15 minutes to speak, and while it regretted the necessity of doing this, it was felt by all the Board members that there was not a great deal of point in listening to Sprague’s comments as no answers were available to his questions. Sprague discussed the River Ranch Road m atter (Magruder property and subdivision). He stated that last July, the Board was going to come to some sort of a decision about what they were going to do about it. Mr. Sprague stated he wanted to know what the county’s decision was with * regard to whether or not diking district roads were public ways. Hunnicutt indicated that each of the diking roads would have to be judged On its own merit. Considerable research into each of ¿hem would have to be made to determine whether or not they had ever been closed to traffic, if they had ever officially been dedicated as public ways, or whether the diking district had ever taken any official action either way . Mr. Sprague then ^questioned both Sahagian and Ahlborn. Both suggested to Sprague that if he felt there was a problem, he should take it to the courts, and felt that he was asking questions of the wrong body, that if any action, or answers, were necessary, this should be resolved through the court’s determination of the matter, that the Board was not in a position to answer his questions. Commissioner Sahagian discussed a Personnel Action submitted by the Juvenile Department recommending the appointment of Kristie Goodman to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Alan Manring. She suggested that since Stan Mendenhall is currently funded through the Countercyclical funds, there will be a need for that position to be transferred to the budget, if possible, together with the fact that Ms. Goodman is on “temporary” status, her position supposidly to be funded through the schools, that Mr. Mendenhall be allocated the vacant position in the department. This action would leave Ms. Goodman where she is until after it has been determined whether or not sufficient get this question spelled out. He asked Mrs. Shadley if she would contact both the Housing Authority members and cast members, and set up a meeting preferably during the week of March 26 and recommended either the 26th or 27th as a possible meeting date. Mrs. Shadley said she would set up the meeting, and advise him of the date and time. Mr. Ron Rankin, Parole and Probation Officer, accompanied by Mike Dane, of the Community Corrections Service, met with the Board to discuss the Community Corrections Service, and in addition to an explanation of the program, presented options available to the county for funding of the program. After lengthy explanation by Mr. Dane, Commissioner Hunt stated that next Tuesday evening there was to be a meeting held of the local advisory group, and Mr. Dane stated he would be present to explain the matter to the advisory group. Commissioner Sahagian questioned how the original committee had been selected, and asked the Board if they had made the appointments. Mr. Dane responded by saying there were certain people who were appointed as a part of the rules, such as the circuit judge, the district attorney, etc., and there were 7 March 14 lay members. These .seven had been The Columbia County Board of selected by other members of th e ; Commissioners met in scheduled session committee, and met approval of George with Cairman Robert M. Hunt presiding, Wilson, who was the Stste Probation and Commissioners Marion Sahagian and A. J. Parole Manager for this area at the time. Ahlborn, county counsel John F. However, Chuck Choate is now acting in Hunnicutt and board. secretary Gloria this position. Mr. Dane continued by Salvey (dep. clerk) present. Also in saying that a letter of intent is needed as attendance was Ms. Julie Cole, who was soon as possible, and it would be a non present to learn the procedures used by binding commitment. He further the Board for their regular meetings. suggested that if the Board wished, it Geneva Shadley, member of the Public could contact either Yamhill or Polk Housing Authority, met with the Board County commissioners, who had regarding bills, for the Housing participated in it. Commissioner Ahlborn moved and Authority having been submitted for payment, and her being advised the Commisioner Sahagian seconded to sign' account had been overexpended and her Resolution No. 29-79, regarding Bergsoe bill was not to be paid. She asked why Metals Corporation, and requesting the certain expenditures had been allowed to govenor to continue to designate be made against that budget line, and was Columbia County as a lagging area for the advised that becaused there had been no purpose of recieving a tax break for other place to make the charges locating here. Motion carried. necessarily involved to obtain the HUD Commissioner Ahlborn discussed the Housing Rehabilitation G rant fund matter of the denial by the City of Rainier charges had been made against this to allow the hookup of Hudson Park to account, and were to be reimbursed in full the city’s sewer system, and indicated out of the $30,000 which had been set that because of this restriction, it was aside for administration of the grant. going to be necessary to curtail the use of Mrs. Shadley also questioned the Hudson Park for large groups. He stated authority of the Public Housing that at this time, Reynolds Aluminum of Authority regarding the approval of Longview, and Crown Zellerbach, had loans, and signing of checks. It was her both requested reservation dates for understanding th a t the Housing company picnics in July, but these would Authority was to have full responsibility have to be denied, because of the septic for this, but in accordance with the problems. Commissioner Hunt suggested agreement signed with Community that is might be possible to allow large Action Team, Inc., this was not what was organizations to use the facilities, if they included in the agreement. She was were to provide portable facilities to be advised that Checks could be signed by utilized in addition to the rest-room any two authorized persons, there being facilities there. It was the consensus that two from CAT, Inc., and the Housing a maximum usage would have to be Housing Authority, authorized to sign determined, and it would be necessary to the checks. After further discussion, she learn how many rented facilities would be recommended that all checks be approved needed for a given amount of park users. and issued on a monthly basis at the Notice of acceptance of appointment to regular meetings. Commissioner Hunt the Solid Waste Advisory Committee was stated he was no reason why there should recieved from Preston Thomas. ever be an emergency, resulting in Sam Hollinger met with the Board authorized signators not being available, regarding right of way acquisition of and felt this might be a good certain property a t Keasey. After recommendation. He also suggested discussion with Mr. Hunnicutt, it was members of CAT, Inc., and the Housing determined that a letter could be written Authority, get together for a meeting, to to ¿ach of three property owners involved, which they would acknowledge reading, and deeds conveying the right of way: could be prepared by the board secretary after receiving the legal descriptions from the surveyor. The deeds would require indication of am ounts paid and/or agreements made in exchange for the right of way. The letter to the property owners, acknowledging receipt, were required by the State prior to the letting of bids for the bridges involved. Commissioner Ahlborn moved and Commissioner Sahagian seconded a contract between the county and the City of Venionia be signed, providing for plumbing inspection services within the city limits. Motion carried. Mr. Hunnicutt discussed with the Board a run to be held, hopefully at the Fairgrounds, similar to that recently run in Scappoose. He indicated this would be held May 6, and Bob Weber and Tim Jones were making the necessary arrangements. The proceeds from the run would be divided between the senior Love, citizens groups and two other He added that contact will D a v e B e organizations. rg e be made with the Sheriff’s office to see if two intersections could be protected. funds would be available to. carry her either in the county budget, or appropriate school funding has been made. Hunt and Ahlborn concurred and asked Sahagian to contact both Judge Kalberer and Tewksbury to point out the possibility that both positions might not be funded next budget year and ask for their instructions as to whether they still wished Ms. Goodman appointed to this position. Commissioner Sahagian commented regarding a request received from Reta Kerry, clerk, for a motor pool vehicle to be used March 8,9,12,13, and the last week of March, for elections travel. Ahlborn made a telephone call to the road department to advise them to get a car ready for Mrs. Kerry. Larry Conrad, of the Planning Department, met with the Board to present a schedule for the cities urban growth boundaries meeting with the Planning Commission and the city planning commissions of Vernonia, Scappoose and Rainier. WELCOME HOME PEGGY E. WANNA WHOOP1E? LIFETIME GU AREMTEE Vernonia Auto Parts 292 Bridge St. 429-3211