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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2016)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016 City Council approves budget Water, sewer rates going up By DERRICK DePLEDGE The Daily Astorian The Astoria City Council on Monday night approved a budget for the next fi scal year that contains water and sewer rate increases and leverages tourism money to help main- tain city parks and attractions. The $37.7 million spend- ing plan for the fi scal year that begins in July is down from $41.3 million this fi scal year. Water and sewer rates will increase 6 percent. The city has estimated that the rate increases will raise the aver- age monthly residential bill for customers who use 7,500 gallons of water by about $6.76. The city has said the rate hikes are necessary to help cover cost-of-living raises for public workers and higher costs for materials. This year, water and sewer rates increased 2 percent and a surcharge used to help fi nance a sewer improvement project climbed 5 percent. The budget also devotes $98,000 from the Promote Astoria fund for private con- tractors to mow and main- tain the Astoria Riverwalk, the Smith Point roundabout and other small downtown parks and triangles. The shift to private con- tractors is meant to help the city build capacity and allow city staff to concentrate on more traditional parks. City Councilor Drew Her- zig wanted to move $50,000 in tourism money from the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce to the Promote Astoria contingency fund to help maintain the Astoria Riv- erwalk during the busy sum- mer months. But Herzig’s motion failed when no other councilor agreed to second the idea. The City Council voted 3-1 to approve the budget, with Herzig voting “no.” Councilor Zetty Nemlowill was excused. In other business Monday night, the City Council: Danny Miller/The Daily Astorian The Astoria City Council recognized Laura A. Rog- ers with a historic preser- vation award for her work at 3720 Duane St . • Recognized Laura A. Rogers with a Dr. Edward Harvey Historic Preservation Award for her work at 3720 Duane St . in Uppertown. The house is known as the Andrew Young House. The awards are presented annually to encourage the preservation of the city’s architectural history. • Took no action on a liquor license for a new Irish pub in Uniontown. Erica Miltenberger plans a Workmans Irish Pub at the site of the former Cafe Uniontown. Astoria Police recom- mended that the council vote against the license because of a history of fi ghting, drunk- enness and other problems at Miltenberger’s Workmans Irish Pub in Tillamook. An emotional Milten- berger told councilors that the new pub will have more of a family-friendly atmosphere with food and music. City Councilor Cindy Price recommended the coun- cil vote against the license, but her motion died for a lack of a second. City Coun- cilor Herzig recommended approval of the license, but his motion also failed to receive a second. The City Council then voted 3-1 to take no action on the license, with Price voting “no.” The Oregon Liquor Con- trol Commission, which has fi nal regulatory approval over liquor licenses, considers a “no action” vote the same as an approval. The City Council took a similar vote in May on an expanded liquor license for Annie’s Saloon strip club, with Price voting in opposition. Idaho man arrested for attempting to abduct young girl in Astoria Girl was with family watching sea lions at mooring basin By KYLE SPURR The Daily Astorian An Idaho man was arrested Monday afternoon for attempt- ing to kidnap a 5-year-old girl while she was watching the sea lions with her f a m - ily at the East End Mooring Basin in Robert John Astoria. Miller Rob- ert John Miller, 29, of Rupert, Idaho, reportedly approached the girl and directed her to leave with him. The girl’s father, who was visiting from Portland with his children, was able to intervene . Astoria Police responded at about 10:54 a.m. and found Miller on the dock. He was arrested without incident and booked into jail for a charge of fi rst-degree attempted kidnapping. Police encourage par- ents to talk to their children about safety issues involving strangers. “The parent in this situation immediately recognized the problem, engaged others in the area to help him and kept an eye on where the man went,” Astoria Deputy Chief Eric Halverson said. “A witness snapped a photo of the suspect while another called for help. That was a great help to our offi cers in locating Mr. Miller.” Parents looking for infor- mation about child safety are encouraged to visit the web- site for the National Cen- ter for Missing and Exploited Children. Astoria man arrested for arson Johnston, who became police chief in November 2014, offered to reimburse the city for any tax consequences. But the City Council agreed Monday night that the police chief should not By DERRICK DePLEDGE have to pay because his employ- The Daily Astorian ment contract specifi cally allows him to use the Charger for per- Astoria Police Chief Brad sonal and family reasons . Previous city employment Johnston’s use of his police vehi- cle for personal reasons and fam- agreements with police chiefs ily travel in central Oregon and were even more expansive, Washington state did not violate allowing unrestricted or 24/7 use city policy or state law but will of a vehicle. The city could clarify John- have tax consequences. Akin Blitz, a Portland labor ston’s employment contract and narrow the geographic attorney, investigated scope to something less Johnston after some on than the entire states of the City Council and in the Oregon and Washington. community confi dentially The city will also make approached City Manager adjustments to ensure any Brett Estes with concerns. personal use of a police Johnston’s employ- vehicle in the future is ment contract allows the Brad properly documented as police chief, who also Johnston income. serves as assistant city Johnston declined to com- manger, to use his Dodge Char- ger for personal and family rea- ment, preferring to let Blitz’s sons in Oregon and Washing- fi ndings stand. Blitz reported that his inquiry ton state. The rationale behind the contract provision is that it found no evidence that might is in the city’s best interest to call into question the police have the police chief available chief’s honesty or integrity. The at all times to respond to crisis report describes Johnston, who has been with the Astoria Police situations. However, Blitz found that since 1992, as highly regarded Johnston’s personal use of among his law enforcement the vehicle should have been peers. He serves on the faculty of reported by the city and the the Oregon Department of Public police chief as income for tax Safety Standards and Training’s purposes because it is part of the police academy. Blitz’s use of the term “rookie chief’s compensation. “Chief Johnston’s vehicle chief mistakes” was a refer- use for travel to distant destina- ence to former Police Chief Ron tions for family and for purely Louie, who he said often made personal reasons carries income the characterization. “I offer this characterization tax implications,” Blitz found. “However, his choices do not here without intent to demean or undervalue Chief Johnston’s refl ect public corruption. “Certainly he made unfortu- qualifi cation, integrity or career nate mistakes which must be cor- potential in any way,” the attor- rected. His errors rise to the level ney wrote. “Rather, Chief Lou- of ‘rookie chief mistakes’ and ie’s wisdom often helps to regard should not be regarded as more complex matters in proper con- text and is apropos here.” concerning.” Employment contract allows personal use You Visit us online at Tube www.DailyAstorian.com Knappa fi re d epartments assisted at the scene. Several residents were relocated because of signifi - cant damage to the building. The American Red Cross Cascades Region responded Monday to help one adult and one child who were affected by the fi re. Astoria Police are con- tinuing to investigate. Discover the secrets of packing light for any trip. Including how to: • Pack for a two week trip in an 18lb carry-on • Prepare for airport security • Protect personal data with RFID products • Pack for a cruise W A NTED Saturday, June 11 th Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber 9:00am and 12:00pm N orth w es t H a rdw oods • Lon gview , W A AAA North Coast Contact: Steve Axtell • 360-430-0885 or John Anderson • 360-269-2500 IO R An Astoria man seen jumping from a second-story window at the Emerald Heights Apartments Sun- day night was arrested for allegedly setting the complex on fi re. Christopher Young, 44, was arrested and booked early Monday morning for fi rst-degree arson and reck- less endangering. Astoria Police were called to a disturbance at about 10 p.m. Sunday at the two-story, four plex apartment. Police arrived and found the build- ing in fl ames and a gas can on fi re in the street. Three men came out of the apartment building say- ing another person was still inside . An offi cer was attempt- ing to enter the front of the building when witnesses told him Young had jumped from the second-story window and was believed to have started the fi re. Young reportedly ran back into the building, which was fully engulfed , before he was evenutally detained . Young was incoherent, accord- ing to police, and was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital. Astoria Fire had the fi re under control at 10:30 p.m. The fi re gutted the interior of the complex and caused smoke and water damage to neighboring units. Warrenton, Lewis and Clark, Olney Walluski and JU N By KYLE SPURR The Daily Astorian Police chief cleared after probe of vehicle use S H A N G H A I E D IN ASTORIA 2016 Learn secret tips and tricks to packing from travel expert Anne McAlpin . Tw o w eeken ds on ly! JUN E 10-12 • 17-19 Frid a y a t 7p m D oors open in g a t 6:30 S a tu rd a y & S u n d a y a t 2p m D oors open in g a t 1:30 Directed by Bill Ca r a n d perfo rm ed by o u r yo u th thea tre tro u p Tickets $10 Ad u lts | $5 K id s (n o o ther d isco u n tin g ) Events are open to the public and free to attend. Please RSVP, as space is limited. 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