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About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2015)
www.hoodrivernews.com A7 Hood River News, Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Will your yard sale earnings end up the city’s? Signs on poles or trees are illegal, subject to fines What if your hard-earned garage sale proceeds went to paying off a city fine for those signs you stuck on power poles? It’s something to con- sider, according to Code En- forcement Officer Marty Mor- gan of the City of Hood River. Signs posted on utility poles and trees are the source of in- creased complaints, Morgan said. Hood River Police De- partment has received a num- ber of recent complaints con- cerning yard and garage sale signs. “Not only are they an eye- sore and create unwanted lit- ter by being left out long after the sale has ended, but you could be fined for displaying these signs on utility poles and trees,” Morgan said. The City of Hood River and the Code Enforcement branch of the City of Hood River Po- lice Department are request- ing that signs not be posted throughout the city advertis- ing yard, garage, estate, or other sales. Morgan cited Municipal Code 18.02.120 Prohibited Sign, paragraph 2 and 3: “2. Portable Signs: Portable or bench signs, excluding sandwich boards on private property, are prohibited.” “3. Pole and Tree Signs: Signs placed on, painted on, or affixed to any utility pole or tree, are prohibited.” This applies to yard, garage and other sale signs placed within the city limits. Municipal Cade 18.02.160 Penalties, states: “Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a violation and will be subject to the penalty and abatement pro- ceedings in the Severability- Penalties section (Chapter 17.10) of this title. “In addition to any costs, as- sessments, or restitution the court may impose, the fine shall not be less than $250 per violation plus $2.50 per day in which the person is found in violation, and shall not exceed $1,000 per violation plus $10 per day in which the person is found in violation.” Officer Morgan would also like to remind everyone that extended parking of mobile homes, recreational vehicles, trailers, and storage contain- ers on public right of way is a violation of Municipal Code 13.48.040. Violation of this code can result in a citation being is- sued worth a $25 fine up to a maximum fine upon convic- tion of not more than $500. Each day that the violation is permitted to exist shall consti- tute a separate offense. Morg an said residents should refer to the City of Hood River Municipal Codes, Chapter 13.48 — Parking and Storage of Mobile Homes, Recreational Vehicles, Trail- ers, and Storage Containers for further information. Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea SIGNS such as this one on 13th at May are illegal and could lead to a fine. Signs should be placed on a free-standing (and weighted) box or object, and not on trees or poles of any kind. City adopts budget, considers new garbage options By PATRICK MULVIHILL News staff writer Hood River City Council fi- nalized the City’s annual budget price tag at a meeting Monday — but proposed mu- nicipal garbage and recy- cling changes dominated the night’s discussions. The City budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, begin- ning July 1, 2015 will be $31,305,900 in total. The general fund will be $7,853,307 — of that total, po- lice, fire and Emergency Medical Services account for roughly 56 percent at $4,372,230. The costs remain S TATE Continued from Page A1 bach Construction, the two main concrete contractors on the project. “We feel really privileged to have been able to be part of this and the trust the com- munity and the city put in us,” said city engineer Ston- er Bell of Bell Design. “This was reflected in the input of the advisory committees and the public process,” of de- signing and constructing the project. “We feel honored to have been involved. It’s kind of a responsibility to see it through and get it right. We had a great contractor who was able to work with us through the budget con- straints and changes. “We’re already starting to see businesses open up to State Street, and to see pedes- trians start to use the street, and that is what it’s all about,” Bell said. “We’re ex- panding the merchant area and whole shop-live-play area,” he said, quoting the Chamber of Commerce motto used in downtown banners. “Plus we are maintaining it as a thoroughfare, so we have the sharing with the P RESCHOOL Continued from Page A1 the teens (who work at Little Learners), but I’m looking forward to a new direction in life,” said Robledo. ■ Blossoms Bilingual Preschool is a dream project for Galvez, who will move into Pine Grove Elemen- tary’s old cafeteria June 15. “I’m going to miss Mid Valley — the staff has been so supportive, and Mr. (Den- nis) McCauley (principal) has been nothing but won- derful, but I feel for me it’s time to move on, and I’ve al- ways wanted to open my own site.” While she will work some with Early Intervention, the similar to those of last year, but with several funding sources shuffled around. The hot topic issue of the evening, however, was solid waste. The council heard proposals from the Waste Working Group, a team of representatives from solid waste services in Hood River, which would shake up the city’s current waste manage- ment system. The Waste Working Group proposed expanding the scope of Hood River’s waste program from a subscription service to a city-wide pro- g ram, with a franchise length extension (10 or 20 years) and a rate hike of $6 or $7 – from $16.27 per month to either $22.27 or $23.27/month. Both options — 10-year and 20-year franchise length — would switch the open 14- gallon bins Hood River resi- dents and businesses cur- rently use with bigger, cov- ered roll carts, supplied by Hood River Garbage. The proposed roll carts are intended to address com- plaints from the community about waste collection is- sues, including debris blow- ing from open containers. The Waste Working Group argued the changes would bikes, and you still need ways to get through town. I think we accomplished both,” he said. “One of the big goals was dampening of the traffic because that was a big reason a lot of people did- n’t like (using State Street.)” Dampening was accom- plished with signage, park- ing revisions, and “bulb- outs” at Sixth, Fourth, and Second streets. Blackburn noted the pres- ence of ODOT bicycle adviso- ry group members, who are helping plan the series of “bike and hike hubs” in the Gorge from Wood Village to The Dalles. “Everyone is in the design phase, except us — ours is built,” Blackburn said. “This is our bike hub, we are so glad we have it, as biking is a big part of our community, and from here to Mosier is a nice ride.” Blackburn intro- duced “Citizen Arthur Bab- itz,” mayor from 2008-14, who has continued as a bicycle advisory group member. A few details remain at the restroom-bike hub facility, including adding an infor- mation kiosk and the place- ment of public art. The three-foot pedestal for the “Art of Community” sculp- ture has been poured on the west side of the building, and the first work is sched- uled for installation by late summer. Babitz also guides the compilation of thousands of historic Hood River photos at the History Museum of Hood River, which Blackbur n pointed to for historic per- spective on the latest urban renewal project in Hood River. “I was looking at photos from the time Mr. (Nathaniel) Coe first laid out Hood River in the mid-19th century,” Blackburn said, in- cluding images of State and Third streets. Blackbur n said planning in those days was based on the use of hors- es for transportation and commerce. Blackbur n said, “T he scale was different, and over time it’s not possible to make complete holistic planning. Over time, you make a better gravel street for the horses and then at some point it was asphalt, and you fast forward to the 21st century and we still have that façade of that building right there and you don’t have the kind of infra- structure you kind of expect. Back then they didn’t have running water or sewer and I’m pretty sure they didn’t have broadband,” Blackburn joked. “Urban Renewal pushes the reset button because state cer ti- f i e d preschool will not be af- filiated with C ommunity Education or the Hood Miranda River County Chavez School Dis- trict, as Mid Valley Bilingual Preschool is. This means she will be open Monday through Fri- day, except on holidays. Dis- trict days off for inservices and grading will not apply. Galvez’s staff will be join- ing her at the new location: Jennifer Cassella, Miranda Chavez, and Katie Smith. Cassella and Chavez are bilingual in Spanish, and Smith in sign language. Galvez is bilingual and bilit- erate in Spanish. “My plan is to do more Spanish,” said Galvez. Her curricu- lum focuses on the indi- vidual child, Jennifer “helping Cassella them to grow in their own abilities in their own way,” she said. “Our community is very diverse. We’re helping the child to grow in their own way in support of that.” She’s looking forward to bringing preschool and child care to Pine Grove. “I know this area really needs a program to care for children,” Galvez said. “I have nothing but wonderful things to say — parent sup- port has been amazing. I feel so humble every time I talk to somebody. They’re very, Gas Appliances Electrical Repair Get your RV road ready! RV Doc — Bruce Henderson Mobile Service & Repair State Fire Marshal Certification #001242-08 Service & Repair. I come to you! 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He suggested the council meet again to decide which specific changes they would like to see in a new, re- vised proposal from the waste group. “I think it’s a really good program,” said Erwin Swet- nam of Hood River Garbage, a member of the Waste Working Group. He said he would like to work with the City on a new draft and have “another run at it.” In other action Monday, city council approved an Oregon Liquor Control Com- mission per mit for Lake Taco, a Mexican restaurant that opened on the Heights of Hood River in November. The permit will allow Lake Taco to sell alcoholic bever- ages in their small restau- rant, which seats 32. The restaurant, located at 1215 June St., in the former XTreme Burger building, features cuisine in the style of Guadalajara and other re- gions of Mexico. Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea CITY OFFICIALS, past and present, gather at the new plaque commemorating the State Street Urban Renewal project. From left are City Councilor Mark Zanmiller, Urban Renewal District board (and Port of Hood River commissioner) Hoby Streich, former mayor Arthur Babitz, Mayor Paul Blackburn, City Manager Steve Wheeler, and City Councilor Kate McBride. The plaque and bench are just below the new elevated sidewalk connecting Second Street stairs to the city parking lot at First and State. everything’s grown, every- thing still comes down through town,” he said. “I was told the intersection at 6th and State, they had to dig up several times. This is the hub of our city and it was aging, and now it’s proper and fixed and Urban Renew- al is a great thing.” Blackburn pointed to a re- cent media honor given to Hood River. “Around same time Mr. Coe was laying out Hood River, Sunset magazine was founded in 1880s and a month ago they named us the Best Adventure Town in the West. Having the proper infrastructure for the Best Adventure Town is very im- portant.” . very support- ive.” Blossoms Bilingual Preschool will open for the school year on Aug. 31, from 7:15 Katie Smith a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the possibility of going until 5 depending on parent input. An open house is scheduled for Aug. 11, from 3-5 p.m. Galvez and her staff will also hold summer programs for children ages 3-7: June 15- 26, “All About Science;” June 29-July 10, “Cultures and Their Languages;” and Aug. 10-21, “Nature of the Gorge.” Parents can choose a one or two week commitment, three to five days per week, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Regis- tration is now open at hrblos- somspreschool@yahoo.com or by calling Galvez at 541- 399-4840. 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