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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 1998)
Change of elevation standards for flooded homes Approximately 100 property owners who had suffered loss es in the 1996 floods attended a meeting held by the City of Vernonia, Jan. 21, on flood hazard mitigation Information developed dur ing the meeting has resulted in the apparent need to revise both the city’s policy and its or dinance regarding the level to which “substantially damaged” homes should be elevated in order to meet maximum mitiga tion standards and to qualify for maximum reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Man agement Administration. When the changes are made, homeowners who plan to elevate will most likely have to elevate either two-feet above the Base Flood Eleva tion (BFE) or to a foot above the actual high water mark of Feb., 1996, whichever is high er. The purpose of the change is partly to take advantage of greater reimbursements for property owners than the city previously realized was avail able, but also to raise the homes high enough to prevent them from being damaged in a subsequent flood. If that should happen, the owners may not qualify for flood hazard assis tance in the future. More infor mation will be forthcoming. David Feinauer, of Right-Of- Way Associates, the city’s pro INSIDE: ject manager for hazard mitiga tion, has also recommended that contact begin on the acqui sition phase of the project so property owners will have time to understand the rules, and implications which apply to the acquisition of their residences. Feinauer also recommend ed that a cut-off date of April 15 be established for property owners to state their intent to apply for elevation reimburse ments. Changes in elk regs. Ike Says......... pg. 2 NW League wrestling...... pg. 12 United Way exceeds goal................ pg. 5 Concordia/UO program......... pg. 8 BULK RATE U S . Postage Paid Permit No 37 Vernonia, OR 97064 Vernonia water system taps $2.7 million fund Good news Enjoying the official notification that Vernonia will receive more than $2-million in grants and loans for water system repairs are, standing from left, Administrator Gordon Zimmerman, Councilor Julius Dalzell, County Commissioner Toi y Hyde, Councilor Don Amundson, Rural Development Oregon Director Scott Duff, Director of Public Works Robyn Bassett, Rural Development Loan Director David Force, and U.S. Rural Development Deputy Director John Romano. Seated with the ceremonial checks are Councilor Mario Leonetti, Mayor Art Rarrow and Councilor Gayle Shriver. Amundson resigns from council Don Amundson, Monday night, announced his intent to resign from the Vernonia City Council because he will be re tiring as chief financial officer from West Oregon Electric Co operative and needs to devote more time to helping his re placement become familiar with the duties. He will not leave at this time, but will wait until a replacement is found, in case he is needed for a quorum. Anyone interest ed in serving on the council should contact either Mayor Art Parrow or Administrator Gor don Zimmerman. The city is also seeking someone to replace Councilor Mario Leonetti on the city bud get committee, and Kathleen Beierschmidt on the Cemetery Beautification Committee. The first meeting of the budget committee will be in mid-April and the work should be com pleted in early May. After reviewing options for a refreshment concession at Ver nonia Lake the council was unanimous in deciding that the natural character and atmos phere of the well-used lake should remain as it is, and not be commercialized. In other business, the Coun cil: • Adopted a Budget Calen dar. • Reappointed Matt Chesley to the Planning Commission. • Was informed that Tony Van Pelt, a certified police offi cer, will replace Brenda Dean in mid-February if he meets all requirements. • Was given an October, 1998, completion for a bridge across Rock Creek to extend the Linear Trail to the lake. Town Hall meeting on building survey A Town Hall meeting on the Town Hall will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, to review the findings of a survey of ex isting buildings as potential sites for City offices. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. in the Vernonia Fire Depart ment meeting room. ;v c .4 ? FREE There were smiles all around when the City of Ver nonia on Monday received two ceremonial checks totaling $2,725,000 in loans and grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to upgrade the city water system, the culmination of many years of effort to obtain funding for the leaky, failing system. Presenting the checks were USDA Rural Utilities Service Deputy Director John Romano and Rural Development Ore gon State Director Scott Duff. “We are pleased to be able to help the town provide fresh water to its residents,” said Deputy Director Romano. “The current system has been suf fering from leaking distribution main lines and desperately needs improvements. These improvements should help fix all those problems and prevent any new problems which may have arisen.” Romano noted that no com munity can be successful with out the infrastructure needed to support its economic devel opment and quality of life. He also related that he was on his way to California when he learned about the presenta tion in Vernonia. “I wasn’t going to miss it," he said, “I had heard about Vernonia after the floods in 1996 and I wanted to be here,” so he changed his itinerary, coming to Oregon first. The money, which comes in the form of a $2,093,700 loan and a $631,300 grant, will be used to construct a filtration gallery, make treatment plant improvements and replace a pump station, in addition to replacing the leaking distribu tion lines. Approximately 858 residential and 54 nonresiden- tial users will be provided with cleaner water and more dependable fire protection because of the improvements. Columbia County Commis sioner (and former Vernonia mayor) Tony Hyde spoke of the approximately eight years of effort to obtain funding. “We told the people here that we wouldn’t repave the streets after replacing sewer lines because we would just have to dig them up again for the water lines. But, after all this time, I was worrying that we wouldn't be able to do it and that the people would think we’re just a bunch of politicians who don’t keep their word,” Hyde said. “Now the city will be able to do what we said would be done.” Hyde added recognition of Public Works Director Robyn Bassett, who has guided the program through all of the twists and turns along the way. “This investment by USDA will protect the groundwater in the region by streamlining and eliminating leakage in the existing system,” said State Director Duff. “By revitalizing the water treatment lines and pump stations, the City of Ver nonia will prevent pollution and save money long term." Duff also pointed out the opportunity to include an edu cational component by involv ing local students in the sci ence and technology that will be incorporated in the project. Though the checks present ed Monday were strictly cere monial, they were part of the formal recognition that the grant and loan had been approved. The city can now start on the work identified in its Water Master Plan. “We are pleased to help Vernonia’s residents feel secure that when they turn on the tap, fresh, clean drinking water will come out,” USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Jill Long Thomp son said from Washington, D.C.
