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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 2004)
Page 14 The INDEPENDENT, August 19, 2004 Banks puts parks levy on ballot, discusses police department Banks City Council agreed, at their August 10 meeting, to place a four-year park levy on the November ballot. The levy would provide funds for the maintenance needs of Green- ville Park and Scout Cabin Park. The levy amount will be 75 cents per $1,000 of as- sessed property value and would generate approximately $186,000 over four years. If ap- proved, revenue from the levy would not be received until De- cember, 2005. Annual maintenance costs for Greenville Park are about $30,000 for mowing, litter re- moval, landscaping, and irriga- tion. The levy would provide about $13,000 per year for park improvements. Police qualifications discussed Orlowski told council that the judge of the municipal court in North Plains had questioned the qualifications and certifica- tion of Banks Police Depart- ment officers. According to Or- lowski, the judge’s concerns were due, in part, to misinfor- mation and that both full time and reserve officers are work- ing to comply with other issues raised by the judge. A final con- cern will be addressed when the department’s remaining of- ficer attends police academy in late September. Councilor Katie Murdock suggested re-hiring Bruce Bringman in order to meet the city’s need for a certified officer. She told council that she would like the mayor and two council members to “enter into discus- sion [with Bringman] about re- turning him to the force.” Orlowski responded that re- hiring an officer who had re- signed “was a questionable management practice.” Coun- cilor Kirk Andrews said that he was “OK with [the city not being able to] provide good coverage until the levy passes,” as a nat- ural consequence of the inade- quate voter participation need- ed to pass the levy. Andrews also said that the Jim Dandy Farm Market Fresh Fruit - Vegetables Senior coupons accepted Open Seven Days a Week 9 AM - 7 PM 45770 NW Sunset Hwy, Banks • 503-324-3954 Jim’s Famous BAR-B-Q Fridays & Saturdays Thirsty? Coca-Cola 24 can case previously approved timeline for hiring a chief, passing the levy and allowing a new chief to rebuild the department should be followed. There was no ac- tion on Murdock’s request. Council also discussed the process designed by a sub- committee for hiring a new chief. The committee, chaired by Murdock and including Or- lowski and Teri Branstitre, has worked to develop a process that will allow applicants to be evaluated impartially. After re- viewing all applications against the advertised requirements, the top four or five candidates will be interviewed by a panel of police professionals from throughout the county, and a panel of community members including representatives of lo- cal businesses and school dis- trict, and the mayor. The city will host a reception for the top applicants on the same day that interviews are scheduled, to allow councilors an opportu- nity to meet the candidates. There will also be a visit by at least one member of the hiring committee to each candidate’s current work place. The closing date to apply is August 30. Skate Park Update Council member Pete Edi- son agreed to serve as liaison to a committee that is studying the feasibility of building a facil- ity for skateboarders in Banks. Last month, a group of young people asked the council to consider development of a skate park. At that time it was suggested that the Banks Com- munity Foundation (BCF) may be interested in the project. Denise Dethlefs, chairman of BCF, explained that the Ford Foundation program is a four- year program, not just a one- time training and that BCF will be working in the program for another three years. “They love building skate parks or doing anything that benefits kids,” Dethlef said. BCF could help apply for grants to build the facility, she added, explaining that the max- imum award for a capitol proj- ect of this kind was 40 percent of the total cost. The communi- ty would have to provide the re- mainder through a combination of other grant funds, in-kind and material donations and cash from fundraising. According to Dethlefs, proj- ects of this sort generally take at least two years to complete. BCF would be available to help the city with community out- reach and publicity. Water Rights workshop Orlowski and public works superintendent Tim Grossnick- le attended a workshop with representatives of the city of North Plains, engineers from both cities and a Certified Wa- ter Rights Examiner (CWRE) to discuss water rights. Tom Michalek, CWRE, said that both cities have existing water rights in the permit stage. Both began the process in the early ‘90s but did not complete it. Michalek recommended that they move toward securing full certification. 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North Plains is in the process of securing water from another source, due to an ex- pected future arrival of a plume of contamination. When that connection is complete, in about six months, it will be more difficult to certify the full amount of their current water right. Banks would be named as a new point of appropriation and area of use to complete the transfer. Breakfast Sat-Sun 9 am - Noon Pay 2 Months get 3rd & 4th Months FREE BINGO Check us out and you’ll want to check in! CASH PRIZES!! * Specials available for a limited time only. Gates Operate Daily 7 AM - 9 PM Office Hours: Mon- Fri 10 AM - 6 AM Sat 8 AM - Noon 140 NW O AK W AY , B ANKS • 503-324-0552 SUNDAYS 5-8 PM All Lottery Games CLOSED MONDAYS 47100 NW Sunset Hwy. Manning • 324-4848