Page 18
The INDEPENDENT, October 7, 2004
Public hearing on Oklahoma Ave. and Spencer Park
From page 1
Disappointing news for the
council was that Vernonia
placed 16th, of 44 applications,
for grants from the Oregon
Parks and Recreation Depart-
ment, and only the first eight
projects will be funded. The
grant would have been used to
purchase additional property at
the mill site. The next round of
grant approvals will be decided
in November.
On a positive note, ODOT
approved a $350,000 grant for
construction of a sidewalk and
bike lane along Bridge Street
from the museum to the green
bridge. The City must provide
$45,900. Work should be com-
pleted by October 31, 2006.
The purchase of property
from the Catholic Church for
Spencer Park use should be
closing shortly after October 4.
A Community Development
Block Grant for the Learning
Center was turned down after
the city was given verbal ap-
proval. The City will re-apply.
October 4 public hear-
ing and meeting
A public hearing was held
October 4, before the regular
council meeting, on vacating
Oklahoma Ave. The staff re-
port, presented by City Planner
and Attorney Julie Steffen, said
the property is needed for bath-
rooms at Spencer Park, without
disturbing two full size baseball
diamonds.
Several people spoke in fa-
vor of the change, most of them
because they are softball or
soccer enthusiasts who want
the Spencer Park sports com-
plex to be fully developed.
Opposition to the vacation
came from property owners
who do not oppose the park de-
velopment, but object to the
street closure. Attorney Jim Lu-
cas represented the concerns
of Don and Deloris Webb who
want to be sure they have ade-
quate access roads for future
development of property within
the Urban growth boundary.
The Webbs and the City
agreed to discuss alternatives
that would allow a satisfactory
solution. The hearing was held
open for 14 days to allow re-
ceipt of additional information.
During the regular meeting,
the council approved police de-
partment participation in an in-
tergovernmental agreement for
creation and operation of the
Columbia Major Crime Team.
This will allow interagency co-
operation during investigations
of major crimes.
Police Chief Workman re-
ported that he won a police car
from St. Helens in a raffle. Be-
tween this car and one donated
earlier by the City of Lake Os-
wego, Vernonia has obtained
two cars recently for the cost of
changing lights and signage.
Four special meetings are
scheduled this month:
• October 18 – Urban Re-
newal District at 7:00 p.m.
• October 20 – Airport ordi-
nance at 7:00 p.m.
• October 21 – Bridge Street
Alley Plan at 7:00 p.m.
• October 28 – Candidate’s
Forum at 7:00 p.m.
Graduation site
From page 1
Board chair Jim Krahn initi-
ated discussion about the high
school graduation ceremony
because, he said, he felt that
last year’s outdoor ceremony
lacked the formality that the oc-
casion deserved. After intro-
ducing the idea of renting a
larger space in Forest Grove,
as an example, Krahn asked
Rombach for her input.
Rombach said that the topic
has been discussed in leader-
ship for the last several years.
She explained that the deci-
sion to move the ceremony
outdoors was made primarily
because students wanted to in-
vite many family members to
graduation. Students also
strongly indicated that they
want the ceremony at Vernonia
High School.
Scholl was directed to form a
See page 19
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