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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2005)
The INDEPENDENT, February 17, 2005 Page 13 anks Lumber tells of plans to mitigate traffic, noise problems The centerpiece of the Banks City Council meeting February 8 was a presentation by Doug Pritz, mill manager for Banks Lumber Company (BLC). Council also agreed to open negotiations with Wash ington County Sheriff’s depart ment. Pritz was invited by Mayor Mike Lyda to explain BLC plans for regarding noise, loading and parking on Sunset, and dust issues. The mill has no control over when lumber or log trucks ar rive, Pritz explained, and be cause they can load only one truck at a time, trucks often back up onto Sunset Avenue. Equipment breakdowns can also cause a back up. In order to ease the situation, Pritz said, the mill has purchased property south of the railroad for a truck turn-around and truck parking. They also plan on fencing and paving the area, which should help control dust. The mill paved some areas last year and plans to pave more this summer to further reduce dust. Pritz said that drivers are told repeatedly not to park, load or strap loads on Sunset Av enue. The mill agreed to make and post signs requesting that truck drivers comply with city ordinances. Council members noted that issuing tickets for vi olations would also do a great deal to alleviate problems. All effluents have been test ed and meet standards ap proved by Clean Water Ser vices, according to Pritz, and noise levels have been found to be in compliance. Records are on file in the BLC office, and Pritz agreed to share them with concerned citizens. Responding to a question from Councilor Pete Edison, Pritz said the mill loads trucks from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. He said the mill would rather load railroad cars than trucks, but “the railroad is in serious disar ray” and has not been able to provide cars. Fred Benefiel, who originally brought com plaints about the mill to coun cil’s attention in November, asked how trucks were loaded before 6:00 a.m., but Pritz said, unequivocally, that loading did not occur before that time. Benefiel responded that he “must be imagining it.” When Councilor Kirk An drews raised the subject of a second road, Pritz said the mill is attempting to get more of the adjacent property and would very much like to have access to Banks Road, which would re quire the cooperation of the city, county, Clean Water Ser vices and mill owners. While there is general agreement that another access road would re solve many problems, finding a solution will be difficult. Contract with WCSO is under consideration Mayor Lyda began discus sion about contracting with Washington County Sheriff’s Office for police services by Ye Olde Dingheiser summarizing the presentation made by Sheriff Rob Gordon at the January 27 workshop. He told council that he had re viewed the budget and deter mined that funds were avail able to contract for two three- quarter time (or 1.5 full time equivalent) deputies for the re mainder of the fiscal year. After discussion about the availability of funds, Councilor Ryan Birr said, “We would be doing the community a disserv ice by leaving [the police situa tion] where it’s at.” We know that the funds are available for the remainder of this year, Councilor Teri Branstitre point ed out, and should make a de cision now, instead of waiting another two weeks, and that discussion on a continuing con tract with Washington County could be included in the budget process. It is expected that 1.5 FTE coverage will cost the city about $183,000 per year, in ad dition to other police related costs including 9-1-1 service. The total for law enforcement needs, with two officers each working 30 hours per week, would be about $240,000 per year. The current budget will cover needs for the remainder of the fiscal year, but funding at that level will eventually require either a levy or an increase in the tax rate. Special meeting set The council will meet again on Thursday, February 17, to discuss a contract with Wash ington County, and to conduct other business as needed. Greenville Park Council approved comple tion of improvements in Green ville Park for lighting in the gazebo. Damage by vandals to the gazebo railing will be re paired at the same time. Arbor Village Homeowners Associa tion, which pays for mainte nance of the park, has budget ed $2,238 for repairs to the sprinkler system. However, af ter inspection, the landscape contractor recommended in stalling seven additional sprin klers and an automatic control system. The control unit is ex pected to pay for itself in water savings. Because it would be economical to make improve ments at the same time repairs are underway, council ap proved an additional $1,563 for sprinkler system improve ments. BANKS cq FFEE Scout Cabin Candy Deeth brought a brief The Right Tools for Pruning MS 200 HT 1 The HT 101 Pole Pruner is Ideal for hard-to-reach places, the HT 101 ’s adjustable shaft telescopes to 11.5’. Side mount chain adjuster are standard equipment. Other features include fuel primer for quick and easy starting. . P u b & R estaurant VISA - MC - ATM Access outline of a proposal for the city to lease the Scout Cabin to the Banks Historical Society. The historical society wants to use the cabin to display historical documents and general infor mation. After discussing gener al terms and conditions, council directed city attorney Jim Lucas to draft an agreement for con sideration at next month’s meeting. *— ' COCKTAILS • BEER • WINE FOOD, KEGS & ICE TO GO Lunch & Dinner Served Daily 11:00 am - Closing / B IN G O SUNDAYS 5-8 PM \C A S H PRIZES!!/ All Lottery Games CLOSED MONDAYS 47100 NW Sunset Hwy. Manning • 324-4848 The Ultimate Arborist Saw. The MS 200 T is extremely well balanced with the same durability and a narrower profile and is 24% lighter that the legendary 020S. Other perform ance features include a side-access chain tensioner, Master Control Lever™, adjustable oiler, STIHL Quickstop® chain brake and retractable carry ring. precision O utdoor POW ER E Q U IPM E N T Banks H ardw are 5 0 3 -3 2 4 -5 2 2 1 • 1 5 0 N . M a i n S t r e e t , B a n k s • Mon - Fri 8am to 6pm • Saturday 8am to 5pm • Sunday 10am to 4pm stihi :
