The INDEPENDENT, February 15, 2007 Banks gets police officer Deputy Phong Tran was sworn in as a city police officer at the Banks City Council meet- ing February 13, so he can now enforce city ordinances. Tran has been working in Banks for about five weeks and reports that he has dealt with many calls regarding juvenile distur- bances. He has also conducted speed patrols and is learning how best to serve the needs of the people of Banks. Council had a second read- ing of ordinances that are being modified as part of the codifica- tion process. An ordinance re- garding the firing of firearms had been included, but it gen- erated discussion last month about what defined a firearm. City Attorney Jim Lucas looked into this issue and adopted lan- guage from Beaverton for the Banks ordinance. The new lan- guage clarifies that paintball guns and guns that fire small plastic balls are not considered firearms. The first reading of the ordinance engendered no further discussion. Lucas also recommended that council look at another Beaverton ordinance that makes it illegal to carry replica or airsoft guns in public places. They would still be legal on pri- vate property. Lucas pointed out that Beaverton has had many problems with these guns being mistaken for, or de- liberately used as, real weapons. Council will look at such an ordinance. The city’s noise ordinances had been considered for updat- ing, but Deputy Tran said that he found the existing ordi- nances clear and easy to use. He has successfully solved noise complaints in the city with these ordinances. Lucas said that the Banks ordinances were similar to those in other cities. Council decided not to pursue changing these ordi- nances. Council approved the lan- guage of the ballot title for a measure to update the city’s charter in the next election. They also decided to revisit the proposed charter when all councilors are present; Jason Short and Craig Stewart did not attend the meeting. Council approved a resolu- tion supporting an application for a Transportation and Growth Management grant to perform transportation system planning work. The grant pro- gram requires a local match of approximately 11 percent of the project cost, or $3300-3800. City planner KJ Won requested council’s approval. Transporta- tion planning is one of the last steps in updating the city’s comprehensive plan. Allen Polendey spoke about his application to sit on the Banks Planning Commission. Council voted to accept his ap- plication and he will start at the next meeting. Council also talked with Doug Walters about his application to fill the vacant seat on the City Council. Wal- ters ran in the last election but was not elected. Council will decide this matter at their next meeting. Openings remain on the city’s tree board and park com- mittee. Information on these committees is available at city hall. The planning commission has reviewed the park master plan drafted by Parati and rec- ommends that all non-city- owned property be removed from the future needs assess- ment and that this draft plan be treated as a conceptual, not as a final master plan. These rec- ommendations coincide with council wishes. Council decid- ed to take another step, howev- er, and employ Parati to pre- pare system development charges based on the plan. Council voted to have Parati re- vise the plan by removing non- city-owned parcels and to de- Please see page 16 Page 15 Let Banks Firefighters serve you breakfast, Feb. 18 The Banks Volunteer Fire- fighter’s annual Breakfast will be held Sunday, February 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Banks High School cafete- ria. Ticket prices are $6 per adult, $5 per senior, $4 per child (6-12 years of age) and children under six are free. $25 gets the whole family (up to six family members) breakfast. The menu includes pancakes or biscuits/gravy, ham or sausage, eggs, fruit, coffee, milk or orange juice. Firefighters will demonstrate kitchen safety and fire preven- tion during the breakfast and there will be a raffle. Fire en- gine rides will be available for children. The Banks Firefighter Asso- ciation buys equipment, funds scholarships, and sponsors holiday gift baskets using the proceeds from this fundraiser. Soup raises dollars for Foundation The Bare Soul Band entertained the crowd at the Banks soup festival. Band members, L-R, are Bob Rickard, Steve Battie, Suzy Brown and band leader John Deegan. About 120 people attended the fourth annual International Soup Festival raising approxi- mately $1600.00 for the Banks Community Foundation (BCF). Helping BCF were Rex Bryant, Dave Degman, Larry Lee, Bare Soul Band and Ed Trussell. Sponsors included the Brown Derby Restaurant, Champion Signs, Costco, Can- dy and Ray Deeth, Elements Café, Kathie and Steve Jack- son, Jim’s Thriftway, New Sea- sons Market, Precision Pump, Safeway and Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. BCF has just formed a play- ground committee to start rais- ing funds toward playground equipment for Greenville Park. The park is located in the sub- division, which has no play- grounds at this time. The Ultimate Mower from Honda HRX217HMA • Exclusive Versamow System™ Offers Combination Bagging, Mulching and Discharging with No Attachments Required • Exclusive, Honda Twin Blade System for Superior Bagging and Mulching • Rust-Free, Xenoy ® Deck with 21” Mowing Width • Powerful Honda OHV/OHC Engine i h i k ld dl Forest Grove Honda 3619 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove,, OR 887-500-7300 or 503-357-7300 For optimum performance and safety, we recommend you read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment. © 2007 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Pick up your Coupon Book today. At Jim’s Thriftway and SAVE $$ 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171