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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, February 21, 2008 Page 13 Banks City Council passes three new ordinances about vehicles Councilor Pete Edison presided over the February 12 meeting of Banks City Council in the absence of Mayor Teri Branstitre. Councilors Brian Biehl, Jason Short and Ron Kemper provided the quorum needed to conduct business. Audrea Fogue, senior asso- ciate governmental relations manager for Hometown Voices, made a power point presenta- tion on effective advocacy in your hometown. The mission of Hometown Voices, a grass- roots advocacy program start- ed in 2004 by the League of Oregon Cities, is to influence decisions that legislators make about issues that impact our communities. The council’s voice is impor- tant, Fogue said, “…we can’t tell the stories that you can tell; city officials do not get paid for what they do – you do it be- cause your care very deeply for your community.” Fogue sug- gested that council send copies of city council agendas to our legislators so they are informed about the issues facing the community. According to Fogue, while millions of dollars are con- tributed to campaigns, few leg- islators have served in local elected offices. Just as con- sumers let legislators know how they are affected by deci- sions made by legislators, elected officials need to be the balance. In closing, Fogue commented that council’s com- munication is important. “If you like something your legislators are doing, let them know; if you don’t, respectfully agree to dis- agree.” Jeff Hood, Banks Planning and Public Works Intern, pre- sented an assessment of his just completed sidewalk inven- tory. The goal of the project is to implement and track progress toward maintenance and accessibility. The maintenance portion was to evaluate pedestrian ac- cessibility for deficiencies and potential hazards. Hood identi- fied specific features of pedes- trian routes that do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guide- lines. The condition of the side- walk system was rated by three geographic scales. Features identified as deficiencies are cracking, spalling, displace- ment, sunken, raised, ponding, missing panel or piece of panel, patch and heaving. Each defi- ciency presents a risk to pedes- trian safety, and was rated for low, medium or high severity, and extent of the hazard. Hood identified the target ar- eas as southern Banks Road, the Wilkes Street cul-de-sac, Banks Estates and City Hall. The aged, highly hazardous sidewalk on rural Banks Road has deteriorated and does not connect with the rest of the pedestrian network, Hood re- ported. He recommended that it be removed, with replace- ment scheduled when pedestri- an need presents itself. The end of Wilkes Street has a nar- row sidewalk with spalling and extensive sunken spots, result- ing in displacements at the curb, which create tripping haz- ards. Banks Estates (which may be classified by the Department of Justice as new construction), has a two-foot wide, tree-lined planting strip, which is adding to the problem of uplifted side- walk and driveway aprons, with excessive cross-slope at every lot. The sidewalk at City Hall presents significant hazards and should be remedied first, according to Hood, because the city could be held liable for injuries. In addition, potentially dissenting property owners would be more receptive to a program of sidewalk improve- ments if the city sets an exam- ple. City Manager Jim Hough thanked Hood for his informa- tive report and told council that “…Jeff has his Masters in mathematics; he started at ground zero (with this sidewalk project).” Hough added that the product Hood developed is “awesome.” Edison presented Hood with a certificate from the city and a gift certificate. Deputy Tran reported that calls for police service in the city were about double from the prior month; 30 calls resulted in 3 arrests; 72 traffic stops result- ed in 29 citations. Tran said that an arrest has been made in the robbery at the NAPA Auto Parts store. A resolution adopting the Swatco rate change passed unanimously. Swatco President Rich Weitzel said that new roller recycling containers should arrive in about eight weeks and the program should start in May, but will not be lat- er than August 1. The estimate for repairs to Banks City Hall was presented to council. After reviewing the estimate and looking at the budget, council unanimously approved the expenditure and the repairs. Hough received a late pro- posal for the Well #2 Intercon- nect Plan, and was surprised at the cost “…this is really expen- sive; it sort of chokes us. This is higher than the ball park fig- ure.” Edison, agreed with Hough, saying “This is lots of money. I would like to have the rest of council here.” Council tabled the decision for a month. Three ordinances came be- fore council: An ordinance re- garding impoundment of vehi- cles was passed with Councilor Kemper opposed. An ordi- nance modifying Ordinance 70.40, about illegally parked vehicles, was adopted unani- mously. Also adopted unani- mously was an ordinance that makes it an offense to park a vehicle in a fire lane located on privately-owned premises that are open to the public. Fire Chief Brian Coussens was present to answer questions from councilors. The Banks Library Commis- sion made a recommendation regarding terms of office and presented a draft ordinance, written by librarian Denise Holmes, amending the Code of Banks, Chapter 32. City Attor- ney Jim Lucas said it is a “won- derful revision; if she (Holmes) wants to go to law school, she’s got my name as a recommen- dation.” Council will consider the change next month, The next city council meet- ing will be held on March 11, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Banks High announces Honor students From page 12 Zach Evers, Darcy Haboush, Jenny Helm, Tiara Herr*, Tasha Lyda*, Taylor Matyasz, Christy McCarthy, Hank Meeuwsen, Kelsee Miller, DeeJay Pickar, Michelle Quirk, Rebecca Re- noult*, Shaylin Roberts*, Hay- den Sahnow, Jessica Selfai- son*, Chris Shaw*, Sierra Sil- ver*, Todd Vergotis*. Freshmen – Mark Acosta, Megan Chalupsky, Max Edi- son*, Samantha Elwood*, Kici- ah Gibson*, Sarah Grover*, Cassie Halls*, Allison Hancock, Mack Kellas, Aaron Kemper, Jessica Markham, Chelsea Mathews, Arley Sanchez, Joe Schorn, Colby Seyferth, Koby Shaddon, Kaitlin Sommerfeld*, Garrett Soper, Felicia Wilson. Just the finest in collision repair SUNSET LAUNDRY Wash…$1.25 Dry…25¢ 180 S. Main St. • Banks, Oregon S TRASSEL ’ S A UTO R EPAIR & H YDRAULIC H OSES 2-4-6 S PIRAL W IRE • S UCTION H OSES • A DAPTORS - 3/16” TO 2” A MERICAN & M ETRIC F ITTINGS • B ULK O IL P RODUCTS 276 S UNSET , B ANKS • 503-324-9808 Please don’t drink and drive No Custom Work CHERRY PRODUCTS Auto Body & Paint 1875 E. Baseline Cornelius 503-359- 5993 Price good thru February 26, 2008 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171
