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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 20, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, March 20, 2008 Page 13 Banks Council told B-V Trail contract is not ready for signatures In addition to all council members, the March 11 Banks City Council meeting was at- tended by Sam Van Dyke and Lisa McAllister, who have agreed to be liaisons between the Banks Planning Commis- sion and the council. One or the other will try to attend the monthly city council and plan- ning commission meetings to provide information about plan- ning decisions and council highlights. “How cool is that” said Mayor Teri Branstitre. The contract to complete the Banks-Vernonia Trail project re- mains unsigned, City Attorney Jim Lucas told the council, ex- pressing dissatisfaction with both Oregon Parks & Recre- ation Department (OPRD) and Washington County in fulfilling their commitment to the Evers family. As part of a negotiated settlement and contract, OPRD agreed in January to cut down the trees lining the trail and Evers’ farm, and shade about two acres of farmland. This is the only issue standing in the way of a signed contract, ac- cording to Lucas and, as of March 11, the state had not ful- filled that obligation. Mayor Branstitre wondered if the city or council could move the project along, asking “…can we just pay for it as a donation from the city? …We are anxious to complete this project.” Coun- cilor Pete Edison asked, “can this be a volunteer effort?” Lu- cas concluded that the county and state parks are looking at alternatives, which he said was “kind of disappointing.” The city has negotiated a new ten-year franchise agree- ment with NW Natural Gas. Ja- nis L Pfannenstiel, of NW Nat- ural, attended the meeting and expressed her appreciation to the city for their patience, say- ing “We got caught in a log jam with other city agreements.” A first reading of the ordinance amending the franchise agree- ment was read by the mayor. Councilor Ron Kemper asked about progress on the no parking signage and review of parking on Ashton Drive. Kem- per asked for a review of the no parking designation on Ashton Drive, which he thinks would be more appropriate on the other side of the street. Kemper, who has already been issued a parking ticket along with a cou- ple of his neighbors, said “peo- ple need notification – this needs to be a priority,” because it is unfair to issue tickets when people have not been in- formed. Kemper opposed the newly approved no parking or- dinance. “It’s on the list, I haven’t forgotten,” City Manag- er Jim Hough responded, adding that the entire city needs to be reviewed and the weather has not been the most cooperative. Deputy Tran, had planned on presenting an expanded re- port at this meeting, but was called out and was in transit to the Washington County Jail. Tran’s supervisor, Sgt. Bob Ray, who had already planned to attend the council meeting in order to learn more about the city and offer programs that are obtainable through the sheriff’s office, introduced himself and stayed through most of it. Tran’s report was deferred to next month’s meeting. Branstitre proclaimed the week of March 24–30, 2008, as National Community Develop- ment Week. During this week the citizens in Banks are urged to recognize the importance of community development on our community. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has operated since 1974 to provide re- sources required to meet the needs of persons of low and moderate income; and, identify and resolve pressing local Community meeting scheduled on UGB The City of Banks Planning Commission is starting a re- view process to consider amending the City’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). State law requires that sufficient buildable lands be provided within the UGB that is estab- lished according to statewide planning goals, to accommo- date estimated housing needs for 20 years, plus other require- ments. The City of Banks has an updated 20-year population forecast (3,739 persons), which has been adopted by both the City and Washington County. The Planning Commission will be conducting a community meeting on March 25 and in- vites interested citizens to at- tend and offer comments about where the UGB may possibly be expanded. There will also be future opportunities during the process for citizen input. The City has not yet developed any UGB expansion proposals and will be working toward that in the coming months. The re- view process is projected for completion by April 2009, but there may be revisions that could extend the completion date. The community meeting will be held shortly after 7:30 p.m. problems, such as affordable housing, neighborhood and hu- man service needs, flood relief, job creation and retention, and physical redevelopment. After meeting with the Ore- gon Economic and Community Development (OECD) Depart- ment about grant money for the Water Master Plan and Well No. 2 Interconnect, plus interior work in the Public Works Build- ing, Hough reported that there are no grant monies available. After exploring loans through a Special Works Fund (SPWF) or the League of Oregon Cities Capital Access Program, he will prepare a proposal for council. Hough also reported that the city is continuing to work on up- grading the Local Area Network and the telephone system; that grant funds would be applied toward PCN installation and operating expenses. He and City Recorder Jolynn Becker scheduled attendance at a grant workshop on March 13. Hough commended the Banks School District and Ore- gon First Community Credit Union for removing sightline visibility safety hazards along Main Street. He said the credit union sightline visibility safety arc should soon be complete and that he appreciated the good will expressed by both or- ganizations. The Tree Board has sched- uled an Arbor Day event in April, when Banks will receive Tree City USA certification from the National Arbor Day Foun- dation. A tree planting and edu- cation outreach on trees will be held. The motto is “the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is today.” The next city council meet- ing will be April 8 in city hall. Just the finest in collision repair No Custom Work CHERRY PRODUCTS Auto Body & Paint 1875 E. Baseline Cornelius 503-359- 5993 at City Hall, 100 South Main Street, Banks. Oral and written comments will be received by the Commission during the meeting. Written comments Please see page 14 Affordable Tuition for an Excellent Education Now Enrolling for 2007 - 2008 Banks Christian Academy Established since 1983 Jim’s Famous Bar -B-Que 11a.m - 6 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays Challenging academics, Christian values and small class sizes. • Preschool (3 & 4 yrs.) – 8th Grade • Before & After School Care • Languages, Music, Art & Computers • 3 or 5 Full Day Kindergarten • Many Educational Field Trips • Transportation Vernonia/Banks 22785 NW Fisher Rd. Buxton 97109 503-324-4500 www.bankschristianacademy.org 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171
