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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 5, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, November 5, 2009 Page 13 Banks Council hears preliminary results of the water rate study Shaun Pigott, of Shaun Pig- ott Associates, LLC, who has been conducting a water rate study for Banks, attended the October 13 Banks Council Work Session, prior to the reg- ular meeting, to discuss prelim- inary results on water rates and SDCs (System Development Charges) including the rate structure and key points affect- ing rates on capitol projects and the Operations and Main- tenance fund. He included a forecast of revenue require- ments, and an SDC overview, with a forecast of water sales for 2009-2010 at $395,000; 48% of which will result from the utility base charge ($21.89 per account), with 52% from the volume charge ($3.05 per 100 cubic feet). The 2009 water master plan proposed improvements which include Well No. 2 as an addi- tional water source funded in 2011, a transmission pipe-line replacement partially funded in 2011 with the balance in 2012, and site upgrades to be funded in 2011 and 2112. Pigott recom- mended staggering the proj- ects. Current comparative water rates for single-family resi- dences assuming 1000 cubic feet of use in neighboring areas are Willamina $34.75, Newberg $35.95, Dundee $39.33, Banks $40.19, Yamhill $41.85, Lafayette $52.75, Carlton $52.75, Gaston $75.84 and North Plains $84.94. After the Council meeting started, newly assigned Banks Ye Olde Dingheiser Deputy Sheriff Brian Upton was sworn in. Upton has seven years of experience and will be covering Banks two days a week, on Deputy Chertude’s days off. Upton also covers the city of Gaston. He is excited about his new assignment in Banks. Deputy Chertude reported that there were 52 calls for service in September, four ar- rests, 50 traffic stops and 16 traffic citations issued. Cher- tude said he gave a lot of warn- ings, using them as an opportu- nity to educate people that the speed limit in school zones is 20 mph. He added that he stops by the high school daily to visit with the kids, and finds them pleasant and friendly. Councilor Christy Greagor requested that Chertude drive by Greenville Park after park hours, and remind youth that the park closes at curfew which is 10:00 p.m. Jeff Schillereff spoke during the time provided for interested citizens, to request permission to hunt on the watershed. Council will have to research this issue and get back to Schillereff, but told him that his request was a good one. Forest Grove Planning Di- rector Jon Holan appeared to brief council on the Five-City Subregional Concept letter. The Five-City participants (Cor- nelius, Forest Grove, North Plains, Hillsboro, and Banks) each has their own distinct land needs and views on the merits of the Urban Reserves recom- Just the finest in collision repair Pub & Restaurant VISA - MC - ATM Access BEER • WINE • FOOD KEGS & ICE TO GO Lunch, Dinner and Cocktails Served Daily All Lottery Games 11:00 am to closing Closed mondays 47100 NW Sunset Hwy. Manning • 324-4848 No Custom Work CHERRY PRODUCTS Auto Body & Paint 1875 E. Baseline Cornelius 503-359- 5993 mendations in the Strategies for a Sustainable and Prosper- ous Region. The cities all agree that the recommendations do not provide and distribute enough industrial Urban Re- serves to accommodate the 40- 50 year land needs of high tech, silicon solar manufactur- ing and incubating bio-pharma industry clusters. The letter urges the Reserves Steering and Core 4 Committees to rec- ommend adjusting the industri- al reserves to accommodate acreage locations for 2060 In- dustry Cluster Absorption. Council approved the five-city subregional concept letter to Washington County and Metro, and authorized the mayor to sign on behalf of the city. Mayor John Kinsky appoint- ed Mark Gregg as the City Rep- resentative to the Metropolitan Area Communications Com- mission (MACC) and designat- ed himself as the alternate. Ryan Birr resigned from council, effective immediately, for personal reasons. Council President Pete Edison noted for the record that he will miss Birr as they have served to- gether on the council for some time. Edison said that he invit- ed Birr to be his guest at the city’s Christmas Party. City Manager Jim Hough presented his report to council: • The PGE franchise negoti- ations are ongoing and the city might not be able to have an agreeable draft prior to January 1, 2010; • City staff is working on an H1N1 Flu Pandemic Operating Plan; • Three interns are working on projects for Banks: Aaron O’Donnell, a graduate student at PSU who is working on his Masters in Public Administra- tion, is also working on the city’s H1N1 Pandemic Flu Plan and on getting a grant for two AEDs; Jordan Nakayama, an undergraduate student at Pacif- ic University majoring in envi- ronmental studies, is working on enhancing the city’s sustain- ability policies; and Stephanie Woodcock, a student at PCC Rock Creek, is working on a number of administrative proj- ects, including the city’s Recy- cle At Work project. The next Banks City Council Meeting will be held at City Hall on November 10. Poker Night helps BHS wrestlers A Texas Hold’em Poker Night is scheduled for Novem- ber 13, in the Banks High School Wrestling Room. Check in between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. for seat draw and food. Play starts at 7:00 p.m. Buy in $50.00 for 5000 in tournament chips with rebuy available. First place will pay $600, second pays $400, third pays $200 (all VISA gift cards). Oth- er prizes too. Seats limited to 50 players. To pre-purchase and guarantee your seat, con- tact Coach Jon Small at 503- 840-8216 or bhspokernight@ gmail.com. All players must be 21 or over and all those on premises must be at least 18 years of age. Proceeds benefit the BHS Wrestling Team. Need Firewood? Got Leaves? We Can Help Chain saws Starting at $ 179 95 Blowers Starting at $ 149 95 MS 250 Chain Saw This model has an excellent power-to-weight ratio. Stan- dard features include a side- access chain tensioner for easy chain adjustment. BG 55 Hand Held Blower Makes clean-up easier. Primer bulb and throttle lock ensure fast starts. Easily converts to a leaf vac with optional kit. PRECISION OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT Banks Hardware 503-324-5221 • 150 N. Main Street, Banks • Mon - Fri 8am to 6pm • Saturday 8am to 5pm • Sunday 10am to 4pm