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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, August 5, 2010 Page 11 Banks council looks at capital projects Sellers Rd. to re-open August 13 Council President Pete Edi- son presided at the July meet- ing of the Banks City Council, in the absence of Mayor John Kinsky. Several issues regard- ing potential modifications of the Capital Projects list con- sumed much of the meeting. In order to stay within the budget for capital projects, City Engineer Gordon Munro rec- ommended that Project 1A be deleted and the funds projected for it be used for the design and construction of Project 1B, the Behrman Well No. 2 backup supply. The backup supply is needed and the change also reduces projected costs for the multi-project list to $1,160,000. As previously requested, city staff determined that the cost for adding Library renovation to the project list would be about $100,000. The staff cost analy- sis for completing the Public Works building totalled $250,000. Council had expect- ed the cost to be around $500,000. Katie Schwab from Webush Morgan Securities, Inc. is work- ing with city staff and council on procedures needed to sell Cer- tificates of Participation under the LOCAP program. She also provided a pro forma schedule for Capital Projects which ana- lyzes the basic scenario plus three variations. Still to be de- termined is whether the city can afford the project. After lengthy discussion, Council decided to take no ac- tion on modifications, and agreed to table the item until next month. The delay will al- low time for city staff to address additional issues. Councilors also agreed that the issue should be decided when Mayor Kinsky and Councilor Christy Greagor are present to take part in the decision-making process. Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager and Finance Director to act on behalf of the City of Banks for LOCAP financing of pending capital projects, within certain parameters. Total funding specified in the resolution is “not-to-exceed” $1,700,000, al- lowing staff to complete the sale of the certificates without the necessity of another council meeting in case adjustments are needed. Stephanie Jones, who was Northwest Sellers and Northwest Banks roads, near the northern city limits of Banks, are closed at the rail- road crossing until Friday, Au- gust 13. The closure is neces- sary to construct the new Sell- ers Road alignment, upgrade the railroad crossing on Banks Road and remove the existing railroad crossing on Sellers Road. Signs are posted and a detour route is in place. The detour route directs vehicles to Highway 47 and Highway 26. Additional project improve- ments include widened travel lanes, paved shoulders, side- walks, street lighting, storm drainage infrastructure, water quality swale, signing and strip- ing. The newly realigned Sell- ers Road will also provide room not present at the council meet- ing, was thanked for her public service on the Banks Library Commission since February 2005, with a certificate of ap- preciation. On Kinsky’s behalf, Council President Pete Edison read the Banks National Night Out Proclamation, noting that Tues- day, August 3, would be Banks National Night Out 2010. Deputy Chertude reported that the 4th of July “went well”. The Washington County Sher- iff’s office assigned four police cars during the fireworks. Council thanked Chertude for their presence and for moving traffic in a smooth manner. The June activity report not- ed 148 total incidents in the city, including 65 calls for serv- ice, four arrests, 28 traffic stops, three citations and nine written reports. Two of the ar- rests were for warrants, one for failure to register as a sex of- fender, and one MIP (alcohol) in Greenville City Park. Teresa Lyda, Chair of Banks Planning Commission reported the panel’s activity during July. At their last meeting, commis- sioners reviewed and approved sign permit applications. Ap- proved signs included advertis- ing for the August 3 National Night Out event; new Banks Pharmacy signs for their move from inside Jim’s Thriftway to a vacant space next to Subway; and signage for the Banks-Ver- nonia Trail Head. City Manager Jim Hough’s report included the following: • The city is continuing to work with PGE regarding shift- ing streetlight ownership. A pro- posal from the Lighting Ser- vices Division will be sent to the OGE Capital Asset Committee on August 25, and a decision should be made in early Sep- tember. • Greenville City Park Man- agement Committee is working on a plan to bring back a “Movies in the Park” program on Friday, August 20 at dusk. The G-Rated movie is to be de- termined. • Council was reminded that the deadline to fill out and sub- mit the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) Legislative Priori- ties Survey is July 16. • The audio-visual improve- ments to Council Chambers have been made. The audio equipment is installed in the ceiling. • The controller on Behrman Well #1 is down. The cause is unknown and is being investi- gated. The city is now using the manual start function, which is working satisfactorily. • The city has been informed that the Portland & Western Railroad “Banks Rail Connec- tion” ConnectOregonIII applica- tion has been forwarded to the Oregon Transportation Com- mission with a recommenda- tion that it be fully funded. The hope is to have the project up and running in six to nine months, which Hough believes is “rather ambitious”, but is good news and will bring mon- ey into the community. • The city is continuing to seek historical names for inclu- sion in a proposed street name pool list that will be presented to the Planning Commission and Council for approval. The Banks Historical Society is compiling the list of proposed names. • Greenville City Park Man- agement Committee has for- warded a recommendation to council seeking a change to the Banks Municipal Code which bans skateboarding, etc., in the gazebo. • The Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad is working on the Banks Road rail crossing up- grade. The Sellers Road re- alignment project is on sched- ule and should be completed on time. • The city has patched a leak on the main water line at the SWATCO entrance on Sellers Road. The previous patch has worked its way loose. • The State Parks & Recre- ation Department has informed the city that they do not want to install an Electric Vehicle Charging Station at the Banks- Vernonia State Park trailhead. The city has withdrawn its ap- plication for a charging station grant. Hough commented that this is “discouraging”. The next city council meet- ing will be at Banks City Hall on August 10 at 7:30 p.m. Action Ads INEXPENSIVE – EFFECTIVE 503-429-9410 for the Banks-Vernonia South Trailhead, which is planned for completion later this fall. The project is a joint venture between Washington County, City of Banks, Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation (ODOT) Rail Division, Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Depart- ment. Funding for this project comes from a combination of Rural Surface Transportation Program (STIP), City of Banks, and ODOT Rail funding. For updates on this project, visit Washington County Roads at www.wc-roads.com or con- tact Matt Meier, Project Manag- er for Washington County, at 503-846-7800, or via e-mail: matt_meier@co.washington.or. us. Cats and kittens on sale at Hays It’s that time of year: The Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter is full to the brim with kittens and cats. “We’ve reduced our adop- tion prices on cats and kittens,” said Deborah Wood, manager of Animal Services for Wash- ington County. While the shel- ter is full, adult cats (over one year) are only $10 and kittens are buy-one, get-the-second- kitten-for-half-price (Must adopt both kittens at the same time): First Kitten is $80.00, second Kitten is only $40.00. All cats have been spayed or neutered, test negative for Feline Leukemia and FIV, are up-to-date on vaccines, and re- ceive a free veterinary exam from local veterinarians. “This is a great time to think of the joys of owning a cat. We think of cats as being the ‘new dog’” said Wood. “For people who love animals and work long hours or travel occasional- ly, cats can make perfect pets.” See Cats on page 17 Main Street Pizza 680 S. Main Oak Village Shopping Center Banks, Oregon 503-324-5858 Receive $2 off any large Pizza. $ 2 Off 00 Expires 8-31-10. Coupons cannot be sold or duplicated. Main Street Pizza 680 S. Main Oak Village Shopping Center Banks, Oregon 503-324-5858 Receive $1 off any medium Pizza. $1 Off 00 Expires 8-31-10. Coupons cannot be sold or duplicated.
