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.