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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2011)
The INDEPENDENT, January 20, 2011 Page 13 Edison, Fowler and Gregg sworn-in for new city council terms Banks City Council hosted the Banks Chamber of Com- merce Holiday Lighting Contest Awards, at their January 11 meeting. The awards were pre- sented by Chamber Executive Director Ray Deeth. Thirteen applications were received for this year’s contest, and Deeth noted that more people are par- ticipating each year; this is the third year for the lighting con- test. The business award for first place went to the Banks Trail Café, which received a $50 gift certificate to Jim’s Thriftway. The Bolle and Copp Families each received a cre- ativity award, and each re- ceived a $50 gift certificate to Jim’s Thriftway. The third place award of $100 in gift certificates to local businesses, was pre- sented to the Renne Family. The Forrest Family and the Wa- ters Family tied for first place; with each family receiving $125 in gift certificates to local busi- nesses. Fran Todd, who was unable to attend the meeting due to liv- ing in a snow-bound area, re- quested that City Manager Jim Hough receive, on her behalf, the certificate of appreciation for her service on the Banks Tree Advisory Board. Hough commented that it was a “privi- lege” as he accepted the certifi- cate from the mayor. A swearing-in presentation was held for re-elected Coun- cilors Pete Edison, Rob Fowler and Mark Gregg. Edison was unanimously selected to again serve as Council President. Deputy Pat Chertude pre- sented the December police re- port showing 33 calls for serv- ice. Reported crimes in the city included a theft, a warrant ar- rest, and an Identity theft. There were 27 traffic stops with one citation written. Hough presented his report, which included the following: • The American Water Works Association issued a public af- fairs advisory regarding the re- cent recommendation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reduce the standard for fluoridation levels in community drinking water systems. Banks does not use fluoride in their water system, but the city will conducting a one-time check for naturally oc- curring fluoride and chromium 6. The city does not anticipate finding either element in the water system. • The city is preparing to draft its first-ever Water Utility Operations & Maintenance Manual. Bobby Edwards has been sent to train and gather information, with the assistance of our “circuit rider” from the Oregon Association of Water Utilities (OAWU). Banks is a member of OAWU. The city an- ticipates finishing the project next fall with some assistance from Don Cushing Engineering. • Hough attended webinar training, along with one of the city’s interns, on the Americans with Disabilities Act project Civic Access. The project is a follow up with municipalities on compliance with the ADA. The intern will be preparing docu- mentation for the city. The train- ing was conducted by the US Department of Justice (US- DOJ). • Because the city needs a more efficient emergency notifi- cation program, Councilor Gregg requested that the city meet with Larry Hatch at WCC- CA to discuss the new system they are in the process of pur- chasing. The city has ex- pressed a desire to participate and will continue working with Hatch as the county moves to- ward implementation in March. At this time there is no plan to charge member cities for the use of the system. The city would need to update phone and email data for all of its wa- ter customers, which is a big task, but hopes to be able to participate sometime in the spring. • The city received an inter- esting article from the New Yorker magazine regarding en- ergy efficiency and the dilemma it presents. The city has incor- porated the concept into the Banks Sustainability Strategy (BSS) that will be presented to council for adoption at the Feb- ruary 8 Banks City Council Meeting. • The city is working with oth- er members of the PSWCC Op- erations Team regarding a re- cent Oregonian article about in- dividual residential solar power. This information will also be in- corporated into the BSS. • The second evidentiary hearing on the UGB Expansion will be at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. • The city is working with the League of Oregon Cities to bring Planning Commission training to Banks as part of their “Training to Go” program. It is hoped that other cities in need of Planning Commission train- ing will join in so the training can be conducted at a lower cost. • The city is working with two interns on the Sidewalk Inven- tory and Improvement Plan. Council will be provided with a briefing at their next meeting. Citizens are being notified of problem areas. • The city has completed the transfer of its Option B street- lights to PGE under Option A. The funds received have been placed into Capital Reserve Fund #13 for future capital ex- penditures. • The city has an opening on the Banks Budget Committee, which will convene on March 15. • Tom Tuski started as the Public Works Supervisor on De- cember 21. Tuski will replace Fred Evers, who is retiring. • Senator Jeff Merkley will hold his next Washington Coun- ty Town Hall meeting in Banks on Friday, January 21, at 1:00 p.m. in the Banks Fire District #13 Training Room. Mayor John Kinsky will host the senator. In other business, Council: √ Adopted an ordinance re- vising the Banks Municipal Code, adding food waste to the Solid Waste Collection Fran- chise with SWATCO. The mo- tion carried by a 5-1 vote. √ Unanimously adopted the draft City of Banks Council Guidelines and Rules 2010 document √ Reviewed the council committee assignments. With one modification, council de- clined to change assignments. At the December 14 Council Work Session, city staff pro- posed purchasing a 1985 truck with a Vactor System to share with Cornelius. At this meeting, council authorized city staff to draft an IGA with Cornelius for the purchase and maintenance of the Vactor-truck, and to pres- ent the draft to council at its February 8 meeting. The next City of Banks Council Meeting will be held on February 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Banks School District School Board meeting room, located at 420 South Main. www.jimsthriftway.com At our new website you can; View our weekly specials Texas Rio Star Grapefruit • See what's on sale each week • Get meal ideas for sale items • Get your circular delivered in email Create Personal Shopping lists • Add a recipe's ingredients to your list • Add Weekly Specials items to your list • Email your shopping list to a friend or family member Browse Thousands of Recipes • Print your favorite recipes • Email recipes to friends & family • See ingredients on sale with links to Weekly Specials 4 /$1 Friday, Saturday and Sunday Only, 1/21/11 - 1/23/11. www.jimsthriftway.com 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171