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CHRISTMAS SHIPS
DECEMBER 15TH
The 2001 Christmas Ships of the Columbia River fleet are scheduled to be off the shore of Columbia City at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 15th. For more information on the full schedule and the history of the fleet, check out the web site at www.christmasships.org.
"KING" WELL UPDATE
A Well Dedication Ceremony was held on November 1st to officially dedicate the new well at 9th and "K" Streets. The new well was christened the "King" Well in memory of long-time Columbia City Council and Planning Commission member, Carolyn King, who passed away in November, 1999. King never gave up hope of re-establishing an independent water system for Columbia City and was the primary cheerleader for the Water Committee for many years. The new well is just the beginning, and plans are underway for other future improvements to the City's water system, including a one-million gallon reservoir and at least one more well. The King Well is now connected to the City's water system, and is being used to supplement the water Columbia City purchases from the City of St. Helens. The King Well is capable of producing approximately 200 gallons of water per minute.
HOUSING REHABILITATION FUNDS
ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
Is your house in need of repairs? Low-income homeowners may now be eligible for no-interest, deferred payment loans! The funds may be used to complete the following housing rehabilitation projects:
Update electrical, plumbing or sewer
Replace or update heat source
Replace roof, doors, windows
Structural repairs
Foundation repairs
Energy saving measures
In order to qualify, you must be a homeowner, meet income and property guidelines, and live in the dwelling to be repaired. Loan funds are limited! Please contact the Community Action Team, Inc., at (503) 397-1675 for additional information and/or loan applications.
CITY RECEIVES SEVERAL GRANT AWARDS
We'd like to announce our recent receipt of the following grant awards:
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant of $500: These funds will be used for the purchase of a hand-held intoxilyzer and related supplies, along with an emergency side-strobe light for our main patrol vehicle.
Special City Allotment Grant of $25,000: These funds will be used to overlay the following four sections of City streets:
"I" Street from Seventh Street to Ninth Street.
"J" Street from Fifth Street to Sixth Street.
Fifth Street from "I" Street south to the middle of the block.
Fifth Street from "E" Street to "C" Street.
Transportation and Growth Management Grant of $25,000: These funds will be used to update the Columbia City Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances to incorporate regulations addressing the City's adopted Transportation System Plan in accordance with the Transportation Planning Rules.
PLANNING COMMISSION NEWS
Jennifer Pugsley recently resigned from her position on the
Planning Commission. Jennifer has served on the Planning Commission since
January, 1999, and will certainly be missed. Thank you, Jennifer, for your work
as a commissioner.
Mary Ann Hough has been appointed to fill the remainder of Jennifer's term. Welcome, Mary Ann, and thank you for your willingness to volunteer your time as a member of our Planning Commission.
A City-initiated amendment to the Zoning Ordinance will be considered by the Planning Commission during a public hearing on January 8, 2002. The amendment is being proposed as a tool to enable the acquisition of future public parklands that are identified in the City's Parks Master Plan. The proposal is to allow a reduction in lot size, with no change in density, in exchange for the dedication of land identified in the Parks Master Plan for public park purposes.
CAN YOU FIND YOUR WATER METER?
If not, chances are the City's meter reader cannot find it either!
Please keep your water meter easily accessible.
Keep bushes, tress and shrubs trimmed back.
Don't bury your meter under rocks, sand, bark, yard debris, etc.
Don't store equipment, lumber, or other items on top of your water meter box.
Don't park cars, boats, recreational vehicles, riding lawn mowers, etc., over your meter box.
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
Christmas trees:
Purchase fresh trees that have not begun dropping needles.
Water trees often.
Dispose of the tree as soon as possible after the holidays.
Never dispose of Christmas trees or wrapping paper in your woodstove.
Lights:
Make sure the lights are UL approved.
Make sure you have good connections at all outlets.
Make sure cords are in good shape.
Candles:
Never leave candles unattended.
Never place on or near combustibles.
Keep matches/lighters/candles away from children.
Always rest your candles on a fireproof surface, away from drafts.
It is best to keep candles lit for no more than 4 hours at any time.
Before lighting, always trim the wick to ¼ inch to prevent the candle from smoking. If you see the candle smoking or if the flame grows too large during use, extinguish the candle, trim the wick, and re-light.
Keep any wick trimmings out of or away from the candle.
If the flame grows too small during burning, carefully pour off the liquid wax.
Smoke detectors:
Make sure your home has working smoke detectors outside of each sleeping area and on each level.
THANK YOU!
Alice Barchus, Dorothy Greyell, Kim Hewette, Phyllis Moss, Phyllis Rowley, Helen Sandstrom, Amy West and Claudia Yoes helped with the October newsletter and utility billings. We'd also like to express our thanks to the following:
Don Cass repainted the anchor in front of City Hall.
Jim Gillam and Donald and Marcia Parrett shared tomatoes.
Steve and Jo Messenger provided Kona coffee.
Dave Lawrence donated three barrels to be used for garbage cans along the Bike Path.
Dick Simpson shared his homemade pies.
Maxine Loyd shared her homemade cookies.
BASIC RULES FOR
PROPER OPEN BURNING
Open burn season is now in effect. Improper burning techniques can cause a great amount of discomfort for your neighbors. It also adds to pollutants in the air, and it could result in the revocation of your open burn permit. Please be respectful of your neighbor's quality of life and the environment and carefully follow these basic open burning rules:
Have a current and proper permit.
Have an approved burn barrel or pile.
Ensure proper and safe distances.
Attend to burn barrel or pile and have water available.
Burn appropriate material.
Smoke must not adversely affect neighbors.
Burn only on designated burn days
Burn during daylight hours.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO
WOULD LIKE TO BUILD
A NEW HOME IN ST. HELENS?
Self Help Housing is seeking families for new homes in the St. Helens area. Self Help Housing is designed to help families work together to build their own homes. Qualifying applicants trade their labor for a down payment plus a significant "equity" value in the property. They end up with a brand new home that is attractive, modern, secure, and energy efficient, with no down payment and low monthly payments! If you know someone who might be interested in this program, please have them contact the Community Action Team, Inc., by calling (503) 397-1675.
CITY HALL STAFF REQUEST
When paying your water and sewer bill, please send the bottom half of the utility bill with your payment, or write your account number clearly on your check or envelope. This will help to ensure that your payment is applied to the correct account. We appreciate your help!
LIBRARY NEWS
In October, Linda Mount, library assistant and very special friend of the Friends of the Library and the community, retired. On November 13, she passed away from cancer. Linda came to Columbia City School in 1985 and began volunteering countless hours. Her love for reading and children soon became apparent, and the School District hired her to work in the library. Linda made the library as special place for the children and, later, for the community when the school opened the library to the general public.
Linda had a real love for the children. One parent recalls how she seemed to know each child individually, "This book is just for you, it is about princesses, and look, it has your favorite colors in it - pink and purple." All the children received her special attention, and she'll be greatly missed.
Monday, December 4th - Bedtime Story - 7:30-8:00 p.m.: Come to the library for a special story. Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite teddy bear.
No Friends of the Library meeting in December.
The library is now adding to its collection "books on tape." Tape donations need to be in the original box.
SAFEGUARDING PERSONAL PROPERTY
Officers have identified several people involved in a bicycle theft ring operating in the north end of Columbia City. Criminal charges have been referred to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and the Columbia County Juvenile Department for consideration. Some tips to safeguard from theft of personal property follow:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
POLICE REPORT
(May 17th to September 25th, 2001)
08/10 Parking complaint in the 1500 block of Fourth Street.
08/11 Warrant arrest in the 1600 block of Fourth Street.
08/13 Traffic hazard near Highway 30 and Pacific Streets.
08/13 Parking complaint in the 2400 block of Sixth Street.
08/13 Citizen assist in the 200 block of Fourth Street.
08/14 Noise complaint in the 1700 block of First Street.
08/16 Agency assist on 375 Metlako Way.
08/16 Traffic hazard on Highway 30 near "L" Street.
08/16 Motorist assist near Highway 30 and "L" Street.
08/16 Traffic hazard near Highway 30 and Chimes Crest.
08/17 Missing person returns home.
08/18 Probation violation arrest.
08/18 Animal at large near Second Place and "J" Street.
08/20 Trespassing call in the 600 block of Franklin Street.
08/20 Dog complaint in the 200 block of "E" Street.
08/22 Silent alarm in the 1700 block of Seventh Street.
08/22 Noise complaint in the 1700 block of First Street.
08/22 Animal complaint in the 1700 block of First Street.
08/25 Agency assist on a juvenile problem near the 1200 block of Fifth Street.
08/27 Vandalism in the 1600 block of Sixth Street.
08/27 Report of unlawful discharging of weapons near 1500 block of Fourth Place.
08/30 Motorist assist near the 300 block of Tahoma Court.
08/31 Vandalism reported of paint balls shot at two residences.
09/03 Juvenile problem reported in the 1200 block of Fifth Street.
09/15 Noise complaint in the 1600 block of Sixth Street.
09/15 Assist St. Helens Police in the 700 block of James Street.
09/15 Assist St. Helens Police in the 3600 block of Tahoma Street.
09/15 Assist St. Helens Police in the 300 block of Spinnaker Way.
09/15 Assist St. Helens Police in the 1700 block of Seventh Street.
09/15 Assist St. Helens Police at 375 Metlako Way.
09/15 Assist St. Helens Police in the 400 block of "A" Street.
09/15 Assist St. Helens Police in the 1800 block of Second Street.
09/16 Suspicious person in the 400 block of "E" Street.
09/16 Suspicious person in the 2300 block of Sixth Street.
09/16 Citizen assist at residence on Metlako Way.
09/17 Burglary and trespass reported at a residence on Metlako Way.
09/17 Assist Oregon State Police.
09/20 Citizen assist in the 1300 block of Fourth Street.
09/19 Motorist assist on Highway 30 near "E" Street.
09/21 Agency assist.
09/21 Motorist assist on Highway 30 near "I" Street.
09/24 Harassment call from a resident in the 1600 block of Sixth Street.
10/01 Vandalism at a residence in the 300 block of Spinnaker Way.
10/01 Annoyance call in the 400 block of "A" Street.
10/01 Civil problem in the 1600 block of Sixth Street.
10/01 Fraud call in the 1600 block of First Street.
10/01 Assist St. Helens police in searching for lost child.
10/05 Complaint of boat parked in the area of Fifth and "I" Streets.
10/08 Theft of car speakers.
10/08 Theft from a boat trailer near Fourth and "M" Streets.
10/08 Theft of a stereo.
10/08 Suspicious persons near Sixth and Franklin Streets.
10/09 Complaint of vehicle parked on bike path.
10/10 Hit and run in the 3300 block of Tahoma Street.
10/11 Assist St. Helens Police with a fight in progress call.
10/12 Theft of a bike.
10/12 Assist the Sheriff’s Office in the service of an arrest warrant.
10/13 Suspicious vehicle in the 3300 block of Sixth Street.
10/15 Dog bite call on Metlako Way.
10/16 Dogs barking complaint in the 2600 block of Sixth Street.
10/16 Animal complaint in the 1300 block of Fourth Street.
10/18 Assault call on Sixth Street.
10/18 Harassment call. No location given.
10/19 Assist St. Helens police on a possible DUII on Highway 30
10/19 911 call in the 1500 block of Fourth Street.
10/19 Suspicious vehicle near the Port of St. Helens offices. Checked okay
10/25 Dog complaint in the 1500 block of Sixth Street.
10/25 Burglary involving theft of firearms in the 1500 block of Fourth Street.
10/25 Burglary and vandalism in the 1900 block of The Strand.
10/25 Bike theft reported.
10/26 Drug arrest made near Pixie Park. Subject found with marijuana.
10/26 Warrant arrest near 700 block of James Street.
10/22 Alarm responded to in the 200 block of "G" Street.
10/26 Vandalism and trespassing in the 1900 block of The Strand.
10/31 Suspicious person at CJ’s market.
11/02 Found property in the 3600 block of Tahoma Street.
11/02 Missing child found while assisting St. Helens Police.
11/02 Motorist assist near Highway 30 and "L" Street.
11/08 Report of a motorcycle using the bike path.
11/09 Bike theft in the 2400 block of Sixth Street.
11/11 Suspicious vehicle near First and "I" Streets.
11/10 Suspicious vehicle near Sixth and "D" Streets.
11/12 Motorist assist on Highway 30 near "I" Street
11/13 Theft in the 3300 block of Sixth Street
11/13 Theft call in the 1900 block of Third Street
11/13 Found property in the 400 block of Pacific Street.
11/13 Theft in the 3400 block of Sixth Street
11/09 Parking complaint in the 1900 block of The Strand.
11/11 Suspicious vehicle on the bike path.
11/16 Citizen assist in the 1500 block of Fourth Street.
11/18 Suspicious person in the 2300 block of Sixth Street.
11/19 Domestic dispute near Highway 30 and "E" Street.