AUGUST 2002 NEWSLETTER

Water Storage Reservoir Project: The City has selected the site located at Ninth and "K" Streets for the construction of a new 1.0 million-gallon water storage reservoir. The new concrete reservoir will be constructed into the bank just southwest of the existing steel reservoir, and the old concrete reservoir will be removed from the site.

A public hearing will be held during the September 10th Planning Commission Meeting to consider a Conditional Use Permit application for the project. Meanwhile, a site survey and mapping will be completed, and geotechnical investigations will be scheduled.

Completion of this project will greatly improve the capacity of the City's water system. The project will meet the City's recommended storage needs for fire protection purposes and will provide the City with three days of water storage. The water storage reservoir has been designed to accommodate 20 years of projected growth.

Groundwater Well Project: Investigations and testing on the groundwater well located at Ninth and "K" Streets have been completed. The well has been capped due to continued poor water quality as a result of a high content of total dissolved solids.

The City will pursue drilling another groundwater well before selecting another alternative water supply option. This decision was made in an effort to avoid the high costs associated with the remaining available options, and to provide optimum taste and quality.

The City plans to drill a test well in Harvard Park, which is located on Sixth Street between Penn and Calvin Streets. A public hearing will be held during the August 13th Planning Commission meeting to consider a Conditional Use Permit application for the project.

Project Funding: The City's water storage reservoir and groundwater well projects are funded by a low-interest (1%) loan from the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund.

On Friday, July 12th, the odd and even day watering restrictions were lifted. We'd like to thank all of you for your cooperation in conserving water and following the odd and even watering schedule, which was in effect for 30 days.

The City's water treatment deficiencies have also been corrected since approximately June 20th. The problem occurs when the City's water usage exceeds the water system's pumping and storage capacity, and the required contact time with chlorine is not met because the water is flowing through the City's system too quickly.

During the month of June, the City located and repaired several large water leaks. In July we replaced a pump in our main booster station, and we are once again able to keep up with the water demands. However, we do encourage continued voluntary water conservation from all of our customers.

Thank you, again, for your cooperation and patience during the recent curtailment period.

MONTHLY WATER AND SEWER BILLINGS

The City plans to move to a monthly water and sewer billing cycle beginning in August 2002. Under the new billing cycle, water meters will be read monthly, resulting in quicker leak detection for our customers and for the City. We will also be able to communicate more frequently with our customers through a monthly newsletter. Additionally, it may be easier for some of our customers to manage water and sewer utility costs on a monthly basis.

Under the monthly billing system, the minimum charge will be equal to one-half of the current bi-monthly charge. The water usage allowed under the minimum charge will also be reduced in half.

An example of the fee change for a typical home located within the City limits is provided on the following page:

A public hearing to accept comments about the proposed changes in the billing cycle and fee calculations will be held during the August 15, 2002, City Council Meeting. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall at 7:30 p.m.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on August 13th, 2002, at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to obtain input related to a Conditional Use Permit request from the City to develop a well and associated facilities on City-owned property known as Harvard Park. The property is located along Sixth Street and between Calvin and Penn Streets.

The Planning Commission will also review draft revisions to the City's Comprehensive Plan during their August 13th meeting. Once the draft revisions are finalized, public hearings will be scheduled to obtain comments about the proposed changes. This important long-range planning project is funded by a grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

Sally Ann Marson has been appointed by the City Council as Planning Commissioner replacing Mike Singh who had resigned in April. Mike had served on the Commission since September 2001. Thank you, Mike, for volunteering your time. Welcome, Sally Ann, to the Planning Commission.

A group of 14 volunteers met on Saturday, June 15 to work in Bundy Memorial Park removing blackberry bushes, weeds, rocks, dead and dying trees, brush, and other unwanted debris. Another group of 17 volunteers met on Saturday, July 13, to continue the cleanup efforts. This group was aided by the City's backhoe and removed a large section of unwanted blackberry bushes and other woody debris.

Recently, Public Works Superintendent Micah Olson spent several hours with a bulldozer clearing and leveling the northern section of the park at the request of the Parks Committee.

The next work party is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This group will focus on removing rock and unwanted woody debris from the newly cleared area in preparation of the installation of a sprinkler system and grass seeding. Please join us!

We inadvertently omitted Norm and Barbara Jones from the list of contributors to the Jim Bundy Memorial Park in the last issue of the newsletter. We apologize for the oversight and thank the Jones' for their generous donation.

Please join us for the annual Columbia City Celebration, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 7th. The event will begin with a parade at 11:00 a.m. Once again there will be a decorated lawn mower competition, so dress up your mower and join the fun!

This year, all vendors will be outside and the auction will be held in the Community Hall. The children's carnival will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. The carnival will once again be held in the building located at Second and "I" Street, across from the City Hall, compliments of the Foursquare Gospel Church.

The silent auction will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at noon, and the public auction will start as soon as the highest bids for the silent auction are announced.

This year's T-shirt was designed by Teresa Knight and features "Columbia City 2002" attractively spelled out with nautical flags. An embroidered sample is on display at City Hall.

Don't forget - raffle tickets are currently available for purchase at City Hall. Tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00, and prizes are as follows:

Raffle winners will be announced following the completion of the public auction.

The Caples House Museum and Country Store will be open, and tours through the museum will be available at no charge. Donations are always appreciated.

We are in need of a roving photographer during the Celebration. If you would like to volunteer to serve as this year's photographer, please call City Hall.

The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.

If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

FIRST MEETING SCHEDULED FOR

QUILTERS AND EMBROIDERERS

Alice Barchus, Laura Flynn, Nell Harrison, Phyllis Moss, Phyllis Rowley, Claudia Yoes and Amy West helped with the June utility billings and newsletter.

During the water shortage, Gary Hudson, Mike and Gail Singh, Kathy Thomas, Claudia Yoes, Amy West, and Cheryl Young, along with her grandchildren Jenzi and Zach, helped with the mailing and delivery of the water notices. Also, Diana Guy helped with the telephone calling. Richard Ziglinski spent many days monitoring water reservoir levels, assisting the City crew in repairing water leaks, and performing other water related tasks.

Laura Flynn provided rhubarb for City staff.

Marion Calnon and Barbara Jones spruced up the City Hall landscaping.

The St. Helens Garden Club and Barbara Jones provided a cut flower arrangement for the front desk at City Hall.

You may recall that last year Amy West won the raffle during the Columbia City Celebration. Last year's prize was a gift certificate for Sun River Resort. After spending her time in Sun River, Amy wrote the following:

"On June 4th and 5th, I took advantage of my Sun River trip which I won last September when my raffle ticket was drawn. Accompanying me were my nephew, Jim, and his wife, Anita. This was a most delightful experience. I have never had such luxury. The resort is beautiful beyond description. The dining and lodging were superb. Sun River Resort extends for miles, and there is so much to see. I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Columbia City for making it all possible." --Amy West

In Eugene, a gardener bought a pretty ornamental plant with delicate white flowers. Within a year, it shot up to 15 feet high, and when the gardener tried to cut it down, the plant dripped toxic sap that burned his skin and caused severe, scarring blisters. The plant's seeds scattered, spreading across the countryside.

Toxic giant hogweed is spreading across parts of Oregon. It is a member of the parsley or carrot family. It flowers from mid-May through July, topped by an umbrella-shaped cluster of white florets. It has a purple, blistered stem. Giant hogweed is from southwestern Asia. It was brought to Great Britain as an ornamental plant, but soon escaped into the wild. It showed up in western Washington in the 1940s or 1950s. The Oregon Department of Agriculture put out its first warning about giant hogweed last summer.

The first confirmed sighting in Oregon was in Oakridge, and it now has spread to about 50 sites around the state, most in the Portland area. The plant probably has been in Oregon since the early 1990s, but people didn't understand that the plant was toxic, and doctors didn't know what was causing those nasty blisters.

The sap reacts when it gets on skin and the skin is exposed to sunlight. Victims will first notice itchy, hot, red and swelling skin within 24 hours. Then blisters develop, some as big as 6 inches long by 3 or 4 inches wide. Someone exposed to giant hogweed sap should wash the exposed area thoroughly with cold water and soap and avoid sunlight for two days. Hot water will open the pores and allow the sap's chemicals deeper into the skin.

If you encounter hogweed, don't touch it unless you're wearing gloves, long sleeves and long pants. Getting rid of the plant usually takes repeated doses with the herbicide Roundup. Suspected sightings should be reported to the state Agriculture Department's Invasive Species Hotline: 866-468-2337.

During the last few months, several homes have been vandalized with toilet paper and/or eggs. While this may seem like harmless fun to the prankster, it is a form of criminal mischief, which is a crime, and it could result in prosecution. Please be respectful of property owned by others, and please report any suspicious activity to the Police Department by calling (503) 397-4010 or (503) 397-1521.

Summer is a popular time for building projects. Please be aware that the City has setback requirements pertaining to where a structure, including a shed or similar outbuilding, can be built on your property. There are also requirements to determine when a building permit is needed, such as height and size of the structure. Before beginning a project, please call City Hall to insure that your project will be in conformance with City ordinances and permit requirements.

CANDIDATE FILING DATES

Two City Council positions and the position of Mayor will expire at the end of December. These positions will be filled during the upcoming General Election in November. Qualified electors who have resided within the City since November 5, 2001, may run for office. Nominating petitions are currently available at the City Hall. The nominating petitions must be signed by 20 qualified electors, and must be filed with the City Recorder by 5:00 p.m. on August 22, 2002. The Mayor and City Council positions are for a term of four years.

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