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DECEMBER 2002 NEWSLETTER
CHRISTMAS SHIPS
The Columbia River Fleet of Christmas Ships will be in Columbia City on December 14th. They plan to assemble in St. Helens between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., and Columbia City will be their first destination. The ships will return to the docks in St. Helens to spend the night and will leave Sunday for the trip up the Multnomah Channel. For a more complete schedule, visit the Christmas Ship Parade website at www.christmasships.org.
WATER PROJECT UPDATE
Reservoir project: The City's engineers are working on the final design for the reservoir project. The survey work for the transmission piping and overflow drainage related to the reservoir project is currently underway. The overflow drainage piping will be routed down Ninth Street to the intersection with "I" Street and connect to an existing catch basin. New 16-inch transmission piping will be installed in the following street right-of-ways:
Ninth Street from "K" Street to "I" Street.
"I" Street from Ninth Street to Sixth Street.
Sixth Street from "I" Street to "H" Street.
"H" Street from Sixth Street to Fifth Street.
Fifth Street from "H" Street to "E" Street.
The new transmission piping will provide the north end of the City with the water pressure needed to meet future fire flow demands as development occurs.
Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2003.
Well project: The City will begin drilling a test well in Harvard Park on December 2, 2002.
Please feel free to contact the City Hall for additional information about these projects.
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.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
Wal-Mart recently presented the City of Columbia City with a $250 check as a contribution to the City's 2002 Celebration. We'd like to thank everyone at Wal-Mart for their support of this community project. All proceeds from the City's Celebration are used for staffing the Columbia City School and Community Library. The net proceeds from this year's event totaled $5,793.88.
PAY ON TIME TO AVOID ADDITIONAL FEES
Since converting to a monthly billing system, some customers have expressed confusion about our due dates and late fees. Here is an overview of our current payment policies:
Utility bills are due on the 10th of each month.
A delinquent notice is mailed and a charge of $5 is applied if the bill is not paid by the 25th of each month.
A shutoff notice is delivered in the form of a door hanger and a late fee of $15 is applied if the bill is not paid by the 10th of the following month.
A reconnection fee of $25 is applied if the water is turned off, which occurs on the first working day after the door hanger is delivered.
Therefore, if the utility bill is not paid and goes to shut off, a total of $45 in late fees can be applied to an account.
For example: The
utility bill included with this Newsletter was mailed on November 27th.
Payment is due December 10th. If the bill is still not paid by the 25th,
a de
linquent
notice will be mailed and a fee of $5 is applied on December 26th. If
the bill is still unpaid on January 10th, a shut off notice will be
delivered to the premises and a $15 late fee is applied on January 11th. The
water is shut off on January 12th and the account is charged a
reconnection fee of $25. The delinquent balance and all related fees must be
paid before the water is reconnected.
If a utility bill has not been paid on December 25th, the past due amount will show as a "Previous Balance" and be added to the January monthly statement that is generated on the December 26th. If you have questions about your bill please contact us by calling (503) 397-4010.
WINTER TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR CAR
Keep the gas tank full and include:
blanket or sleeping bag
booster cable and tools
emergency flares
first aid kit
flashlight and batteries
rain gear, walking shoes, warm hat and gloves and extra clothes
tow chain or rope
shovel
traction devices and a bag of sand (kitty litter)
windshield scraper and brush
quick energy food (candy bars)
NEWS FROM THE COLUMBIA CITY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY LIBRARY
New to the library is The Mitford series by award-winning author, Jan Karon. Meet the lovable and entertaining characters of Mitford, a charming village nestled in the hills. The first book of the series will introduce you to Father Tim, the rector, who longs for change until along comes a stray dog, a new neighbor, a loveable boy, a thief, and a secret.
In our "Author Spotlight" meet Sue Henry. Her award-winning Alaska mysteries have received praise from many of our readers. Sue brings history, Alaskan lore, and the beautiful landscape into her mysteries.
A seasonal favorite is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. In this hilarious story, the Kranks try to escape Christmas only to be reminded of its real meaning by their friends and family.
Hours: Monday & Wednesday 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Bedtime Story: December 2nd 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Closed: December 24th and 31st.
The Friends of the Library will not be meeting this month. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m.
THANK YOU!
Alice Barchus, Nell Harrison, Delores Heinz, Laura Flynn, Phyllis Rowley, Helen Sandstrom and Amy West helped with the November utility billings and newsletter.
Barbara Jones cleaned up the flowerbeds at City Hall.
POLICE REPORT
September 20th, 2002
09/21/02 - Agency assist - St. Helens Police.
09/22/02 - Traffic complaint. Go-karts and bikes reported being a problem.
09/23/02 - Vandalism. Park benches.
09/23/02 - Traffic complaint. Vehicle blocking area near Sixth and "B" Streets. Moved by owner.
09/25/02 - Theft. Shower stall stolen from a new house in the 400 block of "B" Street.
09/25/02 - Noise complaint. Loud stereo reported by neighbors in the 3300 block of Tahoma Street.
09/26/02 - Alarm. Dixieline Lumber.
09/26/02 - Vandalism. 1600 block of Second Place.
09/27/02 - Runaway. Juvenile found on Franklin Street.
09/29/02 - Agency assist. State Police on a DUII arrest.
09/29/02 - Theft. Son steals from his father.
09/30/02 - Vandalism. Storage unit.
09/30/02 - Vandalism. Mini Mart. Suspect located.
09/30/02 - Parking complaint. Semi parked on Pacific Street.
09/30/02 - Citizen assist. Message delivery in the 1900 block of Second Street.
10/03/02 - Animal complaint. 1800 block of First Street.
10/04/02 - Agency assist. Sheriff’s Office.
10/05/02 - Citizen assist. Highway 30 near Chimes Crest.
10/07/02 - Suspicious person. Checked okay on Metlako Way.
10/08/02 - Alarm. 1700 block of Sixth Street.
10/11/02 - Suspicious person. Persons with paint ball guns in Pixie Park.
10/13/02 - Attempt to locate. DUII driver on Highway 30 near south City limits. Unable to locate.
10/14/02 - Suspicious person. Checked okay.
10/14/02 - Traffic complaint. Vehicle blocking near First and "G" Streets.
10/14/02 - Traffic hazard. Basketball hoop in the roadway.
10/14/02 - Citizen assist. Vehicle lockout.
10/15/02 - Motorist assist. Highway 30 near MP 30.
10/17/02 - Traffic complaint. Second and "L" Streets.
10/17/02 - Traffic complaint. Speeding vehicles near Second and "K" Streets.
10/17/02 - Agency assist. St. Helens Police on a call of a prowler in the Crestview Mobile Park.
10/17/02 - Traffic hazard. 1600 block of Fourth Street. Removed by owner.
10/17/02 - Parking complaint. 400 block of "I" Street. Will be moved by owner.
10/17/02 - Suspicious vehicles. Checked okay at Trestle Beach.
10/18/02 - Suspicious vehicle. Checked okay in the 1400 block of Second Street.
10/18/02 - Citizen assist. Helped locate basketball near 1800 block of Fourth Street.
10/18/02 - Motorist assist. Highway 30 and the trestle. Unsecure load.
10/18/02 - Agency assist. Fire Department near the 2500 block of Sixth Street.
10/19/02 - Burglary. 1700 block of Second Street.
10/19/02 - DUII driver. Northbound from Gable Street on Highway 30. Unable to locate.
10/19/02 - Motorist assist. Disabled vehicle on Highway 30 near Chimes Crest.
10/20/02 - Citizen complaint. 2400 block of Fifth Street. 10/21 - Prowler reported. 1800 block of Second Street.
10/21/02 - Suspicious vehicle. Checked okay.
10/21/02 - Suspicious person. Fourth Street.
10/21/02 - Suspicious person. Foursquare Church. Person contacted by the officer and given a ride out of town.
10/21/02 - Agency assist. ODOT. Traffic signal out at Highway 30 and "E" Street southbound.
10/21/02 - Agency assist. St. Helens Police with persons drinking on the bike path.
10/21/02 - Suspicious person. Checked okay near 2100 block of Second Street.
10/21/02 - Theft. 2200 block of Second
Street.
10/21/02 - Dog complaint. 300 block of Lincoln Street.
10/22/02 - Citizen assist. 1700 block of Second Street.
DECEMBER 2002
MEETING AND EVENT CALENDAR
December 3rd - 7:00 p.m. - Enhancement Grant Project Design Committee Meeting at City Hall
December 5th - 7:30 p.m. - Regular City Council Meeting at City Hall
December 10th - 7:00 p.m. - Planning Commission Meeting at City Hall
December 12th - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall
December 17th - 7:00 p.m. - Water Committee Meeting at City Hall
December 19th 7:30 p.m. - Regular City Council Meeting
at City Hall - CANCELED
December 24th - CLOSED - City Hall will be closed on Christmas Eve
December 25th - CLOSED - City Hall will be closed on Christmas Day
December 26th - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall
Happy Holidays!