january2004

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FEBRUARY 2004

PUBLIC HEARING ON WATER RATE INCREASE

On February 5, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. the City Council will hold a public hearing to accept comments on a proposal to increase water rates. The rate increase is needed to raise revenue to repay the City's Safe Drinking Water Loan.

The City received a low interest (1%) loan in the amount of $2,990,500 to construct a 1.0 million gallon water reservoir and to develop production wells. The reservoir project is substantially complete, and the well project is still underway.

The first debt payment on this 30-year loan is due in December 2004. Initially the City plans to use a combination of system development charge revenues and water usage revenues to make the debt payments. In order to retain the low interest rate and make future loan payments solely from water usage revenues, additional annual increases will be necessary. The low interest rate will save nearly $2 million during the loan payback period.

To begin to raise funds for the December loan payment, the City Council plans to implement an increase in the minimum water charge, effective February 26th, which will be reflected on the March 26th water bills. For a residential customer within the City limits, the proposal is to increase the minimum monthly charge by $5.00. No changes to the usage fees are proposed at this time. The rates for commercial, industrial and outside City water users are scheduled to increase in similar proportions.

Comments about the proposed water rate increase may be submitted in writing prior to the hearing or may be delivered in person during the hearing. The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 1840 Second Street, Columbia City.

THANK YOU

We'd like to extend a very special thank you to:

Bernadette Albertine, Gloria Chinell, Dorothy Greyell, and Phyllis Rowley for helping with newsletters and utility bills in December.

MAIL THEFT

On the 11^th of January, mail from several mailboxes was found scattered along City streets. It is unknown if this act was perpetrated by kids or by someone looking for personal information. Identity theft is a growing crime and personal mailboxes can provide the information needed to steal your identity. Renting a post office box at the local post office is one way to ensure your mail is protected. Listed below are a few tips to help avoid mailbox theft:

Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office.

Promptly remove mail from your mailbox.

Have the post office hold your mail if you will be gone and unable to pick up your mail

Do not leave mail in your mailbox overnight or over weekends.

For more information about identity theft, check out the US Postal Service website at www.usps.gov or the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.

NEW VEHICLE LAWS

On January 1, 2004, several new laws took effect regarding skateboards, inline skates, scooters and Segways (self-balancing motorized scooters).

Children younger than 16 must wear a helmet when riding a skateboard, scooter or in-line skates on a public highway or in a public place.

Operators of Segways must be at least 16 years old. Helmets are required, and the units can only be operated at a maximum speed of 15 mph on streets that have a posted speed of 25 mph or less. Columbia City prohibits use of any motorized vehicle on bike paths and sidewalks. No passengers are allowed. During limited visibility, the unit must have a white light to the front visible for a distance of 500 feet and a reflector and/or red light to the rear visible from a distance of 600 feet. A Segway is considered a vehicle by the Oregon Motor Vehicle Code and applicable laws apply such as signaling for turns and stopping.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY NEWS

February is LOVE YOUR LIBRARY month!

Mon., Feb. 2^nd 6:30-7:00 p.m. Bedtime Story with Lee Phillips. Dress comfy and bring your teddy bear.

Mon., Feb. 16^th Closed for President’s Day

Tues., Feb. 17^th 7:00 p.m. Friends of the Library Meeting

Wed., Feb. 18^th 6:00 p.m. Interested in joining a book club for adults? Lee Phillips will be hosting a get acquainted meeting to explore the possibility of starting a group at the library. Please call if you are unable to come but are still interested.

Mon., Feb. 23^rd 6:00 p.m. An open invitation to join a quilting group which will be meeting in the library.

Wed., Feb 25^th Library Patron Appreciation Day! Come visit with neighbors and friends while you enjoy a piece of cake.

A special thanks to community members and the Friends of the St. Helens Library who have donated money for our children’s collections. Because of their generosity we have purchased over 20 Caldecott and Newbery award winning hardcover books.

New from the bestsellers’ list: The DaVinci Code, Nora Roberts's novels, and James Patterson’s Big Bad Wolf. New books are being added everyday.

The Friends of the Library are seeking volunteers to fill the offices of secretary and vice-president for the remainder of the term until September. Please call if you are interested.

Library hours: Monday and Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Phone: (503) 366-7588

For a listing of the Library's best sellers go to www.columbia-center.org/colcity

POLICE REPORT

(December 18, 2003 - January 23, 2004)

12/18/03 Assisted Oregon State Police on a traffic stop near Highway 30 and Pacific Street.

12/19/03 Citizen assisted with a locked vehicle in the 1800 block of Fifth Street.

12/20/03 Complaint of garbage dumped near Chimes Crest on Highway 30. Referred to the Highway Department.

12/23/03 Report taken from the victim of an earlier reported theft. Property was not stolen, but mislaid.

12/23/03 Information received regarding drug sales occurring at Pixie Park.

12/26/03 Suspicious person reported peeking in windows in the 400 block of Penn Street.

12/27/03 911 hang up in the 3100 block of Sixth Street.

01/01/04 Assisted St. Helens Police with foot pursuit of a suspect.

01/04/04 Pursuit of a stolen vehicle, but discontinued when suspect's actions became too dangerous.

01/05/04 Citizen assisted.

01/05/04 Overdose near Metlako Way.

01/09/04 Warrant confirmation for Portland Police making an arrest on Columbia City warrant.

01/09/04 Vehicle impounded from a traffic stop.

01/09/04 Theft reported.

01/09/04 Assisted a citizen with a transport to Deer Island.

01/11/04 Attempted theft of mail reported in the 3300 block of Sixth Street.

01/12/04 Vehicle impounded from a suspended driver on a traffic stop.

01/12/04 Traffic complaint. Semi cut off another driver.

01/12/04 Agency assisted. Bad check case referred to St. Helens Police.

01/12/04 Agency assisted in a vehicle pursuit.

01/14/04 Traffic complaint. Loud vehicles and speeders near Pacific and Fifth Streets.

01/14/04 Assisted parole and probation officers.

01/14/04 Vehicle of suspended driver Impounded after traffic stop.

01/17/04 Attempt to locate stolen blue Geo Metro.

01/17/04 Suspicious person checked near Second and "I" Streets.

01/22/04 Animal (dog) complaint near Sixth and "A" Streets.

01/22/04 Citizen complaint of kids riding scooters on City Hall sidewalks.

01/23/04 Assisted DHS and the Sheriff’s Office.

Need to get rid of some junk metal?

Call City Hall (503) 397-4010 to arrange to have it picked up, free of charge.

STALKING IS A CRIME

The legal definition of stalking varies from one jurisdiction to another; however, stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their physical safety. Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Federal Government.

One in 12 women and one in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime.

77% of female and 64% of male victims know their stalker.

31% of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also sexually assaulted by that partner.

The average duration of stalking is 1.8 year.

61% of stalkers make unwanted phone calls, send or leave unwanted letters and e-mails.

30% of stalkers become violent.

What can you do if you are a victim of stalking?

Report the staling behavior to the police. They may write a report and refer it to the district attorney for possible criminal action.

Apply for a stalking protective order. This will order the stalker to stop stalking you and/or members of your family.

You may also qualify for a restraining order if you have a certain relationship with the stalker.

There are two ways to get a stalking order: apply for an order through the police or through the court.

If the police find there is "probable cause," a stalking citation will be issued. The citation will require you and the stalker to appear in court for a temporary stalking order hearing within three days.

The Columbia County Courthouse or the Women's Resource Center has stalking order packages. The Judge will issue a temporary stalking order and set another date for a permanent stalking order hearing. Both you and the stalker must appear at the permanent hearing.

Once you receive a Stalking Order, it is not enforceable until it has been served on the stalker. Keep a copy of the order with you at all times. Call 911 if the stalker violates the order.

Keep a log of every stalking incident, names, times and dates of your contact with police.

Use a private post office box, not your residential address.

Obtain an unpublished and unlisted phone number.

Order caller ID or complete blocking.

Have your name removed from any reverse directories.

Avoid use of your middle initial.

Be very protective of your social security number.

Do not put your name on the front of your residence or on the list of tenants on the front of your apartment building.

Alert the credit bureaus to "flag" your records to avoid fraudulent access.

For more information, contact the Columbia County Women's Resource Center at 1-(866) 397-6161.

This information republished with permission from the Women's Resource Center

MONTHLY MEETING AND EVENT CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 2004

February 5 - 7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting at City Hall

February 10 - 7:00 p.m. - Planning Commission Meeting at City Hall

February 12 - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall

February 16 - CLOSED - City Hall is closed on President's Day

February 17 - 7:00 p.m. - Friends of the Library Meeting at the Library

February 19 - 7:30 p.m. - City Council Meeting at City Hall

February 24 - 7:00 p.m. - Parks Committee Meeting at City Hall

February 26 - 7:30 p.m. - Municipal Court at City Hall

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