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City of Columbia
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WATER
RATE INCREASE
On February
21, 2008, 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 complete, and the new water source project is nearing
completion.
Initially the City plans to use a combination of system development
charge revenues and water usage revenues to make the annual loan 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 raise funds for the upcoming
loan payments, the City Council plans to implement an increase in water charges,
effective March 26th, which will be reflected on the April 26th water
bills. For a residential customer
within the City limits, the proposal is to increase the minimum monthly charge
by $0.65, increase the first volume charge by $0.10, and increase the second
volume charge by $0.05.
|
Residential
Customer in
Columbia City |
Current
Rate |
New
Rate |
|
Minimum charge - less than 500 cubic feet of
usage |
$29.35 |
$30.00 |
|
For each additional 100 cubic
feet, but usage less than 1,000 cubic feet |
$3.50 |
$3.60 |
|
For each additional 100 cubic
feet |
$4.45 |
$4.50 |
The
rates for commercial, industrial and outside City water users are scheduled to
increase in similar proportions. The rate increase is expected to increase water
revenues by about 2%.
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.
CITY
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Well Number 2: The final development stages of the City's
large production well are currently underway. Improvements include a
chlorination facility, site piping, drainage facilities, telemetry and distribution
piping.
The distribution piping has been
extended from the public works well site to Third Street and down Third Street
to "L" Street. It is
currently being extended on "L" Street towards the bridge, where it
will cross under the railroad tracks and Highway 30 to connect to the City's
existing pumping facilities on the west side of the Highway.
Progress is also being made on
the chlorination facility located near the public works well site. We expect to complete this project by the
end of March.
Shop and Wall Project: The new retaining wall behind the City shop
on Third Street was completed in August.
The large shop building will be expanded and re-sided, and the existing
shop office will be repainted. New
fencing and landscaping will complete the project. We hope to complete this project by the end of June.
"A" Street Project: The City plans to complete full street
improvements on "A" Street between Highway 30 and Sixth Street. This project will involve the construction
of sidewalk, curb, gutter, and storm drainage improvements. Narrow sections of the street will be
widened to meet current street standards.
The existing 4-inch sewer main will also be upgraded to a 6-inch
main. Design engineering for this
project will begin soon. A $25,000 grant under the Special City Allotment
Program will help pay for this project.
We expect to start construction in June.
What's
under your sink? Household Hazardous
Waste is dangerous to you and the environment. Dispose of it safely and at no
charge. Columbia County Solid Waste and Land Development Services will host a
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event Saturday February 23rd
from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Columbia County Transfer Station in St. Helens.
The County’s HHW facility
accepts the following (no containers larger than five gallons):
§ Pool and
spa chemicals
§ Pesticides,
herbicides, fertilizers, and poisons
§ Thinners
and solvents
§ 
Household
cleaners and disinfectants
§ Art and
hobby chemicals
§ Aerosol
spray products
§ Propane
tanks and bottles
§ Fluorescent
lamps and ballasts
§ Items
containing mercury
§ Oil
based paints and stains
§ Motor
oil, antifreeze and other automotive fluids
§ Batteries
Not accepted:
Æ
Radioactive materials
Æ
Household trash
Æ Explosives-including
ammunition
Æ Bio Medical waste and needles
Recycle: (anytime)
The HHW Intake Facility is
located at the Columbia County Transfer and Recycling Center, 1601 Railroad
Avenue, St. Helens, Oregon.
THANK
YOU
We'd like to extend a big "thank you" to:
·
The Columbia River PUD for helping us take down our
holiday lights and banners.
·
Marian Calnon, Jean Carulli, Gloria Chinell, Nell
Harrison, Dolores Heinz, Phyllis Rowley and Debbie Virts for helping with the
newsletter and utility billing in December.
HOME
IMPROVEMENT LOAN
&
GRANT PROGRAM
Do you
need a home repair loan?
You may qualify for a 1% interest home repair loan through
the Rural Development Home Repair Program.
·
Do you live in and own, or are purchasing a home that
needs repairs or improvements?
·
Is your family income below 50% of the median county
income?
If so, USDA may be able to help with your…
§
Leaky roof
§
Unsafe wiring
§
Faulty plumbing
§
Poor heating
Or other home repair needs.
Contact
USDA Rural Development
Tangent
Office:
1 (541)
967-5925, ext. 4
Administrative
Office for Oregon:
1 (503)
414-3335 or
toll
free 1 (866) 923-5626.
FOUND
ITEM
A flat iron was found on Second
Street and turned into City Hall. Does it belong to you? If you think this item may be yours, please
contact City Hall at (503) 397-4010 for more information.
The
Columbia City Community Library is excited to take part in the BIG READ
featuring the classic detective novel The
Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Our library is an integral part of the
program, which has events in Scappoose, St. Helens and Columbia City. Pick up
your free book, plus brochures and readers guides at City Hall and the Library,
as well as anywhere in the area that will let us put
up a poster! Visit www.st.helens.plinkit.org for more information.
We will be holding the Library Lovers’
Book Sale on Saturday, February 16, 2008, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Columbia
City Community Hall. Volunteers will be needed at 8:00 am to help set up.
Please sign up at the Library or call at 503-366-8020. We have a ton of books
in our storeroom waiting to go back into the community!
Hunt for
the Falcon
When: Starting
Feb. 1st
Where: City
of Columbia City
It's been nearly 80
years since Sam Spade wandered the streets of San Francisco in search of the
Maltese Falcon. Now, the statue is missing again. Can you
find the Maltese Falcon hiding in Columbia City? New clues will be displayed in
the Library weekly. Locate the falcon and win a prize.
Friends of the LIBRARY LOVERS’ BOOKSALE
When:
Saturday, February 16th 10 AM - 2 PM
Where:
Columbia City Community Hall
Sleuth out a good
book. Books so cheap - it could be a crime!
Stolen
Art Works
When: Saturday,
February 16th 10 AM - 2 PM
Where:
Columbia City Community Hall
Although the Maltese Falcon
statue was never a real art artifact, many famous pieces of art have been
stolen over the centuries. Contribute to our re-creations of these works of
art. Participate in a collaborative project that will surely result in a
masterpiece. For all ages, no skill required - just bring your creativity.
Young Readers
(Ages 8-12) Book Club
When: Wednesday, February 13th
Where: Columbia City Community Library
The Malted Falcon by Bruce Hale
Come listen to a book talk and
meet Chet Gecko, a fourth-grade wisecracking detective, determined to solve the
mysteries at Emerson Hicky Elementary.
First 10 readers will take home
a copy of the book to keep.
Pizza & A Paperback: Book Club for Teens
When: Friday, February 8th & 22nd,
7 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Columbia City Community Library
We will be reading and
discussing The Maltese Falcon. Learn more about this “hard-boiled”
detective genre and noir films. Solve mini-mysteries and collaborate on a
mystery of our own. Snacks will be provided.
Novel
Quilters Book Club
When: Wednesday, February 20th, 6:30 PM
Where: Columbia City Community Library
For those who love
to read and quilt, too. Quilters will be discussing the novel and share their
inspired quilt designs from The Maltese Falcon.
New at the Library…
The Quantum Rose by Catherine Asaro,
winner of the Nebula award
The sixth volume in the Saga of the Skolian Empire (Primary Inversion; The
Radiant Seas; etc.) is a freestanding page-turner as a romance, with a hard
science framework. It begins in an idyllic forest bathing pool on the backwater
world of Balumil. Kamoj Quanta Argali, attractive young female governor of a
poor province with decaying traces of millennia-old technology, notices the
mysterious off-worlder, Havyrl Lionstar, watching her dress. Retreating in
consternation, she also attempts to hide from and thus offends her lifelong
fiance, Jax Ironbridge, overbearing governor of a wealthier neighboring
province. Soon Havyrl (brother of previous protagonists in the series) blunders
into outbidding Jax for marriage with Kamoj. Jax objects violently and reclaims
Kamoj by force, puzzling the off-worlder, whose presence by then is entangling
the provincial governors in the imperial politics of the wider universe. The
gender-role elaboration in the maneuvers that follow will seem over detailed to
some readers, but fascinating to others. To Havyrl and his staff, Balumil is a
rediscovered colony; hence they
spend a lot of time explaining to Kamoj
the significance of the quasimagical remnants of technology in her culture.
Desperate for clues to understanding the wider universe as her planet's
isolation ends, Kamoj proves to be as brainy as she is beautiful. Publishers
Weekly Review
Internet Access:
Online access available
at the library. The staff can help with online research or guide new users.
Friends
of the Library Meeting: 2/18/08 - 7 PM
(subject
to change - call for information)
Novel
Quilters Meeting: 2/20/08 - 6:30 PM
Storytime: Mondays 11 AM
Staffed
Library Hours:
Mondays
& Saturdays
10 AM
& 2 PM
Wednesdays
4 PM to
8 PM
Thursdays
2 PM to
6 PM
Phone: (503) 366-8020
E-mail: cclibrary@opusnet.com
Address: 205 "I" Street
The Caples House Museum
wishes to thank the following for their contributions to the Friends of Caples
program:
Raymond and Terry
Maloney
Charles E. Tapper
Boeing Company
Billie Jo Westby
John and Beverly
Przybylski
Deanna J. Peterson
Mary Ruth Rose
Lillian Eaton
Stewart and Robert Allen
Scott Parker
Roberta Mills
Robert and Barbara
Kieffer
John W. Sherida
Mickey Sieracki
Thank you for being
Friends of Caples.
POLICE
ACTIVITY 11/10/07 – 01/15/08
11/10/07 Vacation premise checks
conducted.
11/10/07 Suspicious vehicle
checked at the Columbia City School.
11/10/07 Unwanted subject
reported in the 1700 block of First Street.
11/12/07 Audible alarm reported
in the 1200 block of Second Street.
11/12/07 Follow-up investigation
in the 3600 block of Tahoma Street.
11/13/07 Parking violation in
the 1200 block of Fourth Street.
11/13/07 Public assist in the
1800 block of Second Street.
11/13/07 Suspicious
circumstances reported near “E” and The Strand.
11/14/07 Animal
complaint near Pacific and Tahoma Streets.
11/14/07 Harassment
call in the 200 block of “G” Street.
11/17/07
Premise checks completed.
11/18/07
Premise checks completed.
11/18/07
Assisted outside agency near Highway 30 and Chimes Crest.
11/18/07 Disabled vehicle near
Highway 30 and “L” Street.
11/19/07 Premise checks
completed.
11/20/07 Premise checks
completed.
11/21/07
Animal complaint in the 3600 block of Tahoma Street.
11/21/07
Animal complaint near “E” and Second Streets.
11/23/07
Unwanted subject reported in the 1900 block of Fifth Street.
11/23/07
Theft reported in the 1900 block of Fifth Street.
11/24/07
Parking violation reported near Fourth and “M” Streets.
11/24/07
Premise checks conducted.
11/24/07
Suspicious person checked at the Columbia City Grade School.
11/26/07
Alarm call in the 2300 block of Second Street.
11/26/07
Animal complaint near Lincoln and Tahoma Streets.
11/27/07
Disabled vehicle near Second and “E” Streets.
11/30/07
Trespass call in the 2300 block of Second Street.
12/01/07
Premise checks conducted.
12/02/07
Traffic complaint near Highway 30 and Chimes Crest.
12/02/07
Suspicious person near Pacific Street and Metlako Way.
12/02/07
Premise checks completed.
12/03/07
Suspicious vehicle near Highway 30 and “A” Street.
12/03/07
Incomplete 911 call from Metlako Way.
12/04/07
Suspicious vehicle near “A” and Fifth Streets.
12/05/07
Suspicious vehicle near Yakima Court and Park Drive.
12/05/07
Disabled vehicle near Highway 30 and
Chimes Crest.
12/05/07 Disabled vehicle near
Highway 30 and “E” Street.
12/05/07 Suspicious person
checked near Highway 30 and Chimes Crest.
12/05/07 Citizen assisted in the
1800 block of Second Street.
12/06/07 Disabled vehicle near
Highway 30 and Pacific Street.
12/07/07 Premise checks
conducted.
12/08/07 Citizen assisted in the
1900 block of Second Street.
12/08/07 Incomplete 911 call in
the 1700 block of Ninth Street.
12/08/07 Traffic complaint near Highway
30 and Pacific Street.
12/09/07 Suspicious vehicle
checked in the 400 block of Belle Street.
12/14/07 Citizen assisted in the
1800 block of Second Street.
12/14/07 Premise checks
completed.
12/15/07 Suspicious vehicle in
the 300 block of “A” Street.
12/15/07 Noise complaint in the
2000 block of Fifth Street.
12/16/07 Premise checks
completed.
12/16/07 Disabled vehicle near
Highway 30 and Pacific Street.
12/17/07 Suspicious
circumstances checked in the 1900 block of First Street.
12/17/07 Animal complaint near
Highway 30 and Chimes Crest.
12/18/07 Trespass in progress at
the Mini Mart.
12/20/07 Suspicious vehicle
reported at the Mini Mart.
12/20/07 Vandalism reported in
the 3300 block of Fifth Street.
12/21/07 Premise checks
completed.
12/22/07 Premise checks
completed.
12/22/07 Noise complaint in the
3600 block of Tahoma Street.
12/23/07 Disturbance reported in
the 1900 block of Second Street.
12/23/07 Citizen assisted in the
400 block of “D” Street.
12/24/07 Premise checks
completed.
12/24/07 Disturbance reported in the 3600 block of Ta