"L" STREET BRIDGE PROJECT UPDATE

The contract for the "L" Street Bridge Replacement Project was awarded to Weaver Construction in November. The City has received Federal funding under the Local Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program to help pay for the project.

The "L" Street bridge was temporarily closed on December 13, 2005, pending reconstruction. Traffic is being re-routed to and from Highway 30 via "I" and "E" Streets. Short-term interruptions will also occur on "L" Street down to Fourth Street during delivery and placement of bridge slabs and while constructing the new approach roadway.

The north end of the Fourth Place alley at the "L" Street intersection was permanently closed as a result of the project. Fourth Place between "L" and "M" Streets was changed from a one-way street to a two-way street, and is now only accessible from "M" Street.

The site has been cleared and grubbed, and utility relocation work is currently underway. Portland and Western Railroad will remove the existing bridge in late January. The new bridge slabs are scheduled for placement in mid April, and the project should be completed in early June.

If you have questions about the project or would like additional information, please feel free to contact City Hall by calling (503) 397-4010.

Sanitary sewer systems are designed to handle three types of waste products:

• Used water

• Human body waste

• Toilet paper

You can help prevent unwanted sewer backups and keep your sanitary sewer working properly by following these simple Dos and Don'ts!

• Collect grease in a container and dispose of it in the garbage.

• Place food scraps in the garbage for disposal with solid waste.

• Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid waste. (Disposable diapers and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system.

• Pour grease, fats, and oils from cooking down the drain.

• Use the sewer to dispose of food scraps.

• Use the toilet as a wastebasket for garbage and chemicals.

The "I" Street intersection has been busier than ever at Highway 30 since the recent closure of the "L" Street bridge. Please be extra cautious when utilizing this intersection, and follow the rules of the road. The rules of the road are those laws and practices that provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles. Please drive safely and remember to:

• Drive at a speed that is reasonable and cautious for existing conditions and within the speed limit

• Use your turn signals

• Stop fully at stop signs

• Be willing to yield to others

• Be a courteous driver

The City is currently accepting applications to serve on the Planning Commission. Members must reside within the City or the City's Urban Growth Boundary. The term is for a period of four years, and the Commission's regular meeting date is the second Tuesday of each month. The Planning Commission makes recommendations and decisions about current and long-range planning and development issues within the City.

The City is currently accepting applications to serve on the Budget Committee. To qualify to serve on the Committee, applicants must be registered to vote within the City of Columbia City. The Budget Committee usually meets infrequently during the spring, and members serve a four-year term. The Budget Committee is responsible for reviewing the proposed annual budget, hearing public testimony, approving the tax rate and tax levy, and approving an annual budget. The Budget Committee may occasionally review a proposed supplemental budget.

The Planning Commission will meet on January 10, 2006, to discuss possible amendments to the Columbia City Development Code. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall.

• To Martin Brandenfels for the holiday wreath.

• To Jim Shinkle for finishing the boards in the picnic table at Datis Park.

• To Roger Barbour for the can of gourmet nuts.

• To Dee Loyd for the homemade candy.

• To Brian Smith for the holiday cookies.

• To Harold and Donna Olsen for the chocolates.

• To Murray Smith & Associates, Inc., for the chocolates.

• To Mabel Pennel for the chocolates.

• To Springbrook Software for the box of goodies.

• To Lower Columbia Engineering for the gift bag of cheeses, meats, crackers and mints.

11/16/05 Sex abuse reported to officers by Child Welfare Department. Investigation ongoing.

11/16/05 Officer assisted Parole and Probation Department.

11/16/05 Attempted to locate vehicle reported speeding near Third and "E."

11/16/05 Officer responded to report of a vehicle blocking a roadway/alley in the 1900 block of Third Street.

11/16/05 Complaint of citizen dumping soil on Fifth Street. Complaint unfounded.

11/17/05 Assisted Oregon State Police on traffic stop near Deer Island Road and Highway 30.

11/18/05 Complaint of unwanted subject at an address on Metlako Way. Subject gone on arrival.

11/19/05 Noise complaint in the 3200 block of Fifth Street. Subject issued citation.

11/19/05 Officer responded to emergency call for officer needing assistance in the Clatskanie area. Officer was reportedly down and bleeding.

11/20/05 Suspicious circumstance reported.

11/20/05 Welfare request of residents residing in the 1800 block of Fourth Street. Occupants were located and found to be okay.

11/21/05 Persons reportedly dumping material in the 1600 block of Fourth Street. Reporting party did not want to pursue complaint of ordinance violation.

11/22/05 Vehicle impounded after driver found to be suspended.

11/22/05 Report of unlawful parking. Subject advised to remove vehicle from Port of St.Helens property.

11/26/05 Motorist assisted near Highway 30 and "E" Street.

11/27/05 Alarm reported at the Four Square Church on Second Street. Checked okay.

11/28/05 Stalking order issued against subject in the 3200 block of Fifth Street.

11/28/05 Motor vehicle accident reported near "A" Street and Highway 30.

11/28/05 Officer responded to report of dispute between employee and patron. No crime committed.

11/28/05 Citizen requested information regarding arrest warrant. Referred to Sheriff’s Office.

11/28/05 Citation issued to driver after investigation into careless driving near "I" and Sixth Streets.

11/28/05 Officer assisted Child Welfare Department with a child abuse report.

11/29/05 Suspicious vehicle reported near Highway 30 and "L" Street. Turned out to be a disabled vehicle with flat tire.

11/30/05 Officer met with Child Welfare Department regarding child abuse report.

11/30/05 Fourteen marijuana plants seized from two residences.

11/30/05 Animal complaint reported on Weown Court.

11/30/05 Welfare check requested.

12/02/05 Disabled vehicle checked in the area of Highway 30 and "L" Street.

12/05/05 Assisted Sheriff’s Office with work crew security while on a job in the city.

12/05/05 Dog taken to pound after complaint received about it running lose in the McBride Meadows Subdivision.

12/05/05 Parking complaint in the 1700 block of First Street. Vehicle gone upon arrival.

12/08/05 Assisted Sheriff’s Office on traffic stop near Highway 30 and Pacific Street.

12/09/05 Theft of gas from a vehicle in the 2500 block of Seventh Street.

12/09/05 Traffic hazard removed near Highway 30 and "A" Street.

12/10/05 Juvenile problems reported in the Metlako Way area.

12/10/05 Attempted to locate a reported drunk driver heading northbound from Highway 30 and Sykes Road in St. Helens.

12/10/05 Assisted Sheriff’s Office near Fifth and "A" Streets.

12/15/05 Reported vandalism to air and water machine at the Columbia City Mini Mart.

12/15/05 Barking dog complaint in the 1500 block of Fourth Street.

New books for a new year! We are adding 20-30 books each week to our collection. You’ll find additions from the best sellers’ list like A Million Little Pieces by James Frey; Teacherman by Frank McCourt; 1776 by David McCullough; Light from Heaven by Jan Karon; Camel Club by David Baldacci and other additions from popular authors and terrific nonfiction titles. A listing of all of our books from the best sellers' list can be found on the City's website www.columbia-city.org.

Some of our new books are old favorites: Very Hungry Caterpillar; Brown Bear, Brown Bear; Where the Red Fern Grows; The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Day; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Green Eggs and Ham; Hatchet; Where the Sidewalk.

Thanks for attending the holiday party at the Library and the United Koffee Shoppe. We want to be a community gathering spot so it was wonderful how many people came!

We're also still looking for volunteers to work Saturdays. If you are interested in volunteering to work the circulation desk, please stop by the library for details.

Come listen to a story and make a bookmark in our cozy children's corner.

Our adult patrons may feel free to check out or return materials when the Library is unstaffed and the United Koffee Shoppe is open. Just fill out a check-out slip listing what you are taking or leave your materials in the return bin. Please check with the Library staff to be sure that your Library card is current before helping yourself.

We're now online at the new library location. The staff is available to help with online research or can guide new users.

Monday 10 AM - 2 PM, Wednesday 4 PM - 8 PM

Is your house in need of repairs? Low-income homeowners may 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.

The Columbia City Police Department offers periodic home security checks for citizens who are away from home. To receive home security checks while you're out of town, please register with the Columbia City Police Department before you leave. Forms are available at City Hall.

January 2 - CLOSED - City Hall is closed in observance of New Year's Day

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

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

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

January 16 - CLOSED - City Hall is closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 17 - 7:00 p.m. - Friends of the Library Meeting in the Library

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

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

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