NORTH CLATSOP PLAINS PLAN (CAMP RILEA AREA DEVELOPMENT) OPEN HOUSE MARCH 5

   The public is invited to a community open house to learn more about and provide feedback on the newly released final draft of the North Clatsop Plains Sub-Area Plan.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Camp Rilea Headquarters Auditorium.

This plan, a collaborative project of Clatsop County and multiple public and private partners, aims to implement appropriate strategies from the 2010 Joint Land Use Study that was undertaken to promote long-term compatibility with Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center.

The sub-area plan will provide specific language for planning and development around Camp Rilea to minimize future incompatible development. In addition, the document will include appropriate technical studies to provide the data and information needed to design appropriate policies and implementation strategies in such areas as land use, transportation, trails, water quality and infrastructure.

The draft plan is available for viewing on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us.

The final plan will be considered later this year by the Board of Commissioners for possible adoption into the Clatsop County Comprehensive Plan.

PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED ON CLATSOP COUNTY COMMISSION VACANCY

  

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners continues to invite public comment on the three applicants for the vacant District 5 board position.

The board interviewed the applicants – Dale Barrett, Matt Samuelson and Lianne Thompson – on Feb. 26. The board is scheduled to select one of the applicants for the position at its March 12 meeting, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria.

The District 5 position became vacant following the resignation of former commissioner Debra Birkby on Jan. 31. The selected applicant will serve out the remainder of the term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2014.

Comments can be submitted by email to commissioners@co.clatsop.or.us, by fax at (503) 325-8325 or mailed to Clatsop County Board of Commissioners, 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria, OR 97103. Comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, March 10.

Higfhlights of the Board of Clatsop County Commissioners Meeting, Wednesday, February 26

Commissioner selection postponed

The board interviewed the three applicants for the vacant District 5 position on the board of commissioners but voted to postpone selecting a new commissioner until its March 12 meeting.

The three applicants are Dale Barrett, Matt Samuelson and Lianne Thompson.

The position opened following the Jan. 31 resignation of former commissioner Debra Birkby. District 5 covers southern Clatsop County including Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, Jewell, Elsie and Hamlet and portions of Seaside.

Clatsop Community Colllege Adds Honors Program

Beginning Fall Term 2014, Clatsop Community College will initiate a new Honors Program designed to provide a challenging, enriching, and rewarding educational experience for highly motivated students. The mission of the Clatsop Community College Honors Program is to nurture a community of scholars through rich and challenging academic offerings, research opportunities, leadership experiences, and co-curricular enrichment activities.

Students admitted to the Honors Program will be part of a small group of committed learners during their two years at CCC. Honors students will receive significant benefits from their participation. Students admitted to the Honors Program will be eligible to receive a scholarship of $4,000 annually during their two years at CCC.  Students will also receive personalized advising and will work closely with the Honors Program faculty to develop their research skills. Upon graduation, an “Honors” designation will be placed on their diploma, and honors credits may be transferred to the honors programs of partner four-year schools.

Coast Guard responds to grounded cargo ship in Columbia River near Astoria.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to a 739-foot cargo ship aground in the Columbia River just north of the Astoria Northern Anchorage in Astoria, Tuesday.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River learned that the Panamanian-flagged motor vessel Mokpo Star ran aground after the crew attempted to adjust their position in the river using their anchors without proper authorization at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Sector Columbia River personnel boarded the vessel along with a Columbia River Bar Pilot to investigate the cause of the grounding, potential pollution and how much fuel the vessel contained. The Coast Guard also ordered the vessel to hire a tug to be on immediate standby and to activate its required vessel response plan.
Mokpo Star floated free with the incoming tide at approximately 10:50 p.m., Tuesday, and was relocated to a safe anchorage with the assistance of a Columbia River Bar Pilot. There have been no reports of pollution.
The Coast Guard has ordered the vessel to remain in the anchorage until an inspection has been conducted to ensure there is no damage to the vessel's hull. 
The vessel was at Astoria anchorage awaiting orders to head upriver to Kalama, Wash., at the time of the grounding. The vessel contains no cargo and is estimated to hold approximately 532,000 gallons of diesel fuel oil.

Astoria City Council Goal Setting for 2014

Early each year, the Astoria City Council meets to set goals for the coming fiscal year. This year’s session took place on Monday, facilitated by Albany City Manager Wes Hare.

While many of this year’s goals are continued from last year’s list, one notable change was the elimination of the city’s plan to sell off surplus or excess properties.  

Increasing public opposition to the process emerged after the first properties came up for sale last October.  

Confusion over just how many properties would be sold, concerns over geologic stability of some of the properties and the loss of forested areas were some of the concerns cited by citizens during public comment at city council meetings.  Mayor Willis Van Dusen explained how the process will be wrapped up.  

 “A year ago we had a goal of selling excess city property.  We have removed that goal.  We’re going to continue our negotiations with those people that we’ve had discussions with or offers, but any of the properties that have not been in any negotiations or discussions will be taken off the Area Properties list.  It is no longer a city goal.”

Interim City Manager Brett Estes listed the goals the council will pursue for fiscal year 2014:  

Board of Clatsop County Commissioners February 12 Meeting Highlights

 Budget policies

The board approved the Fiscal Year 2014-15 budget policies and the Strategic Plan/Resource Reduction Strategies. The policies, which provide guiding principles and instructions for developing the upcoming year’s budget, remain largely the same as in previous years, and include:

·   “Status quo” department staffing levels with any proposed changes fitting within base budgets; any new staffing or program request accompanied by justification form

·   A goal of no increase in materials and supplies expenditures for General Fund departments

·   Pursuing revenue sources to the fullest extent possible

·   Budget savings achieved during the fiscal year be saved and added to ending fund balance

·   No “back-filling” use of General Fund dollars to make up shortfalls in state or federal funding.

The Resource Reduction Strategy prioritizes county functions for funding in the event that cuts are necessary during the budget year:

1.     Public Safety and Justice

2.     Public Health

3.     Government Direct Services

4.     Community Development, Land Use, Transportation and Housing

5.     Culture and Recreation

Snow Delays and Closures - non - school

As of 11:30 a.m., Oregon state agencies are closed due to weather in Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, and Tillamook counties.

“Your Hearts Desire” event in Pacific City, scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) night, has been re-scheduled for Saturday, March 15th at the Kiawanda Community Center, 34600, Cape Kiwanda Drive, in Pacific City.

The Astoria/Warrenton “UnWined” event and Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival wine competition scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2014 has moved to a new date:  Friday, March 7th, at the Liberty Theater Paulsen Pavilion, 1203 Commercial Street in Astoria.

The Astoria Timber Festival scheduled for Saturday February 8th, has been cancelled. The event has not yet been re-scheduled.

Providence Hospital Clinic in Cannon Beach is closed.  Warrenton/Seaside and the Heart Clinic in Astoria are open.

Tillamook Family Counseling Center is closed due to the weather.

Non essential Tillamook County offices are closed.

Tillamook Association of the Performing Arts performance of The Pajama Game has been cancelled for tonight.  There will now be show shows tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm and 7pm, at the Barn Community Playhouse at 12th & Ivy in Tillamook

The Spay and Neuter Shop is Seaside is closed.

Oregon Dept. of Human Services: DHS District 1 Offices - Astoria, St Helens & Tillamook (Aging & People with Disabilities, Child Welfare and Self Sufficiency) are CLOSED

Due to hazardous road conditions, the City of Warrenton sanitation services have been postponed until Monday, February 10, 2014.  Customers with regularly scheduled pickup on Friday, February 7, 2014 will have their trash picked up on Monday. 

Sunset Transportation bus service from Portland to Astoria and service from Astoria to Portland on Friday, February 7th, have all been cancelled.

Snow Delays and Closures, Friday, February 7

Clatsop Community College.  All campuses closed.

Astoria Sch. Dist.: Closed. All after School activities canceled. Tonight’s Astoria and Seaside Basketball game rescheduled for February 13th. 

Warrenton-Hammond Sch. Dist. - School closed for students and staff.  No preschool or Kids Care.

NW Regional ESD: Clatsop Co. – Closed

Knappa Sch. Dist.: Closed

Jewell Sch. Dist: Closed

Clatskanie School District.  Closed.  All athletic and field trips scheduled for today and Saturday are cancelled.

NW Regional ESD: Columbia Co.: Closed

Wahkiakum School District closed. All Friday night activities cancelled.

Naselle/Grays River Schools closed.

Tillamook Bay Community College closed.

Tillamook Schools closed.

NW Regional ESD for Tillamook County, Closed to staff and students.

Neah-Kah-Nie School District closed.

Seaside Schools closed.  Seaside High School Saturday Night Dance canceled.

Seaside Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting is cancelled

Providence Hospital Clinic in Cannon Beach is closed.  All other locations open.

Longview and Kelso School Districts: Closed

Lower Columbia College - Closed

Astoria Downtown Historic District Association- February General Meeting is CANCELLED

Oregon Dept. of Human Services: DHS District 1 Offices - Astoria, St Helens & Tillamook (Aging & People with Disabilities, Child Welfare and Self Sufficiency) are CLOSED

Columbia Co. Circuit Court – Closed

Due to hazardous road conditions, the City of Warrenton sanitation services have been postponed until Monday, February 10, 2014.  Customers with regularly scheduled pickup on Friday, February 7, 2014 will have their trash picked up on Monday.

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Ocean Beach Schools in Pacific County Washington are OPEN

Smelt fishing returns to Columbia, tributaries

After a three-year hiatus, smelt fishing is returning to the Columbia River and two of its tributaries.

In a joint state hearing, the departments of fish and wildlife from Oregon and Washington approved very limited commercial and recreational smelt fisheries on the Columbia, Cowlitz and Sandy rivers for the first time since the fish was listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act in 2010.  Collectively, these fisheries are expected to harvest less than 1 percent of adults returning to the Columbia this year.

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR VACANT CLATSOP COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEAT

   Clatsop County is accepting applications for the board of commissioner’s vacant District 5 seat.

At a special meeting Wednesday, the board officially declared the seat vacant as a result of the Jan. 31 resignation announcement by former commissioner Debra Birkby.

Under the Clatsop County Charter the board of commissioners is required to name a replacement within 45 days of declaring a vacancy. At Wednesday’s meeting the board approved a timeline that calls for applicant interviews and a selection on Feb. 26.

To be eligible for the position, an applicant must be a qualified elector (registered voter in Oregon) and to have resided in District 5 for one year prior to the appointment.

Application forms can be obtained at the Clatsop County Manager’s Office, 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, Astoria, or can be downloaded from the county website, www.co.clatsop.or.us under “Hot Topics.”

The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m.