Aid for Astoria Water Sewer Rate Payers?

Astoria City Council member Drew Herzig has proposed a city fund for people having trouble paying their water and sewer rates.

“ We’ll probably just start the discussion tonight and continue it at our next council meeting, but I wanted to get that on tonight’s agenda because I’ve been talking to a number of people, so that’ll be 6-H, and its proposing that the city set up a fund to help people who are experiencing financial hardship in paying their water and sewer rates.  Thank You.”

Herzig suggested the fund start with ten thousand dollars for the assistance.  Saying many Astorians on fixed incomes are facing hardship in paying increased water and sewer rates, he said Clatsop Community Action would be willing to do adminstrative work for the program so as not to add to the city’s administrative burden.  Program requirements would be similar to those Clatsop Community Action already administers.

Progress Made on Astoria’s Garden of Surging Waves

Work on Astoria’s Garden of Surging Waves is progressing.  City Manager Paul Benoit told the city council that the marble dragon columns are scheduled to be erected at the park before the Regatta Parade on Saturday. 

“About two weeks following, you’ll start seeing some real activity out there.  The artists are fabricating the mosaics, the wood beams are being fabricated.  We met with Josh, the project superintendent, this afternoon, and again, dragon columns by Friday, and then you’ll see a lot of activity within two to three weeks after.”

Benoit added that project designer Swuenn Ho was recently let go from Mulvanny G2, but relative to the Garden of Surging Waves, the project architect will continue to work with designer Swuenn Ho on the details.  Mulvanny G2 assured development director Brett Estes  the project will proceed with Swuenn Ho’s involvement, possibly as a contractor.

Astoria CSO Project Cost Increase due to Century Link Franchise Agreement Failure to Perform

The cost of Astoria’s combined Sewer Overflow project is up by a little over 35 thousand dollars due to lack of fulfillment by CenturyLink of franchise agreement requirements. 

City Manager Paul Benoit told the Astoria City Council that the cost overruns would be tracked separately to better facilitate cost recovery

“Unlike all of the other utilities, Century Link has not done the work necessary to ensure that their infrastructure is properly located, or that their infrastructure is adjusted and moved to ensure that there are no project delays.  They really dropped the ball, particularly when you look at what the other utilities have done.”

Benoit said officials are working with City Attorney Blair Henningsgaard to submit a claim to the company for full recovery of the additional costs.

In Astoria, outdoor burning could trigger a call to 911.

In Astoria, your outdoor campfire or burn barrel could trigger a call to 911.  Fire chief Ted Ames told the Astoria City Council that although outdoor burning is allowed in Astoria by permit, that current state fire restrictions are now in force, allowing general burning in screened burn barrels only from daylight until 10am, campfires are allowed if 3 feet or under in size, for cooking, warming or ceremonial purposes only, constantly tended and put out before returning into the home.   Ames said if people are distressed by their neighbors outdoor burning, they should call the fire department.

“If somebody’s truly having a problem with burning, and they make a call to the business line and we’re not available, I encourage folks when I talk to them on the phone, to call 911, for the simple reason that if its serious enough that its causing a problem for them, and they can’t get hold of us right away, we would like to be able to get out to the people and make sure that we take care of the problem.”

Ames said Astoria does have a burn permit system, with a 50 dollar charge for two years, renewable to an additional year for 35 dollars.  Although no specific guidelines come with the permits, Ames suggested no trash, such as plastic or diapers, be burned and if burning is causing distress to neighbors, expect a visit from fire department personnel. 

Ilwaco parks solicits citizen input

The City of Ilwaco Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to fill out a questionnaire to help contribute to the Ilwaco’s Parks, Trails & Natural Areas Plan. The questionnaire can be filled out online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7R56S99, or printed copies are available at City Hall, 120 First Avenue North, Ilwaco. Every Ilwaco utility customer will receive a questionnaire in their August bill. Completed printed questionnaires should be returned to Ilwaco City Hall by Tuesday, August 20, 2013, to ensure your input is included in the survey tabulation.

Ilwaco owns and managed two city parks, Blake Lake and City Park. Black Lake is well known for its fishing, as well as its covered picnic area and beautiful trails around the lake and through wooded areas. Ilwaco City Park has basketball, softball and tennis facilities, and a covered picnic area and children’s play structure.

FORESTLAND CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE SEEKS APPLICANTS

Clatsop County is accepting applications for the County Forestland Classification Committee.

The Forestland Classification Committee is charged with reviewing all lands within Clatsop County to determine if they meet the definition of Forestland under the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire protection program. The committee will meet 2-3 times per month for the next three years; individuals must be able to commit to the entire three years to be considered. The meetings will take place in Astoria, with the possibility of field trips throughout the county.

DRIVERS CITED IN ASTORIA FOR FAILURE TO YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS

Wednesday evening from 4 to 7 PM  Astoria Police conducted a Pedestrian Safety Enforcement.  The effort focused on drivers failing to obey Oregon traffic laws relating to pedestrians, although officers did stop some vehicles for other traffic violations.  The time of day for the enforcement was specifically chosen after a review of reported vehicle/pedestrian crashes in Astoria over the past several years indicating the majority of this type of crash occurred between these hours.