WATER-SEWER BILL TO INCREASE avg $2.50
Water-and-sewer fee increases were passed by the Independence City Council – but they will be less than predicted, thanks to gains made by MINET in paying down debt owed on the municipal fiber optic. The water rate increase will be $0.51 to the average residential base. For sewer customers, the increase is $1.99. That’s one percent below the rate hike recommended this past year by an outside consultant.
LACK OF QUORUMS STALLING DECISIONS
A long-sought change to remove the ban on vinyl fencing has stalled due to absenteeism in the planning commission. Commissioners had voted in favor to abolish the current prohibition on vinyl fencing, but public hearings had to be delayed twice due lack of a quorum. However, the last time the planning commission met, one of the commissioners was able to participate remotely, fulfilling the need for a quorum.
At its first scheduled meeting this month, the Planning Commission again was cancelled. As of this writing, the ordinance – which would undo the ban on vinyl fencing -- seems likely to come up for adoption in February, according to the general timeline established by the city.
At its first scheduled meeting this month, the Planning Commission again was cancelled. As of this writing, the ordinance – which would undo the ban on vinyl fencing -- seems likely to come up for adoption in February, according to the general timeline established by the city.
COMING UP:
Two new inserts will debut in the next issue of The Independent, which is the annual “Utility Issue,” and will take a look at water-sewer issues and at MINET. The first insert in the February issue of The Independent, The Police Box, will examine the growing, combined use of alcohol and marijuana -- and the challenge it presents to local law enforcement. The second one, The Green Bee, will cover community environmental and science topics, beginning with a presentation on local-dwelling lampreys, which is being sponsored by the Luckiamute Watershed Council Wed, Jan. 9.
The Police Box is an effort to get safety information, including community trends and statistics, into a hopefully easy-to-read format. The first Police Box will cover the “saturation patrol” and related activity by the Independence Police Department on New Year’s Eve. On Dec 31, the local police department hosted law enforcement representatives from agencies across Polk County, to raise awareness of drugged-and-drunk driving.
Led by Lt. Michael Iwai, of the Oregon State Police, the event was held in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and convened in the Civic Center by Independence Police Chief Robert Mason. Also in attendance was Officer Pete Roy, who shared his knowledge of the increasingly common combination of liquor and marijuana by users of both. The Police Box will provide more coverage.
NOTE: A generous scholarship program that awards winners of oratorical essays on the US Constitution is being held by The American Legion Post 33, with a mid-January deadline. Look for more information in the next few days, to be carried in The Linking Letter follow-up of tonight’s city council meeting.
FINAL NOTE: Congratulations to new City Councilor Shannon Cockayne, who is scheduled to be sworn in tonight. However, the city council now has a vacant seat -- the result of resignation by Odi Campos-Santos, who is moving out of Independence.
The Police Box is an effort to get safety information, including community trends and statistics, into a hopefully easy-to-read format. The first Police Box will cover the “saturation patrol” and related activity by the Independence Police Department on New Year’s Eve. On Dec 31, the local police department hosted law enforcement representatives from agencies across Polk County, to raise awareness of drugged-and-drunk driving.
Led by Lt. Michael Iwai, of the Oregon State Police, the event was held in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and convened in the Civic Center by Independence Police Chief Robert Mason. Also in attendance was Officer Pete Roy, who shared his knowledge of the increasingly common combination of liquor and marijuana by users of both. The Police Box will provide more coverage.
NOTE: A generous scholarship program that awards winners of oratorical essays on the US Constitution is being held by The American Legion Post 33, with a mid-January deadline. Look for more information in the next few days, to be carried in The Linking Letter follow-up of tonight’s city council meeting.
FINAL NOTE: Congratulations to new City Councilor Shannon Cockayne, who is scheduled to be sworn in tonight. However, the city council now has a vacant seat -- the result of resignation by Odi Campos-Santos, who is moving out of Independence.
RSS Feed