CITY COUNCIL
John Shafer, Mayor
ATHENA CITY NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
Rebecca Schroeder,
Comm of Parks & Rec
Chet Sater,
Comm. of Fire Services
Carol Speed,
Comm. of Public Works
LaVerne Mitchell,
Comm. of Administration
Pat Gibson
Comm. of Library
John Shafer,
Comm. of Police Services:
*****
CITY HALL HOURS
Monday – Friday
8am - 5pm
(open during lunch)
Closed
all legal holidays
Athena Chamber of Commerce is needing 2-3 volunteers to MONTHLY survey
the properties in the City of
Athena as to notable “YARD
OF THE MONTH”. This opportunity is for the months
May-September. If interested,
please contact Margaret Hansell, Helen Miller or Nancy
Parker.
CITY PHONE
NUMBERS
City Hall
566-3862
City Shop
566-0228
Library
566-2470
Emergency 911
Non-Emergency Sheriff
Dispatch 541-966-3651
Ambulance Calls:
APRIL 2015
NO NEWS
MAY MEETINGS
Chamber News
All meetings are at City Hall unless
otherwise indicated.
April 16, 2015
OLD BUSINESS
Rose Garden: Nancy reported that the Caledonian Games have taken
responsibility for the Garden. Nancy will discuss with Mark Seltman.
Livestock Commission
Tuesday, May 19th @ 5:30
Reader Board: Sharon updated the attendees on the Reader Board on
3rd street idea. Jerry Copeland will talk to Roland Marshall and get back
to the Chamber. Grants are available to the school. Larry asked if we are
all in accord in supporting the establishment of a 3rd street Reader Board.
All said “yes”
Library Board (Library)
Monday, 11th @ 7:00 pm
Planning Commission
PGG Building: Larry updated the attendees on challenges with the sale of
the PGG Building. There apparently has been at least four different local
and NE Oregon parties interested in purchasing the facility. Apparently
there is something in “the works” (not confirmed yet)
Wednesday, 13th @ 6:30 pm
City Council Meeting
Thursday, 14th @ 6:30 pm
Yard of the Month: Volunteers needed to judge yards.
Cemetery Meeting
ABC Children’s Ministry, Annual St Jude Trike-a-Thon raised $942.
Tuesday, 19th @ 5:30 pm
NEW BUSINESS
A motion passed unanimously to give the Jr. Show a $100.00 Contribution.
Spring is here...enjoy it!!!!!
COMMUNITY WIDE
CLEAN UP DAY
The Annual City Wide CleanUp Day ( sponsored by CPS)
in conjunction with Humbert
Refuse “Free Dump Day” is
May 2nd. All loads taken to
the dump MUST be tarped!
Remember to bring your
bright pink card and there will
be no charge for your load.
Also, there will be a team of
community volunteers with
trucks that can pick up any
disposal items that you may
need taken to the dump. If
you would like to take advantage of this service, please
contact Crop Production Services (as soon as possible) at
541-566-3533 and they will
put you on the list for pickup.
Let’s all do our part in keeping
Chamber meets on the third Thursday of the month at noon in the City
Hall Meeting Room. All are welcome!
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVATION
The City Office, Public Works, and Public Library will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of
Memorial Day.
ATHENA CITY NEWSLETTER MAY 2015
Page 2
THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION
OF THE ATHENA CITY COUNCIL
April 9, 2015
Attendance: Mayor John Shafer called the regular meeting of the Athena City Council to order at 6:33 pm in the City’s community room. Roll
was taken with Councilors Pat Gibson, LaVerne Mitchell, Chet Sater, Rebecca Schroeder and Carol Speed present. Recorder Nancy Parker and
five guests were also in attendance. Mayor Shafer led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Business from the Public: Bill Duke requested a variance to allow him to have 6 additional chickens. His property is zoned suburban-residential,
which has a larger lot size than residential zones. His property is bordered on two sides by farm fields and has a large buffer between the existing chicken coop and neighbors. Schroeder motioned to approve the variance due to the zoning. Motion was seconded by Mitchell and approved
5-0.
The Main Street Association notified the City they have received their 501C3 status and are eligible to receive grants. They will have planters
on Main Street this summer, and will be holding Farmers Markets on Tuesday afternoons from 3-7 pm. They requested permission to put a bus
kiosk in Dugger Park, with the back butting up against the Funks of Athena building. They have applied for a grant from Wildhorse (which furnishes the bus) and will present plans at the May council meeting. Schroeder move to allow the placement of a bus kiosk in Dugger Park and
Speed seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Planning Commission: Approved a variance request for permit # 2015-03, A-W School District 26R, to run a 100’ overhead electrical line from
the back of McEwen Housing to a new pole at the track. This will supply power to run timers at track meets.
Consent Agenda: Councilor Speed moved and the motion was seconded by Mitchell to approve the minutes of the 3/12/15 regular meeting, the
financial statements and bills. Motion passed 5-0.
Actionable/Discussion Items: Approved the budget calendar.
Councilor Speed made a motion, which was seconded by Gibson, to approve the annual renewal for the Humbert Landfill Contract. Motion approved 5-0.
Anderson-Perry notified the City they will present a $750 scholarship to a Weston-McEwen senior on behalf of their firm and the City of Athena. Recorder Parker will contact the school to request three names be submitted to the City before the May 14 th council meeting. Council set the
following criteria for applicants: 3.00 GPA, School & Community Service and extra-Curricular activities such as Band, FFA, or volunteer work.
Mayor Shafer re-appointed Shawn Coffman to the Livestock Commission with his term expiring 12/31/17, and appointed Mary West to fill Evelyn
Ehlers position, which expires 12/31/2016.
Old Business: Brad Baird was unable to attend the meeting, but wanted the City to know the Water Project is moving along.
Councilor Schroeder presented the revised preliminary pool Master Plan for members to view. The next pool committee meeting is April 29th.
Lifeguards have been hired and are as follows: Pool Manager - Riley Faircloth; Head Lifeguard - Jimmy Patrick; Lifeguards - Brenden Dearing,
Amanda Gibson, Anna Gilsdorf and Caleb Olsen. They will attend training April 24th & 25th.
New Business: Recorder Parker notified the Council a supplemental Budget will need to be passed to allow payment to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office for the police contract.
Business from the Departments:
Police: Sgt. Gregory was unable to attend, but sent a police report to Mayor Shafer.
Administration: Recorder Parker thanked the Council for allowing her to attend the OAMR Mid-Year Academy and Conference. It is very educational and worthwhile! She reminded all councilors to submit their Annual Ethics Statement of Economic Interest by 4/15/15. Nancy also reported the City Hall sign is almost complete and will be installed soon.
Library: Librarian Carrie Bremer reviewed the Agreement for Library Services between the City of Athena and the Umatilla County Special
Library District. Councilor Schroder motioned and Gibson seconded to approve the agreement. Motion carried 5-0. Bremer also requested permission to hire a student to work 15 hours per week in the summer at $9.25 per hour. Schroeder motioned to approve the request, which was
seconded by Mitchell and approved 5-0.
Councilor Report:
Sater: Chet reported the Umatilla County Watershed Council has received funding to hire an engineer to assess Wildhorse Creek from Highway
11 to Pambrun Road.
Shafer: John and Carol will be participating in Union contract negotiations April 17th at 2:00 pm at the library.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 pm. The next regular council meeting will be May 14, 2015 @ 6:30 pm in the
Athena City Hall meeting room.
*Minutes are subject to council approval, any corrections or additions will appear in the next newsletter.
MAY 2015
Page 3
RESTORATION MINISTRIES
(Rebuilding the Foundation of Life)
16 week course
Athena Baptist Church
May 6, 2015 through August 19, 2015 @ 7:00
For nearly 30 years Restoration classes have helped people become free in Christ. Thousands of your brothers and sisters have
found freedom from guilt and shame, anger and hatreds, and bondage from lifelong habits. The restoration class can help you find
freedom from all that weighs over and haunts you. It can help you start a new phase in your life, building upon a new foundation
based on God’s truth.
The Restoration class is offered 2 hours per week over 16 weeks at a cost of $27.00 for the workbook per student. The classes
will be offered at Athena Baptist Church, 415 N. 5th Street, Athena, Oregon each Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 pm beginning May 6,
2015. Please call the church office at 541.566.3602 or email [email protected] to order your book.
HUMBERT REFUSE REQUEST
It has come to our attention that the Athena Recycling Depot has become a garbage dump. This is not
what this area is intended for so here is a quick reminder:
Items to Recycle
Items we do not take
Corrugated Cardboard—flattened
Plastic
Batteries
Newspapers and Magazines—loose
Tin Foil
Sheet Glass
Glass Bottles and Jars—rinsed and lids removed
Styrofoam
Office Paper
Tin Cans—rinsed
Light Bulbs
Junk Mail
Aluminum Cans
Plastic Bags
Shredded Paper
It is a privilege for the City of Athena to have this recycling depot. We do not want to lose this service.
Please do not dump garbage or any other items not listed above. Thank you for recycling and doing
your part to keep Athena beautiful.
YARD SALE TIME!!!
It's time again for the annual city of Athena yard sale day! Last year was a huge success bringing hundreds of visitors to
our town with almost 30 sales. Let's do it again this year folks. The big day is Saturday May 23rd Please submit the address of your sale to City Hall or Bees Knees and we will add the location to our map. Remember that we will do the advertising in the local papers free to you. All you have to do is clean out your closets and submit your address by May 18th.
ATHENA CANCER WALK
On Saturday, June 13, 2015, the Athena Cancer Walk Committee is hosting a benefit walk to support the Providence, St. Mary Foundation Cancer Special Needs Fund. This funds helps the most desperate patients with gas cards, medication, food, wigs and other hurdles
they may face. Last year, the Athena Cancer Walk drew over 100 participants. With generous support from our community, we were
able to donate over $5,000! This year our goal is to double the amount of participants and funds to be donated. For more information,
please contact, Renae Swilling, Athena Cancer Walk President, at US Bank in Athena
Page 4
City of Athena MAY 2015
You are encouraged to help Caledonian’s mission to
"promote and perpetuate our Scottish traditions" by
donating $50 to Athena Caledonian Games and becoming a Caledonian Sustaining Guardian.. You will be
listed in the program and you will be invited to sponsor a sheep dog and receive two tickets to the Saturday night Tattoo. Caledonian’s mission has been to
celebrate our Scottish heritage since the first games
and picnic in 1899. Please make donations to Athena
Caledonian Games, P O Box 161, Athena, 97813 by
May 30.
TUESDAY EVENING MARKET
Main Street
May 5, 2015
4-7pm
Come to shop local vendors,
eat great food and listen to music.
SAVE THE DATES
May
June
2
City Wide Clean Up
5
Tuesday Evening Market 4-7 on Main Street
10
Mother’s Day
23
Athena City Wide Yard Sale
23
Helix “Heart of the Country” Rodeo
27
W-M HS Baccalaureate 7:00 @ Weston Auditorium
30
Weston-McEwen High School Graduation 7:00 @ WM Gym
6
Pioneer Days—Weston
7
Weston-McEwen Golf Tournament
13
Athena Annual Cancer Walk
26-28
Hodaka Days
Enter raffle to win a handmade quilt!
The more you shop the more chances
you have to win.
For more information or to be a vendor
call Katie Zmuda at 541-969-4810
or email [email protected]
Library News
Wanted: Part-time teenage library aide. Applicant must be currently
completing freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year in High School.
Minimum wage. Application form available at the Athena Public Library
during open hours. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2015.
City of Athena
PO Box 686
Athena, OR 97813
Athena City Hall
302 E Currant
PO Box 686
Athena, Or 97813
MAY
2015
Phone
(541) 566-3862
Fax
NEWSLETTER
(541) 566-2781
E-mail
[email protected]
Ceud Mile Failt
(100,000 Welcomes)
ATHENA
BOXHOLDER
ATHENA OR 97813
CITY NEWSLETTER
Is published monthly by
the
CITY OF ATHENA
Editors: Nancy Parker: [email protected] and [email protected] reserve the right to edit for content and space.
Original articles from this publication may be reprinted with proper acknowledgment.