SWALLOWS, ENTERTAINING GUESTS

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Cliff swallows are entertainment guests and come without subscription fees.

In April, at least one pair of the agile and mobile birds always visit our rural home. Other pairs also visit neighbors.

Watching the birds carry bits of straw and sticks in their beaks to their nesting places is fascinating. They always seem to be in a feverish haste to get the job done.

A pair of cliff swallows first built a nest about 10 years ago under an eave near our front porch.

A few years ago, my wife hung a bird house under an eave near our garage door. The swallows began nesting there.

The birds soon seemed oblivious to the groaning of an opening or closing garage door near them.

At dawn and sunset, the swallows make a ritual of diving through the sky to decimate swarms of flying insects. We celebrate their success in probably ridding the yard of a goodly number of mosquitos, biting flies or other pests.

The best show starts in June when chicks are born. Usually four or five fledgling chicks announce their arrivals with subdued, but steady peeps that grow louder with the passage of each day.

At first, the mother bird enters the bird house to feed her chicks.

As they grow and gain strength, the chicks begin to act like kids waiting for an ice cream man. Constantly chirping, they poke their heads from the bird house and look about.

The chicks gape when the mother swoops into view.

Touching down for an instant, the mother bird dispenses food into a yawning mouth. She then hurries away to load up again.

Another showtime comes in mid-July when the young swallows are ready to first try their wings.

The most gutsy birds just leap into space. Others crouch in the opening of the bird house and appear to beat their wings after accidentally slipping from their perches.

Cliff swallows are about the size of sparrows. They have dull blue upperparts and buff white underparts, white foreheads and dark chestnut throats.

According to National Audobon Society information, cliff swallows range from Alaska to eastern Canada, and winter in tropics such as those found in South America.

The species are best known for timely arrivals at Mission San Juan Capistrano in California.

For all we know, the swallows of Clark County might be as dependable--or at least as good as a television schedule.

ALERT OFFICERS ARREST WANTED MAN

Playing cards in La Center can be hazardous to the health of criminals.

An evening at Chips Casino turned unpleasant for one man wanted since last February, when a casino employee and two La Center police officers joined forces for an arrest.

The three men were honored by La Center during a July 13 City Council meeting. The two officers, Craig Prentice-Wattson and Christopher Olsen, received the Merit Award for Excellent Arrest from the American Police Hall of Fame.

"Their names are now listed on the Hall of Fame," said Chief Tim Hopkins, who presented the awards.

Casino employee Travis Hall's actions earned him a plaque from the city.

As Hopkins reported, Hall, who was working at the casino on Feb. 6, recognized a man wanted by the Clark County Sheriff's Department.

Hall called police and described the situation. Prentice-Wattson and Olsen responded to the call.

"What was unusual was the way these two officers used their heads and their resources," Hopkins said.

"There was very little disturbance to the patrons," he said. "The officers did not know if he was armed, but they were able to quickly make this arrest."

The two arrested Sang Van Nguyen who was wanted on eight counts of attempted aggravated murder, two counts of first-degree assault, one robbery, two kidnappings, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, Hopkins said. Bail was set at $3.3 million.

Olsen, who has been with the La Center police for three years, is originally from Portland. He is married and has three children.

Prentice-Wattson, who has lived in Clark County since 1998, is also married and the father of three. He has been with the department four years.

LA CENTER CONSIDERS EXPANDING NEW SEWER PLANT

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

After only a year of operation, La Center's new wastewater treatment plant may need further expansion to serve a rapidly growing area.

The city has hired Cascade Design Professionals of Milwaukie, OR, to analyze the potential needs for wastewater treatment. A financial forecast has also been provided.

The wastewater treatment plant was purchased from the city in 1992 by Clark Public Utilities which operates the plant and the water system. The utility opened a new $4.5 million treatment plant in May 2004.

The treatment plant is designed to be expanded to double its existing capacity, said Mick Shutt, Clark Public Utilities spokesman.

Shutt said the city has not specifically said it wants to buy back the plant, but "has indicated it might be something they'd be interested in."

City Council members did not discuss ownership during a July 13 meeting when the consultants presented an extensive report on conditions and financial issues.

The Council decided by consensus to study the concept of expanding the year-old plant using new technology and adding a pump station along La Center Road to serve development at the I-5 interchange where a gaming casino has been proposed.

A lengthy report from consultants Herb Friche and Dennis Petrequien of Cascade Design, and a financial forecast from Ray Bartlett, led to council members' decision to continue researching a system that uses a membrane bio reactor, a technology that would not require extensive physical expansion.

The wastewater treatment plant serves 826 homes and businesses, up from 725 a year ago. Since January, the city has received 89 building permit applications.

Cascade Design Professionals reported that the existing plant has "limited treatment capacity to serve the interchange."

"If the current level of new housing construction continues, the existing treatment plant will be at capacity within two or three years," the consultants reported.

Developing the expanded system would cost more than $5.5 million by 2014.

When Clark Public Utilities purchased the treatment plant from the city, "we purchased the debt," Shutt said.

According to Bartlett's financial report, the utility generated $295,145 in sewer user fees last year and $117,340 from developers' fees, known as system development charges.

Development of the $4.5 million year-old plant has been funded through the state public works trust fund, money from Clark Public Utilities and revenue bonds. Total debt is slightly more than $5 million, Shutt said.

Bartlett told the Council that the net cash from operations is insufficient to pay the debt service. He said operating costs would "outpace revenues."

Bartlett's forecast shows annual increases of 10 percent to 15 percent in monthly rates for the next six years. Under his forecast, rates would go from $35 per month this year to $66.31 monthly by 2011.

PARK COMPROMISE LEADS TO FEWER PLAYING FIELDS

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Complaints from Hockinson area residents have led to changes in plans for a proposed 240-acre community park.

Five lighted, adult softball fields will not be built, and no lighted fields will lie adjacent to neighbors under the latest plan for the Hockinson Meadows Park on NE 119th Street near NE 174th Avenue.

Seventeen baseball and soccer fields, with four smaller soccer fields overlapping the baseball outfields, will remain under a compromise hammered out between park officials and neighbors of the new park. Thirteen fields will be developed in the first phase.

"We will not light any fields within the south 40 acres for 10 years," said Jim Sandlin of Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation.

Originally, the city-county agency had sought to develop 26 fields for baseball, soccer and softball in the mostly rural area.

Some fields have been moved to areas away from residences. Three Little League ball fields will be lighted.

Margaret Hegewold who lives adjacent to the proposed park has opposed some sports development, especially lighted fields near her home.

She said she is partly satisfied with the changes.

"Actually, things have turned out pretty well," she said.

More negotiations are ahead. Another public meeting has been scheduled for Thurs., July 28, 7 p.m., at the Fire District 5 Northwest Regional Training Center, 1106 NE 66th St., Suite 103.

"We hope to negotiate better hours," Hegewold said. "The park should close at 10 p.m. They're talking about 10:30 and those hours are a concern."

Traffic and access remain issues, she said.

"We're concerned about access, concerned about traffic problems," she said. "We want to make sure we can get home at night."

Complicating the sports field development are the acres of wetlands within the park area. Sandlin said the parks department must work with federal regulatory agencies to mitigate wetlands. Where possible, development of the wetlands will be avoided.

There has been little dispute over the general use of the park, and Hegewold said that neighbors want a community park.

Areas will be set aside for group picnics, and there will be playgrounds, playing courts, areas for BMX bicycles and skateboards, and restrooms. A water play area is planned, as are walking trails.

"We want to strike a balance in the first phase," Sandlin said. "We need the type of things a community park has."

The original Hockinson Meadows Park plan released in April brought criticism from neighbors adjoining the property. They complained that parks and recreation had not been candid about the large number of playing fields planned for the property.

At that time Hegewold said, "There are too many ball fields concentrated in one park. They should be spread over other parks."

After a July 14 public meeting, Hegewold said that parks officials had become more responsive to the neighbors' concerns.

Parks director David Judd attended the meeting.

"All the neighbors felt really good about that," Hegewold said.

AMNESTY OFFERED FOR UNLICENSED DOGS IN BG

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

While walking one of his dogs through his west Battle Ground neighborhood, council member Alex Reinhold counted about 89 other dogs barking as he strolled by.

In a city of nearly 15,000 people, only about 1,000 dogs are licensed.

"We know there are a lot more than that many dogs," Battle Ground Lt. Roy Butler told council members at a July 18 meeting.

To help citizens keep track of their pooches, the department is offering licensing amnesty through the month of August beginning Tues., Aug. 2, at the National Night Out Event on E Main St.

The offer applies only to those who live within the city limits of Battle Ground.

The benefits of licensing canines are threefold, according to a flier printed by the police department.

If a dog is injured and taken to a veterinarian's office for treatment, the vet is more likely to treat the dog if it has a license.

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington will hold the dog longer than the usual three days before euthanasizing it. This is especially important if owners are out of town and Fido wanders.

It is also easier for Animal Control officers to return the dog if it is found on the loose.

According to city code, only three adult dogs are allowed per household, and all must be licensed. Puppies under 6 months old do not have to be licensed.

At National Night Out, two Animal Control officers will provide citizens with a card and instruction sheet. Officials ask that pets not be brought to the event for licensing. Dog owners are only asked to bring proof of rabies vaccination.

Until Wed. Aug. 31, cards can be obtained at city hall, 109 SW 1st St., and the police department at 505 SW 1st St., Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Please come petless.

For more information, call the police department at 342-5100.

BIRTH CENTER SEES RENOVATIONS, EXPANSIONS

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

The Family Birth Center at Southwest Washington Medical Center is seeing some changes.

The existing, 40-bed Center was renovated in July for about $100,000. New paint and carpet were installed throughout the Center, as well as new chairs and "dad" beds in each room.

Rooms are set up so mothers can experience labor, delivery and post delivery care in the same rooms.

Work on a new, 15-room Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has also been started with an anticipated finish by December. Skanska Construction is general contractor for the project.

Previously, the hospital offered Level II nursery care for critically ill babies, explained Marcia Tolmasoff, hospital perinatal director.

With a full NICU, the hospital can offer more types of care such as ventilator services. Two neo-natologists from Oregon Health Science University will be brought in to develop a full critical-care program for the hospital's new NICU.

About $2 million of the $3 million construction cost was donated by area philanthropists.

The hospital continues to offer a variety of birth-oriented classes including the MotherShare program, a support group for new moms.

MotherShare is a free class that meets Mondays, 10-11:30 a.m., in the Birth Center, 400 NE Mother Joseph Place., Vancouver. Launi Griffee is the instructor.

For more information on services offered, contact the Baby Resources Line, 514-2229.

RIDGEFIELD BUYS 10TH AVE. FIRE STATION

Council approves purchase for police facility

Ridgefield city council members, wanting more room for police services, agreed July 14 to buy the Clark County Fire District 12 station at 26506 NE 10th Ave. for $650,000.

City officials estimate it will take about $50,000 to convert the 7,500 square foot fire station to a police facility and jail.

District 12 firefighters are expecting to move to a new fire station being built at 911 N 65th Ave. by February 2006.

As part of the transaction, the city will transfer ownership of the downtown fire station at 117 N 3rd St. to the Fire District at a mutually agreed value of $200,000.

The value of the 3rd St. station is impaired by 11 years remaining on a long-term lease, said city manager George Fox.

The Fire District will carry a three year real estate contract for the balance of the purchase price, to be paid from Real Estate Excise Tax funds, said Fox.

Fox said the purchase of the 10th St. station, located on one acre, represents a good value for the city. He said the site will provide ample space for police services for the next 4-6 years, with enough room for future expansion.

Police chief Bruce Hall said his department, with a staff of eight, is operating in less than 1,400 square feet of space at the Main Ave. station.

In a July 7 assessment memorandum, Hall said an analysis of space needed for police services based on population shows a need of about 2,800 square feet of space for a population of 3,000.

Hall said space needs include work spaces, record and evidence storage and jail space. The needs will continue to grow with population increases, he said.

A summary of the purchase plan said five persons, a police officer, three engineers and an administrative clerk, would occupy the downtown station. Staffing in the building is expected to increase to seven by 2007-08.

City community development director Kevin Snyder said it will take about $10,000 to convert the downtown station to house engineering offices.

Contingent on completion of the new Fire District 12 station, city officials hope to complete the conversion of the 10th St. station into a police/jail facility by June 2006.

Hall said some officers may be able to relocate sooner.

The 10th St. station is in the eastern portion of the city's urban growth boundary. Fox said the station location should be annexed by the city within eight months.

RIDGEFIELD PROPOSES STORMWATER UTILITY

Proposal calls for $4 monthly fees and $200 development charges

Bill Myers, staff reporter

City of Ridgefield officials proposed ordinances creating a stormwater utility at a July 14 city council meeting.

The proposal, requesting approvals of ordinances 883 and 884, would set monthly fees of $4 and initial $200 system develop charges (SDC) for each equivalent dwelling unit.

Qualifying low-income senior citizens would pay $3 monthly fees.

Community development director Kevin Snyder said city growth, with more road surfaces, places more stormwater demands on city workers.

The city needs to adopt a long-term approach to stormwater issues and the stormwater utility plan should help recharge existing aquifers, said public works director Justin Clary.

Clary said city workers have identified six or seven capital improvement projects related to stormwater that will become part of the city's capital facilities plan.

Currently, funding for maintenance and repair of stormwater facilities comes from the city's General Fund. This pits stormwater operations and maintenance funding against other general government activities for funding, said Clary.

In a Request for Council Action, Clary said the Utility, with about 300 new homes being built in the city each year, will generate annual revenue of about $48,000 in monthly service charges and about $60,000 from system development charges.

A request for approval of the ordinances said monthly rates for stormwater utilities in Vancouver are $5.44, Camas, $4.71; Battle Ground, $4.15; and Clark County, $2.75.

The request for approval said Vancouver and Clark County do not apply system development charges. Charges in Camas are location specific. Battle Ground charges a SDC of $361.

A second reading of the proposed ordinances is scheduled for Thurs., July 28, at the city council meeting. Meetings are held in the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 N Main. Information telephone is 887-8251.

RIDGEFIELD APPROVES METER FEES

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Ridgefield city council members decided July 14 to allow the city manager to set fees to cover costs of installing water meters.

Council members approved Ordinance 887 which authorizes collection of water meter installation fees when meters are installed at new home sites.

Fees will be charged where no water service previously existed, or when an applicant files for a change in service size or location.

The city code previously applied charges only for meter installations larger than residential sizes.

City public works director Justin Clary said that in past years, in periods of slow growth, the installation of residential water meters was not a major cost for the city.

But with residential construction now at about 300 homes a year, the city is spending about $57,000 per year to install residential water meters. Clary said it costs about $190 for an average residential meter installation, including parts and labor.

NEW TRIAL OF SOPHIA JOHNSON RE-SET

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A second murder trial for Sophia Johnson, originally scheduled to start Aug. 8, is now scheduled to begin on Oct. 3.

Johnson, a 29-year-old Vancouver woman, is charged with murdering her mother-in-law, Marlyne Johnson, at the victim's Brush Prairie home in 2002.

In 2003, the accused woman was sentenced to 43 years in prison after a jury found her guilty of bludgeoning Marlyne Johnson to death with fireplace tongs.

The Washington State Court of Appeals overturned the decision, ruling that Clark County Superior Court judge Diane Woolard improperly replaced a member of the jury and that a bailiff improperly communicated with the jury during deliberations.

Judge Roger Bennett will preside over the second trial. Bennett granted a defense motion to move Johnson's trial date from Aug. 8 to Oct. 3.

HOCKINSON SCHOOLS BUDGET ON TRACK

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

New land may be in the works for the Hockinson School District this year.

Hockinson School Board members are set to vote July 26 on the budget for 2005-2006.

About $510,000 is included in the budget proposal for a possible land purchase. Space at the K-8 level continues to become tight, and the District is making long-term plans for additional schools, say administrators.

Hockinson's budget is proposed at $14.5 million, up from $13.5 million in 2004-2005.

Budgets are always a work in progress and based on the best information on hand at the time, said Hockinson business manager Donna Gregg, who also works part-time as the Ridgefield School District's business manager.

Hockinson's budget will be balanced with about $380,000 being used from reserves. About $214,000 of that figure will be used for curriculum, technology and security staffing as the last year of projected high school start up funds.

The District receives about 13 percent of its revenue from area property taxes and 80 percent from the state.

Budget numbers are based on 2,014 students for 2005-2006. The District reported 1,956 students May 2005.

New this year is the addition of one more class of students at Hockinson High School since last year. Each year since opening, Hockinson has added one class. All four grades will be in the school for the first time this year. The first class of seniors is set to graduate spring 2006.

To accommodate growth, Hockinson will add several new employees including 8.8 positions at the high school, 5.5 of which will be teachers. At the K-8 level, the District will add a third grade teacher plus increased counseling, music, and reading specialist hours.

Program spending will be proportionally similar to last year, Gregg said, with about 56.5 percent of the budget being allocated to basic education, 16.5 percent going to general support services, 6 percent to transportation, 5.5 percent to special education, 2.1 percent to career and technical education, and 4.8 percent to student achievement.

The District is set to give staff a 1.2 percent salary increase as mandated by the state. Certificated staff are also currently in contract negotiations, and may receive an additional raise.

No new portables are planned for the District, but money is allocated for several expenses under the capital funds area including $62,000 for a new sewer connection, and cash allocated for lockers at the high school and middle school.

Fuel costs are projected to rise 15 percent.

The District will keep about $1.2 million in reserves, or about 8 percent of its budget. Districts typically keep 5-12 percent of their budgets in savings, Gregg said, on recommendation of state educational offices and insurance companies.