City Info Weekly - 2012/01/25 (Archive)

The City Info Weekly Page is updated every Wednesday

• Snapshots of City Info Weekly, 3rd Quarter 2011
• Snapshots of City Info Weekly, 2nd Quarter 2011
• Snapshots of City Info Weekly, 1st Quarter 2011
• View City of Longview Press Releases and public safety press releases.

Congratulations to Longview Police Department’s outstanding employees!

On January 20, several awards were presented to Longview police department employees and members of the community for “outstanding acts of heroism, meritorious service, and exceptional service above and beyond normal expectations.”  Among this year’s award winners are Sergeant Ed Jones for Sergeant of the Year, Officer Brian Nevels for Officer of the year, Community Service Officer Cindy Turpen for Civilian Employee of the year, and Chaplain Steve White for Volunteer of the Year.

Every year the Longview Police Department recognizes outstanding contributions of employees, citizens, or officers from other jurisdictions.  The awards program helps promote esprit de corps and contributes to improved levels of service as well as recognizes outstanding contributions from individuals outside the department.

Nominations for the various awards are made by a committee consisting of representatives from the various departments and divisions, as well as one member at large. 

Commercial Code Update Public Hearing set for February 1

As part of an overall revamp of the City’s zoning code, the Longview City Council’s Planning Commission has developed a draft Commercial Code Update.  The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on the draft on Wednesday, February 1 at 7p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1525 Broadway Street.   Interested persons are invited to attend as zoning codes affect how your property can be developed.

In 2007, the City of Longview adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan.  A Comprehensive Plan is an official public document that guides policy decisions related to the physical, social and economic growth of a city.  It provides a framework for future growth, development, and public decision-making.  The Comprehensive Plan was adopted after an extensive public outreach process. 

Since the Comprehensive Plan was adopted, the City has been updating the various zoning codes.  The residential and industrial portions of the zoning code updates have been completed.  The commercial portions of the zoning code update are now in the process of undergoing public review.  The adoption of the commercial zoning code update and zoning map amendments are necessary to implement the Comprehensive Plan. 

This draft Commercial Code Update was developed by the City of Longview Planning Commission with staff assistance.  The draft proposes to create two new districts (Central Business District and the Office/Commercial District) and eliminate the Commercial Warehouse District.  The six commercial districts, if the proposal is adopted, will be named: Central Business, Downtown Commerce, Regional Commercial, Office/Commercial, General Commercial, and Neighborhood Commercial.  The revamping of the commercial districts includes major updates to the list of permitted uses and the development standards.

The proposal also includes zoning map amendments to make the zoning map consistent with the 2006 Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use map.   The draft Commercial Code Update includes:

• A table listing the allowed uses in the six proposed commercial districts
• A table giving dimensional standards for lot development, such as: minimum lot size, minimum lot frontage, the minimum distance a building must be setback from a property line, maximum building heights, and maximum impervious area of the lot
• Other standards for things like signs

The draft Commercial Code Update and proposed zoning map changes are available online at www.mylongview.com.   From the home page, click on the yellow button labeled Zoning Code Update. 

Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council.  The City Council is responsible for making the final decision on the Commercial Code update.

More information:  Please call Steve Langdon at 442-5083 or e-mail him at steve.langdon@ci.longview.wa.us if you have any questions before the hearing.  Written comments should be directed to Steve Langdon, Planning Manager, P.O. Box 128, Longview, WA 98632.  Written comments must be received prior to the date and time of the public hearing. 

Father & Daughter Ball

Register now for this popular family event as tickets will sell out quickly! This memorable annual dance is held at the McClelland Center.  The Saturday session is sold out, but there is still room on the Sunday, February 26 at 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. session  This year’s theme is “America Bandstand” and the cost is only $13.75 per person which includes snacks, drinks, crafts, music, dancing and much more.  Photos are available.  Pre-register now as tickets will not be sold at the door.  You may register online at www.mylongview.com/reconline, or by phone through Longview Recreation at 442-5400.

Lateral Paramedic/Firefighter

The Longview Fire Department (LFD) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Lateral Paramedic/Firefighter. LFD will be filling two PM/FF positions. CPAT testing dates available January 28 and 29 at www.publicsafetytesting.com. 

More information: Visit www.mylongview.com to view more details and apply.  ADA/EEO/WLAD/Drug-Free Workplace.

Introducing  the City’s new neighborhood cleanup program

Does your neighborhood have one or more properties that need a little attention because of overgrown vegetation or an accumulation of trash?  Do some of your neighbor’s just need a little help but may not have funds to do a good cleanup of their property?  Or, is it just time for spring cleaning?

If so, then the City would like to introduce you to its new NEAT program!  The Neighborhood Excellence Action Team program, referred to as NEAT, was created to offer your neighborhood the opportunity to collect and dispose of unwanted trash, bulky waste, and yard debris for free.  The NEAT program is a partnership between the City of Longview and neighborhoods within the city limits. 

The program allows your neighborhood to receive drop boxes for the disposal of excess trash, bulky waste, and yard debris.  These boxes and their disposal costs are free to those residing in your neighborhood.  In return, the City asks that you gather the volunteers to plan and run your event.

The process is simple.  You can either contact the City at 442-5222 and request a NEAT packet, or you can visit the new solid waste and recycling website at www.longviewrecycles.com and go to the NEAT page.  There, you will find the two documents that will need to be submitted to start the process: an application and a liability waiver with group roster.  After the City has reviewed your application, you will be notified with a confirmation letter by regular mail or email that your project is approved.  

Other helpful information for coordinating your event is also included on the website, including frequently asked questions and event checklists and guidelines.  When your event is finished, we hope you will fill out our survey and let us know how we can continue to improve the program. 

Are you interested?  Check us out and let us know if this is something you and your neighbors want to do. In the end, it’s a win-win for the City and your neighborhood!

More information: Contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Division at 442-5222, or visit our website at www.longviewrecycles.com.

Kiwanis Heart & Sole Run

Bring the entire family to the Longview Kiwanis Heart & Sole 5K/10K Run & Walk on February 11 to improve your health through physical activity and promote happy healthy families.  The run and walk starts at 9 a.m. with check in from 8to 8:45 a.m. at the Elks Memorial Building, 2121 Kessler Blvd.  The course is around Lake Sacajawea Park, with a free mini K Run & Walk for kids 12 years and under. Please register online at www.mylongview.com/reconline by February 1 if you want a shirt.  The cost is $15 per person, or $30 for the race and shirt.

More information: This community event is a partnership between Longview Recreation and Longview Kiwanis to benefit teen recreation programs. For additional information or to register by phone, please call 442-5400.

Happenings at the Longview Public Library

A new season of family and teen events begins at the library in January.  See all the current programs on the library’s website at http://www.longviewlibrary.org/calendar-kids.php. 

Curl Up with a Good Book

The Friends of the Longview Library invites you to Curl Up with a Good Book in the Longview Public Library.  Join us every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon in the library’s Magazine Room to enjoy a warm fire, free coffee, tea, or cocoa, and homemade cookies while you read.

Curl Up with a Good Book will be held Tuesdays starting January 17 and continuing through February 28.   Please join us!

The Friends of the Longview Library is a non-profit organization that gives volunteer and financial help to the library.  Individuals living outside the Longview Library District can earn a library card by volunteering time and cookies to the Friends of the Longview Library.  If you are interested in joining the Friends, applications are available at the Longview Public Library. 

More information:  Please call Elizabeth Partridge at 442-5321 for more information. 

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to Volunteer?

Let Project READ, the volunteer adult literacy program of the Longview Public Library, help you! We need committed, responsible, and caring individuals interested in volunteering their time as literacy tutors to help an adult in the community improve literacy skills.

Our next tutor training session will be February 7, 9, 14, and 16 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. in the Longview Library Auditorium.

Our learners need to learn or improve reading, writing, English conversation and pronunciation, preparing for U.S. citizenship, and/or math skills.  Tutors work one-on-one in the library with a learner two times a week for an hour each time.  Volunteers are asked to make a six-month commitment, but are welcome to stay longer!

Share your love of learning.  Make a difference.  Become a volunteer tutor at Project READ.

More information: Contact Elizabeth Partridge in the Project READ Corner, or call her at 442.5321, to pick up a tutor application. You can also visit http://www.longviewlibrary.org/pr.php and download an application.