Regional library vote will follow studiesAstoria moved a step closer to creating a regional library Monday night. The Astoria City Council heard that talks begun a year ago were continuing involving Tillamook and Columbia County, but the matter would likely not come up to a public vote until 2006.

Fees hiked for city permits, facilitiesAstoria city councilors approved fee increases amounting to about 6 percent for city facilities, permit applications and other services, after a survey showed Astoria was considerably cheaper than Seaside, Warrenton, Cannon Beach and Clatsop County. Full details are available at City Hall. 1095 Duane St.

Street closure to aid sardine processorAstoria City Council members agreed to a request from Astoria Holdings, which operates a sardine processing plant at the old Ocean Beauty location at the foot of Ninth Street, to temporarily close the street north of Astor Street. The action will eat up six parking spaces, but improve the plant’s efficiency during the height of its season from July 1 to Sept. 30, managers say. For this season, the company’s fifth, the company expects to hire 80 people.

Fire chief seeks cash for new gear, hosesAstoria Fire Chief Lenard Hansen will apply for a $6,044 grant from the Oregon Department of Forestry. The money, matched by $604 of budgeted city funds, would purchase better protective gear and more suitable hoses for rural firefighting., The request was prompted, in part, by last year’s significant wildfire behind Emerald Heights Aug. 21. Hansen pointed out that the majority of land in the city of Astoria’s fire protection area is rural.

Permission given to use hotel basementThe Astoria City Council agreed to a request from the owners of the Hotel Elliott at 357 12th St. to use the basement, including parts under the sidewalk at 12th and Duane streets, for a wine bar and storage area.

Cost-saving effort gains state kudosThe city of Astoria’s efforts to save money and make its wastewater treatment plant more efficient are going to be used as a model to encourage similar efforts throughout Oregon. The Energy Trust of Oregon has produced a color flier highlighting the city’s program, which was financed by a $100,000 grant from the trust and a $224,028 loan from the Oregon Energy Office. Public Works Director Mitch Mitchum believes the system will save $23867 a year in electrical costs. The project replaced six 25-year-old aerators with 10 new units. In the flier, he commends the professional staff at Wadsworth Electric for their contribution to the success of the October 2003 installation.

Cafe is allowed to expand its licenseAstoria City Council members raised their glasses to a liquor license application from Dana Gunderson for off-premises sales at the Cannery Cafe, No, 1 Sixth St.

Movie company will bring 170 to regionAfter some location scouting, Hollywood is coming to Astoria in a big way next month. Steven Spielberg’s Dreamworks is producing “The Ring 2. ” It will star Naomi Watts, who was nominated for a best actress Academy Award for her performance in “21 Grams.” “The Ring” sequel is billed as “a scary movie with supernatural forces, but no slashers,” according to Mitchum.

City retiree Mike Ramsdell is back on board as liaison. Filming is expected to start May 13 and last two weeks. The production company will bring up to 170 people, staying at the Astoria Red Lion Inn and Holiday Inn. Several area organizations and individuals have assisted location scouts, Ramsdell reports, noting that the script is still somewhat fluid.

Council approves market music, datesThe Astoria Sunday Market organization will continue to provide amplified music during its season, which runs Sundays May 9 through Oct. 3. The market stages at 12 th Street between Exchange and Street and Marine Drive. It means 12th Street is closed between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. The market’s managers provide traffic barricades. The city provides portable toilets and litter and recycling containers and also cleans up after each session.

– The Daily Astorian