Centennial Library

July 15, 2013 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on July 15, 2013 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Beryl Grant
Mike Peterson
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
Brian Lorentz

City employees present were Chief Drew, Public Works Director McFrederick, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.

MINUTES:  The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the July 1st meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Grant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORSMike Hornbeck, 503 North B, was present to request a renewal of his temporary permit to live in a camper while working on his home.  He has made some progress but he is really busy and doesn’t have the time to work on it steadily.  Attorney Green questioned whether the insurance worked out.  It did but he’s working too many hours to have time to work on rebuilding.  A substantial part of older house will be torn down.  He plans to build a garage and then move into that as he doesn’t plan to spend winter in the trailer.  Attorney Green’s recommendation is to grant the request for an extension on the condition that he purchases a building permit since they are both good for 180 days. Mayor Walker recommended a 45 extension on the temporary permit which would get him to September and then the Council could extend it if a building permit is issued.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to grant Mike Hornbeck, 503 North B, a 45 day extension to live in his trailer, that he purchase a building permit within the 45 days and if he does then another 180 day extension would be granted.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the council present.

Susan Morris, Art in the Park explained Art in the Park was originally run by the Central Idaho Art Association.  After that the Blue and White club took over for two years and then no one in the high school wanted to do it.  Susan has operated it since out of her for profit business.  It was questioned where the profits go and she explained she donates it to 66 animal charities worldwide, one of which is Animal Ark.

Jeff Kutner felt the Council should take Knife River to task over the north bound lane of Pine Street breaking up.  Mayor Walker explained the City has been working on it and is very disappointed.  Attorney Green explained when the City first started noticing the problems, they gave notice to Knife River of construction default.  Knife River is adamant that it is not their fault and have declined to take any further action.

Daryl Mullinix had written a letter to the City and wanted questions answered about road maintenance on private roads.  The following questions were asked with Public Works Director McFrederick answering.

1. Does the City contract with local contractors for road maintenance work?  Rarely 2. If so, is this work put out for bid.  Yes, if it meets the bid requirements 3. Has the City hired Turner’s Inc. for any work in the last two months? Yes 4. Did the City contract with Turner’s Inc. to do road maintenance work? No, not construction. 5. If so was the road a private road. N/A 6. If so where is the road located?  N/A 7. Did Mr. McFrederick contact Turner’s Inc. and threaten them with no more work from the City if they discussed or disclosed work they did for the City.  No

Daryl said Paul Turner was told not to disclose any information to him.  Mayor Walker asked the Council and staff if someone had talked to Paul and instructed him not to disclose information.  No one had done so.  Mr. Mullinix was very upset and left the meeting.

LIBRARY REPORT:  Becky Hosman reported the Library is in week 5 of their 6 week summer program.  They have 240 people registered and have raised over $1,600.00 for summer reading. They will have a staff and volunteer appreciation party on August 20th and will start having a volunteer of the year award.  They have had a lot of volunteers during the summer and have increased their usage.

The department had 37 cases written, 34 citations, 3 written warnings and 134 calls for service for June 2013.  The Police and Animal Control Report for June 2013 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WWTP PHASE II UPDATE:  The contractor was on site and it’s their first day today and they have been digging.  The notice to proceed was signed.

Planning and Zoning Minutes from July 10, 2013 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to grant a variance to Real Estate Asset Purchase Corp. pending they meet the requirements of Planning and Zoning’s recommendations.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.  Attorney Green will draw up a variance agreement and it will be recorded.

PARK WELL UPDATE:  Public Works Director McFrederick explained the well is 37 years old and worn out.  The quote is $82,850.00 to put in a whole new well minus the hole.  If all approved, it will take a couple months to get done.  Attorney Green stated the well work needs to be declared an emergency and then the City would not advertise for bids.

On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to declare an emergency for well replacement on Park Well as the failure of the pump creates an imminent threat to public health, safety and sanitation.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to allow Public Works Director McFrederick to expend $82,850.00 in water funds to fix Park Well without the public bidding process.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $315,211.20 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman Grant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PAYMENT TO STEED:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to authorize payment to Walter M Steed in the amount of $9,500.00 for grant administration.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

GALVANIZED GRAIN BIN:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to grant a waiver to ordinance 10-3-12C and allow Columbia Grain to have a new galvanized grain bin in the industrial zone. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

HANDBOOK RECOMMENDATION:  The only department request was to be allowed to carry over more than 10 days of vacation because there is not enough vacation early in the year when accruing it per pay period.  The committee reviewed the request and made a recommendation to post all vacation to the employee’s account on January 1st for the upcoming year and keep the 10 day carryover.  Councilwoman Grant asked if an employee would need to pay it back if they leave during the year.  The committees answer was no.

On motion by Councilwoman Grant, second by Councilman Lorentz to take the recommendation of the personnel committee for the handbook on vacation.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE:  Budget Meetings, July 17th at 6:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

_________________________  Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:

_________________________ Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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