City Council met in regular session on August 2, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Pete Lane
Beryl Grant
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
Scott Winkler
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman and Attorney Green.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of July 19th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Bilejo Klapprich was present requesting an extension to live in two recreational vehicles at 1015 N Junction until 9/6/21. Everything took longer than expected and they had to switch electricians. Councilor Grant questioned if they have all their supplies based upon the home depot receipts and also asked about the hole in the side of the house. Bilejo stated the hole was for air conditioning. Grant also questioned if Boller electric should finish tomorrow and if their legal and child issues have been settled. Bilejo stated everything is settled and yes, the electrician should be done as long as he shows up. Grant, Winkler and Farris all stated they would not approve another extension if they return after September 6th. On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Peterson to grant an extension until September 6, 2021. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. Motion carried.
Raj Chahal was present to discuss possible annexation of property in the area of impact and to ask if the Council would deny the annexation. City Administrator Kennedy explained he has approximately 30 acres in the area of impact. The City and County have an area of impact agreement that states, if you are going to create a subdivision on the area of impact, you must request annexation and then follow the City subdivision requirements. According to City subdivision rules, the original parcel has already been split the maximum without creating a subdivision. The City will need to decide if they want him to annex or if the City will deny annexation and he would need to deal with the County. Attorney Green stated the City can’t act without a request for annexation. If a written request is submitted, then the City can make a decision. The Council might be inclined to not grant the request.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to accept the Library Minutes of July 15, 2021. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CURB, GUTTER & SIDEWALK WAIVER: Nona Donaldson, 810 N Junction: Public Works Director Mager stated this is a corner lot. He would not recommend curb and gutter as the road isn’t wide enough or read for development; however on the sidewalk he could make an argument either way. In order to install sidewalks it would take a lot of fill. She has close to 200’ of sidewalks including ADA access on corner. The adjoining houses on Junction and Cunningham do not have sidewalks but two houses away on Junction has a sidewalk and two houses up on Cunningham does. It is difficult to install an ADA access without curb and gutter. Councilor Winkler stated the Council just went through the process to raise the valuation of a permit to be a major remodel before sidewalks, curb and gutter would be triggered. Councilor Grant also stated it was raised so they would be installed on larger projects. Mayor Lester stated back when Mike Key did a project, he was required to install sidewalks on Cunningham and Hill Street. The Council needs to decide if they are going to enforce or not, otherwise they need to get rid of requirement. This will be delayed until the next meeting, so everyone is able to look at the property and neighborhood.
Pete Bruzas, 1021 Middle Street: Public Works Director Mager recommended a waiver on curb, gutter and sidewalk for this property. It is in the industrial zone close to the railroad right of way and there are no sidewalks on Middle Street. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Farris to grant an indefinite curb, gutter and sidewalk waiver at 1021 Middle Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
OLD DUMP ROAD DEVELOPMENT: Public Works Director Mager stated he had Cody Coppersmith ask about utilizing the dump road though the City’s portion of the dump. Although the original request might not be valid any longer, Mager would like to know the Council’s feeling on allowing access through the dump as he thinks the issue may come up again, as long as Raj Chahal has property for sale.
Attorney Green stated the City reserved an easement over the property when the dump was sold. There is no access from Fish Hatchery. If someone wants to go through the dump, the Council would have to give them an easement if they wanted to allow traffic through the dump. There are other options for Raj’s property. Raj reserved an easement across the residential property from Elk Street extended.
Mager stated for years the road was gated on F Street to prohibit through traffic. Then it was moved and gated between Ebert’s and Spencer’s; however the gate is currently open and the dump is being driven through. Mayor Lester stated none of the road is currently improved. Attorney Green stated if someone came and asked for an easement, the Council could address it on a case by case basis based on the plan submitted. Mager asked if the Council wanted both sides of the dump barricaded. Councilor Winkler stated he didn’t like the idea of through traffic in the dump. Councilor Grant agreed. On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Winkler to block off the east and west sides of the dump, leaving UTV/ATV access only. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. Motion carried.
TRAILER ORDINANCE: Chief Newman stated the trailer ordinance is difficult for the police department to enforce and there is not a clear guideline on why it’s being done. The ordinance requires a warning, but also allows for a 21-day permit to be issued allowing the trailer. If the police provide a warning, the owner could move the trailer a few inches or get the permit. There is no guidance or qualifications for issuing the permit. Motor homes aren’t covered under the trailer ordinance.
Councilor Grant didn’t know how many trailers there were until she drove around and looked at them yesterday. Sometimes it would be difficult to back out of the driveways with the trailers parked on the streets. Grant questioned with other cities do. Chief Newman didn’t know for sure but felt most trailer ordinances dealt with loaded semi-trucks to protect the roads from the weight.
Newman questioned the Council on what they wanted allowed on the street. Councilor Farris stated trailers parked on the street can be a nuisance but some people don’t have anywhere else to park. One idea was to allow camp trailers during certain dates. Farris stated her trailer moved tons in the month of June. She didn’t feel the city should get rid of it though. Councilor Canaday stated ADA county allows parking for 72 hours and then you have to move it 600’. The problem is by making them move it 600’ now it’s parked at a neighbor’s house instead of their own. Mayor Lester stated Morgan and Kennedy talked last year about allowing trailers in summer but not during winter months. Even if not an issue for plowing snow, if a truck would hit the trailer it becomes a city issue. It will be placed on a slow meeting agenda.
TENTATIVE BUDGET: On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Farris to adopt the tentative budget for 2021-22 Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
NOVEMBER BOND ELECTION: Kennedy stated Mager and herself have met with Rural Development (RD), Department of Commerce, Walter Steed and J-U-B to review funding options. The City qualifies for RD funding on the loan side. At the next meeting, the City will adopt the ordinances to move forward with the bond election, bonding for the full project cost. The City will continue to pursue grants through RD, Department of Conference and SRF funding. The City will have 2 separate bond issues; one for water and one for sewer. Howard with RD did say sometimes a larger project could increase our average residential rate to make it comparable to other like systems which could increase our chances for grant funding. We are still working with J-U-B and RD to determine our eligibility.
The first rounds of the income survey went out and not quite half the responses came back. Reminder notices were sent out this week to those that didn’t respond. If we still don’t get the correct response rate back, then we will need to resample and send out additional surveys. In order to determine eligibility to apply for the block grant; we need a 75% response rate back.
ITEMS TO NOTE: 2021-22 Budget Hearing – September 7, 2021
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
