The City Council met in regular session on April 16, 2012 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Shelley Dumas
Rob Bentley
Councilmember absent: Wes Lester
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 April 3rd meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Bentley. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to amend the agenda to include visitors Poof Wagner and Eldene Wasem because the item was received after the agenda deadline. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Gina Campbell with the Farmers Market asked for permission to move the Farmers Market to the one of the City parks, preferably Pioneer Park. Their main reasons are safety, Heritage Square is hot and unpleasant and the garbage items not picked up at Heritage Square. The atmosphere at the park is cooler, friendly and has a family environment where kids can play while the adults shop. They normally have 6-7 vendors with a 10’x10’ spot. They will start in August on Saturday and maybe go to early October from 8am-12pm. Mayor Walker stated the City needs input from other departments and it was suggested Gina meet with Public Works Director McFrederick and the parks department
Poof Wagner and Eldene Wasem were present to encourage the City and citizens to act immediately on the Forest Service decision to move the supervisor’s office to Kamiah. Mayor Walker stated the City was sending a letter to the Forest Service and he planned to form a community meeting for those interested. The meeting is at the Super 8 Conference room at 7pm on April 18th.
Ray Aiken was present to ask permission to hold a mounted cowboy shooting contest at the Rodeo Grounds in 2013. He already visited with the Border Days Committee and the Police Department. They would like to put on a full shoot with Council’s permission. It would be Friday – Sunday, limited to 120 contestants. They would be firing guns within the City approximately 3.5 hours each day. The ammunition is black powder blanks only and they are a controlled, factory certified item. Chief Drew visited with Ray and the only concern he had was the noise from shooting over three days. Councilman Houger felt it would be good for the community. Mayor Walker asked that Ray work with Chief Drew and Attorney Green to get it ready for next year.
WWTP PROJECT UPDATE: Holcomb Construction is working on the roof repair from the fire at the headworks building and they hope to be done by the end of the month. The fire investigator report was inconclusive. May 1st is the tentative start date on the WWTP Project.
IDA-LEW/CEDA REPRESENTATION: Councilwoman Dumas stated since coming on the Council she has been attending the Ida-Lew meetings and is currently on the board of directors for Ida-Lew. She would like to be the City’s representative. Mayor Walker stated communication is critical between the representative, council and city hall. Mayor Walker would like to postpone a decision until a future meeting. Attorney Green wanted to gather additional information to make sure there is not a conflict of interest with having two rolls: a board director and city representation.
LEGISLATOR ASSISTANCE AND FOREST SERVICE: Councilwoman Dumas felt a letter should be sent to Senators Risch and Crapo and Representative Labrador asking for help in opposing the Forest Service move. Councilman Lorentz agreed. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to request assistance from the three legislators and to ask them for representation at the task force meeting. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $290,782.83 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CORP OF ENGINEERS FUNDING: Public Works Director McFrederick explained he had been working on a grant through the Corp. of Engineers for $1.5 million. The grant is 75% federal funding, 25% city match for sewer work. Ken Gortsema had budgeted $500,000 new sewer lines; McFrederick would like to use that as the City’s match. The project would be for about 3000’ of sewer line and to finish up Wastewater Plant items that had to be cut from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Phosphorus project.
STEED PAY REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to approve pay request #6 to Walter Steed in the amount of $2,900.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present
AUTHORIZE SUMMARY: On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve summary of Ordinance No. 872 for publication. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CATERING PERMIT: On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Bentley to approve the catering permit for the Twisted Cellar to cater at the Eagles Lodge for the Kiwanis’s dinner on April 21, 2012. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMUNICATION LOOP: Councilwoman Dumas inquired if there was any way to improve communication for the Council so those on the Council would know if a new business was opening. Councilman Houger felt the Chamber of Commerce or Ida-Lew may know. Mayor Walker stated the City wants to encourage new businesses but doesn’t know for sure until it happens as the City doesn’t want to spread rumors. David Rauzi mentioned the Free Press usually has something in the paper. The City does not have business licenses; therefore may not know until announced.
ITEMS TO NOTE: The Council received copies of the CEDA Annual Report.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
