The City Council met in regular session on August 1, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Wes Lester
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Attorney Green, Public Works Director Gortsema and Clerk Kennedy. Chief Quantz absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the July 18th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AMENDMENT: none
VISITORS: Chuck Rogers with the Triangle Tavern was present to let the council know that he wanted to have a band on September 24th from 8pm-12am. Discussion also occurred on his need for a catering permit for the event. If it rains, he plans to move the event to the Eagles. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester to issue the Triangle Bar a catering permit for September 24th for alcohol consumed on his lot or pending weather, at the Eagles Hall and that the music will be over at 12 midnight. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
William Allen did not attend.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department had 74 cases written, 0 felony arrests, 45 misdemeanor arrests, 47 citations, 4 written warnings, 2086 service activities, 4 dogs and 1 cat handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for July 2011 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
HEALTH INSURANCE: A new health insurance pool has formed in Idaho for public entities called the Idaho Intergovernmental Insurance Authority (III-A). This allows Cities the opportunity to band together for a pooled insurance rating in the hope of a lesser rate increase annually. The Health Insurance Committee made up of Councilmembers Lorentz, Lester and DeHaas met with Clerk Kennedy to review the information available and ask questions via speaker phone. Based upon that information, Councilman Lorentz stated that he didn’t feel the City had much of a choice. With the current carrier, the City is looking at an 18% increase in January. The City is hoping to join the pool with the City’s current rates on of December 31, 2011. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to join the III-A for a health insurance program effective with the date of August 10th and authorize the mayor to sign the joint powers agreement. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
FENCE AGREEMENT: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to allow Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church to have a 4’ chain link fence on the corner of B and Lake Streets and a 6’ chain link fence on the corner of C and Lake Streets, within 50’ of the corner, all on the south side of Lake Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SEWER RATE DISCUSSION: Claudia Roberts submitted a letter to the Council, asking them to consider a possible solution to the fixed summer sewer rate for accounts if the account has a situation that would make the sewer for a new user be less than the calculated average for the account. Discussion occurred. One idea was to have Claudia Roberts make a recommendation to Clerk Kennedy for final approval or then have that recommendation go on to the Mayor for approval. Attorney Green felt the best solution if someone asks for relief would be to have that request added to the Council agenda and then the Council would make a decision based upon the request and information received from the Clerk’s office. The Council felt Attorney Green’s recommendation was a good choice and asked Clerk Kennedy to relay the information to her office staff.
ITEMS TO NOTE: The Council received the CEDA Quarterly Report, 4/1/11-6/30/11. The 2011-12 Budget hearing is September 6, 2011.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
