The City Council met in regular session on February 1, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Wes Lester
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Councilmember by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the January 19th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Joan Hall was present to introduce herself as a candidate for Idaho County Clerk.
James Rockwell and Mike Cook were present to give the Council an update on airport discussions at the County. Mr. Rockwell explained that the intent of the Craig Wyden funds was that the funds would be used to move from a forest economy into something else. They are looking at trying to invest the funds into something that would help generate income to the County. The airport is the County’s underutilized resource. Anderson Aeromotive is interested in expansion and the County feels that there are additional businesses that Idaho County could capitalize on if the airport could be developed. They would also like to work with the Forest Service to get more smoke jumpers and tankers. A preliminary facility study shows Anderson Aeromotive as an anchor position at the airport hangers. The County is looking seriously at land acquisition to the north of the airport which would allow a new runway to the north. A website will be developed for the airport to provide information to the airport community. They are working with Idaho Forest Group, the State Transportation Department and the Grangeville Highway District to relocate Day Road. The City is involved because the City owns the water and sewer at the airport. The County would lease the ground to Anderson Aeromotive as the County would retain ownership of the airport property. Councilman Houger felt the City wanted to help but asked if the County would consider annexing the airport.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Snowhaven Minutes of January 7, 2010 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The department responded to 144 calls for service. There were 67 cases written, 19 misdemeanor arrests, 3 felony arrest, 22 citations, 9 written warnings issued, 6 dogs and 2 cats handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for January 2010 was accepted on motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
WWTP VARIANCE: Public Works Director Gortsema stated that he is hopeful the City will see something moving this week on the economic hardship variance. It is being reviewed by Idaho DEQ; they forwarded a copy to EPA. Last week Attorney Allen was in Seattle on other business and met with the person from EPA who will be reviewing our request and Allen had a good feeling about the meeting. She was anxious to set up a conference call with all players. Gortsema talked to Tom Moore, and his office and the Lewiston office comments are in Boise and all comments will be formalized into a letter and sent to us this week. One letter will have comments on the facility plan and one letter will have comments on the variance request. Once the City has reviewed the letters, then a conference call will be set up with everyone involved. The process is going to drag out a while and the City will be out of compliance with the permit in April, but realistically July because that’s when we have to meet the phosphorus limits. As part of the phone call the EPA representative wants the compliance and enforcement/penalty division involved so they understand what the City is doing to come into compliance. They can issue some sort of judgment that would recognize the City is out of compliance but that nothing positive would be gained by penalizing us because we are working toward a solution.
HANDICAP RAMP IN THE SETBACK AT 314 HARRISON: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to approve the request from Bob & Trudy Sagle at 314 Harrison for an agreement to allow a handicap ramp into the setback. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
RESOLUTION NO. 221
(Resolution No. 221 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)
The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Lester who moved for its adoption. Second by Councilman Houger.
A RESOLUTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE, THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REPRESENTING THE STATE OF IDAHO IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Resolution No. 221 duly approved and adopted.
CHOCOLATE FANTASY DONATION REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to donate a family pool pass to Chocolate Fantasy. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Sam and Paula Landrum called to let the City know their granddaughter Lacey Lair is the other Good Samaritan that provided CPR to the individual at the Blue Fox Theatre in December.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
