City Council met in regular session on February 22, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Pete Lane
Beryl Grant
Scott Winkler
Amy Farris
Councilmembers absent: Dylan Canaday
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 February 7th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Lynda Fox, Syringa EMT was present to update the Council on the 36th annual Spring Fling which is taking place March 5th and 6th. The banquet is Saturday night. They are not positive if they are having an aircraft land this year since there is not a landing and zoning training. They may bring in a helicopter to look at and if so, it would be Saturday morning. Councilor Farris asked how many attendees they are expecting. Lynda stated they have about 150 registered but there is still three weeks to go on registration so they could end up with 180.
Amy Manning, III-A was present to provide the 2020-2021 III-A Annual Report. The trust continues to grow and has 83 agencies and 4,810 total members served. Due to the growth, additional staff has been added to the III-A team. Through the wellness screenings, they had two early stage cancers detected. They have saved $516,329 due to the creation of new programs. The trust has been hit with high COVID-19 costs. They are working with the legislators to be allocated federal COVID relief funds.
Lizzy McKeaug and Gaea Ridenhour with the Farmers Market were present to request permission to use Pioneer Park for their 17th season. The market will run June 18th – October 1st except for July 2nd over Border Days. The market is 9:00 am – 1:00 pm with setup at 7:30 am. Last year they did not have a vendor fee which allowed more flexibility for vendors. Mayor Lester asked if they plan to set up for music in the park. Lizzy responded they don’t as they had very few interested, not good sales and it’s a lot of work to set up. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Peterson to use Pioneer Park for 2022 Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from June 18th – October 1st, excluding border days. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Todd Marek with the bandshell committee was present to ask if the City would apply for a grant through Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation called The Community Project. The grants are for up to $85,000 and designed to unite community leaders and residents to create outdoor spaces that bring people together. Councilor Grant asked how they can do the project when they don’t have all the money. Todd explained the committee is working toward applying for grants to help fund the project along with donations. They estimate the ADA parking will cost about $90,000 and Jeff Schacher still thinks he can do the bandshell for about $90,000. Administrator Kennedy explained she met with Public Works Director Mager to see if the City had a project that would meet the criteria of the grant. The City does not. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to have the City apply for the grant for the bandshell committee for Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation to be used toward the bandshell, with the committee completing the application. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Bob Mager stated as explained in the water master study, the City would work on combining the individual water rights for each well into a pool for the municipality. Mager and Jones have worked to compile the paperwork and created new water right for all the wells excluding the country club and the mountain springs. The information has been sent to the state. Spencer well was running about one month and then quit. The City had electrician Jerry Brown, work with the VFD and it appears the motor is fine. PumpTech will be brought back to work on the pump again. Mager is working with ITD on the corner by The Depot for their expansion on the corner for turning lanes. The City budgeted to move the water main. They have re-staked the area and plan to have a meeting on site to see if the water main can stay. They are talking with the City to consider our position. DEQ approved the manhole replacement so the City can move forward on the project. Public Works has started measurements for the BST projects on E North 3rd and E North 6th. Mager is working on some measurements along dump road. At the WWTP, one mixer is sent off and then we only have one more to go. The harmonic balancer should be shipped the first of March.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the City had 76 calls for service and 21 reports taken. Newman stated Officer Orgish caught the escapee out of the Boise prison. The department hired Cody Vance. He’s in the FTO program and slated to go to the academy in May.
SNOWHAVEN: Administrator Kennedy stated the hill is staying busy and doing well this year. We managed to pick up a few more lift employees to get through the season. The snowmobile has been worn out for several years and they have been talking about replacing it. Snowhaven tried to have it fixed before the season but the dealership couldn’t get to it. Gabe found a new 2022 Ski-doo workhorse sled at Bud’s and would like to purchase it. Bud’s have it now, but with supply issues, there is no guarantee what they might get before next season. Snowhaven had $5,000 budgeted for rental shop capital outlay which will not be used. Kennedy felt the hill should have extra funds available for use and requests permission to purchase the sled. On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Peterson to approve the request to purchase the new snowmobile. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills, in the amount of $323,721.02 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
FIRE CHIEF: Mayor Lester stated with Council approval he would like to appoint Brian Perry as the new fire chief, effective March 1, 2022. Brian has been with the fire department a little over 20 years and assistant fire chief for a while. On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Lane to confirm the appointment of Brian Perry as fire chief effective March 1, 2022. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
