The City Council met in regular session on March 5, 2018 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester opened the meeting
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Pete Lane
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
City employees present were Chief Drew, Attorney Green, Public Works Director McFrederick, Public Works Maintenance Supervisor Mager and Clerk Kennedy.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of February 20th and February 27th were approved as corrected by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lane. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Sara Espeland provided an update on Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). They completed their strategic plan with help from CEDA. They are updating their website and continue to have fundraisers. They are in the process of a concept design layout and have hired TD&H Engineering and Castellaw Kom Architects.
They would like to update the benchmarks in the letter of intent so they are more specific. They are fundraising and things take longer than they want. They have a prospective benchmark date of 2021. They would return with more detailed benchmarks. They would also like to have the City talk and lay out specifically what land they can use.
Councilwoman Grant asked if there are other stakeholders and partners, such as other cities on board. Sara stated Cottonwood is a yes but they are still working hard on meeting with other possible stakeholders. Grant also asked about sustainability for future? Sara stated the thrift shop was an idea but they are not sure they want to do that now. They need to continue with the feasibility study.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works Report – Maintenance Supervisor Mager stated the department has worked on the following projects:
• Plowed snow.
• Completed work orders and fixed broken pipes and meter bottoms.
• Worked on master plan with J-U-B.
• Worked on mobile picnic tables for Heritage Square and the parks.
• Maintenance on equipment.
• Worked out a plan at the bowling alley for a complaint received on the heaved up sidewalk. He’ll look at replacing in the summer.
• Trimmed branches on trees hitting the snow plow equipment.
• Answered questions about developing behind Aspen Lane.
On motion by Councilwoman Farris, second by Councilman Canaday to accept the Library Minutes of 2/9/18. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Councilwoman Grant asked if they have been talking about changing to a library district. Councilwoman Farris stated they think it may be a good idea but haven’t looked into it much.
On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lane to accept the Fire Training Minutes of 2/12/18 and 2/26/18 and Executive Minutes of 2/12/18. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of 2/26/18. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilman Winkler, second by Councilman Canaday to have Adam draft an ordinance to annex 7.41 acres as submitted by Kaschmitter Properties. Councilman Lane asked if there was anything negative about getting the land. Attorney Green stated the City has additional burdens when property is annexed, such as emergency services and utilities. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilman Winkler, second by Councilman Peterson to have Adam draft an ordinance to rezone the property at 515 W North Street from Residential Zone A to Commercial. They currently have a re-sale store for vintage and antique items. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
KLEIN PROPERTY: Attorney Green stated he turned over a letter from the attorney general’s office to the Mayor and City Clerk. They have requested information on the Klein Property/Trust which the City Clerk’s office will provide.
Mayor Lester explained upon his direction, the City Clerk contacted Northwest Management to cancel the contract for the Klein Property so the logger is not involved until the Trust is reviewed. The City received a close out invoice for mobilization and approach construction in the amount of $13,332.75. The expense was not budgeted because it was to be paid out of the timber revenue. It was suggested borrowing from the water timber fund until this is cleared up. A decision on the fund to pay the invoice will be made at the next meeting.
PROCLAMATION: Mayor Lester declared April 2018 Fair Housing month.
SEWER RATE VS SEWER BOND: Mayor Lester discussed listing the sewer bond separate from the sewer rate. Mayor Lester felt the sewer bill is high and he would like to show the bond as a separate line item. Clerk Kennedy suggested changing it during the budgeting process. Councilwoman Grant felt it needed to be done, either at budget or now. The consensus was to change it at budget time.
HERITAGE SQUARE BATHROOM PROJECT: Mayor Lester asked PW Maintenance Supervisor Mager to research bathroom options. Mager found a pre-fab building The City would provide specifications; the building would be delivered and installed by the company. It has stainless steel fixtures, maintenance closet for plumbing, air dryer, LED sensored lights, unisex handicap bathroom, heated for year round usage, brown stucco side and electric on demand hot water heater. If it is vandalized, it could be washed and paint. Total price is $118,592.
Councilman Canaday asked if one could be built. Mager stated he has not gotten a price to build it. He explained to the Council this bathroom will not cover special events. It would still be necessary to bring in porta potties. By installing the bathrooms, the City will lose 3-4 parking spaces. He has been asked by a ton of people about painting stripes to maximize parking at Heritage Square. He explained PW only has one park guy and a part timer and felt the Council needed to think about what they want. Chief Drew stated most travelers will not stop downtown but probably at the parks, which they already use.
MAIN STREET SIDEWALKS WITH BRICK STRIP: Mayor Lester stated the brick strip in the Main Street sidewalks were installed during downtown project. The brick strip was originally for power but then it wasn’t put in at the last minute. The City redid the Heritage Square sidewalks and stenciled in the brick strip. It has maintained well. He felt the rest of Main Street needs to be fixed. Mager received a bid from WH Concrete & Construction to replace the brick strip in the Main Street sidewalks. The red brick pattern trough is $17.00/foot and the grey brick pattern is $16.00/foot. Clerk Kennedy read minutes from May 6, 2013 where Main Street sidewalks were previously discussed. There was discussion on what happens to the bricks if taken out. The City would most likely hold the bricks for a specified time to allow people to pick them up prior to disposing of them. It was also discussed to budget for one block of replacement over a few years to complete the project. Councilman Winkler questioned what would happen if a property owner wanted to keep the bricks and keep them maintained. There was no answer. Mayor Lester felt the bricks need to be maintained or removed. Councilman Canaday questioned if there could be an option for the City to pay half and the property owner pay half. Councilmembers Winkler and Grant will discuss it at the Chamber meeting to see what the feeling is. It will be on a future agenda for possible inclusion in the budget.
P&Z APPOINTMENT: Mayor Lester would like to appoint Brian Perry to serve on P&Z. On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilwoman Farris to appoint Brian Perry to a three year Planning and Zoning term expiring 3/6/21. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
REVISED KIDS KLUB REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Canaday to approve the revised Kids Klub pay request #4 in the amount of $171,943 (not $169,443). Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilwoman Grant to go into Executive Session according to Section 74-206 (1)(c) to acquire an interest in real property. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The Council returned to regular session. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 P.M.
_________________________________
Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
