City Council met in regular session on May 15, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Scott Winkler
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
Councilmembers absent: Pete Lane
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of May 1st were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Liza Wilson was present to request permission to hold an Idaho County Kids Triathlon on July 29, 2023 at Pioneer Park, the swimming pool and neighborhood streets. The triathlon would be for youth, ages 4-13 and the objective is to encourage a mindset of health and fitness in the community. The insurance will be provided through Pitch and UI extension. Attorney Jessup questioned if any medical staff would be present. Liza stated she was going if Syringa would like to partner with them.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Farris to approve the request to hold an Idaho County Kids Triathlon on July 29, 2023 from 8am to noon using Pioneer Park, the swimming pool and neighborhood streets as described on the map. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Brian Perry, Fire Chief requested the Council to authorize purchase of fire pulaskis based upon vendor quotes which included a quote from B&B Bargain. Now and then the fire department needs to buy small tools or equipment. Perry received quotes and he’s the cheapest through B&B Bargain. Attorney Jessup stated the City needs to be very transparent. Jessup, Kennedy and Perry will get together to talk about a future process. On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Peterson to allow Brian to purchase the 2 pulaskis as a low bid from B&B Bargain. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager stated the sweeping pile has been hauled off. Wade and Richard were out with the vac truck to clean culverts and drains. The new trees along the concrete wall at Pioneer Park and on the Washington parkway have been planted. Sue Kutner purchased the trees in memory of Jeff Kutner. The department has replaced pipe in the park, started mowing and sweeping. The sweeper is broke down again and hopefully it’s fixed by the 4th of July. The Lions Park bathrooms are up and going. They are getting ready for youth baseball. Eric is working on backflows and getting everything tested. They worked with Century Link and Avista on a conduit install and they have been working a ton with The Establishment on their project. The Eagles Lodge and the church across the street are having a culvert installed. Cloninger’s fire sprinkler system is really close to working. J-U-B and Mager have been working with customers that are affected by lines moving.
WATER TANK PROJECT: Mager stated Avista set the pole for the new power and it’s in, but it’s not active on our part. Tony moved in and all the excavation is done and they are waiting on approval of foundation plans from J-U-B. We should find out at the next progress meeting if the foundation is ready.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to authorize payment to T Bailey, Inc. for Pay Application #2 on the new tank in the amount of $36,166.96 and Pay Application #1 on the existing tank in the amount of $13,651.96. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to authorize the city administrator to sign Block Grant Fund request #10 in the amount of $66,563. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. (Clerk’s note: corrected amount for Block Grant request #10 is $55,771).
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the City had 94 calls for service and 22 reports taken for April 2023. They are still working on trailers, nuisance letters and after 18 long months the department finally has one new vehicle.
SNOWHAVEN MINUTES: Administrator Kennedy explained the Snowhaven Committee has met two times. The first meeting the committee discussed installing a chair lift instead of lodge addition because a chair lift could bring in additional revenue and the lodge expansion wouldn’t. The committee felt prices were needed to make an informed recommendation. The second meeting Forsmann got a quote back on the chair lift for over $2 million. The chair lift is no longer part of the discussion and instead Forsmann and Wasem are looking a list of major maintenance items. As soon as the snow melts, the committee will meet at Snowhaven to look at lodge expansion with the architect. On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to accept the Snowhaven Minutes of April 13th and 25th, 2023. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills, in the total amount of $368,253.34 (Financials $283,304.81, April Payroll $84,948.53) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
NUISANCE PROPERTY 709 N C: Administrator Kennedy explained the nuisance letter was sent out April 14th to Ken Lauer providing for 30 days to have the property cleaned up. Councilor Peterson asked if he had called to get on the city wide clean up list. Kennedy answer no. Mayor Lester stated this is a piece of rental property of Ken’s and he provided a copy of the letter to his renter. Grant stated it would be perfect for cleanup week. Councilor Winkler questioned if it had been cleaned up. Mayor Lester stated some clean-up has occurred. Councilor Farris didn’t feel it looked all that different. Councilors Winkler and Farris felt the city should proceed. Councilor Grant stated it is unfortunate but Ken is responsible for his property.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Peterson to authorize the City Attorney to file a lawsuit against Ken Lauer for the nuisance property at 709 N C Street. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
AIRPORT EXCEPTION TO WATER AND SEWER CODE: Councilor Grant felt it is in the city’s and county’s best interest to have Attorney Jessup draft an ordinance to allow an exception in the water and sewer code to allow Idaho County Airport property to connect to water and sewer without annexation. The Council agreed; an ordinance will be prepared for the next meeting.
AIRPORT HANGER POLICY: Administrator Kennedy explained this policy is for the hanger leases on the taxiway which would provide for multiple connections on a singular run. Mager explained at the last meeting that each easement would have a single connection at both the sewer and water main. Then the County would install a private main down the easement to allow for hanger hook ups. The pilot lounge or any singular service would not be governed by the policy.
Councilor Peterson was concerned about oil changes and the oil getting dumped into the sewer system. Is there anything the City can do to have protection from oil in the system. Public Works Director Mager stated an option would be to require a water oil separator. It could also include the requirement that they would have an annual inspection. Mager considered the hangers more of a storage building not a mechanic shop. May Lester questioned if restaurants installed them. Mager stated they put in a grease trap but it’s not monitored. It was suggested instead of installing one separator per hanger, to install a separator that could handle all hangers on the line. Councilor Winkler stated the water oil separator would be very large. It was suggested for each councilor to consider their ideas and bring them to the next meeting.
MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT IdWARN: Mager stated rural water has a mutual aid agreement where if we have an issue, they can help coordinate mutual aid for emergencies. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to authorize the mayor to sign the Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement for the Idaho Intrastate Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (IdWARN). ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
ITEMS TO NOTE:
• 2023 Spring Clean Up Week is set for May 15th – 19th
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
