The City Council met in regular session on May 3, 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
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Attorney Green, Chief Quantz and Clerk Kennedy.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the April 19th meeting was approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS: On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson to amend the agenda to discuss a bond election and possibly raise sewer rates as additional information has come in since the agenda was posted. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Joanne Smith, representing Kids Klub was present to see if the Council would consider letting her write a grant to develop the Soroptimist Park into a youth soccer field. There are a couple large grants that deal with civic activities and those for the community. She looked at the Soroptimist Park but based upon the dimensions it could only serve 10 year olds and younger so she inquired if there were any other properties the City had that may work better. The City doesn’t have any other additional parks, however it was suggested she visit with the school district.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department responded to 168 calls for service. There were 81 cases written, 19 misdemeanor arrests, 0 felony arrest, 19 citations, 11 written warnings issued, 13 dogs and 4 cats handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for April 2010 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AREA OF IMPACT ORDINANCE REVISED: The City received a final copy of the county’s area of impact ordinance that the County wishes to adopt. The Council did not have any concerns, other than according to State code there needed to be two ordinances to adopt and that the area of impact area would probably be changing around The Vineyards.
CALL CHIP SEAL BIDS: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that $150,000 was budgeted. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to call for chip seal bids. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SPRING CLEANUP: Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to set May 24th – 28th as spring clean up week. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SEWER LINE PROJECT: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the City opened bids Wednesday last week and the low bid was by Big Bite Excavation from Nampa, Idaho at $198,686.00. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the bid with Big Bite Excavation for $198,686.00 for the 2010 Sewer Line project and begin contract negotiations. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
SURPLUS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to approve the police department surplus list as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Chief Quantz also mentioned that the video cameras in the cars are having problems and the cost in repairs would be great. Chief Quantz would like to surplus and replace them with small audio/video devices that are on the officer’s person at approximately $200.00 each. This surplus item will be at a forthcoming meeting.
BOND ELECTION AND/OR RAISING SEWER FEES: Mayor Walker visited with Rural Development and was informed that the City would most likely qualify for loan money at 3.25% if the City ran a bond. Right now the City’s rates are a little low and they would need to be raised. The City should also look at a block grant by using the bond as leverage. Mayor Walker suggested that the sewer rates be raised by $10.00 per month.
Jeff Beeman stopped to visit Cory Baune from J-U-B after the commerce meeting last week and his suggestion was that the City hold a bond election in August. Rural Development will have a lot of stimulus money left that they have to commit before September 30. 2010.
On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Bentley for the City to go forth and establish an August bond election date as set by State code. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester to go forth with raising sewer rates by $10.00 per month as soon as possible, meeting all code requirements. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The City will try to have the public hearing on sewer rates increase on June 7th.
ITEMS TO NOTE: The sidewalk corners on Main Street are being brought into ADA compliance and are stimulus funded.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
