February 22, 2005 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on February 22, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

President Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:

Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
James Zehner
Brian Lorentz

Councilmembers absent:

Georgia DeHaas
Jane Kissinger

Mayor Vanderwall absent

City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Sedam and Clerk Kennedy.

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the February 7th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lester second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR EQUITY BUY IN FEES: President Walker opened the public hearing and asked that Mr. Kimball give an overview of the equity buy in fee. Jim Kimball explained that J-U-B Engineering was hired to determine what it costs to buy into the water and sewer system. Any new connection would then buy into the depreciated cost of the system. J-U-B determined the cost to be $2,868.00 for sewer and $1,547.00 for water. President Walker explained that a buy in fee would be charged on any undeveloped lot for a connection to water and/or sewer.

Lowell Williams had questions concerning the impact to development in the area if the equity buy in fee is implemented. As a business owner he felt that it would impede development. He felt that the City shouldn’t be making money but should only break even. Lowell also asked if the equity buy in fee was in addition to the connection fee currently charged. Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the current in City rate of $500.00 each for water and sewer connections is actually a reimbursement of City labor used to make the connection, so yes it would also be charged.

Richard Baines asked when the equity buy in fee would need to be paid. Jim Kimball responded that Cities can decide how they want to collect. Some charge when a building permit is issued, where others charge when the plat is approved which guarantees the number of hookups for a developer. The City has not determined at what point the fee would be collected. Richard also asked if the City had an I & I problem and if so, felt the City should charge a lesser equity buy in fee and then use that money to correct the I & I problem which in turn would increase the plant capacity. Richard felt that raising fees stops development.

Dave Wimer asked if the sewer rates for outside the City limits is in the ordinance. Councilman Lester explained that it wasn’t because the City still needs to determine if it will serve outside the City limits or where that break in service will occur. Public Works Director Gortsema responded that most Cities do not serve outside the City limits.

Gerald Arnzen said that all the piping that needs to be put in for water and sewer is a major cost, besides the cost for the connection fee and buy in fee.

Nancy Kaschmitter felt that the majority of the developers are going to work with the City and do the best job they can. She felt the City needs to work with the developers, possibly having the fee take place when the lot is sold or only charge a portion of the fee up front.

Discussion continued about the grant the City received to build the sewer plant in the late 80s. Lowell Williams felt that since the citizens didn’t have to pay for the plant since the majority of the cost was covered by a grant, then they should share in the cost now. Lowell felt that user rates should be raised instead of having a buy in fee. Lowell also felt property taxes could be raised to offset expenses. Clerk Kennedy explained that property tax money can not be used for enterprise funds.

Kraig Schlottman addressed the audience and stated that grants and what was spent in the past is irrelevant because it is in the past and the discussion needed to stay in the present.

The hearing was declared closed. President Walker asked the Council if they wanted to proceed with the first reading or wait until the next meeting. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to table equity buy in fees until the March 7th meeting. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Dave Wimer explained to the Council that property lines around the golf course have been surveyed for Crimson Ridge Development and it has been noted that there is a discrepancy between the surveyed line and the fence lines. Crimson Ridge would like the City to participate in quitclaim deeds to adjust the property lines to the current location of the fence lines. Crimson Ridge also plans to quitclaim over a loop that would allow potential extension of hole one. Crimson Ridge would pay for the survey and have the legal descriptions ready within about a week. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to have Attorney Albers go ahead with the land exchange with Buy-The-Way LLC through the quitclaim deed process. Councilman Zehner abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.

BID FOR NEW WATER DUTY VEHICLE: Public Works Director Gortsema informed the Council that Gortsema Motors submitted a bid for the duty vehicle in the amount of $27,548.63. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to accept Gortsema’s bid of $27,548.63 for the new water duty vehicle and authorize its purchase. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PARKING AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH C AND MAIN: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester in light of the debate at last meeting, a decision would be tabled until the next Council meeting. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Councilman Lester asked if the curb could be painted yellow as recommended by Chief Sedam.

BILLS: The bills were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds on motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Payroll Fund $ 39,068.54
General Fund $ 42,380.71
Street Fund $ 17,337.86
Library Fund $ 3,087.72
Library Memorial Fund $ 406.46
Recreation Fund $ 2,342.93
Snowhaven Fund $ 6,062.58
Medical Insurance Fund $ 13,179.81
Water Fund $161,634.87
Sewer Fund $ 24,363.67
Sanitation Fund $ 37,423.26
LID#3 Fund $ 35,622.00

CHOCOLATE FANTASY REQUEST (Sts. Peter and Paul School Fund Raiser): The City received a request from the Chocolate Fantasy Committee asking for a donation from Snowhaven or the City Pool. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to accept Snowhaven’s recommendation for a donation to the Chocolate Fantasy in the amount of six Daily Ski passes or six 3-Hour Tubing passes. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Clerk Kennedy explained the Committee would be willing to buy an additional pool family pass if the City decides to donate one. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Lorentz to donate a family pass for the City Pool. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CALL FOR BIDS, WATER BOND PROJECT: Public Works Director Gortsema asked the Council to call for bids for the bond project. The project will be advertised in Boise, Spokane, Lewiston and Grangeville. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to call for bids for the water bond project. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WILBANKS MEMORIAL: President Walker asked that the Council consider a memorial of some type for Robert Wilbanks who served as the City Police Chief for 25 years before his retirement. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to donate $200.00 to a memorial of the family’s choice and to have a brick engraved and placed at City Hall in memory of Robert Wilbanks, showing his years of service as Chief of Police.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The Council received copies of the 1st Quarter Expenditure and Revenue Reports.

Copies of the RC&D Minutes of January 27, 2005 were distributed to the Council.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
_____________________________________
Bruce Walker - President

ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk