May 16, 2005 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on May 16, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:

Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
James Zehner
Brian Lorentz
Jane Kissinger

Councilmembers absent: Georgia DeHaas


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

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the May 2nd regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Mayor Vanderwall explained that Gail Williams wasn’t able to attend; however her request for use of the park weekly during the summer has brought up that the City doesn’t have a Park policy and maybe the City needs one. Councilman Walker was concerned about her reserving the gazebo for the enter summer as other people may want to use it too. Earlier in the day, Chief Sedam had emailed a copy of the park policy he drafted last year to everyone for review. Councilman Walker hated to have to charge for park reservations, but if the City is policing and cleaning up after events, maybe a small charge is necessary. Councilman Walker didn’t feel as concerned if an event was held at Heritage Square, whereas he had more concerns since the park is more for family type events. Mayor Vanderwall asked the Council to review the Park policy for a future meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Planning and Zoning Minutes of May 3, 2005 and May 10, 2005 were accepted on motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. A public hearing before the City Council on the variance application submitted by Patricia and Bryan Cash and Virginia Ketcham will be held on June 6, 2005.

Public Works Director Gortsema gave a Water Project Update. The pre-construction meeting was held on May 3rd and the entire project was reviewed. The plan is to start on the North side on North 2nd Street because the water line and services need to be done before the sewer project can be completed. The contractor will move to Southwest side by the High School over the summer while school is out and then finish out with the Southeast side. Bodiford plans to have four crews: a pipe laying crew, a backfill/compacting crew, a flushing/bacteria testing crew, and a crew to connect the services. Bodiford will keep the streets open to local traffic and have the areas cleaned at the end of the day and for the weekend. They may send staff and materials this week to get started by preassembling materials. They plan to start around the 1st of June and think they can be done by the end of October if everything goes according to schedule. A weekly meeting open to the public will be held every Thursday to discuss any issues that arise and to get a two week schedule planned. A monthly meeting will be held on the first Monday of the month to enable Gil or Bob Walker to give a report at the Council meeting. Bodiford plans to work four 11 hour shifts and one 4 hour shift.

RYAN UHLENKOTT HOUSE AT 722 CUNNINGHAM: After a discussion with Ryan Uhlenkott and hearing the plans Ryan may have, the building inspector did think that Ryan could tear down part of the house and fix the remainder although not economically. Attorney Albers gave Ryan 30 days to start doing something before the City would act. If Ryan has not acted, the City could then file an injunction rather than determining later what the worth of the building was if the City had it removed.

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 $ 35,613.05
General Fund $ 42,329.28
Street Fund $ 16,925.55
Library Fund $ 3,199.31
Library Memorial Fund $ 630.54
Recreation Fund $ 4,123.27
Snowhaven Fund $ 40.65
Medical Insurance Fund $ 12,734.83
Water Fund $188,803.83
Sewer Fund $ 20,199.63
Sanitation Fund $ 35,544.11

SURPLUS: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Zehner to declare the 1985 Ford pickup surplus. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the council present.

POSSIBLE CODE CONFLICTS: Attorney Albers stated that he needs to amend the ordinance to fix the carts required for commercial use and state that they can be mechanical instead of just metal water tight containers. The other two possible conflicts as noted by Sterling Codifiers are fine as is. Attorney Albers will draft an amendment for a future meeting.

YOUTH BASEBALL AGREEMENT RENEWAL: Clerk Kennedy explained that the current Youth Baseball Agreement regarding the concession stand expired in 2003. The new agreement has been worded to read that it will automatically renew unless the parties involved choose otherwise and that the lease would be for a flat $25.00 per year. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Zehner to accept the renewal of the concession stand agreement. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SPRING CLEAN UP WEEK: During spring clean up week, the City staff will pick up items from the curb and haul them to the dump. Councilman Zehner made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to declare the week of May 23rd spring clean up week. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF WWTP MIXER: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the City could purchase the mixer at the quoted price and have it installed at only about $1,000.00 over the $60,000 budgeted. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to authorize Ken to purchase the two mixers for the wastewater plant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CORRECTION TO THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE CONCERNING PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY AND SEWER SYSTEM: Public Works Director Gortsema would like this section modified so it shows that it is mandatory for everyone in the City or area of impact to hook up to water and sewer, and to start by eliminating the current section that reads “serving 2 or more separate premises or households”. Attorney Albers will create an amendment to the subdivision ordinance for next meeting. After Council approval the ordinance will need to be adopted by the County Commissioners to take effect in the Area of Impact.

PROPERTY OF ALBERT RUZICKA AT 301 NORTH 6TH STREET: The Council received a letter from Clara Hornbeck about the condition of Albert Ruzicka’s property. Councilman Lorentz drove by to view the property. There is no odor; it is just ugly. Attorney Albers stated if anything can be done, Section 6-1-9 would apply. A letter could be sent asking him to organize his junk. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to have Attorney Albers send a letter to Albert Ruzicka letting him know there was another complaint about the condition of his property and asking him to clean it pointing out that May 23rd is spring clean up week. Councilman Lester asked that Clara receive a copy of the letter sent to Albert. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. This is the second letter sent from the City; the first letter was approved to be sent at the April 5, 2004 meeting.

SIDEWALK WAVIER REQUEST: There was discussion on the property of J. Carroll Adkison and his request for a sidewalk waiver in the 1100 Block of North State. Councilman Walker brought up that in the past, Roy Powell had to put in curb and gutter along his property. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Zehner to postpone the request until next meeting. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COUNTY NURSING HOME: The City received a letter from Syringa Hospital asking the City to have a representative to serve on a committee, to discuss the nursing home and the land upon which it is located, with Idaho County and Syringa Hospital. Mayor Vanderwall has appointed himself as the representative for the City.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to go into Executive Session according to Section 67-2345 (c) to acquire property. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

Councilwoman Kissinger Yes
Councilman Walker Yes
Councilman Lorentz Yes
Councilman Lester Yes
Councilman Zehner Yes

Motion passed.

A motion was made by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman Kissinger to go out of Executive Session. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

Councilwoman Kissinger Yes
Councilman Walker Yes
Councilman Lorentz Yes
Councilman Lester Yes
Councilman Zehner Yes

Motion passed. No action taken.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The Council received copies of the Clearwater RC&D Council Minutes of April 28, 2005.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.

_____________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:

_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk