May 1, 2006 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on May 1, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:

Bruce Walker
Brian Lorentz
James Zehner
Del Houger
Wes Lester
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 April 17th meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 206 calls for service. There were 131 cases written, 48 misdemeanor arrests, 3 felony arrests, 61 citations, 16 written warnings issued, 5 dogs and 2 cats impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for April 2006 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Officer Hewson returned to work April 16th.

The Water Leak report for April 2006 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 3 leaks (22 year to date) and installed no new service.

WATER PROJECT UPDATE: According to Public Works Director Gortsema, a Bodiford crew has arrived and started work on the service lines as of April 24th. They have done 42 services in this first week which has been a major improvement when compared to the subcontractor last year. Bodiford has scheduled work days for May from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and then would like to work some Saturdays and Sundays. Gortsema doesn’t feel working on Saturday is a problem, but doesn’t see why they need to work on Sunday. He felt that the citizens and crew need to have a break. Gortsema also suggested if Bodiford does work on Saturday then Bodiford should cover Mike Sturdevant’s salary for the day. Mayor Vanderwall agreed with Gortsema’s comments as far as the work schedule. Councilman Walker asked Gortsema if Mike Sturdevant was hired for contract days. Gortsema explained that yes he was, but it was budgeted for only about 9 or 10 hours a week of overtime. Councilman Walker felt if the hours continue beyond May, Mike Sturdevant would need to agree to the long hours.

BODIFORD CHANGE ORDER #6: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to approve Change Order #6. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilman Houger reported that the VALNet system will be upgraded in May over a period of four days and will be unavailable for use. During that time, the library will be closed and the librarians will be working on spring cleaning and will catch up on other items. On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Zehner to approve the Library Board Minutes of May 23, 2006. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilman Zehner explained that the Water and Sewer Committee reviewed several commercial accounts to recommend how the sewer should be determined. The committee felt that most commercial accounts should be treated the same as residential by using a 5 month average, with the exception of hotels and motels which should use an eight month average from October through May and the car washes and laundry mats should not be averaged at all. On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to instruct Attorney Albers to draft an ordinance on the sewer rate schedule to allow businesses to be averaged for five months, except for hotels and motels which would be averaged for eight months using October through May and car washes and laundry mats would not be averaged at all. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

TRANSCIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR THE WATER PROJECT: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the engineering contract is pretty much the same as the contract the City had with DMJM Harris for the water project, except for the termination clause. Gortsema recommends having it changed to read that either party can terminate the agreement with 30 days notice. The new contract will be on the agenda at the next meeting.

WILLIAMS SUBDIVISION: Gortsema informed the Council that Williams is working on getting the final plat ready for presentation at the Planning and Zoning meeting on May 9th and plans to have all the conditions met as set forth during the P&Z hearing. No opposition to the Williams Subdivision preliminary plat was voiced by the Council.

“THE VINEYARDS”: Gortsema gave a quick update for Mike Sturdevant on The Vineyards Subdivision. At this time most everything is on the preliminary plat. Sturdevant is waiting on more information from Carl Edwards or Hunter Edwards on the drainage, as right now they plan to tie into the existing drain system. Sturdevant will be sending preliminary plats to DEQ, Corp. of Engineers, State of Idaho Transportation Department, cable, power, school and telephone agencies for any comments prior to the Technical Review Committee meeting.

REPORT ON AIC MEETING: Clerk Kennedy explained the use of technology and complying with the open meeting law. One of the points brought up during the meeting was that the staff can email all the Council and an individual councilmember can respond back to the staff and ask questions; however, the councilmembers should not reply to all because then there is deliberation on the topic which should only occur during an open meeting.

AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD: The County is looking for a City representative on the airport advisory board which is made up of a five member committee. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lorentz to allow Mayor Vanderwall to appoint Chad Frei as the City representative for the Airport Advisory Board. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: JUB placed flow monitors in five manholes for the month of May in hopes of getting some good readings during the month.

The Merchants committee invited the Council and Mayor to their 7:30 a.m. meeting on Thursday at Oscars to talk about bricks along Main Street.

Mayor Vanderwall stated that a garbage meeting at the County would take place on Wednesday with mayors from various cities attending.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
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Terry Vanderwall - Mayor

ATTEST:

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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk