MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO HELD NOVEMBER 2ND, 2011.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:00PM BY KIRK L. HANSEN, MAYOR.

ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: KIRK L. HANSEN, MAYOR

RANDALL E. PRESCOTT, PRES.

MITCHELL J. HART

LYNDA LEE

TODD B. SMITH

EXCUSED:

ALSO PRESENT: Bret Tanner Alan Skinner, Director

CHAT TV Staff Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk

Chief Norm Bjorkman Clyde Nelson, Attorney

Gerry Bjorkman

Cameron Walker Will Kress

Chris Walker Will Sims

Councilmember Hart was connected by phone.

The invocation was given by Bret Tanner, Mayor Hansen then led everyone in the

‘Pledge of Allegiance’.

The Council reviewed the minutes from the last meeting and the payroll and accounts payable. Councilmember Prescott moved to dispense with the reading of the October 19th, 2011 minutes and approve them as written along with the payroll and accounts payable for October, 2011. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

(SEE ATTACHED PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REGISTERS FOR DETAIL)

Chief Bjorkman addressed the Mayor and Council giving an annual report on the Fire Department. The Chief mentioned that October is fire prevention month and the Department visits all the schools and the Library making presentations and also supports the Trunk-R-Treat event giving out a lot of candy. Chief Bjorkman detailed the few fire calls received throughout the year and mentioned that they receive a lot of false alarms but always check them out and write a report. The Firemen attend training regularly with 5 to 6 to going to Burley every year and two attended the Texas A&M training this year. The Texas training and trip is getting too costly and they are looking for other options. The Department’s equipment is in good condition after changing out the pump on engine 3, engine 5 is perfect but engine 3 is going on 32 years old and the Chief suggested planning to replace it within the next 10 years. The radios are checked yearly and are currently working but the new 700MHz frequency is soon going to be required. Chief Bjorkman reported that Sheriff Anderson has mentioned that he can get a grant to replace the radios. The Council suggested having Sheriff Anderson make a report to the Mayor and Council on the upcoming regulations and his ability to acquire radios for the City. Chief Bjorkman NOVEMBER 2ND, 2011

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mentioned that the Department will be offering classes to adults on fire safety and also mentioned that groups or neighborhoods can schedule a demonstration or block party and the Fire Department will bring out and set-up the truck. The Mayor and Council thanked the Chief for everything he does and asked him to thank the men for the excellent job they do.

Attorney Nelson reported that he has been working with the Shooting Club on a license agreement which gives the Club the right to use and manage their organized events and do maintenance to facilities at the City owned shooting range. The agreement is for one year and automatically renews unless notice is given to terminate by either party. Minor changes were made to the agreement, the Club has attained the insurance needed and has accepted and signed. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve the license agreement with the Caribou County Shooting Club for the use of the City’s shooting range as submitted and approved by City Attorney Nelson. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

The Mayor and Council discussed several items regarding the Idaho Independent Intergovernmental Authority (III-A). Clerk Vorwaller asked if the Council wanted to include the dental plan in the III-A program. The Council agreed that if the III-A was going to save the City money on future increases then it made sense to include the dental and vision plans if the current policies could be terminated without penalty. Councilmember Smith moved to approve including the dental and vision coverage in the III-A benefit plan pending investigation into the termination requirements for the current plans. Councilmember Prescott seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

The Council also discussed the employee life insurance that comes with the City’s current health plan and suggested getting some quotes for a standalone life insurance policy to offer the employees until the III-A is set up to offer life insurance.

The Mayor and Council discussed the designation of the City’s broker for the III-A. Clerk Vorwaller reported that the City’s current agent, Bill Call has agreed to continue as the City’s broker for the III-A if the City would like him to. Councilmember Smith mentioned that the City of Montpelier approached him to be their broker and he is willing to be the City’s also. The Council discussed at length the perception of a conflict of interest and the fact that the broker will not be compensated by the City but by the III-A. Councilmember Lee moved to approve appointing Todd Smith as the City’s broker for the III- A benefits program. Councilmember Prescott seconded the motion. Councilmember Smith excused himself from the vote. All others in favor, motion carried.

Director Skinner went over the payment requests for the WWTP project. The four requests were from, Mountain West Electric, Forsgren Associates, Utility Management Systems and Edstrom Construction. The amounts for each and the 10% hold back were reviewed along with which loan the payments will come from. All the requests have been reviewed and NOVEMBER 2ND, 2011

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approved by the engineer and will be sent to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for their approval before payment will be made. Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Prescott moved to approve the payment requests as submitted. All in favor, motion carried.

Attorney Nelson reported that he had received the 2nd draft of the franchise agreement from Independent Cable Systems (ICS) with the changes the City requested keeping the language in the agreement the same as the last including the same fee amount of 3%. Attorney Nelson explained the publishing rules which requires the agreement and ordinance to be published 30 days prior to approval and then after approved requires both to be published again at least by summary. Attorney Nelson mentioned that the agreement for use of the City’s power poles will also need to be renewed which is a 5 year agreement at a cost of $4 a pole. Director Skinner reported that there have not been any issues with the cable on power poles and ICS has been good to work with. Councilmember Lee moved to approve publishing the proposed franchise agreement and ordinance as required, seconded by Councilmember Smith. All in favor, motion carried.

Director Skinner reported that the City’s utility locating company, ELM Locating & Utility Services, has informed the City that they will be increasing their fees to $750 a month which is more than double the average paid in the last year. Director Skinner mentioned that he is looking for other options. The Council discussed the City doing the locates ourselves. Director Skinner explained that the City would need to purchase equipment. The Mayor and Council proposed making a counter proposal on the fee increase along with looking for other providers.

Councilmember Smith proposed to the Mayor and Council that the City pursue a power plant feasibility study. Councilmember Smith and Director Skinner explained that the study would analyze current hydro generation for more efficiency and also investigate other types of power generation possibilities for the City. Councilmember Smith mentioned the possibility of becoming a test facility for new technology at no cost unless the City chose to purchase the new equipment. Director Skinner explained that the first step would be to put out a request for qualifications (RFQ) for energy performance contracting service companies and then decide whether to move forward with the actual study which could cost anywhere from $15,000 to $150,000 depending on the scope of the study. The Mayor and Council discussed and agreed that it was a good idea to pursue options to increase the City’s power generation and capital and possibly create jobs. Councilmember Smith moved to approve advertising the RFQ as proposed with the timeline as close as possible. Councilmember Prescott seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

Councilmember Smith excused himself from the meeting to meet another obligation.

The Mayor and Council reviewed the option of terrorism coverage through ICRMP at an NOVEMBER 2ND, 2011

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additional cost of $11,766. ICRMP provides $20,000,000 in shared coverage for its

members which is included in the City’s annual premium. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve not procuring additional terrorism coverage, seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried.

Clerk Vorwaller requested approval of a resolution approving an agreement with Ireland Bank for automated clearing house (ACH) funds transfers to allow for employee direct deposits. Attorney Nelson reported that he has reviewed the agreement and suggests double checking the process and transactions when the direct deposits are done. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve Resolution 2011-2 a certification to Ireland Bank of those authorized to make ACH transfers for the City of Soda Springs. Councilmember Hart seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

(See attached copy of Resolution 2011-2 - original on file.)

Clerk Vorwaller reminded the Mayor and Council of the upcoming Thanksgiving potluck on November 17th that will be at the City Services building and also of the City Christmas party at the Cedar View on December 8th.

Councilmember Prescott moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30pm, seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried.

PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS 16TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2011.

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Kirk L. Hansen, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk