MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO HELD DECEMBER 7TH, 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: Mark Steele Alan Skinner, Director
CHAT TV Staff Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk
Ron Meyers Clyde Nelson, Attorney
Brent “Husk” Crowther
Dave Noel
Ryan Weaver
Roger Cheramie
The invocation was given by Ron Meyers, 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 November 16th, 2011 minutes and approve them as written along with the payroll and accounts payable for November, 2011. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried. The Council discussed a couple of the bills and also asked about the amount of Police Department overtime. Councilmember Prescott explained that an officer was off due to the birth of his baby creating additional overtime for the coverage.
(SEE ATTACHED PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REGISTERS FOR DETAIL)
Ron Meyers, of R & L Communications discussed the changes in the radio system and presented options to upgrade the Fire Department and City Crew radios. Mr. Meyers cleared up the confusion about the 700mhz frequency. The 700mhz frequency was set aside by the Federal Government for emergency service personnel but no one is required to use it. It was an option and Caribou County chose to move to the 700mhz frequency but as long as they keep their old system in place they will still be able to communicate with the City on their current frequency. The only change that was mandated is the switch from wide band to narrow band. Mr. Meyers stated that radios purchased in the last 10 years should be able to be reprogrammed to the narrow banding and will not need to be replaced. Mr. Meyers recommended that the City purchase at least one 700mhz capable radio and then just upgrade the other radios to narrow band. Mr. Meyers offered to do an inventory of the City’s radios and report back with an estimated cost for the upgrade.
Councilmember Smith moved to approve having Mr. Meyers proceed with the inventory, DECEMBER 7TH, 2011
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seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried. Mr. Meyers explained that
there will be a charge for the inventory if the City chooses to buy new radios from another vendor. The Mayor and Council expressed their appreciation to Mr. Meyers for attending and providing a clear explanation of the situation and options.
Ryan Weaver, representing Caribou Highlands Access Television (CHAT TV) presented a concern regarding the recently published Cable TV franchise agreement that is being considered for renewal. Mr. Weaver’s concern was in regard to the management of the public access channels and wanted to insure that CHAT TV was protected from being removed from editing their own programs. Mr. Weaver requested some language change to the agreement to address this. Attorney Nelson and the City Council discussed the agreement and whether CHAT TV operated under the government access channel provision of the agreement. Mr. Weaver explained that CHAT TV has their own agreement with the Cable Company. The Mayor and Council suggested that Attorney Nelson review the agreement and work with Mr. Weaver to address the concern.
Director Skinner and Forsgren Associates Engineer, Dave Noel recommended the approval of a change order to the WesTech contract to add some additional equipment for the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) upgrade. The change order will save time and money over sole sourcing and bidding the additional equipment needed. The additional equipment for the clarifier was reviewed in detail and explained how the mechanism had the potential to reduce future maintenance costs due to the style and location. Councilmember Hart moved to approve the change order to the WesTech contract based on the apparent recommendation from the engineers and Director Skinner. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Director Skinner reported on the progress of the headwork’s portion of the wastewater treatment plant project. The deadline for flow to be going through the new headworks is December 31st. There are several things to get completed including the channel, manual screen, move the sampler, insulate and get heat in the building. The construction contractor’s progress is being reviewed daily and directed on what the priorities are. The current schedule estimates that flow should be going through the new headworks by the 23rd.
Director Skinner presented four pay requests for the WWTP project. One from Smith & Loveless for automatic screens, two from Edstrom for septage receiving, primary lift station, steel columns, beams and hoist, masonry wall, trusses, piping and demolition. The fourth request is from Mountain West Electric for equipment wiring and conduit and wire stored on site. Director Skinner recommended all be approved for payment. Councilmember Hart moved to approve the invoices as presented, seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried. Mayor Hansen asked if the project was within the budget. Director Skinner reported that the headwork’s portion was currently about $900,000 under budget and should be complete by the end of February. The next DECEMBER 7TH, 2011
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phase of the project was reviewed. Forsgren is working to get the design completed and submitted to DEQ for approval by January and go out for bid by early summer. Mayor
Hansen thanked the staff for the report on the project. Director Skinner mentioned that the new building will be quite big and tall and there may be concerns from neighbors who can see it but it will keep the equipment all contained.
The Idaho Independent Intergovernmental Authority (III-A) submitted a new joint powers agreement (JPA) for approval. Attorney Nelson reported that the new agreement has minor wording changes and does not obligate the City in any additional ways than what the City had previously accepted. Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Lee moved to approve accepting the new III-A, JPA and authorized the Mayor’s signature. All in favor, motion carried. Councilmember Smith reminded everyone that the effective date for the III-A has been moved to February 1st, 2012.
Life insurance options for the City employees were briefly reviewed. Clerk Vorwaller reported that she is waiting on one more quote and then will present all the options to the Council at the next meeting for approval.
The Mayor and Council reviewed the November 8th, 2011 City Election results that were canvassed and submitted to the City from the Caribou County Commissioners. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve the canvassed election results as submitted by the Caribou County Commissioners. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
(See attached copy of election results.)
Attorney Nelson presented a proposed ordinance designating hours for use of the parks. Attorney Nelson explained that this ordinance would help law enforcement handle illegal activity and vandalism in the parks at late hours. The proposed ordinance sets the park hours from 6:00am to 1 hour after sunset with permits available for special events. Attorney Nelson suggested that signs be posted at the entrances to the parks. Councilmember Smith expressed his opinion that the City currently has a lot of ordinances that aren’t enforced now and questions whether curfew and/or probable cause can be used to handle the illegal activity. Councilmember Smith also questions whether the City really wants to limit the use of the public property. Councilmember Lee mentioned that the limited hours would interfere with some recreation activities along with use of the lighted areas in the City Park like the basketball court and the skate park that are used a lot in the summer at night, also the Geyser is visited at night. Mr. Steele also mentioned that Kelly Park is used for night skiing. Councilmember Hart stated that he is generally in favor of limiting the park hours but suggested that the Parks & Recreation Committee review the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Lee agrees that the Parks & Recreation Committee should review. Mayor Hansen stated that he is also generally in favor of the ordinance and feels the parks have become a haven for problem activities. Attorney Nelson will amend the ordinance to allow use in areas that are lighted for recreational or sporting use. Mayor DECEMBER 7TH, 2011
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Hansen asked that the Parks & Recreation Committee review and report back to the Council by the 2nd meeting in January.
Director Skinner mentioned that the Community Review and other studies have suggested that the City form an interfaith council. Director Skinner asked if the Council would like to initiate forming the interfaith council by sending out a letter to all of the congregations in town inviting them to meet. One issue that the interfaith council could work together on is the food bank which is currently struggling. The Mayor and Council agreed it was a good idea and instructed Director Skinner to proceed with sending a letter and setting up the first meeting.
Mayor Hansen recommended canceling the December 21st meeting. Clerk Vorwaller explained that there was an appointment scheduled but she would see if it could be rescheduled for the 1st meeting in January. The Mayor expressed to everyone his best wishes for the holidays.
Councilmember Hart moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:15pm. All in favor, motion carried.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS 4TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2012.
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Kirk L. Hansen, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk