MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO HELD JANUARY 20TH, 2010.

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.

LYNDA LEE

TODD B. SMITH

EXCUSED: MITCHELL J. HART

ALSO PRESENT: Mark Steele Alan Skinner, Director

Mark Dooley Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk

Clyde Nelson, Attorney

The invocation was given by Mark Dooley, Mayor Hansen then led everyone in the

‘Pledge of Allegiance’.

The Council reviewed the minutes from the last meeting and the pre-paid accounts payable. Councilmember Prescott moved to dispense with the reading of the January 6th, 2010 minutes and approve them as written along with the pre-paid accounts payable for January, 2010. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

(SEE ATTACHED ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REGISTER FOR DETAIL)

Director Skinner updated the Mayor and Council on the progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade. Forsgren Associates in reviewing the proposed design of the upgrade are exploring four different processes. Forsgren is about finished collecting budgetary costs and doing layouts of the processes which will then be compared to the land we have. Director Skinner estimates the final recommendation from Forsgren being ready by the second meeting in February. Forsgren’s recommendation will be based on costs and process. Director Skinner mentioned that he will be going to look at one of the processes just installed in Cokeville, Wyoming that looks favorable. The Mayor and Council expressed interest in going on the tour of the Cokeville facility.

A proposal from the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) regarding primacy of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was discussed by the Mayor, Council and Staff. The NPDES permit regulates the discharge from the wastewater treatment plant. Currently Idaho is one of only four states still regulated through EPA by the Federal Government. All other state’s environmental departments have taken over the regulation and NPDES permitting. AIC is suggesting that Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality take over the NPDES permitting to give Idaho Cities a chance to work with the local DEQ on more site specific discharge permits. There is no state or federal funding available for DEQ to be able to take on this responsibility and the program would have to be funded by the cities. Findings from the AIC committee

JANUARY 20TH, 2010

PAGE 2

estimates a cost of $2.6 million to get the program going by 2011 with $1.3 million of that being the annual operating cost to keep it going. The estimated costs equate to $3.66 per year, per connection or approximately .31 cents per month, per customer which based on the City’s number of connections is a total of $5,856 a year for the City of Soda Springs. AIC suggests adopting a resolution in support of the Idaho NPDES primacy and forward it to the State Legislature. Director Skinner explained that this may not help us immediately with the current renewal of our discharge permit but it will help in the future. Mayor Hansen suggested discussing the issue with other City Officials while at the Capitol and then consider a City resolution at the next meeting.

Director Skinner requested training for Building Inspector Poulsen. Continued education is required in order to keep his building inspector certification. There are two upcoming training possibilities, one in Boise and the other in Denver, Colorado. Inspector Poulsen would prefer to attend the training in Denver due to better classes offered. The Council reviewed the classes offered at the two different trainings. Mayor Hansen expressed his support for the Denver training. Councilmember Lee moved to approve the 5 day building inspector training in Denver, Colorado, March 1st through the 5th, 2010. Councilmember Prescott seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

Director Skinner recommended pursuing training for City workers through the Idaho Road Scholar Program. The program provides safety, management and advanced technology training in the transportation field. The training is a two year process, is recommended by the Idaho Transportation Department and the Local Highway Technical Council and can help the City qualify for grants. Councilmember Prescott who is currently helping review transportation grant applications explains that the Road Scholar program is a big part of the criteria for the grants. Director Skinner mentioned that some employees have shown interest in the training. The Mayor and Council expressed their support for the training and instructed Director Skinner to proceed.

The Mayor and Council discussed the next meeting date. Councilmember Prescott will be absent and Mayor Hansen has an obligation scheduled for after the meeting.

Councilmember Prescott moved to approve entering into executive session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(1)(a) to consider hiring a public employee. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. A roll call showed the following vote:

Those voting aye: Randy Prescott Those voting nay: none

Todd Smith

Lynda Lee Absent: Mitch Hart

Motion Carried.

Councilmember Prescott moved to exit executive session, seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried.

JANUARY 20TH, 2010

PAGE 3

Mayor Hansen recommended approval of going ahead with advertising to replace an

employee. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve authorizing Director Skinner to proceed with advertising for an entry level employee, seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried.

Councilmember Prescott moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:15pm, seconded by Councilmember Smith. All in favor, motion carried.

PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2010.

______

Kirk L. Hansen, Mayor

ATTEST:

______

Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk