July 10, 2012 Council Minutes
July 10, 2012
Those Present: Matt Argyle, Joe DeClark, Clerk Lynette Smith, Doug Thompson, Gary Thompson, Mayor Bob Van Cleave, Marty Nate, Mable Whitmore
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm Invocation: Council President Joe DeClark
The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Matt Argyle that the council accepts the published agenda. Councilmember Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Minutes from the June 5, 2012, council meeting were read. Councilmember Joe DeClark felt there was some confusion in the wording in the paragraph about the meeting with Forsgren Associates and asked it to be changed to state, “Forsgren Associates along with the committee talked about” instead of, “They talked about”. The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Gary Thompson the council approve the minutes as read with corrections. Councilmember Matt Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
There was a brief update on the wastewater system. It was brought to the council’s attention that there was never a motion made on how exactly to handle the sewer rate increase to all homes as it was discussed earlier in the year to charge the $35.00 fee increase to all homes regardless of occupancy. Councilmember Matt Argyle made the motion that every home having a water and sewer connection will be charged the full $95.00 per month and there will be no more half month rates given to connections that have their services turned on. If they are not using the home and wish to not pay the monthly rate then they should turn their services off. Councilmember Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. Sheldon Clark – owner of one of the properties for the wastewater system does not want to sign the papers to sell his property until he knows who gets this year’s crops. Councilmember Matt Argyle made the motion to give Sheldon the right to harvest his land this year before any further work is done by Keller Associates. Councilmember Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. Clerk Smith has been asked to compile a letter to Sheldon to notify him of the council’s decision. Kelly Bartschi – another owner of property for the wastewater project is concerned about the amount of acreage purchased by the city. There was about a 2 acre strip left over on his property that the city did not buy. He wants the city to buy all of it or none of it because those 2 acres left over are not enough for him to worry about farming. In previous meetings, this issue was brought up about who really owns the strip of those 2 acres. The city council decided to table the decision about purchasing the 2 acres until it is settled whether Randy Rex or Kelly Bartschi owns the property and then we will go from there.
Marty Nate came before the council to give an update on the plans for the Twin Creeks Celebration. Councilmember Matt Argyle has to work that day but is still planning on having the treasure hunt prepared and Mayor Bob will facilitate it. Councilmembers Joe, Ada and Gary are all set to go with their respective activities. Friday night before Twin Creeks there will be a Little Miss Twin Creeks Pageant and the winner is to get a $20.00 bill. There are two cowboy poets coming out for entertainment at no charge but suggested they would like the city to donate to the Bear Lake Cowboy Gathering. Councilmember Joe DeClark made the motion for the city to donate $50.00 to the Bear Lake Cowboy Gathering, Inc. for the gentlemen giving of their services to the celebration. Councilmember Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
A citizen mentioned to the Mayor that he would like to see American Flags put up in the park on the holidays every year. Mayor Bob said that we can get ten flags for $150.00 and that Greg Kunz will pick them up for free. The council has approved putting up flags at the city park in past meetings but there needs to be a decision on how many to buy. Marty Nate volunteered to help put the flags up in the park when the time comes, if need be. Councilmember Joe DeClark made the motion to buy ten flags and to coordinate with Greg Kunz about delivering the flags. Councilmember Matt Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
In order to move forward with being able to accept credit/debit card payments over the counter and online with Access Idaho we needed to have all councilmembers sign the agreement. Clerk Smith will add notices on the monthly statements sent out notifying customers about this new opportunity. Mayor Bob also mentioned to the council that he signed papers with US Bank for Clerk Smith to be able to have read only access to the accounts online in order to keep up-to-date on the accounts but having no authority to transfer or change funds. Lynette mentioned that if at all possible she would like to have this kind of access with all of the banks.
Police Report: There is no report for the month of June. Officer Skinner is recuperating from having surgery on his ankle, but hopes to be back shortly after July 20th.
Maintenance report: Doug Thompson gave his report for the month stating that he finished the sanitary survey with the Department of Environmental Quality for the water system and that the city passed with flying colors. He did his pre-inspection work on the computer prior to the survey and received his CEU credits for his efforts. He helped Clerk Smith with getting the annual water quality report out. He was notified that he needs to find a backup water operator and he is hoping to find someone from another town close by to be the backup operator. He turned water services on at three locations and off at two. His samples tested were good for the month and he sent out his monthly letter to EPA. He watered and mowed the parks, dug two graves at the cemetery and mowed along Stringtown. He maintained the pop machine and had to make a part for the coin return because it had been vandalized. He issued five building permits for the month and marked two spots for DigLine. There were 4 total bleachers that we acquired from the Bear Lake School District; City of Paris has 3 sets and we have 1, because they needed them for the 4th of July and if we ever need more we can borrow some from them. We need a letter from them to release us of all liabilities. He asked the council for his remaining 66 hours of vacation time to be paid to him before he loses that time and money. The council approved him to be paid for his remaining vacation time available.
Office Report: Clerk Smith reported that there are 8 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month. She will be sending a letter to everyone reminding them of the sewer increase changes about no more half month rates and to either have your services turned on or off and your account will be billed accordingly. She was also notified that now the new sewer rates are set that she doesn’t need to wait for a new year to begin to order new coupon books. She will call TC Specialties and get them ordered to arrive in August and get them mailed out to all customers.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Matt Argyle the council approve checks and vouchers for the month of June 2012 in the amount of $33,032.44 in the general fund, $6,300.00 in the water fund, $288,743.77 in the sewer fund with all funds totaling $328,076.21. Councilmember Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from Councilmember Gary Thompson that the council adjourn from the July 2012 council meeting at 8:05 pm. Councilmember Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith, City Clerk