Council Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2019
Those Present: Matt Argyle, DeLoy Kunz, Greg Kunz, Marty Nate, Mayor Steve Waechtler, Clerk Lynette Smith, City Maintenance Doug Thompson, Matt Raczak, Matt & Aimee Kunz, Cole Smith, Charlie Christensen Planning & Zoning Committee, City Attorney Adam McKenzie, Jason Linford of Sunrise Engineering, City Auditor Gary Teuscher
Meeting called to order: 7:05 pm Invocation: Mayor Steve Waechtler
The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Matt Argyle that the council add to the agenda Executive Session IC 74-206(1f) to discuss with legal counsel due to new information that has come up that was not aware of prior to posting the agenda. The motion was seconded by councilmember Greg Kunz. The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Greg Kunz that the council accepts the published agenda. Councilmember DeLoy Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Minutes from the July 2, 2019, regular council meeting were read. The Mayor noted a change about the Forest Service Rangers will ask the sheepherders to move past the spring… The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Marty Nate the council approve the minutes as read with the changes. Councilmember Matt Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Councilmember Marty Nate reported that the Planning and Zoning Committee met at the site that Matt and Aimee Kunz wish to build a store on and then they came back to the City Hall and reviewed the Ordinance and their property is zoned in R2 which is residential and is not for commercial activities. At the recommendation of the committee they feel the store needs to stay in a commercial zone because they feel the location of the store would cause a lot of traffic and would be dangerous on the S curve at the top of the road or the property needs to be rezoned. The Mayor reported that when he moved in the Council had told him there was no enforced business district which is why he has been able to have his business at his home along Stringtown. Councilmember Greg Kunz mentioned that there is no land for sale or buildings available in the business district and that moving to the highway would defeat the purpose of the store not being open full time and Aimee being able to come in and out of her home to help customers. Councilmembers Matt and DeLoy had no objections and they asked for Adam’s counsel on the subject. Adam suggested a couple of options to rezone the property which can be costly after sending notices and having a public hearing or the Council could grant a Variance or Matt and Aimee could apply for a Conditional Use Permit. Charlie Christensen of the planning and zoning committee suggested if they were to rezone or apply for a permit then the citizens could also be able to input their opinion and would like the City to try and prepare to manage growth within the City for other businesses and that the committee would like to see businesses located along the highway for that growth. It was noted that the opinion of the Council changes as its members change and with a Conditional Use Permit we could put certain conditions on installing the store such as providing sufficient parking to reduce the danger. We would have a special meeting during the month and set the conditions and date for a hearing if The Kunz’s still wish to pursue after speaking with their other investors in the store.
Sunrise Engineering reported on the bid meetings and three bids were received for the project from Ready Service Jobber, Great Basin Development and Construction and Knife River Corporation. Law requires for the low bid to be awarded which would be Ready Service Jobber at $422,692 for the base plan, $22,085 for Alternate A and $8,400 for Alternate B for a total of the project to be $453,177.00. Sunrise has done a back ground check on them and they have good reports from everyone they’ve worked for and they recommend awarding them the bid. Councilmember Greg Kunz stressed the last few jobs we’ve done recently hasn’t had very compliant contractors and as much money as the City is spending we want the job done correctly. Councilmember Matt Argyle made the motion to award the bid for the Base and Alternates A and B to Ready Service Jobber, Inc. and for the Mayor to sign and award bids. Councilmember DeLoy Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Councilmember Marty Nate made the motion to have the Mayor sign the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Authorizing Resolution for the drinking water facilities revolving loan which will allow the Mayor or Council President to sign all applications, loan agreements and amendments and other documents relating to the drinking water facilities loan. Councilmember Matt Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The council then accepted the motion from Councilmember Matt Argyle to go into Executive Session pursuant to IC 74-206(1f) to discuss with legal counsel and the motion was seconded by councilmember DeLoy Kunz at 8:35 pm. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: DeLoy – yes, Matt – yes, Marty – yes, Greg – yes. The general meeting then resumed at 9:00 pm.
City Attorney Adam McKenzie brought the hay lease contract for the wastewater land application parcel for a year to year agreement with the lease and City or longer if the City desires up to 5 years. As per the contract, the lessee would also be required to insure the property under an umbrella liability policy. It was also noted that it would not be a full lease because Doug still has to go onto the property and do all of the irrigating since he is the only one licensed to do so. Lynette will get a copy of the legal description of the ground along with the requirements and stipulations for Adam to compile the notice to be advertised since there are certain requirements set by DEQ such as limited access and water and the crops cannot be fed to lactating animals, etc.
Police Report: Officer Martinez has made 36 contacts for the month of July.
Maintenance report: The maintenance report will be resumed at the next meeting due to the late meeting.
Office Report: Clerk Smith reported that there are 19 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of July. She inquired if the letter to the Dairy Syncline Mine had been written yet. It had not. Lynette brought up the dog ordinance needs to be revised to include the words spayed and not just neutered and then Adam will get a summary ready to publish so the ordinance can be in effect. Also the Country Corner is now being turned into an apartment to rent out but is only paying for one fee. Adam will compile a letter to send for them to pay two separate fees. The remaining amount of $38,750 from the emergency relief fund to repair Stringtown Road should be coming in shortly now the road is finished and bills are coming in.
The council then engaged in the budget workshop with City Auditor Gary H. Teuscher.
The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Marty Nate the council approve checks and vouchers for the month of July 2019 in the amount of $46,004.88 in the general fund, $27,095.19 in the water fund, $82,559.41 in the sewer fund with all funds totaling $155,659.48. Councilmember Matt Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Marty Nate that the council adjourn from the August 2019 council meeting at 11:00 pm. Councilmember DeLoy Kunz seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Smith, City Clerk