Georgetown Idaho

May 7, 2013

Those Present:  Matt Argyle, Ada DeClark, Joe DeClark, Clerk Lynette Smith, Doug Thompson, Gary Thompson, Mayor Bob Van Cleave, Cynthia Reno, Mable Whitmore, Ferrell & Susan Dilworth, Spencer Dilworth, Stephen Waechtler, Anita Panko, Mark Johnson, Trenton Morrell, Tenille Roberts, Brett Lloyd, Jakob Simmons, Trae Smith, Austin Waechtler, Neiko Waechtler

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 April 2, 2013, regular council meeting were read. The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Joe DeClark the council approve the minutes as read. Councilmember Ada DeClark seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the motion carried the council.

Brett Lloyd came before the council and proposed to build a fire pit in the City Park for his Eagle Scout Project. Kewitt will provide the rock and materials and he won’t be required to purchase a fire permit for the project. Councilmember Ada DeClark asked him to please install a tetherball in the City Park, at the City’s cost, also. Councilmember Matt Argyle made the motion to allow Brett to build and install a fire pit and tetherball in the City Park. Councilmember Ada DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.

Tenille Roberts, representing CenturyLink, came before the council to speak about the local benefits the fiber optic line will provide to our community. She stated that the project is backed by the Idaho Education Program and it will offer fiber optic internet speed to Georgetown Elementary School first and would eventually be available for residents. They already have their state permits to go along the highway from McCammon, through Soda Springs and to Montpelier. DigLine will mark along the highway and the contractor will be required to have performance bonds. The fiber optic line will run along the West side of the highway and the contractor will notify residents when they will be opening the ground in front of their properties to help them plan accordingly. They are hoping to be finished with the project by October and have the schools connected by late October or the beginning of November. CenturyLink and the contractor will be responsible for repairing any sink holes that occur from the installation. Councilmember Joe DeClark made the motion to sign the permit with the agreement being changed to state that the contractor/CenturyLink will be responsible for replacing any sink holes a minimum of two (2) years following the installation. Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.

Cynthia Reno came before the council and presented some pictures and news articles of spontaneous fires. She is concerned about there being a fire hazard at various locations around the city, but she is mostly concerned about her neighbors residence located at 364 Main St, because there are weeds that are never watered and lots of metal scraps around. She is grateful for the City’s help with the awful odor that was exuding from the property and she would like some help with educating the public about keeping their properties taken care of.

The Dilworth’s came and spoke about the pile up of miscellaneous items on his property and explained that they are coolers that Jim Ahrens had acquired from Broulim’s; he ran out of room on his property so Ferrell let him put some on his property also. The weather hasn’t permitted them to get what they needed out of the coolers before getting rid of the items. He says the issue will be resolved in the next couple weeks.

Trenton Morrell came before the council and would like to be issued a building permit to put in a new home behind his existing home on Stringtown Ln. Doug has inspected the property and measured from the center of the street to the home to make sure the proper setbacks have been met. The home will be partially within City limits and he would like to be hooked up to the City’s water and sewer systems. Hadley and Jessica Wright have also applied for a building permit to put in a new home on West Street. The council approved both building permits.

Keller Associates sent a letter updating the council on the progress that has been made within the last month of the wastewater project. The bids will begin on May 23^rd at noon in the City Hall. Bids will be accepted until June 7^th at noon. After the bidding has closed, the bids will be opened on June 7^th at City Hall and Mayor Bob would like to also have Joe and Doug there to help decide on whom the bid should be awarded to.

Councilmember Matt Argyle would like the council to consider putting a new garage door on the City shop, sometime before winter. Doug is to measure the doors and get a bid for it before the next meeting.

Councilmember Ada DeClark is going to get some help from more Eagle Scouts to mark the corners for the mulch to be put in place and adding a concrete barrier. The City will pay for the concrete and the landscape fabric. She hopes to have it all finished by the end of May. The 2^nd Ward had a ward party and cleaned up around the City also.

Police Report:   Officer Skinner has returned to work and has made 29 contacts for the month of April.

Maintenance report:   Doug Thompson gave his report for the month of April stating that he was able to get a few water bills caught up, marked for DigLine, helped Trenton Morrell disconnect and reconnect to his existing home, turned water on at 3 locations and his water samples were good. There was a water leak in town and he was able to repair it. He tested sewer samples, sent his EPA letter and helped with cleanup. John Howard called and where his septic tank was, the ground had collapsed, so he helped him backfill it. Todd Transtrum from Bear Lake County came and talked about the topsoil and said that they are interested in it; they just need to figure out how to get it hauled. He plowed Stringtown and the canyon once more and purchased a stainless steel sander. He sent out dog tag late notices, did some maintenance on the vehicles and dug one grave.

Office Report:   Clerk Smith reported that there are 8 delinquent water and sewer accounts for the month of April. The Bear Lake County Regional Commission would like to use City Hall to hold a meeting on May 15^th to get input from Georgetown and Bennington residents on their feelings of the County Ordinance requiring a minimum of 40 acres to build a home. They will do all advertising for the meeting; if there is one. Stan Prescott called and would like to know if his niece, Susan Thomson, could be buried in the same plot as one of her parents. She will be cremated and her parents have been cremated also. The council said that would be fine, but she will pay the $500.00 fee for a grave opening for non-residents.

The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Ada DeClark the council approve checks and vouchers for the month of April 2013 in the amount of $11,563.83 in the general fund,  $7,725.88 in the water fund, $31,397.34 in the sewer fund with all funds totaling $50,687.05. Councilmember Matt Argyle seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.

The chair entertained a motion from councilmember Ada DeClark that the council adjourn from the May 2013 council meeting at 8:30 pm. Councilmember Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynette Smith, City Clerk