Minutes
(Minutes subject to council approval)
CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO
REGULAR MEETING
July 14, 2025
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON July 14, 2025.
PLACE: Nezperce City Hall, 606 Maple Street. Time: 7:00AM
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY Mayor Tyler Nelson at 6:56AM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENT were Councilmembers Tyler Nelson, Jim Zenner, Kelby Heartburg, Kimberly Ingram (via Teams), and Mike Jensen, Maintenance Supervisor Craig Cardwell, Clerk/Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt, and Deputy Clerk Leigh Ross (via Teams). In attendance were Wayne Barnett, Dave Gates, Tom Scott, Dan Johnson, Terry Perrine, Jim Freeman, Wyatt Lux, Ken Kuther, and Stan Boyer residents plus Joe Wrenfrow of Simmons Sanitation and JUB Engineer Steven Schramm (via Teams).
PUBLIC COMMENT: Tom Scott presented a signed petition from Nezperce residents protesting Ken Kuther’s proposal to develop his property on Birch Street. They do not want commercial use in a residential area. Mayor Nelson informed the residents that, per our city’s ordinances, an RV park is allowed. Jim Freeman here for an update on nuisance properties. He believes we need to keep the heat on, as things do not seem, in his opinion, to be moving very fast. Mayor Nelson reported that the city is moving forward with the declaratory judgment against Mr. Gehrke. The council answered questions on all the other problem properties. Cm. Ingram reported that she is working with Dawna Lux regarding her house that is in deplorable condition on Pine Street.
She has agreed to have it taken down, but no contract has been signed yet. Cm. Ingram will reach out to Ms. Lux to see what the holdup may be. Dan Johnson will call Walco and order a roll-off for another property the seniors will assist in cleaning up.
MINUTES of the previous meetings of 06/9/2025 were approved by a motion by Cm. Kelby, motion was seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS:
The Clerk’s Monthly Treasurer’s Report dated July 14, 2025, was examined and approved, showing the following:
Funds on Hand $324,147.71
All bills and payroll disbursements were examined and approved for payment upon motion by Cm. Zenner and seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried. Disbursements totaled $103,450.16, which included a grant disbursement of $76,338.32, check numbers 18173 through 18203. Receipts from the last meeting were shown as $51,783.61. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well and all signed the Claim Approval Report for June.
BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED
- Kuther RV Park Project Idea: Ken Kuther presented his idea again for an RV park on his property on Birch Street; however, he knows that some hard feelings are developing and there is opposition to the idea. He did have a new proposal to present to the council; he would like to propose a swap of property, the 3 lots on Birch for property at the airport. He wants the property the city owns called the helipad. If the trade were to happen, he would like to build a T-hanger and turn the upper level into an Airbnb.
- Pickleball Courts – Stan Boyer: Working to get pickleball courts into the tennis park, $6000 a court $12,000 for both. He listed the steps to get the concrete prepped for painting. Lots of the work will be done by volunteers. He wants a pledge toward the project from the city. He wants the city to donate $2200 for the infrastructure work. Cm. Ingram said that we need new lights. The city commented that we need to see what we have in the budget to help with funds. Cm. Heartburg suggested that the city complete the infrastructure work in-house. There might be a grant for lights and Cm. Ingram added that they might have a concrete grinder.
- Solid Waste Contract Expires August 30, 2025: Clerk Schmidt found that the current contract with Walco expires August 30th so asked the council what they would like to do. Following discussion, the council decided to put out an RFP. Joe Wrenfrow introduced himself as he works for Simmons Sanitation and recently moved to Kamiah. They are interested in putting together an RFP and would like to have our business. He added that he is willing to work with the needs of the community such as additional recycling, senior carts etc. Clerk Schmidt will inform Walco and advertise the RFP.
- Nuisance Properties: Members of the community were present to get updates on each of the nuisance properties the city has been working with. The seniors will take the lead on 102 Oak Street and work with the homeowner. Complaints were taken over several yards and letters will be sent to those homeowners. Not all property owners are responsive to communications received. Clerk Schmidt will follow up on the Hamilton property and the building behind the Methodist Church. The council received copies of the complaint drawn by the city attorney against Arnold Gehrke and following discussion Cm. Zenner moved to file the complaint with the court, motion was seconded by Cm. Heartburg, motion carried.
- Area of Impact Review: Clerk Schmidt presented a new area of impact map that City Attorney Lewis drew up. After discussion and review, Cm. Jensen moved to approve the area of impact to Johnson Road, seconded by Cm. Zenner, motion carried. A copy of the map is attached to minutes as Exhibit 1.
- Land App Project Update and Approval of Change Order 1 Phase 2: Steven Schramm reported that the project is hung up on lead time for parts. The contractor has gone through serious rock and but has 2 lines dug and completed the deep ditch sewer. The area is dry as a bone. The airport will be shut down for construction in the fly zone. Pilots will need to be notified. Change Order 1 needs to be approved by council, Cm. Zenner moved to approve Change Order 1, Cm. Jensen seconded the motion, motion carried. This change order includes the changes to the building at the reservoirs.
- FYE 2026 Budget Review: Clerk Schmidt emailed the council the proposed budget and will send emails as the rest of the budget comes together.
- Lions Club Contract: Lions President Wyatt Lux stated that the Lions Club would like to take over all utilities for the building as they will be using it daily. The seniors will still have full access to the bottom floor for all their activities. The Lions Club will take on the burden of making all the repairs/upgrades to the building. Maintenance Cardwell will be a source of contact for the work that will need to be done, i.e., gutters and drainage. The lease agreement with the Seniors will need to be modified to reflect that they will no longer be responsible for the utility bills and have access to the basement area. Clerk Schmidt will meet with the president of the Seniors to discuss the modifications to their lease and what the city’s expectations for them are going forward; Schmidt will also discuss the need to modify the seniors lease with the attorney. Jensen moved to approve the plan and Cm. Heartburg seconded, motion carried.
- FYE Audit Engagement Letter: Clerk Schmidt presented the 2025-2026 engagement letter from Zwygart. There will be a $500.00 increase over last year’s audit. Cm. Jensen moved to approve the letter, second by Cm. Heartburg, motion carried.
- LC Fair 5th Road Closure Request: The Lewis County Fair has requested a road closure of 5th Avenue from Oak Street to Pine Street on September 25-28, 2025. Upon motion by Cm. Zenner to approve closure and seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried.
- Halloween Request from Lane Kaschmitter: Lane emailed the city regarding his plan to create a haunted house for Halloween. Mayor Nelson will contact Lane and discuss his plan further.
- Candidacy Information for November Election: Clerk Schmidt handed out candidacy information to Cm. Jensen, and Cm. Heartburg. Jensen and Ingram’s terms are up while Heartburg is required to run for his position because he was appointed in 2024. Schmidt will get Cm. Ingram her forms.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
- Maintenance
Water: Cardwell reported that due to it being dry he is watching water levels in the tower as we are down feet. The school has been watering hard; plus the amount of water going to the project is putting a heavy burden on the system.
Sewer: Maintenance is preparing for the old control building to be removed. Cardwell will be working with the project engineer to get the electricity off so that it can be moved to the new building.
Streets: Maintenance will be prepping the streets on the east side of town as chip sealing is scheduled for July 31st chip sealing.
Prairie Day: Maintenance painted all the tables purchased from the Fair Board, varnished the band shell, and painted the ticket booth. Cardwell will find places to store the tables and ticket booths since he can no longer use the ole Mary’s lot. Prairie Day went well and was well attended. Good comments were received on the food.
Equipment: Cardwell informed the council that he got into a wreck and the 2006 Silverado received approximately $4500 in damages.
RV Site: Bradley’s are putting in an RV site as Clark plans to live here for half of the year.
- Clerk: no additional information to report
- Fire Department: no report
- Code Enforcement: no report
COUNCIL COMMENT/OTHER
ADJOURNMENT: Cm. Zenner moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:52AM, motion was seconded by Cm. Heartburg, motion carried.
Other/Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Council Meetings: Aug. 11th and September 8th at 7AM
The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be on Monday, August 11th at 7:00AM at City Hall.
Tyler R. Nelson, Mayor Rhonda J. Schmidt, Clerk- Treasurer