Minutes

(Minutes subject to council approval)

CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO

REGULAR MEETING

June 10, 2024

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON June 10, 2024.

PLACE:  Nezperce City Hall, 606 Maple Street.                                       Time: 7:00 AM

THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY Mayor Tyler Nelson at 7:02 AM 

PRESENT were Councilmembers Tyler Nelson, Mike Jensen, James Zenner, and Kelby Heartburg, Kimberly Ingram joined via Zoom at 7:26 AM, Fire Chief Dave Kuther, Maintenance Department Craig Cardwell and Ben Mauer, Clerk/Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt, Deputy Clerk Leigh Ross via Zoom. Guests attending were Dave Taylor and Jerry Zumalt and residents Michelle Lyons and Colton Thompson.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

  1. Nuisance – Michelle Lyons met with the council to inform them that she received a certified letter regarding nuisances at her property and would have preferred to have been contacted personally; she felt singled out and feels that there are other properties worse than theirs. She and her husband both have medical issues that make getting the lawn mowed difficult and they haven’t been able to find anyone to hire to mow or work on their retaining wall. Following her comments the council informed her that several letters were sent so she was not singled out there are others that were contacted via mail to clean up, mow, etc. Mayor Nelson read her an excerpt from the minutes of the last meeting that states who received letters and that the newly hired Code Enforcement Officer has been contacting those and offering assistance. The mayor added that the city must start somewhere and that more letters will be sent to others requesting a clean-up but that we need the Lyon’s to move their property off the right-of-way as the camper and concrete block are encroaching 3rd Avenue. The council is also concerned that drivers can’t see kids walking down the sidewalk because their camper blocks the view. Cm. Jensen gave names of individuals with excavators who may be hired to work on their retaining wall.
  2. Colton Thompson: Colton was present to ask the council permission to put up a statue in the city for his Senior Project. The consensus of the council was that the statue would be nice in the Tennis Park where the 3 trees were just removed. 

MINUTES of the previous meetings of 5/13/2024 were approved as emailed upon a motion by Cm. Zenner was seconded by Cm. Heartburg, motion carried. 

TREASURER’S REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS: 

The Clerk’s Monthly Treasurer’s Report dated June 10, 2024, was examined, and approved, showing the following:

Funds on Hand                   $255,461.76

All bills and payroll disbursements were examined and approved for payment upon a motion by Cm. Jensen and seconded by Cm. Zenner in the total $284,879.24 check numbers 17575 through  17595. Receipts since the last meeting were shown as $54,186.39. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well as all signed the Claim Approval Report for June. 

BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED   

  1. Idaho County CPF Fiber Project Update – Dave Taylor and Jerry Zumalt were in attendance to speak with the city regarding the fiber project. They are looking for a location either owned by Lewis County or the city to construct a building for internet providers. Following review of the map provided showing where the fiber will be run through town the city doesn’t own any property along the route. Mayor Nelson suggested waiting to see what the County comes up with as the city does not have a current location available. Jerry asked if the city has a secure area to use as a staging area to stockpile fiber and materials relating to the project. It would need to be a space of approximately 50 X 100 feet. The consensus of the council is that we can help with a staging area. JUB is the engineer for this project.
  1. WW Land Ap Project: Both Amy and Garrett of JUB provided email updates for the council on the Water Reuse Project. Amy wrote that the phase 2 design should be ready to bid in late July early August. Amy will be working up a formal notification to DEQ regarding funding shortage for Phase 2. She is planning to prepare a grant to pursue $2m from IDWR. As far as the Reuse Permit, JUB is finalizing review comments, and a formal comment period will follow once DEQ has the opportunity to consider JUB’s comments. An example annual report was provided for the city’s review so that we can get a good understanding of the requirements that come with a new system. Garrett provided the construction update. The project is still in the final states of topsoil removal. In the coming week Crea will conduct a drone survey to get a datum for excavation. With the drown survey the contractor will start key excavation which is the beginning of the embankments for the reservoirs. The first pay estimate is completed and at DEQ for reimbursement. Change order one is at DEQ for approval while change order 2 (road change) is with Crea awaiting pricing. Rain has slowed the process and caused the project to be 2 weeks behind schedule but with drier warmer weather in the future they expect the schedule to approve.
  1. Legion Hall Kitchen Upgrade – Purchase of 25 feet from Terry and Don Bryant:

Clerk Schmidt spoke about the plans to expand the hall by remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms. It was found that the neighbors own 25 feet behind the legion. Clerk Schmidt spoke with the Bryant’s, they are willing to sell the requested 25 feet for $1,000. Upon the motion of Cm. Jenson to purchase the 25’ at $1000.00 the motion was seconded by Cm. Heartburg. Motion carried.

  1. Lewis County Fair Board picnic table sale – 8 Green Tables: Clerk Schmidt let the Council know that we have been approached about purchasing the green tables from the fair board. After discussion, it was decided that we would offer the fair board $20.00 per table. Schmidt will submit our proposal to the fair board and get back to the council.
  1. Nighthawk Booster: Clerk Schmidt asked for a donation of $100.00 to be used towards becoming a Super booster. Motion by Cm. Zenner, seconded by Cm. Jensen. Motion carried.
  2. Ida-Lew Membership: Clerk Schmidt asked about continuing with our dues. Cm. Zenner moved to match last year’s amount of $500.00 seconded by Cm. Jensen. Motion carried. Let it be known that Clerk Schmidt informed Ida-Lew of the council’s decision and was informed that Ida-Lew is disbanding.
  3. Adopt Resolution R2024-06 – Manufactured Home Placement Fee: Motion by Cm. Jensen to adopt the resolution, seconded by Cm. Heartburg. Motion carried.
  4. Sewer line Extensions Bids: The City was to have a bid in time for the meeting but did not receive it in. Per conversations with Crea Construction and maintenance supervisor Cardwell, the job on Walnut will take one day time and materials, to do the Scotts, Fir, and Willow a couple of days each. Clerk and Maintenance will let the Council know when the bid comes in. The manholes will be delivered on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. On the morning of Tuesday, June 11th Clerk Schmidt emailed the council Karl Crea’s proposal for the sewer extensions as follows and asked that the council reply to this email Aye or Nay for the record?
  1. 8th Avenue ( Tom Scott – south end of town) $8,548.00
  2. Willow St. (near Catholic Church) $17,810.00
  3. 4th Ave & Fir (north side of town) $7,450.00

Role call email vote was as follows:

Cm. Ingram Aye,

Cm. Jensen Aye,

Cm. Zenner Aye,

Cm. Heartburg Aye.

 The city is paying for the materials and parts needed. Karl plans to start the project for Tom Scott this week following the council’s approval.

  1. Vendor Location Discussion: Clerk Schmidt reported the city has received a request from Sheila Arnzen with Shiznites to relocate to Nezperce and would like to rent space from the city to operate their food truck. Schmidt proposed that she be allowed to park by the tennis courts and pay a rental fee and power bill. Once power is upgraded at the Legion Hall we could move her there. As of the date of this meeting, we have not heard anything more from Sheila. The council did not disagree with renting her a space. 

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

  1. Maintenance:
  2. Water: Cardwell and Mauer will attend a water class to get their  ceu’s in Lewiston on June 12. Nitrate values have not changed in well
  3. Sewer: Cardwell plans to start on the retaining wall at the lagoons as soon as they can, followed by constructing the building. The plan is to move forward with the sewer line extension projects. There are 3 lots for sale on Ash and 1st and when those sell we will need another extension as the main line in that area ends at 2nd and Beech.
  4. Parks: The mowing is in full swing, and Cardwell is still looking for someone to grind the stumps.
  5. Streets: Work on Ash Street is happening; Cardwell will ask Karl if he would be willing to run equipment down Ash to clean it up.
  6. RV Park: There are bushes in Memorial Park that died over winter and need removed. The bathrooms needed a lot of work due recently to vandalism. Will be putting up signage to help with the issue.
  7. Equipment: The one-ton pickup needs new tires and alignment.

Clerk:

Job Descriptions and Personnel Policy: Schmidt is planning to get the policy finalized this month as last month was nuisance letters.

Black Mountain Software: We will be looking at new utility billing software being offered to see if it will be of benefit to the city. We are not asking for it to be bought at this time just wanted the council to know that we are looking into it.

Persi Meeting for new and retiring: The meeting went very well; we had a great turnout for both sessions. Everyone was very appreciative that we offered it to the community and all who are PERSI-eligible. We will be getting a number of a traveling Persi employee that helps with the retirement process.

JUB meeting June 18 with the Chairman of the Board at 10AM.- Councilwoman Ingram and Councilmen Jensen will attend with the Mayor, Clerk Schmidt, and Maintenance Supervisor Cardwell.

  1. Fire Department: The department is quiet. For the Rambling on the Ridge event, it will pull personnel out of the area, so town coverage is affected. Dave is working on organizing the response team to Willoughby Road. The department will be purchasing a lift to assist with rescuing cats from trees, as we do get calls to rescue cats from time to time. It will also be available to the city for roof repairs as needed. 
  1. Code Enforcement: Rhonda gave Steve’s report. Steve has been working with homeowners and things are progressing. He is helping homeowners with the mowing of lawns throughout town. 

COUNCIL COMMENT/OTHER

Cm. Jensen has concerns about the Sheriff’s department personnel speeding down Walnut to respond to calls.

ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8:30 AM following a motion by Cm. Zenner and seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried.                       

Other/Upcoming Events:

Upcoming Council Meetings: Aug. 12 and Sept. 9th at 7AM

Prairie Day July 12th & 13th

Budget Hearing August 12th

ICCTFOA Conference – September 17-19

Lewis County Fair – September 26-29

Closures: July 4

The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be on Monday, July 8th  at 7 a.m. at City Hall

Tyler R. Nelson, Mayor                                              Rhonda J. Schmidt,                                                                                     Clerk-Treasurer

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