Minutes
(Minutes subject to council approval)
REGULAR MEETING
May 9, 2022
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON May 9, 2022.
PLACE: Training Room, Nezperce City Hall, 606 Maple Street.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR BATEMAN AT 7:00A.M.
PRESENT were Councilmembers Steve Bateman, James Zenner, Mike Jensen and Tyler Nelson; Fire Chief Dave Kuther, Maintenance Supervisor Craig Cardwell and Clerk-Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt. Absent were Cm. Kimberly Ingram and Office Assistant Kim Johnson Ingram. Guests present were: JUB Engineer Amy Uptmor, residents Rick Schlader, Fred Hess and Sheriff Jason Davis (who entered the meeting at 7:20AM).
Pledge of Allegiance: The pledge was led by Mayor Bateman.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public in attendance wanted to make comment.
MINUTES of the previous meeting of 4/11/22 were approved as emailed upon a motion by
Cm. Nelson was seconded by Cm. Zenner, motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS:
The Clerk’s Monthly Treasurer’s Report dated May 9, 2022 was examined and approved, showing the following:
Funds on Hand $689,435.31(Pool amounts were approximate)
All bills and payroll disbursements were examined and approved for payment upon a motion by Cm. Zenner and seconded by Cm. Nelson in the total of $67,479.54 check numbers 16401 through 16441. Receipts since the last meeting were shown as $75,165.71. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well all signed the Claim Approval Report for May.
BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED
1. Sheriff’s Contract – Sheriff Jason Davis: Sheriff Davis explained to the council that he is asking for a 5% increase in the contract this year and the primary reason is the price of fuel. Of course, with his increase the city will see a 5% increase on the property the sheriff rents from the city. Davis reviewed the calls for service for the year and some new things like the recent vandalism at the park plus informing the council that a nuisance resident was served this last weekend. Following discussion Cm. Jensen moved to accept the proposed contract with a 5% increase, motion was seconded by Cm. Nelson, motion carried.
2. Legion Hall – Fred Hess: Fred informed the council that the legion is considering disbanding as the membership is dying off with no relief insight so they are trying to figure out what to do with the building. They do not want to sell it but want the facility to stay as an asset to the community so are discussing donating the building to the community. Following discussion, the mayor asked the council for a roll call vote as to would you be in favor of taking over the Legion Hall if it was donated to the city: Nelson Aye, Zenner Aye, Jensen Aye.
3. Land App – Property Acquisition, Project Update: Engineer Amy Uptmor informed the council of the land app project update. She informed that attorney Wright will be working on the purchase and sell agreement and we are shooting for a closing date of June 30th. She informed that she has been hearing murmurs that agencies are starting to talk funding and Nezperce is in the perfect position to be on the priority list. There may even be some room for loan forgiveness. She explained her plan to move forward with design and provide a handout with figures of $121,000 for design. Following discussion Cm. Zenner moved to proceed with design, Cm. Jensen seconded the motion, motion carried.
4. Bond Ordinance 2022-2 – Review and Approve: Mayor Bateman read the Ordinance Title and following the reading asked for a motion to suspend the rules: Cm. Zenner moved to suspend the rules, Cm. Jensen seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Nelson: Aye,
Zenner: Aye
Jensen: Aye,
Ingram Absent.
Cm. Zenner moved to accept the ordinance as written, motion was seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried with the following roll call vote.
Nelson: Aye,
Zenner: Aye,
Jensen: Aye,
Ingram: Absent.
5. Zoning Ordinance – Planning Meeting: Clerk Schmidt informed the council that circumstances have us to where we need to put together a zoning ordinance so that we can accept and pass it prior to purchasing the Payne property otherwise the city would have to go through the county subdivision process which takes time that we don’t have.
6. Branson Subdivision – Proposed Layout: JUB Engineer John Watson has been working with the Branson’s to develop plans for a subdivision and have provided a preliminary design for the council to review. Engineer Uptmor who is representing the city on the development asked the council questions regarding water and sewer lines. The council agreed that the developer should be responsible for the cost of running water to the development; sewer services are relatively close.
7. Audits: Clerk Schmidt informed the council that the 2019-2020 audit is still not completed but that the auditor recently emailed that he was nearly done and would be working on it. Schmidt added that she has reached out to Jordan Zwygart, an auditor out of south Idaho about doing the 2020-2021 audit and he agreed and will be starting it in June.
8. Arbor Day Report: Clerk Schmidt reported on the events of Arbor Day. The city worked with the Garden Club and moved the Blue Star Memorial from Memorial Park to the Garden Club Commemorative Park on Oak as well as moving their memorial stones and the free library. A tree and two bushes were planted in Memorial Park followed by a barbecue at the gazebo. Only 20 or so people came to eat.
9. Water Usage – Leaks over the winter: Over the winter we had a few customers that experienced water leaks. If the residents ask for a break on the usage charged will the council agree to a credit. Following discussion, the council agreed to giving a credit.
10. VEBA – Increase Contributions: Clerk Schmidt asked the council about changing the VEBA contribution in the next years’ budget to every other month. Following discussion, Cm. Jensen moved to changing contributions to every other month instead of each quarter, motion was seconded by Cm. Nelson, motion carried. This will help the employees who are planning for elective surgery or assisting with paying deductibles.
11. PERSI & VEBA Benefits – Kim Johnson Ingram: Kim has been employed for 1 year now so her PERSI benefits begin in May. Clerk Schmidt asked that Kim receive the VEBA benefit also as there has never been a decision on whether part-time employees receive VEBA or not. The council agreed that Kim should receive VEBA.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Maintenance Report
Summer Employment: Maintenance received 2 applications for summer help. Cardwell will work them both to knock out a few projects this summer.
Water: Wellhouse suffered a panel meltdown.
Sewer: Lagoons had a high-level alert that Mauer handled as Cardwell was out of town.
Parks: Received a load of bark and mowing in between weather systems.
Vacation: Cardwell will be on vacation May 20-31.
2. Clerk
Sewer Fees: Clerk Schmidt brought up the raising of sewer fees. The council had decided to raise fees 3% for 5 years and now needs to decide if they want to increase fees in the coming budget.
Subdivision Ordinance: The clerk informed that once the zoning ordinance is completed the planning committee will begin work on a subdivision ordinance.
3. Fire Department
Fire Chief Kuther informed that things are quiet; nothing happening is a good thing.
COUNCIL COMMENT
City-wide Cleanup: Walco will be bringing in roll offs for residents to use. Mayor Bateman will be encouraging residents to take advantage of the cleanup and get rid of their junk.
Bateman Presentation: Cm. Nelson presented the mayor with an award from CEDA, thanking him for many years of service.
Vandalism: There has been a round of vandalism at Memorial Park again. Clerk Schmidt reported it to Lewis County. Hopefully the parents of the kids will talk with them.
CEDA Membership for the coming year: CEDA has sent their membership invoice in the amount of $524.00 for the coming year. Cm. Nelson moved to pay the invoice, Cm. Zenner seconded the motion, motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at8:15AM.
Other/Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Council Meetings: June 13th and July 11th at 7:00AM
Jim Yeoman Funeral – May 21 in Lewiston
Prairie Day – Cheers to 40 Years! – July 8 & 9
The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be on Monday, June 13th at 7AM at City Hall.
__________________________ _____________________________
Steve A. Bateman, Mayor Rhonda J. Schmidt, Clerk-Treasurer