Minutes
(Minutes subject to council approval)
CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO
REGULAR MEETING
September 13, 2021
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON September 13, 2021
PLACE: Training Room – Nezperce City Hall, 606 Maple Street.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR BATEMAN AT 7:15A.M.
PRESENT were Councilmembers Steve Bateman, James Zenner, Mike Jensen and Tyler Nelson, Maintenance Supervisor Craig Cardwell, Clerk-Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt and Office Assistant Kimberly Johnson; Fire Chief Dave Kuther and Cm. Michelle Lyons were absent.
Pledge of Allegiance: The pledge was led by Mayor Bateman.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No members of the public were in attendance to make comment.
MINUTES of the previous meeting of 8/9/2021 and 8/23/2021 were approved as emailed upon a motion by Cm. Jensen, motion was seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS:
The Clerk’s Monthly Treasurer’s Report dated September 9, 2021 was examined and approved, showing the following:
Funds on Hand $632,497.11
All bills and payroll disbursements were examined and approved for payment upon a motion by Cm. Nelson and seconded by Cm. Jensen in the total of $51,052.68 check numbers 16055 through 16075 with 16073 voided. Receipts since the last meeting were shown as $44,491.79. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well as the Payment Approval Report for September.
BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED
1. Land App Update – Appraisal, Property Acquisition, Environmental Report: The appraisal process is underway. Appraiser Don Kerby asked for additional information and received that last week. He wanted information on possible contamination and airport height restrictions. Mayor Bateman informed that there has been some discussion regarding price per acre but we don’t know what it is actually worth until the appraisal is completed.
2. Lagoon Seepage Test: The required testing has been completed and the lagoons passed the test.
3. Airport Grant Update – Engineering Scope of Work: John Watson with JUB dropped off a preliminary agreement for services with no bottom line on what it will cost. Clerk Schmidt was informed that the engineering is not part of the grant as initially informed. So, rather than accept a contract Mayor Bateman advised the clerk to inform the state that we will move forward with the city doing the work.
4. Building Code Ordinance 2021-9: This ordinance will adopt the 2018 International Building Codes. Mayor Bateman asked for a motion to suspend the rules and amend the agenda to make this an “Action Item”, Cm. Jensen moved to suspend the rules and amend the agenda to make this item of business a “Action Item” while Cm. Zenner seconded the motion. Roll call vote was as follows:
Jensen: Aye,
Nelson: Aye,
Zenner: Aye,
Lyons: Absent.
Motion by Cm. Jensen to accept Ordinance 2021-9 as presented while Cm. Zenner seconded the motion. Roll call vote was as follows.
Jensen: Aye,
Nelson: Aye,
Zenner: Aye,
Lyons: Absent.
5. City Hall Security Update: Clerk Schmidt reported that AirBridge sent out a tech to evaluated the building and get an idea of placement of cameras. They will be back to install and train the clerk to the new equipment.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Maintenance
Water: Money for the upgrade has been mailed so Maintenance Cardwell is ready when Strom comes to fix the well; meanwhile he turns the wells on and off.
Sewer: Maintenance will be installing a hookup for a new customer on Maple and putting fill on the dike in between the lagoons.
Streets: We just received a schedule from the state for the work Knife River will be doing on the highway through town and it looks like the work will commence on the 15th of September. Cardwell will be contacting Knife River to discuss the city project a well. Cardwell has found solar street signage for $4,000 a sign and suggested that the city invest in other signage such as crosswalk and yield signage as well as additional speed limit signs. Mayor Bateman added that Mike Tatko at Avista would like to help the city with funds for signage.
RV’s: Cardwell asked the council if they are concerned regarding people living in RV’s in Nezperce without a sewer hook-up? He is investigating to see whether or not they are running grey water on the ground. He added that with the housing shortage in this state more and more cities are addressing the number of people who have decided to live in RV’s. This has really become an issue lately. Clerk Schmidt chimed in that she gets calls almost daily regarding someone asking to live in the city RV park.
Subdivision Ordinance: Cardwell would really like for the city to get its own subdivision ordinance in place prior to any kind of a building boom. This will ensure that a contractor is responsible for installing the infrastructure and not have that responsibility fall to the city. Clerk Schmidt is looking for ordinance examples to use. Mayor Bateman added that a subdivision ordinance will be part of the Comprehensive Plan. Christine Frei with CEDA has called and will be helping the city button up the plan prior to her retirement in December.
2. Clerk
Website Training: Sharon, Kim and Rhonda met for a training via zoom to get familiar with the website. On Friday, Kim and Sharon followed up with another meeting and got the agenda on the website.
Credit Card Payments: Kim has been working with Access Idaho to update account information and we should be able to start receiving payments within a month or sooner.
City Facebook Page: The city page is up and running.
Clerk’s Conference: Schmidt and Johnson are discussing whether or not to attend the conference in Boise next week. They are worried due to the recent spike in COVID cases locally and in Idaho.
3. Fire Department – No report.
COUNCIL COMMENT
Mayor Bateman will be relocated roosters out of town today. He has had several calls and complaints regarding roosters.
Skunks: Recently there have been skunk sightings in town. So, another rodent to deal with.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 8:03AM.
Other/Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Council Meetings: October 12th and November 8th at 5:30PM
Clerks Conference: In Boise on September 21-23
III-A Wellness Clinic: September 28th
The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be on Tuesday, October 12th at 5:30PM at City Hall.
_____________________ _____________________________
Steve A. Bateman, Mayor Rhonda J. Schmidt, Clerk-Treasurer