Minutes
CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO
REGULAR MEETING
December 14, 2020
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON December 14, 2020.
PLACE: Training Room – Nezperce City Hall, 606 Maple Street.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR BATEMAN AT 5:30P.M.
PRESENT were Councilmembers Steve Bateman, James Zenner, Mike Jensen, with Michelle Lyons and Tyler Nelson virtually. Maintenance Supervisor Craig Cardwell and Clerk-Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt. Guests present were JUB Engineer Amy Uptmor.
Pledge of Allegiance: The pledge was led by Mayor Bateman.
MINUTES of the previous meeting of 11/9/2020 were approved as emailed upon a motion by Cm. Jensen, motion was seconded by Cm. Lyons, motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS:
The Clerk’s Monthly Treasurer’s Report dated December 14, 2020 was examined and approved, showing the following:
Funds on Hand $409,891.61
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 of $45,500.94 check numbers 15657 through 15698. Receipts since the last meeting were shown as $39,816.31. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well as the Payment Approval Report for December.
BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED
1. Sewer Compliance Report, Environmental Review, Letter of Intent to DEQ – Amy Uptmor: Uptmor began with the Letter of Intent for DEQ which is due to them by the 8th of January; she explained that these monies would be for construction but maybe there will be some design monies as well. The Environmental Review contract with JUB could potentially cost $45,000 to complete and there is approximately $10,000 left in the DEQ grant. Following discussion Cm. Nelson moved to accept the contract as presented with Cm. Zenner, seconding the motion, motion carried. Uptmor then presented a General Engineering Agreement for $8,500. Under this contract we get the monthly DMR, compliance reporting to the EPA and other general annual engineering. Cm. Jensen made a motion to accept the General Engineering contract, motion was seconded by Cm. Nelson, motion carried.
2. Appraisal, Purchase & Sale Agreement – Need a legal description: Clerk Schmidt and Engineer Uptmor have had conversations with appraiser Don Kerby and he will perform the appraisal for approximately $4,000. It was increased to cover the property the house sits on. Clerk Schmidt has contacted Brad Cuddy about completing a survey of the property and he has agreed to do the work. Clerk Schmidt will get him the information he needs to complete a legal description for the appraiser.
3. Mask Mandate: Mayor Bateman began by stating that he spoke to Sheriff Davis and the Sheriff explained that he does not have the manpower to enforce a mask mandate in Nezperce. Cm. Lyons and Nelson are both attending the meeting virtually as they are quarantined due to virus exposure. Cm. Lyons stated that she believes a mask mandate is against a person’s civil liberties. Cm. Nelson who asked for the topic to be added to the agenda stated that we need to keep the economy in Nezperce going; right now, the courthouse is short staffed and pretty much closed to the public; the entire basketball team has been exposed; the superintendent is positive and the school board is meeting as positive cases are rising in the city. Cm. Nelson would like the community to take personal responsibility and wear a mask; follow the CDC guidelines and the Governor’s recommendation to help slow the spread and keep our community open. Nelson added that we need to stand up for the constituents who elected us and are asking what is the city going to do? Cm. Nelson made a motion to encourage residents and visitors to Nezperce to adhere to the recommendations of the Health District as we want to keep the citizens of Nezperce safe and will follow the CDC recommendations, encouraging mask wearing, sanitization and small gatherings. Cm. Jensen seconded the motion, motion passed unanimously.
4. Willow Street Development: Maintenance Cardwell has a call into a contractor to review and bid the sewer line installation and Cardwell will meet with the surveyor so that he knows where the markers are.
5. Road & Street Report Review: The annual report is included in the council packet for their review. No questions on the report.
6. Audit Update: Steve Clack called Clerk Schmidt and informed her that the business has sold and that the new owner should be calling soon. So, Jeff Cole did call before Thanksgiving and was sent a pile of reports. A contract has not been received but Clack thought it would be close to the same amount as last year.
7. Cares Money Follow Up: Last Friday was the deadline to request Cares Money. Mayor Bateman and Clerk Schmidt followed up with Lewis County and other cities and we are hopeful that Craigmont helped out with the remaining funds they had.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Maintenance
Parks: Maintenance Cardwell reported that the Christmas lights are up. Several nice comments have been noted from the community.
Sewer: Discharging continues at the lagoons. We are needing a seepage test as it has been 5 years. The individual we hired last time is not doing the test anymore so Cardwell will follow up with JUB for a recommendation.
Streets: Snow plows are ready to go!
Equipment: Cardwell asked who to call to repair the pressure washer and stated that the 4-wheel drive is not working on the pickup.
2. Clerk
FEMA Grant: Clerk Schmidt spoke with Patty Barnett regarding PPE Equipment and Patty has ordered supplies and when Schmidt gets the invoices then she will finish up the grant.
FYE 2020 Budget: The next meeting will begin with a public hearing to reappropriate the budget as streets was over spent.
3. Fire Department
EMS Building: Cardwell installed a solar light above the flag but there isn’t enough daylight to charge the panel so that it lights up the flag. The building has lights that seem to shine on the flag.
COUNCIL COMMENT
The council discussed vehicles parked in the city right of way as well as nuisance property.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:28PM.
Other/Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Council Meetings: January 11th and February at 5:30PM
Holiday Closures: December 25th and January 1st and January 18th
The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be on Monday, January 11 at 5:30 PM at City Hall.
______________________ _____________________________
Steve A. Bateman, Mayor Rhonda J. Schmidt, Clerk-Treasurer