CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO
REGULAR MEETING
April 13, 2020
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON April 13, 2020.
PLACE: Nezperce City Hall, 606 Maple Street.
THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY MAYOR BATEMAN AT 7:05A.M.
PRESENT were Councilmembers Steve Bateman, Mike Jensen, Tyler Nelson, Michelle Lyons by conference call, Maintenance Supervisor Craig Cardwell and Clerk-Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt. Guests present were Engineer Amy Uptmor and Dodd Snodgrass of CEDA by phone.
Pledge of Allegiance: The pledge was led by Mayor Bateman.
MINUTES of the previous meetings of 3/18/20 and 3/9/20 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 April 13, 2020 was examined and approved, showing the following:
Funds on Hand $371,729.98 (approximate as no pool information received)
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 $53,329.91 check numbers 15286 through 15332. Receipts since the last meeting were shown as $39,875.07. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well as the Payment Approval Report for April.
PUBLIC COMMENT
BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED
1. Wastewater Land Application Project Update: Engineer Uptmor explained to the council that the drilling of holes for new lagoon cells was cancelled due to the fact that the Idaho Aeronautics Department wrote a letter stating that they do not recommend the construction near the airport and stated several reasons why. This pretty much eliminates any possible construction within a mile of the airport. Amy said that she is looking at other possible sites but doesn’t have any costs related to making this kind of change. She added that there is much talk of stimulus monies and additional possible grant monies for shovel ready projects once the coronavirus pandemic is on the way out. There is no way to know what is really going to be available. She summed up the call with adding that the city received a finalized NPDES permit.
2. Block Grant Information: Dodd Snodgrass of CEDA was the next call into the council. Unfortunately, he informed the council that working toward a block grant and bond means that we will need a new income survey of the citizens as ours has timed out. He too has heard of pools of monies available from the Corps, as well as stimulus packages. Cm. Nelson asked about how much we would need on a project like this and Dodd answered that we would be bonding for the entire amount then finding the grant monies but that he cannot answer that question now as he has to do some figuring. Mayor Bateman asked Dodd to gather the information and have it ready for the May meeting. Before the council was a copy of a Professional Services Agreement with CEDA following discussion, Cm. Nelson motioned to accept the contract with a limit of $10,000, Cm. Jensen second the motion, motion carried.
3. Disaster Declaration – COVID-19 Emergency Status – FEMA Funds: A list of emergency items are included in the monthly packet that the city became eligible to order with the disaster declaration due to the COVID-19.
4. NPDES Permit Received: Permit was finalized, received and now working under it.
5. Seal Coating: Cardwell will have a list of streets for summer seal coating at the May meeting and is working on getting chips.
6. EMS Advisory Board Letter from EMS Board: The EMS Board wrote a letter to the city council with the suggestion to create an Advisory Board for the Emergency Services Building consisting of representatives from the City, Fire Department and EMS and possibly members of the community. They suggest that this board handle the functionality of the building as much of that burdened has fallen to Dave and Shari Kuther. Kathy Fuchs has agreed to represent the EMS on the Advisory Board. Following discussion, Mayor Bateman appointed Cm. Nelson and Clerk Schmidt to represent the city on this new board.
7. Utility Bills – Ok to Waive Late Fees: Following discussion Cm. Jensen made a motion to waive all fees on utility billing customers temporarily until June 1, 2020, Cm. Lyons seconded the motion, motion carried. Times are hard on residents with the state stay at home order.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Maintenance
Culvert Project on Pine: Cardwell informed the council that he will be installing an 8inch culvert along Pine Street from 5th Ave. to 6th Ave. He knows that Dan Johnson has spoke with a contractor about a new sidewalk in that same block. Maintenance will also be pulling the shrubs on the corner of Walnut and 6th Avenue for Johnson.
Sewer: Discharging is complete and shut down for the time being unless we receive lots of weather.
Hookups: Maintenance will be working on new hookups for Hillco’s new South Building and taking a look at installing a fire hydrant as Lenny Hill has inquired about one.
Parks: Working on mowers and getting ready for the mowing season.
Personnel: Mauer has been off the last couple weeks but will be back to work as things are getting busy in maintenance. Cardwell ordered some online training for Mauer and himself. Mauer applied for an OIT and will study up for a test while Cardwell needs CEU’s for his licenses.
2. Clerk
Clerk Schmidt informed that the city has been awarded a $300.00 Arbor Day Grant.
3. Fire Department
No report
COUNCIL COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 8:05 AM.
Other/Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Council Meetings: May 11th at 7:00AM, June 8th at 5:30PM
Upcoming Other: City Wide Yard Sale Day May 9 is pending all other events were cancelled.
Holiday Closures: May 25th and July 3rd
__________________ _____________________________
Steve A. Bateman, Mayor Rhonda J. Schmidt, Clerk-Treasurer