CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
August 10, 2020
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON August 10, 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, Mike Jensen, Tyler Nelson, James Zenner and Michelle Lyons, Fire Chief David Kuther, Maintenance Supervisor Craig Cardwell and Clerk-Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt. Guests present were JUB Engineer Amy Uptmor and Dodd Snodgrass of CEDA. Resident Ed McMillion entered the meeting at 6:20PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: The pledge was led by Mayor Bateman
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Sewer Fee Increases – Mayor Bateman read the resolution. Guests present were Dodd Snodgrass of CEDA and JUB Engineer Amy Uptmor and neither had comments regarding the proposed fee increases. Cm. Jensen moved to pass Resolution R2020-5 to increase sewer fees, Cm. Zenner seconded the motion, motion carried.
MINUTES of the previous meetings of 7/13/20 and 7/29/20 were approved as emailed upon a motion by Cm. Zenner, motion was seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS:
The Clerk’s Monthly Treasurer’s Report dated August 10, 2020 was examined and approved, showing the following:
Funds on Hand $397,839.40
All bills and payroll disbursements were examined and approved for payment upon a motion by Cm. Zenner and seconded by Cm. Jensen in the total of $48,555.84 check numbers 15478 through 15522. Receipts since the last meeting were shown as $110,820.07. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well as the Payment Approval Report for August.
BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED
1. WW Land App. Project Update/Next Steps Moving Forward – Engineer Amy Uptmor: Amy explained to the council that the drilling at the preferred location has taken place. Unfortunately, the contractor hit fractured rock at approximately 5 feet in all bores. She will have the information reviewed by a professional and let the city know what she finds out. The council reviewed the hand out and discussed options. Amy will continue to talk with land owners as we continue to find the best location for storage. Amy worked with Dodd and John Lynn regarding the bond ordinance and it was decided that the city will need to run a bond for 5.5 million which will put the sewer rate at $120.00 a month. Dodd added that John Lynn wants to see the rate at $65.00 so is working on a package deal from RD while Dodd is working on 2 block grants. The EPA returned the compendium list of grants and there are a couple that we can chase after. The city will need to sell the community on the 5.5-million-dollar bond but we will continue to go after other monies to get the bond lower when we get closer to the project.
2. WW Land App. Project – Ordinance Bond 2020-3: Mayor Bateman called for a motion to Suspend the Rules and the Three Readings of Ordinance 2020-3. Cm. Zenner made the motion while Cm. Jensen seconded the motion, with the following roll call vote:
Councilman Jensen Aye,
Councilman Nelson Aye,
Councilman Lyons Aye,
Councilman Zenner Aye.
Mayor Bateman read the Ordinance Title and asked for a motion to adopt the Bond Ordinance 2020-3 as presented. Upon a motion by Cm. Zenner, seconded by Cm. Jensen to adopt Ordinance 2020-3 with the following roll call vote:
Councilman Jensen Aye,
Councilman Nelson Aye,
Councilman Lyons Aye,
Councilman Zenner Aye.
3. WW Land App. Project – RFP for Grant Administration Services: Clerk Schmidt informed the council that only one RFP was received and it was from CEDA. They each were emailed the RFP for review and they followed up with a couple of questions for Dodd. The council filled out the review and the clerk will compile the information and inform CEDA.
4. WW Land App. Project – LMI Survey – Bond Community Outreach -Dodd Snodgrass: Dodd informed the council that the bond ordinance has to be to the county clerk by September 4th to make the November ballot. We will be needing to get the bond information to the voters and because of the COVID virus we may not be able to have an open house so will need to rely on a flyer and Facebook to get the public the information they need. November looks to be heavy for absentee voting so we will have to do all we can to get the information out to voters. Mayor Bateman asked about the LMI survey and Dodd responded that we have the numbers we need there and he will be turning over the information to Tony Snodderly from Crapo’s office for review. Dodd’s calculation came up with 53.5% LMI on the survey.
5. Sheriff’s Contract Approval: Following a brief review and verifying that the contract remains the same as last year with no increase Cm. Zenner moved to sign the contract, Cm. Lyons seconded the motion, motion carried.
6. Sewer Extension to Lots – Ed McMillion: Ed McMillion explained to the council that he would like to get a sewer line to his vacant lots in Block 2. The issue is that the lots slope to the north and the area he is looking at maybe lower than the main in Cedar Street. Ed provided a map of the area with some rough measurements on running a service line to Cedar. Maintenance Cardwell will meet up with Ed to get discuss. Cardwell may need to dig up the street and find the main to get the information they need.
7. FYE2021 Budget – Tentative Approval: Following review of the information provided and realizing that projected income in streets is down; we will need to watch that budget closely this coming year. Cm. Jensen, moved to approve the tentative budget. Cm. Lyons seconded the motion, motion carried.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Maintenance
Water: Cardwell informed the council that he received the new chlorine pumps but has been busy with water leaks so they aren’t installed yet. The leak at the Eller building is fixed and they will be moving on to the old ambulance shed next. Cm. Jensen asked Cardwell to look at the CenturyLink building as there may be a leak there as well.
Streets: Chip sealing went well this year Cardwell reported. He was able to get quite a lot done prior to seal coating as well. Half of the city’s chips were used so is looking for come chips. Mayor Bateman believes that we will be getting some rock tomorrow.
Sewer: Cardwell said that we haven’t been discharging since the first week of July. He did have to purchase a 24-volt converter and a battery backup this month.
Parks: Maintenance got rock spread around playground equipment as well as the decorative rock around the EMS building. He will order more as didn’t have enough for the propane tank behind the EMS building.
Personnel: Cardwell added that it is Laysn’s last week. Ben is still out on Worker’s Comp but had his knee operated on so we should be hearing when he can come back to work.
Sewer Camera: Cardwell spoke with Mayor Wassmuth and was told that the sewer camera we agreed to purchase with 3 other cities is on hold for now.
2. Clerk
New Logo/Letterhead/Forms: Clerk Schmidt showed the council the new logo she and Sydney had worked on as she wants to use it on forms and letterhead. A new form has been created for persons or organizations wanting to use city property for a function they will profit from, a new catering permit has been created as well.
3. Fire Department – No report.
COUNCIL COMMENT
Summer Youth Sports: Following discussion Cm. Jensen made a motion to contribute the budgeted amount of $800.00 to Nezperce Youth Sports, motion was seconded by Cm. Lyons, motion carried.
Lewis County Royalty Donation: Following discussion Cm. Zenner moved to donate $100.00 to the Royalty, Cm. Lyons seconded the motion, motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT: No further business so the meeting adjourned at 6:43PM
Other/Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Council Meeting: September 14 at 5:30PM later changed to 7AM (due to scheduling conflicts)
Budget Public Hearing: August 24th at 5:30PM corrected from August 27th.
Holiday Closures: Sept. 7th
The next city council meeting will be on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 7AM at City Hall.
___________________ ____________________________
Steve A. Bateman, Mayor Rhonda J. Schmidt, Clerk-Treasurer