CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO
PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR MEETING
January 11, 2021
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE NEZPERCE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEZPERCE, IDAHO, HELD ON January 11, 2021
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, Michelle Lyons and Tyler Nelson. Maintenance Supervisor Craig Cardwell and Clerk-Treasurer Rhonda Schmidt.
Pledge of Allegiance: The pledge was led by Mayor Bateman.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Hearing to amend the Budget FYE 2020 in the sum of $7,894.00. No members of the public were in attendance to speak on the proposed budget amendment. Mayor Bateman called for motion to Suspend the Rules and the Three Readings of Ordinance 2021-1. Cm. Nelson made the motion while Cm. Zenner seconded the motion, with the following roll call vote:
Councilman Jensen Aye,
Councilman Nelson Aye,
Councilman Lyons Aye,
Councilman Zenner Aye.
Mayor Bateman asked for a motion to adopt Ordinance 2021-1 as presented. Upon a motion by Cm. Nelson, seconded by Cm. Zenner to adopt Ordinance 2021-1 with the following roll call vote:
Councilman Jensen Aye,
Councilman Nelson Aye,
Councilman Lyons Aye,
Councilman Zenner Aye.
MINUTES of the previous meeting of 12/14/2020 were approved as emailed upon a motion by Cm. Zenner, motion was seconded by Cm. Nelson, motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND MONTHLY BILLS:
The Clerk’s Monthly Treasurer’s Report dated January 11, 2021 was examined and approved, showing the following:
Funds on Hand $415,026.23
All bills and payroll disbursements were examined and approved for payment upon a motion by Cm. Zenner and seconded by Cm. Lyons in the total of $39,487.58 check numbers 15699 through 15739. Receipts since the last meeting were shown as $42,091.15. Checks and stub approvals were signed appropriately by all parties as well as the Payment Approval Report for January.
BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED
1. 2021 Liquor Licenses: Motion by Cm. Zenner to approve and sign the 3 licenses presented, Cm. Nelson seconded the motion, motion carried.
2. Audit Engagement Letter – Barnett, Cole & Associates: The engagement letter is in the amount of $6,500 for the audit of the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Cm. Lyons requested that upon return of the audit that Dear Sirs is corrected to Dear Councilmembers. Cm. Zenner moved to accept the audit in the amount of $6,500; motion was seconded by Cm. Jensen, motion carried.
3. Land App Project Update – Land Appraisal and Acquisition: Included in the council’s packet is an email from engineer Amy Uptmor providing an update on the wastewater project status. The email addressed funding; Environmental Assessment and land acquisition. Uptmor added that she will be completing the annual compliance report for the EPA in January and the city will receive a general engineering agreement with the Environmental Assessment contract for signatures. Both contracts were approved at the last meeting.
4. Cares Money Update: The Cares money request has been approved and requested. Nezperce asked for $16,100. It sounds as if Craigmont requested $17,100 for the defibrillator so that means that the ambulance has the funds needed for the purchase.
5. Nuisance Letters/Dog At Large Letters: Clerk Schmidt has been working with Attorney Herrington on nuisance letters; therefore, none have been sent. Herrington said that he talked to the Lewis County Prosecutor and that he agreed to prosecute on nuisance issues. As far as the one letter that has an uncollected utility debt Herrington is moving away from an ordinance and instead suggesting that we issue a demand letter and when it is defaulted on that we move with a judgement. Clerk Schmidt added that she feels that sending the letters in late March when the weather is cooperative would be beneficial to addressing weeds and cutting grass especially if the city has to do the clean-up. She also suggested a city-wide cleanup day. Schmidt spoke with Sheriff Davis who suggested having the attorney draw a letter regarding dogs at large giving owners a period of time to correct the problem then if they default the Sheriff would issue a ticket the next time said dog is reported out. Conversation then moved to installing a couple of doggie-do bag stands downtown. The city is receiving reports of owners not picking up after their dogs when walking on the sidewalks. Letters may need to be sent to those individuals.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Maintenance
Parks: Maintenance Cardwell said that its time to take down the Christmas lights. Cardwell will follow up with Airbridge on their offer of surveillance equipment for the comfort station at the RV park.
Streets: The portable solar speed sign has been completed and has been on Shortcut Road. It turned out fantastic; Cardwell added that Mauer did most of the work on the project and did a great job. Cardwell will be moving the sign around town periodically.
Utility Services for Block 21: Cardwell has spoken with Summit about the water line install but has yet to get a hold of Karl Crea to come and discuss the sewer line install.
Equipment: Backhoe is leaking radiator fluid so will be calling to get the backhoe repaired.
2. Clerk
W2’s have been completed and now that the engagement letter is signed with Barnett, Cole there is 2 pages of reports and information to be sent to the new auditor, besides other reports and forms to be completed after the first of the year.
3. Fire Department – No Report
COUNCIL COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 6:15PM.
Other/Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Council Meetings: February 8th and March 8th at 5:30PM
Holiday Closures: February 15th
The next regularly scheduled city council meeting will be on Monday, February 8 at 5:30 PM at City Hall.
__________________________ _________________________
Steve A. Bateman, Mayor Rhonda J. Schmidt, Clerk-Treasurer