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City Hall
6-12-06
7:00 pm
OPENING
The regular meeting of the Riggins City Council
was called to order by Mayor Crump. Council present were Anderson,
Harper, McClure and Underwood. Guests present included Buck Fitch,
Larry Barnard, Linda Heiter, Bob Flowers and Les Sweeny.
The Mayor polled the City Council individually
and each member confirmed that they had read the minutes of the
previous meeting. Motion was made by McClure, seconded by
Underwood, to approve the minutes as presented with no additions or
corrections. Voting Yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and Underwood.
No nayes
The financial statement detailing $14,018.64
bills paid after the May Council meeting, bringing the total May
disbursements to $51,917.92. Bills in the amount of $13,517.34 were
then presented for payment. After review, motion was made by
Harper, seconded by Anderson, to approve the statement and allow the
bills. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and Underwood. A copy
of the financial statement is attached and hereby made a part of
this record.
LIONS
CLUB PRESENTATION
At this time Bob Flowers and Les Sweeny visited
with the Council about the Lions Club. The presented the Council
with an information packet, and indicated that they were trying to
establish a Lions Club in Riggins. They reported that
historically, the Lions Club partners with the school and local
governments to provide many health services, parks and other
recreation opportunities. They also work with community
organizations, and can provide insurance for events, etc., medical
screenings, assistance with health fairs, etc. They explained their
“Gift of Sight” program and their relationship with the Idaho Eye
Bank. They offered their assistance in starting up a Riggins Lion
Club, and reported that Midvale would sponsor Riggins and would help
with the set up. They reported that they needed twenty members to
begin a new chapter. The Council thanked them for their
presentation, and would pass the information on to interested
parties.
GARBAGE QUESTIONS
Buck Fitch visited with the Council about
several issues. (1) His garbage was missed recently, along with two
of his neighbors. He inquired about the policy for missed service.
The Clerk reported that if garbage was missed, and the City Hall
notified, the garbage contractor would be called so that it could be
picked up later in the week when they are working in the area. She
reported that in the past, Butch Walker had stopped in the City Hall
each Wednesday, to check if anyone has been missed, so that it could
picked it up before he left town. But Walker had discontinued that
practice and was no longer stopping at the City Hall to check. The
Mayor reported that Walco will be contacted about the missed garbage
and asked to resume the practice of stopping to check in with City
Hall before leaving town on Wednesdays. (2) He reported that storm
drains are often plugged with debris and do not work properly during
rainstorms. He suggested that the people having to perform
community service clean them.
PUBLIC HEARING – NEW FEES, INCREASED FEES,
BUDGET AMENDMENT
At this time the public hearing was held on the
proposed fees for the Dive Team, Fire Department, and unused water
and sewer connections, and the increase in water and sewer hookup
fees, and the amended 2006 budget.
Buck Fitch indicated his concerns about the
Dive Team billing, and their decision not to recover the car that
recently wrecked in the Little Salmon. The Council reported that
the vehicle’s driver had gotten out of the car safely, and when the
Dive Team was called about the accident, they felt that the river
was too high and too dangerous at that time to attempt vehicle
recovery. They reported that it would always be the Dive Team’s
decision concerning safety, etc., and there may be times when they
were unable to dive, and in those cases, no bill would be
generated. He was also concerned about the Fire Department billing
proposal. For example, he questioned if a bill would be generated
the Fire Department was called unnecessarily, by a neighbor or
bystander, for a chimney fire.
The Council indicated that rates were just
being established at this time, that the billing policy details had
not been set, but it was originally proposed for those calls where
firefighting was involved and actual property damage occurred. He
was also concerned about fire protection in Riggins when the city
fire trucks were responding outside of the city limits on mutual aid
calls. It was reported that the city trucks only responded to
structure fires within a ten-mile radius of town and would return if
needed in Riggins.
It was also reported that if the city fire
trucks assisted the Salmon River Rural Fire Department on their
non-member fires, they would bill for our department’s service at
the same billing rate used for their equipment.
The sewer hookup fee increase was also
questioned, and the Council reported that it was being increased to
help fund the engineering study on the sewer system and to prepare
for anticipated upgrades and improvements.
There were no other comments received on the
public hearing issues.
BTS
RECYCLE MEETING SCHEDULED
Linda Heiter reported that BTS was sponsoring a
meeting concerning recycling, 7:00-9:00pm, Wednesday at the Salmon
Rapids Lodge, and invited the Council to attend.
DIVE
TEAM GRANT
It was reported that Dive Team had received a
$5,000 grant from Rivers United, and it was proposed that the funds
would be used to sheet rock and insulate the Dive Team Building.
CITY
WEBSITE REQUEST
Councilor Underwood requested that the City
website include a link to individual Council member’s e-mail with
verbiage to direct questions and comments to them, and suggested
that the Chamber of Commerce website should have a link to the City
site. The Clerk reported that the website presently has the e-mail
link, but the additional verbiage could be added. Councilor McClure
will talk to the Chamber about adding the City link to their
website.
FIRE
CHIEF TRAINING
Councilor Anderson reported that Fire Chief Dan
Catherman was going to attend a Fire Dept training in Lewiston on
Saturday with a $35 registration fee.
POLICE REPORT
Idaho County Deputy Ray Payton did not attend
the meeting, and there was no police report presented.
PROJECT REPORTS
Charlie Amell reported on the following: (1)
Bill Pease wanted to culvert the irrigation ditch on his property in
North Riggins. He recommended that a minimum of 10” culvert be
used. The Council agreed, and since it is a lateral ditch, the
property owner is responsible for the cost. (2) The irrigation
ditch running through Margaret Fessesden’s property should be
deepened. When there is sufficient water in the ditch to provide
North Riggins users, the ditch overflows in that area. Since the
enlargement of the ditch is required in this area to supply those
users downstream, Charlie proposed that the City do deepen the ditch
in that area. The Council agreed.
IDAHO
COUNTY GARBAGE MEETING
Mayor Crump reported on the garbage meeting
recently attended with the County Commissioners. There has been
little resolved with the issue, but he reported that Idaho County
was proposing a fee to the cities, similar to Lewis County, for
excess and bulky garbage being dumped in the County dumpsters. The
fee proposed was 25% of the County residential fee, which is $13 per
month at this time. This fee, along with the fee collected by the
city on their utility bills would put the city residential garbage
charges to over $18 per month, compared to the county residential
fees of $13. He reported that the cities are not happy with this
plan, which would be discussed at an upcoming meeting scheduled for
Thursday. He planned to attend to aggressively contest this
proposal and requested that the Clerk go also. Linda Heiter was
also asked to attend to discuss recycling proposals.
WILLIAMS STREET CLOSURE
At this time Williams Street Closure was
discussed. A letter was read from Dolly Gill concerned about
emergency vehicle access if the road were closed. She will be
notified that removable barriers will be placed, and the road opened
for emergencies if necessary. Since Perry Montoya was the only
remaining adjacent property owner left to respond to the street
closure,, his property manager, Suzann Underwood, signed in his
behalf. The Council agreed that Brent Adams and Vanessa Springer
should be notified that they, as the party requesting this change,
would be responsible for the cost of the barriers and signs for the
street. They should submit a plan and design to the Council for
their review.
SEWER
HOOKUP FEE INCREASE ORDINANCE
At this time, the ordinance to increase the
sewer hookup fees was read:
ORDINANCE #166
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RIGGINS, IDAHO,
AMENDING SECTION 1 B(2), OF ORDINANCE NO. 121; PROVIDING AN INCREASE
IN SEWER CONNECTION FEES; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING
ORDINANCES, AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF
THE ORDINANCE.
Motion was made by Underwood, seconded by
Harper, so suspend with the rules requiring reading on three
separate days. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and
Underwood. No nayes. Motion was then made by Underwood, seconded
by Anderson, to pass and approve Ordinance # 166 under suspension of
the rules. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and Underwood. No
nayes.
WATER
HOOKUP FEE INCREASE ORDINANCE
The ordinance to increase water hookup fees was
then read:
ORDINANCE #167
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RIGGINS, IDAHO,
AMENDING SECTION IV OF ORDINANCE NO. 122,; PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE
IN APPLICATION AND CONNECTION FEES ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF THE
WATER METER; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES, AND
PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDINANCE.
Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by
Harper, to suspend with the rules requiring reading on three
separate days. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and
Underwood. No nayes. Motion was then made by Underwood, seconded
by McClure, to pass and approve Ordinance #167 under suspension of
the rules. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and Underwood. No
nayes.
RESOLUTION – NEW FEES, UNUSED WATER HOOKUPS
At this time City of Riggins Resolution #06-03
was read establishing a tracking system and fees for approved, but
unused water hookups. Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by
Harper, to pass and approve Resolution #06-03. Voting yea,
Anderson, Harper, McClure and Underwood. No nayes. A copy of the
resolution is attached and hereby made a part of this record.
RESOLUTION – NEW FEES, UNUSED SEWER HOOKUPS
Resolution #06-04 was then read establishing a
tracking system and fees for approved, but unused sewer hookups.
Motion was made by Anderson, seconded by Harper, to pass and approve
Resolution #06-04. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and
Underwood. No nayes. A copy of the resolution is attached and
hereby made a part of this record.
RESOLUTION – FIRE DEPARTMENT AND DIVE TEAM BILLING
Resolution #06-05 was then read establishing
billing rates for the Riggins Dive Team and the Riggins Fire
Department. Motion was made by Underwood, seconded by Anderson, to
pass and approve Resolution #06-05. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper,
McClure and Underwood. No nayes. A copy of the resolution is
attached and hereby made a part of this record.
BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE
At this time City of Riggins Ordinance #168 was
read:
ORDINANCE #168
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RIGGINS, IDAHO,
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 164, THE APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005, TO REFLECT THE RECEIPT OF
UNSCHEDULED REVENUE, INCREASING AND ESTABLISHING THE APPROPRIATIONS
FOR EXPENDITURES IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT, PROVIDING THAT THE TAX
LEVY UPON TAXABLE PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY IS NOT AFFECTED HEREBY;
PROVIDING THAT ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH ARE REPEALED TO
THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by McClure, seconded by
Undersood, to suspend with the rules requiring reading on three
separate days. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and
Underwood. No nayes. Motion was then made by Underwood, seconded
by McClure, to pass and approve Ordinance #168 under suspension of
the rules. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and Underwood. No
nayes.
BUDGET MEETINGS SCHEDULED
The upcoming budget schedule was reviewed. The
following special meetings were set: Tuesday, July 11 at 1:00pm,
for a budget workshop, and Thursday, July 27th at 1:00pm,
to finalize and adopt the tentative 2006-2007 budget, with the
public hearing established for the regular meeting August 14th.
REVIEW OF TREE STUDY RFP
At this time the proposals received in response
to the Tree Study RFP were reviewed. Two proposals were received,
one from Mike Bowman, Moscow, and the other from Community Tree
Service, Spokane. The Council reviewed the proposals, and Mike
Bowman was selected. The Clerk was requested to contact him about
the study, to see if he could work within the City’s $3500 budget.
If so, he would be the first choice, but if the $3500 budget was not
workable, the Clerk was requested to contact Community Tree Service.
AMELL REPORTS
–PARKING PROBLEMS, VANDALISM, VACATION SCHEDULE
Charlie Amell reported on the following: (1)
A semi-truck has been parking repeatedly in the park parking lot
over the entire weekend, limiting parking during the busy summer
season. Idaho County Deputies have been contacted about the
problem, but it continues. After discussion, Tom Anderson, who
knows the truck driver, offered to talk to him about the problem.
(2) On Berger Street, there has been a camp trailer and boat parked
long-term, limiting parking and emergency access. Anderson will
check into that problem also. (3) There has been more vandalism in
the City Park bathrooms. Amell asked if the Council could request
more frequent police patrol in this area to deter this vandalism
activity. Councilman Anderson will contact Officer Payton to
request more police patrol in the park. It was also reported that
the City had the security camera for the park, but the installation
would require electricity and a pole, and those costs were estimated
to be $2000 to complete. (4) Charlie requested vacation time July
6-12 for a float trip. The Council agreed.
NEW
HOOKUP APPLICATIONS
The following hookup applications were read:
(1) Steve Sabin, Chukar Point Lot #1, sewer, submitted with
application fees (water previously installed), and (2) Steve Sabin,
Chukar Point Lot #2, water and sewer applications submitted without
fees. After discussion, motion was made by McClure, seconded by
Underwood, to approve the sewer application for Chukar Point Lot #1,
and approve those applications for Lot #2 upon the receipt of the
hookup fees. Voting yea, Anderson, Harper, McClure and Underwood.
No nayes.
PARK
DUMPSTER OVERUSE
It was reported that the park dumpster was
being overused and overloaded each week, with private garbage. It
was suggested that Walco be contacted to dump it twice a week.
Since the park dumpster is a service provided
to the City at no charge, it was questionable if Walco would be
willing to dump it twice a week, but the Clerk was requested to
contact them about it.
LETTER OF COMPLAINT
A letter has been received from a new city
resident disputing the mandatory garbage fees. After review of the
letter, the Council agreed that he should be advised that garbage
fees are mandatory city and county wide, and in response to his
inquiry about other mandatory or changing fees, to advise him about
potential increased fees for adding commercial use to residential
property.
There being no further business, the meeting
was adjourned.
_______________________________
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Mayor
Clerk |
