City Council Minutes

The regular meeting of the Riggins City Council was called to order by Mayor Crump. Councilors present were Barnard, Friend and McClure. Councilor Akins was absent. Guests present included Mary Nuckols, Curt Brimacomb and Jon Wilson.

At this time a public hearing was held to take public comment on the proposed new fees for delinquent utility bills - $10.00 service charge for shut-off notices and 1% per month interest on past due balances. No one present offered comment on the proposed fee proposal, and the Clerk reported that no written public comments had been received. Since there was no public input offered, the public hearing was closed.

At this time it was requested that the Forest Service contract for emergency water and sewer service for fire camps be added to the agenda. Motion was made by Barnard, seconded by McClure, to add the Forest Service contract to the agenda, under the emergency conditions that exist. Voting yea, Barnard, Friend and McClure. No nays, motion carried.

The minutes of the previous meeting were presented. Council members were individually polled and all confirmed they had read the minutes. There were no additions or corrections offered and the minutes accepted.

The financial statement was read detailing $14,795.56 bills paid after the July meeting, bringing the total July disbursements to $40,018.41. Bills in the amount of $19,305.98 were then presented for payment. After review of the bills for payment, motion was made by Barnard, seconded by Friend, to approve the financial report and allow the bills. Voting yea, Barnard, Friend and McClure. No nays, motion carried. A copy of the financial report is attached and hereby made a part of this record.

Mary Nuckols visited with the Council about the Jan McMahan property in North Riggins. The property contains two lots – one with the residence and a vacant lot (804 N.) on the north side. The adjacent lot previously had water and sewer service, but those utilities had been abandoned. Nuckols requested pre-approval for the reconnection of the water and sewer hookups on 804 N. to insure that it could be marketed as property with city utilities available upon proper application and payment of current hookup fees. After discussion, motion was made by Barnard, seconded by McClure, to allow the connection of a water and sewer hookup to the property at 804 N. McArthur, upon the proper application and payment of applicable hookup fees. Voting yea, Barnard and McClure. Councilor Friend, owner of Blevins Realty, abstained due to any potential conflict of interest. There were no nays and the motion carried.

Curt Brimacomb gave the following EMS report:

(1) Riggins Ambulance has received the following Idaho EMS grant awards: $57,500 Extrication Vehicle, $2500 Stair Chair and $800 Laptop Computer.

(2) He also plans to submit Federal grant applications for wireless intercom for both ambulances and a sprinkler system for the Ambulance Bay.

(3) Ambulance A has had repairs this month with the Turbo charger and catalytic converter replaced.

(4) He reported that the 2011 calls were increasing lately with 17 call in the past 30 days, including two ambulance runs to Vinegar Creek and two LifeFlight calls. Brimacomb was requested to find out about LifeFlight reciprocal agreements between St Lukes, St Als and MedStar to the north.

(5) New radios for the Fire Department have been purchased at $206, rather than $312 on the local quote. Monday, August 22^nd is the day planned for the radio repeater switch.

(6) The Salmon River Rural Fire Department is interested in the red extrication vehicle, when it is taken out of service.

(7) Brimacomb is working with Dr. Mucha and Sue Welch from the Department of Homeland Security on a table top exercise for emergency response.

(8) He reported that there was a non-transport ambulance run for two individuals during rodeo weekend, where the ambulance was dispatched at the request of a police officer, not the patient, and both patients refused treatment. After reviewing the ambulance run sheets, their refusal of treatment was noted, and no treatment was indicated. The patients were requesting that both $75 Non-Transport billing fees be removed. After discussion, motion was made by Barnard, seconded by Friend, to remove the $75 Non-Transport fees from the accounts of Cody L. and Jackie L., billed as a result of the 05-08-11 ambulance call. Voting yea, Barnard, Friend and McClure. No nays, motion carried.

Jon Wilson reported that he did not have a July police report, but that the ICSO is in the process of interviewing candidates for the deputy position now open in Riggins, replacing Steve Whipple.

Wilson also reported that the speed indicator sign on the south end of town is not working again, and repairs are planned. The CCC’s will ask the City to take over the signs, when they are up and running properly.

Wilson also inquired if there had been any complaints or comments on the Biker’s Raft & Ride held recently. The group stayed at the Big Iron Motel, and had live music, etc. The Council indicated that they had not received any calls or complaints about the event.

It was reported that the Chamber wanted to do some work at the park, extending their building, pouring a cement slab at the gazebo and resurfacing the tables. After discussion, the Council agreed that the Chamber should present a written plan describing the improvements planned for the Council’s review.

It was requested that the additional garbage charges be added for the addition of commercial use now at Murdock Storage (RiverSong and Gradient Shift) and Clyde Hirst (River Adventures Float Company).

The Clerk reported that the question had been asked about the transfer or sale of a sewer hookup approved for a Chukar Point Subdivision lot owned by one individual to a another lot within the subdivision owned by a different person. The Clerk reported that she had pointed out that only eleven hookups had been approved for the subdivision, and if more were approved, ITD would require construction of a turn lane, so the approved hookups were a valuable asset to the property and dramatically increased the lot’s value. After discussion, the Council agreed that the hookup went with the property and could not be sold or transferred from one individual to another as a commodity. It was suggested that the property owner be written a letter to clearly state the Council’s opinion on the matter.

A report from JUB Engr Paul Stevens was reviewed.

Well Pump Replacement:

(1) Challenger provided hand written record drawings for Charlie’s review. Amell has indicated that the hand drawings records are OK, but we still needed electrical drawings from DC Engineers.

(2) Challenger has offered to provide a two-year written warranty on the “rattling” check valve in Well #1. They indicated that it appears to be working correctly and there is nothing obviously wrong with it. After discussion, the Council agreed that the valve should be replaced.

(3) Charlie has requested a well log from Uhlenkott, and he is reviewing the information.

Sewer Renovation Project:

(1) JUB’s PPE#15 (final payment) in the amount of $25,044.09 was presented. After review, motion was made by Barnard, seconded by McClure, to pay PPE#15 as presented upon the approval of Rural Development, using the balance of the bond loan proceeds and city funds for the remaining balance due. Voting yea, Barnard, Friend and McClure. No nays, motion carried.

City Projects were discussed at this time.

Water Meters: The city water meters were discussed. A large number of meters are not being read, due to various reasons – broken meters, meters with water in them, unreadable meters, etc. Since the City is losing money on unread meters, it was agreed that Mayor and Councilor Friend would accompany the meter readers this month to determine the problem and what should be done to address the situation.

White Water Park: The Council reviewed a letter from IdaLew being sent to Corps of Engrs and all agencies attending the March WWP Agency meeting. IdaLew is very concerned that such serious issues about the proposed river park were not brought out earlier in the process.

Mayor Crump also recommended that a letter be written to all those that supported the project, advising them that the permit application had been withdrawn. The Council agreed, so he and the Clerk will work to get that done.

EECBG Well Pump Replacement – Charlie and JUB Engineers are working out the final project costs to close it out.

PWD Charlie Amell has advised the Council that he plans to retire in October 2012. It was suggested that a job announcement be made and someone hired October 1^st that could work and receive on-the-job training. Sara Espeland from the Dept of Labor will be contacted about a possible internship and their on-the-job training program.

The Clerk reported that the Quit Claim deed had been received from the IOOF officials. After discussion, the Council agreed that the official transfer should be made September 1^st and suggested that the building be renamed as the “Riggins Community Center” or something similar. It was also suggested that the City should quiet title the driveway to the west of the building to maintain public ownership.

Discussion of the request to modify the fireworks code was tabled until the next meeting.

It was reported that the Heritage Center security system is not being used on a regular basis. After discussion, the Council agreed that it should be used at all times, and that users of the building should be notified.

Mayor Crump reported that he and the Clerk will attend the Block Grant application information meeting scheduled in Moscow on August 24^th.

At this time the Mayor declared that a regular City election will be held on November 8^th, with the polling place to be the Salmon River Heritage Center from 8:00am until 8pm, for the election of two 4-year Council positions. Those positions are currently being held by Councilors Friend and Barnard. After discussion, motion was made by McClure, seconded by Barnard, to confirm the city election schedule as declared by the Mayor. Voting yea, Barnard, Friend and McClure. No nays, motion carried.

At this time the City/Forest Service contract for emergency water and sewer service was brought up. The contract for City water was $20 per load of potable water, and $5 per load for irrigation water. Sewer service included gray water only, at $.08 per gallon or $80 per 1,000 gallons. The City will not accept waste from portable toilets. After discussion, motion was made by Barnard, seconded by Friend, to authorize the contracted service as presented. No nays, motion carried.