THE CITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF COUNCILMAN HARPER.

 

Bob Harper, who had served on the City Council for thirteen years with dedication and pride, passed away October 10th.  We will miss Bob and his caring nature and tireless service to the City and community.  He was a giving community leader and his faithful service to the City Council was “outstanding”!  Even in declining health, the level of Bob’s dedication to the Council was amazing.   He hated to miss a Council session, and even tried to schedule doctor appointments and cancer treatments around City Council meeting dates!   Riggins has lost an honored community leader and our sympathies are with Lorry and the Harper family.

ELECTIONS NOVEMBER 6TH

 

The regular City Election will be held November 6th, with voting at the City Hall from noon until 8:00pm. 

 

There are two 4-year term City Council positions open this year, one currently held by Suzann Underwood and the other by the late Councilman Bob Harper.  Larry Barnard and Carolyn Friend will run on the ballot for those positions, and Suzann Underwood has filed for re-election as a write-in candidate.  The two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected.  Bob Harper had also filed to run for re-election, but with his passing, his name is removed from the ballot.

 

In addition to the regular election of City Council members, a General Obligation Bond for sewer improvements will be presented for your consideration.  The City will be asking the citizens to approve a $1,300,000 bond for the renovation of our sewer plant, which is in urgent need of repair.  The General Obligation Bond, which allows the use of the Resort Tax for the loan repayment, requires a 66 2/3% voter approval.  Riggins is unique and very fortunate to have the Resort Tax and URA funds available to help with these costs, but we need your support on this issue.  We want you to be informed and have enclosed a fact sheet addressing the most frequently asked questions.  Please read it carefully, we want everyone to understand the problems we are facing and the reasons for the bond issue.  If you have any questions about the bond issue or the need for the repairs, please contact the Mayor, any Council member or the City Hall. 

          PLEASE VOTE NOVEMBER 6Th

 

THERE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES ON THE BALLOT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.     THE SEWER BOND IS A MAJOR CONSIDERATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY.   WE NEED YOUR APPROVAL TO ALLOW THE USE OF THE RESORT TAX FUNDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS URGENTLY NEEDED AT THE SEWER PLANT.

 

THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL ARE COMMITTED TO KEEP THE MONTHLY UTILITY FEES AT A RESONABLE COST, BUT THEY CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT AND THE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ELECTION.   PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED INFORMATION SHEET.  WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.


PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED…..

 

ICDBG GRANT APPLICATION

 

In addition to the bond proposed to fund the sewer project, the City is seeking $500,000 Idaho Commerce Department Block Grant funding.  A public hearing on the proposed grant application will be held at the regular City Council meeting, 7:00pm, November 12, 2007 at the City Hall.  All citizens are invited to attend and offer comment.  A formal notice of the public hearing is posted at the City Hall, the City Website, and published in the Idaho County Free Press.

 

 

WALCO REQUESTS AN ADDITIONAL GARBAGE FEE INCREASE

 

Effective October 1st,  the City approved a 5% garbage increase, which amounts to 75¢ per resident,  or commercial EU.  Walco officials, who originally requested to increase residential customers 10% and to increase in the cost of carts used by commercial businesses, have indicated that they cannot operate on the 5% increase approved.  A public meeting will be held at the regular City Council meeting, November 12th, at 7:00pm to address their request for the additional increase.  All citizens are invited to attend and offer comment on Walco’s request.  A formal notice of this public hearing is also posted at the City Hall, on the City Website and published in the Idaho County Free Press.

 

Due to Walco’s position that they must have the raise originally proposed, the City Council is also pursuing alternate garbage disposal solutions.  The two options also under consideration are:

 

(1)    The County is mandated by Idaho Code to provide sanitation service, and the City has taken this responsibility only to insure curbside pickup service.  One option would be for the City to get out of the garbage business completely and let Idaho County take it over, as it is in the rural County area, providing area dumpsters with the fees collected on the taxes.

 

(2)    Pursue alternate garbage disposal companies such as LakeShore Disposal from McCall. 

 

The Council is requesting your input and comment on this issue, and invite you to attend this public meeting.  Walco officials will be on hand to explain their position and answer your questions.  

SEWER BOND ELECTION 

       QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS!

 

 

WHAT IS THE $1.3M BOND FOR??

 

JUB Engineers are now completing an in-depth study of our sewer treatment plant, which is required by DEQ when a system reaches 85% of its capacity.  The study must be completed before improvement projects are eligible for grant funding and DEQ approval.

 

As a result of this study, JUB Engineers have notified the City Council that the sewer plant is in immediate need of repair.  They reported that the solids removal and handling was a critical concern.  The sludge is a problem in that it cannot be disposed of properly in the winter, and must be held in the system.  This build up of sludge makes plant operation extremely difficult, and will eventually lead to a violation of the EPA permit.  They reported that EPA violations now run thousands of dollars per event, per day, and said that in our case, it wasn’t “IF” we violate our permit, but “WHEN” we do.  They stressed the urgency of the problem and recommended that a moratorium on any additional hookups to the sewer system be enacted, if this issue is not addressed.  This moratorium would apply to any additional hookups, even those previously approved, such as those in city subdivisions and the new grocery store site.  There is capacity to serve those hookups, but the sewage plant cannot properly treat the waste in its current condition.  JUB indicated that any additional volume will compound the problem that now exists.  It was understood that this renovation would not expand the capacity of the plant, but would provide a more efficient operation and allow for the use of the plant’s remaining capacity.  

 

JUB’s report indicated that, at a minimum, the plant headworks should be upgraded to address the grit and ragging problem and a filter press, or some other dewatering system, installed to reduce sludge concentration. The facility study estimated the cost of these repairs to be $1.8M.  The City will apply for a $500,000 grant, which requires no repayment, but voter approval is required for a $1,300,000 General Obligation Bond to fund the balance of the upgrades.  JUB repeatedly stressed the urgency of the problem, and the need for action now.

 

 

Q.   WHY A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND??

 

The Council is seeking a general obligation bond, rather than a sewer revenue bond, so that the City’s Resort Tax funds, Urban Renewal Funds, and other monies available to the City can be used to help repay the loan.   Use of these alternate funds will allow the Council to keep the monthly sewer fees from increasing exorbitantly.

 

Q.   WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND AND A SEWER REVENUE BOND??

              General Obligation Bond                                             Sewer Revenue Bond

  (1) Requires 66 2/3% Voter Approval                    (1) Requires Only 51%  (Simple Majority)

  (2) Can be Repaid with Resort Tax, or                   (2) Must be repaid with Sewer Revenue

        URA funds or any funds available                          based on much higher monthly sewer fees

  (3) Requires a $7 Per EU sewer increase               (3) Will require a $15 Per EU (or more) increase

  (4) Guaranteed by City Taxes                                (4) Guaranteed by Sewer System fees

  (5) City controls sewer fees, taxes, etc.                  (5) USDA-RD (or funding agency) sets sewer fees

 

 

 

Q.   WILL THE $1.3M  BOND EXPAND THE SEWER SYSTEM FOR BIG DEVELOPERS??

 

No!      This renovation will not expand the capacity of the treatment plant.  The $1.3M Bond, plus the $500,000 grant the City is seeking, will only correct the deficiencies and problems being experienced now in the operation of the treatment plant.  If the plant can be renovated to operate more efficiently, and within our EPA permit, the remaining capacity (approximately 15%) of the plant can be utilized.  Any major development, such as may be planned at the Millsite, will require extensive enlargement and reconstruction of the treatment plant, as well as reconstruction of lift stations, etc. to increase the capacity.  Those costs are estimated to an additional $2,000,000+, and will be the expense of the developer(s), not the present users of the system.

 

 

Q.   WILL PROPERTY TAXES INCREASE TO PAY THE BONDS??

 

No.  There is no plan to levy a tax to repay the loan.  It can be repaid with Resort Tax Funds, Urban Renewal Funds, Sewer Hookup Fees or any funds available to the City. The General Obligation Bond is only guaranteed by city property taxes.  In the event no other funding source was available for the loan repayment, a property tax levy could be made.

 

 

Q.     IS THIS EXPENSIVE RENOVATION REALLY NECESSARY??

 

Yes.  The treatment plant was constructed 31 years ago, and technology and EPA restrictions have changed since that time.  Previously, the City could easily haul the sludge and liquid to a hayfield for land disposal.  That option is no longer allowed by EPA.  We now have to dry the sludge and haul it to a certified land disposal (which is in Payette).  Removing the solids from the system is not possible with the current operation during the winter months when the sludge will not dry.  Better technology for removing grit, debris and rags at the plant headworks and a filter press system to separate the solids are now available, but these changes are costly.  With increasing EPA regulations regarding the discharge of plant effluent into the Salmon River (which is the only option available) the City has no choice but to renovate the treatment plant to comply with those restrictions.