ARBOR DAY AND SPRING CLEANUP!

Monday, April 17^th, has been designated at Riggins Arbor Day and Spring Cleanup.

All property owners are encouraged to clean up their properties, sweep the sidewalks and give our community a fresh face for spring.  (Please do not sweep sidewalk debris, sand or gravel into the storm drains.  Please sack it up and the City crew will pick it up for disposal.) 

Riggins has been awarded a $150 Arbor Day Grant, made available from Idaho Department of Lands and Idaho Power, and will purchase three trees for planting in the park or public areas.   The Arbor Day Celebration will be held in the park at 11:30 am, following the spring-cleaning on Monday April 17^th.  Please join us at the park as we welcome spring and celebrate Arbor Day.  It’s also a great time to check out the budding flowers from the massive spring bulb planting sponsored by Riggins Hardware in 2004!

NEW FACES IN THE CITY….

Robert Ader has been hired to replace Eddie Zolman in the City’s maintenance department.  Eddie resigned recently to pursue building construction.  We will all miss Eddie, but welcome Robert as he joins the City Staff.  Ann Wilson resumed the position of Emergency Medical Supervisor, and will be the supervisor of the City’s Ambulance and emergency medical services.  We welcome Robert, welcome back Ann, and welcome our new Fire Chief, Dan Catherman.  The City is happy to have to all three aboard!

PROPOSED CHANGES TO WILLIAMS DRIVE

The Council has been requested to consider closing a portion of Williams Drive to vehicular traffic.  Williams Drive, a short, narrow ( 25’)  street with a 45° curve is located in North Riggins.  Due to traffic problems on the short narrow roadway, it has been proposed to limit traffic on the north-south portion of the street, which intersects North Street, allowing only foot and bike traffic.  The east-west portion of the road which intersects US#95 will remain open to allow the abutting properties access.  The closure, as proposed, would re-direct vehicle traffic bound for US#95 from Williams Drive to Salmon River Drive or Borah Street.  The City is accepting public comment on the request.  The proposal will be on the agenda at the April Council meeting, scheduled for 7:00pm, Monday April 10^th.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PLAN 

The final draft of the Economic Development Plan, as prepared by Jim Birdsall & Associates, will be presented for the City Council’s review and approval at the April 10^th City Council meeting.  Copies of the draft are available on the City’s website, www.rigginsidaho.org or in the City Hall and Library.  The City received a grant from USDA-Rural Development to complete the plan, and your input and comments on the final draft is important.  The strategy plan will be used to direct future economic development, and the views and opinions of our citizens is vital to the success of this project.  Our plan should reflect OUR views.  Please take the time to check it out let us know what you think!

GARBAGE, GARBAGE, GARBAGE…….

The City Council has been working closely with Idaho County and Walco to resolve the dumpster dilemma in our area.  The dumpsters were removed from the old mill site, at the request of the property owner, and have not been replaced.  A few containers have been added in the Pollock area for the overflow, and Walco, Inc., is seeking property to build a transfer station.  Since Walco officials have indicated that the County dumpsters were being overused by City commercial users, the Council is in the process of re-assessing the commercial garbage use and rates.  It appears that some of the larger users may need more containers.  Some of the increases proposed include re-assessing outfitting operations, increasing the café and bar minimums, and eliminating fractions of container charges.  Upon agreement between the City and Walco, the proposed ordinance revision will be available on the city website.   Although the county has denied the use of county dumpsters to city residents, Idaho County Commissioners and Walco has agreed that the Riggins city users can continue to use the Pollock dumpsters for overflow and cleanup.

HOWEVER……the park dumpster, or private commercial dumpsters located in town, are not meant for public use.  The City and County prohibit dumping in these private dumpsters and violators will be prosecuted.  If you have waste that cannot be contained in your green cart, you must take it to a dumpster in the County, at Pollock or Lucile. Also all building contractors are required to contact Walco for an on-site dumpster for construction debris.  Construction debris is not allowed in either the County or City dumpsters.

This garbage issued is a complicated problem, and we must all work together to resolve the issues.  Until there is a transfer site located in our area, we must cooperate with all entities involved to continue to provide this vital service in our community.  We appreciate your cooperation.