City Looking into Bulk Water Station, Comp Plan, Rates & Fees Review
The New Meadows City Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 26. Major topics discussed included upcoming events, potential updates to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, investigating the possibility of a Bulk Water Station and finalizing wording on building and lot numbering.
Mayor Julie Good reported on recent happenings including a review of the Memorial Day BBQ event that occurred Saturday, May 23. She said the BBQ “is what we are envisioning for our city events” describing a relaxed gathering where people could spend time together. The city also recently hosted a business luncheon where seven business leaders gathered to discuss and learn together. The city is planning additional events in conjunction with the West Central Mountains Economic Development Council and is looking into hosting a meeting specifically for contractors. Good said the meeting included a discussion of challenges and how the City could help.
New Meadows received grant funding to implement a free smoke detector program, said Good. The city’s attorney, Chris Yorgason put together a release of liability form so that city staff can help with installation. Anyone interested can get more information by calling or visiting City Hall.
The Mayor addressed some recent complaints about pot holes and road conditions explaining that the city’s water truck had some mechanical issues that have caused work delays.
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to town on June 4 with three show times, 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The additional early show time at three was added due to growing interest and will offer a slightly shorter program without an intermission. During the Council meeting, Mayor Good said the city was working on expanded parking options with businesses along Virginia St. to hopefully avoid parking in residential areas. Good said the Gold Line Bus will also be adding an additional route that day to help with transportation. The City Park will be closed on Wednesday, June 3 while the Circus sets up.
City Council members began what will be an ongoing review of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Good explained that the plan is meant to be updated every five years and is used to make decisions about new developments, growth, operations and vision. City Clerk Kyla Gardner explained, “anytime any big planning and zoning stuff comes before the City Council and it requires me to do a staff report, this is always something that I have to look through to say, does their plan they want to bring to you mesh with what the comprehensive plan says.” The council will begin with reviewing the first 15 pages of the document. The document is attached in the meeting agenda packet on the city website.
The council then reviewed rates and fees including those for right of way permits, inspection fees for development plans, design review applications and variance requests. One main consideration included estimated staff hours needed for each item, especially on projects done by large projects where street names and locations end up needing a great deal of back and forth between the applicant and staff before approval.
Finally, the council discussed a proposal brought by Mayor Good to investigate the possibility of installing a Bulk Water Station in the area behind The Depot. Good explained the station in Council that can be accessed with a credit card and described the current way businesses and individuals currently access bulk water. She and Gardner noted that currently this water use is on an honor system where users fill out a form and leave payment information, adding that it often takes time for them to track down users.
For action items, the council awarded a city surplus bid of fill dirt to Ken Crogh with some stipulations added. Crogh said he already has some customers interested in the product, but asked if the city could allow time for him to sell and distribute the dirt rather than relocate it as that would significantly change the cost of the fill. The council agreed to give him two years from June 1 to move the surplus and after that time any remaining amount would be reclaimed by the city.
An Industrial Park lease agreement was approved for Dalrymple Construction to rent the vacant unit after a few adjustments including a security deposit.
City Ordinance Title 9, Chapter 4 related to location and size of numbers was amended to note owners of every house, building and dwelling in the city should have reflective figures of at least three inches high showing the unit number. Mayor Good said they would work to communicate the change across the city.
Future meeting topics may include signage regarding dogs in and out of the park, comprehensive plan review and public safety.
The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
