New City Logo Contest Announced
The meeting began with an executive session to discuss hiring a contractor for 202 Illinois Ave. Upon return, Mayor Gardner announced that the owner of 202 Illinois has retained an attorney and no action will be done to the property at this time.
A job opportunity with public works is available. An operator position opened up and several applications have already been received.
The city water project is getting close to going to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). 90% of the plans for the architect, electrical and HVAC will be completed by the end of the month. Once the plans are submitted to DEQ, there is usually a 45 day review period and even with any revisions being made, the water project is expected to go out to bid by early summer. Prep work will be done to get ready for the new water tank that is expected next year.
The council will apply for an up to $350,000 Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) grant opportunity that can be used for any type of stand-alone EPA infrastructure project.
An airport resurfacing project will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by December 2025. The federal match for the funding increased from 90% to 95%. Other grants and funding are waiting for approval to cover the additional costs. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) approved a revision that includes an expansion to the apron 13 feet to the east, an embankment area south of the existing hangars and additional hangar development within the next 3-5 years. This will allow for additional leases with the City and provide additional aircraft needed to maintain a classified status. The number of aircraft at the airport needs to be watched closely to ensure there are enough planes to meet the minimum requirement.
City Hall has been working on follow-up calls to customers for dog tags. 116 tags have sold and the due date has been extended to February 18th.
A new city logo is being created and community input is welcome. Mayor Gardner, Councilmember Stanford and Councilmember Huter are up for reelection this year. Pat Griffin, Superintendent of the Council school district expressed their gratitude to the council for their generous donation from the Mayors walking challenge.
The Assessors office contacted the City, regarding a recent survey of OrePac, the basketball court is on OrePac Property not City, OrePac will trade the City the basketball court/fence line on the south side of property for property on the northern.
City Hall will be closed the week of March 17th-20th. City employees will be attending a training course.
The city will not run penalties for water bills in March until after the 24th.
Channel Sanderson put in a request for 118 Illinois Avenue to be switched from a commercial permit to residential permit in order to build an apartment in the back of the building. The request was approved, pending code and zoning requirements are met.
Kathy Hughes with the airport commission addressed the need for an updated lease agreement between the airport commission and the City that includes the minimum standard. She recommended the new lease agreements and minimum use standards be put together with more specific terms.
