Public Hearing, Audit Review, and New Engineer Report
The New Meadows City Council gathered for their bi-monthly meeting and a public hearing on Tuesday, June 24. An audit review and introduction of the new on-call city engineer occurred. Roll call confirmed all council members present. Eight community members attended in person and two joined via Zoom. Mayor Good began by inquiring if anyone wanted to add to the agenda with questions or concerns, and a citizen asked about the recent dust abatement issue as well as about the S. Heigho project.
The city audit presentation was given by Jordan Zwygart of Zwygart John & Associates via Zoom. Zwygart reviewed various expenses, property taxes, reimbursements, federal grants the city received, and a broad range of city funds. Overall he stated that the city finance statements look correct and well recorded and they have no major concerns to look into or any issues to report.
Approval of the application for an alcoholic beverage catering license for the S.A.V.E.S. the Day event was added as an action item and passed later by unanimous vote.
Mayor Good then began her report with a review of the dust abatement mix up. Dust abatement was scheduled for June 26 and city staff called to confirm with the contractor many times. However, the oil trucks arrived early on the wrong date and stated they could either give the oil then or leave, and that they would not be able to reschedule for later. Concern over the roads still needing to first be graded, roads being dry, and the unplanned early arrival were all discussed quickly with the contractors on site and among city staff. After an attempt to reach the company via phone call, a decision was made to go forward with dust abatement that day. There are now complications with being able to grade the roads and other possible issues. Negotiations are in place with the contractor to remediate the cost and situation.
The mayor’s report continued noting upcoming meetings and recent happenings. Goldline Ridership for the first two weeks of the 5 days a week program was 111. Mayor Good hopes that ridership will remain up and increase. Community meetings for citizens to view renderings for the Mehen Memorial Skatepark and talk about continued plans will be scheduled soon. A discussion on alleys will be back on the agenda for the next council meeting. The city is working on getting a planning & zoning commission and Mayor Good wants to make sure they will be set up well with historical data on the use of specific alleys and would like to put some ordinances in place prior to the commission’s start. Property on Morgan has been vacated so the owner can now clean up the lot. Budget review is upcoming and will be covered at multiple meetings.
Grae Harper, the city’s new on-call engineer, also joined the meeting via Zoom. Harper is an Idaho native and works with Keller Associates, a civil engineering company out of Meridian. He was in town on Thursday to meet with the attorney and developers at the planned subdivision on Peterson Memorial Avenue. He also met with city staff to discuss transportation and road plans. Harper stated that Keller Associates was built by working and advocating for small communities with great effort to use city funds efficiently to improve infrastructure and make progress on projects.
A past meeting discussion item of the RV Use Ordinance was revisited. The ordinance was originally created to support people displaced from permanent housing. The council discussed current concerns and an array of possible solutions. The discussion was tabled to work on adjustment in the displacement permit wording and give more clear definition to what the permit covers. A further review and fixing of language will occur or be finalized at the next meeting.
The public hearing for the design review of the Brown’s Mountain Recycling office building at 3640 South End Road was then opened. The applicant presentation was done by Willy Brown with some input from Donna Brown. Detailed plans with updates from the last meeting were shown of the property and location of the office building. The stated goal is to run a clean and organized business. Landscaping along the road is mostly finished. Questions were asked by council members to clarify details on the parking area, floodplain, water supply, heating in the office, and snow load capability of the office roof, as well as to ensure understanding of the intended location and direction of the office building. Plans are in place to put in a preventative maintenance drain in case of flooding. Two attendees spoke in favor and two spoke in opposition, one in writing and one in person. Concerns included appearance, chemicals and oil in the water or ground, and safety for children and animals. There was no neutral testimony. The public hearing was then closed.
The council meeting continued with a progress report on Browns Mountain Recycling. Stated major concerns were related mainly to drainage, the floodplain, and ensuring work is moving along steadily according to the plan in place. Final motions were made to accept the progress report and the design review with stipulations including involving engineer Harper in reviewing and signing off on stormwater containment plans and that the office must not be used as a residence.
A lot line adjustment for 400 Peterson Memorial was approved creating two separate lots with one for the daycare and preschool and one for the skate park. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) being sent out for general contractors for the daycare facility was approved. The meeting was adjourned. Approval of the audit, a discussion on alleys, approving a general contractor, and reviewing a potential developer’s agreement will be added to the July City Council meeting agenda.
