Resignation, Streets & Roads Committee, Financial Plan
Eight people were in attendance at the New Meadows City Council meeting on Monday, October 28, 2024. All council members attended with Council Member Troy Black attending on Zoom. After roll call, Pledge of Allegiance, reading of the city Mission Statement, and asking if anyone wanted to add public comment for a future meeting, Mayor Julie Good began her report.
The Mayor said the first meeting for the new Streets and Roads Committee went really well. Ten people attended the meeting. Meeting minutes were available for council review and are attached in the agenda packet on the city’s website. Discussion included necessary infrastructure updates before paving, dust abatement, budget and similar considerations including grants, and a possible Local Option Tax. These meetings will continue on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m..
The Mayor reported about a recent meeting with transportation representatives from PAWG (Payette, Adams, Washington, Gem) Counties that went well. She said the City scored high enough to apply for a $3 million grant to improve Heigho and S. Commercial Streets. The transportation group may be able to help the City with resources, equipment, and support.
She said a group from DEQ recently toured the new water project and wastewater facility and read aloud a thank you note they sent.
The Mayor also attended the monthly transportation meeting at Treasure Valley Transit in McCall and found out the Gold Line Project had been recognized for ITD’s Public Transportation Hall of Fame Award. The plaque is now displayed at City Hall. Also noted at the meeting was a request from MeadowCreek to be included as a stop on the Gold Line. They will potentially start with two stops, one in the morning and one in the afternoon and hope to expand from there.
The Mayor also recently toured the new townhomes at the Highway 95/55 crossroads and said she was impressed with the design and quality.
The Mayor noted that the Brown’s Mountain Recycling project was not on the agenda for this meeting, but said that Donna Brown had contacted her with an update that they were waiting on a new quote from United Metal for property clean up as the first one they received was higher than anticipated. The Mayor stated they had until November 6, 2024 for the property to be in compliance with city ordinances, due to the date the letter of notification was sent.
The council then moved to discussion items beginning with a review of the developer’s discounts. These discounts were put in place in August 2022 to encourage construction in the City of New Meadows. After noting that the purpose of the discounts was fulfilled, the council decided they would not reinstate.
A discussion then occurred on the new Childcare/Youth Center noting first that the Mayor would be attending a meeting with the architects that same week to finalize internal details including fixtures. The Mayor also said a $7,500 grant was received from the Idaho Community Foundation and that they are expecting word back on applying for a grant from the Albertson’s Foundation. She also hopes the West Central Mountains Early Learning Collaborative will provide potential help and support. Later in the meeting, an action item was unanimously approved for installing metal placards on a wall of the new childcare center to recognize grants and donations received as well as the companies and organizations that helped make the project possible. Using placards rather than something set in place like bricks will make it possible to add on for future donors.
The Council then moved to Action Items beginning with reading a resignation letter from Council Member Troy Black. In the letter, he stated that since he will be moving outside of the city limits, he will be resigning effective Thursday, October 31, 2024. Black noted that serving as a council member has been a rewarding experience and it has been an honor to serve with the city team. He said he is proud of all the progress made and has confidence in the City’s future.
The Council voted unanimously to approve his resignation per city policy.
Next, Cameron Arial from Clearwater Financial gave a continued review of the Comprehensive Financial Plan. The Mayor affirmed that this will act as a living document they will be able to update with future projects as well as look back on as a chronology of accomplished projects. Arial noted that since the last meeting he has added information for a potential Local Option Tax. He again gave kudos to the city for gaining grant funds and said he included some additional options for future loans and grants or bonds for some of the projects.
The Comprehensive Financial Plan will be something the city can review before each annual budget cycle and use in future grant searches as they will be able to tell funders “we need money and we know exactly where it needs to go” based on this plan. Arial recommended the city add the financial plan to their website once the document is adopted so the public can view it. He also said they will need to finalize a new contract for future updates, but noted that the majority of work would be included in the already existing retainer.
The Comprehensive Financial Plan was then adopted by unanimous vote by the council.
Next on action items was approval for Jessie Wallace of Public Works, to take an in person Winter Maintenance course out of town. This was approved unanimously along with money for travel considerations. Later on, the council also unanimously approved an action item to change Wallace’s employment status from probationary employee to full time regular employee and provide full benefits.
Next up, the council discussed and voted on holiday scheduling for closures and meetings. The council gave unanimous approval that City Hall would close at noon on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 and Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and that City Hall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, as well as Friday, November 29, 2024, Christmas Day 2024 and on Friday, December 26, 2024 and New Years Day 2025. The council also decided to keep the scheduled city council meeting for Monday, November 25, 2024 in the week of Thanksgiving.
A letter was drafted by the Mayor to obtain answers to questions that have come up about the recently approved Fire Department Inspection Fees. Fire Chief Doug Buys, District 1 Fire Commissioner Tracy Peterson, and FireFighter/EMT LeAndra Smith were in attendance and answered the questions in person therefore the letter was not actioned. Chief Buys also provided the City a packet of information with all forms they may see for inspections. Chief Buys noted that the inspections are all existing ones that are needed according to International Fire Code, New Meadows Fire Department is making them official and ensuring codes are abided by.
New Meadows Fire and Emergency services now has seven day per week coverage. Chief Buys noted that timing for scheduling inspections is about one week out on average. If an inspection is not passed, a call for re-inspection can be made as soon as noted issues are fixed. Chief Buys also noted that Smith is training to be the Fire Marshall and will be going to the Academy in the Spring.
An amendment to the Right of Way Ordinance was approved unanimously noting issuance of a right of way permit for construction may be delayed due to weather considerations from November through March.
The consent agenda including October 15, 2024 meeting minutes and Paid and Pending Claims was approved unanimously.
Future meeting topics may include a discussion on rates and fees, design review ordinance, and a presentation by Water Operator Kirk Kundrick on a wastewater facility plan update. At the second November meeting the Council may take a field trip to the newly vacated Industrial Park Unit. Other future topics may include a design review of the skatepark and in December the architect for the childcare center may present a virtual walkthrough of the projected interior of the updated building.
The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 (delayed for Veterans Day observance) at 6:30 p.m..
