Skatepark Design Review, Winter Water
The New Meadows City Council met for their bi-monthly meeting on Monday, January 27. Mayor Julie Good, City Clerk Kyla Gardner and Council Members Jeff Parnett and Traci Foster attended with Council Member Shiloh Ryker present via Zoom call.
Mayor Good reported that the recent cold weather has caused some frozen pipes and meters around town and a related action item was on the agenda. The Mayor also noted she and Gardner had conducted a few interviews for the vacant Deputy Clerk position and hoped the scheduled executive session would bring a positive outcome for one interviewee. The mayor then introduced Adams County’s new Prosecuting Attorney, Peter Donovan to the council.
Mayor Good continued her report with an update on the Youth Center saying if the council had not seen the construction site recently, they should stop by to see all of the inside framing that has been done. She also noted that the non-profit that will be running the childcare will now be called Meadows Valley Early Learning Foundation. They will be meeting with Southwest District Health to do some training for licensing. She said they are also planning a public meeting with the STARS program and University of Idaho for the general public, parents, and those interested in volunteering or working at the youth center. The mayor said she has been very impressed with the board that has been put together and said they are moving very efficiently and effectively. The board will present to the city council most likely in March or April in order to gain a Memorandum of Understanding in order to officially operate in the youth center building.
Next up for the council was an update on Brown’s Mountain Recycling. Mayor Good reminded everyone that the last time the council discussed the contract and agreements, the council had decided since the United Metal contract did not have a start date on it that they would go ahead and revert back to ordinance and send a letter noting that to the Browns. A citation then went out to Donna and Bill Brown on January 25th. The Mayor stated that United Metal had contacted her about the contract and noted they did not put a date on the contract because the start date would be dependent on weather. They also confirmed that a down payment for the contract was received and they would start as soon as possible. The United Metal representative affirmed their plan to remove everything from the property except for wood.
Council Member Foster stated that Willy Brown had reached out to her about the ongoing situation. W. Brown noted to Foster that he has tried hard to follow what the city wants since he has gotten involved in the project and feels that the city is piling on more obstacles. After some discussion, the Mayor noted that the council had agreed that they were open to revoking fines if they saw positive motion on the project.
W. Brown and Donna Brown were allowed to add comments and discussion followed. The judge will determine the amount of the fine when the citation is brought before them next month.
The council then moved to a discussion on the City’s volunteer policy. Foster is working on getting a copy of Brundage’s volunteer policy. She also noted they could work from the City’s employee handbook and use that to script out a volunteer policy. Gardner will send the employee handbook to the council for them to review and the council will highlight parts that should be used for a volunteer handbook.
The Public Hearing for the Mehen Memorial Skatepark Design Review for 402 Peterson Memorial was then opened. The applicant presentation was given by James Klinedinst of Grindline Skateparks. Klinedinst stated that their goal is to design and construct a world class skatepark in New Meadows. He noted this “will be an all-wheeled facility that will be accessible to all experience levels” and that “the park will aesthetically flow with the new youth center. It will be an additional outlet for youth, providing a sense of ownership.” He also noted the goal to honor the original visionaries of the skatepark, Rory and Sara Mehen.
Once begun, Klinedinst said construction will take approximately three months. They are working with engineer company MacKay Sposito and city engineer Grae Harper will oversee design plans.
No questions were received from the Council, but Harper commented that the design looked great and generally conforms to city code. He said he did have questions on drainage in general and also wants to confirm pipe sizing related to the storm water inlet to make sure it conforms with the city’s stormwater management plan. Harper also noted that in order to abide by city code a whole set of design documents that are 100% finalized will need to be submitted. He anticipates everything will be in line with code and plans and Klinedinst also expressed that they should be on track and in line for everything to move forward smoothly.
Since no one attending in person asked to make a statement for favorable, neutral, or opposing testimony, none was given. No final questions were asked by the governing body and the hearing was closed.
The action item to approve design review was then shortly discussed with Mayor Good noting Dalrymple construction will also be overseeing the skatepark so that will go smoothly with the youth center construction. The design review was passed unanimously by the council with the stipulation that City Engineer Grae Harper will need to first sign off on stormwater and drainage details and that he will need to approve the 100% fully completed design document before construction begins. Klinedinst signed off saying they “can’t wait to get this going and start construction in the spring” and that they are honored to be involved. Addressing the skatepark committee members who attended on Zoom, Mayor Good noted “this has been a long process and I want to say a big thank you for persevering and investing in our community in such a thoughtful and impactful way. I know the impact of this project on our community is not countable or measurable and I know a couple people who are not here who would be just elated.”
Next, the Council unanimously approved liquor licenses for Miss Kitty’s Pizza & Such, Delish Catering, and Waypoint Gem State (Chevron).
A discussion ensued regarding a winter water discount idea with the mayor noting some residents keep their water dripping on colder days to keep their pipes from freezing. She proposed offering a discount to residents who ask for one for January and February. The discount would be determined by taking an average of the last three month’s bills. Residents would need to let the city know before February 25 for January bills and before March 25 for February bills in order to qualify for the discount. A motion to approve a winter water discount for January and February passed unanimously. The City plans to put a notice out to the public. Those wanting the discount will need to contact City Hall and fill out a small form.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
A motion to go into Executive Session to consider hiring a public officer or employee and to communicate with legal council was approved and the council moved into executive session with the mayor noting they would not be making any decisions after the session and the meeting would be adjourned afterward.
The next New Meadows city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m..
