Wastewater Facility Plan, Old City Hall Auction Date

The New Meadows City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, April 27. All Council Members were in attendance. The meeting included interviews with four candidates for the May elections, discussions on four way stop sign installation, grant funding, the draft Wastewater Facility plan, setting a date for auction of the old City Hall building and general business.

The Wastewater Facility plan is a forward looking contingency plan the City put together for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) after multiple failed seepage tests in Lagoon 3 of the wastewater treatment facility. The clay liner in that lagoon needs to be replaced and meeting minutes noted a review of the facility showed its blowers will need to be replaced soon as well.

The city’s engineer firm, Keller Associates, put the plan together including estimates related to potential city growth as well as updates and repairs that could be required over the next 30 years. Kaitlin Thomas with Keller presented the plan to the City Council at their April 13 meeting. Mayor Julie Good explained that DEQ requested the document as part of a compliance plan. She said DEQ provided grant funding to create it and as well as funds to assist the city in fixing current issues.

During the public input portion of the meeting, Doug Buys asked about the plan and was invited to offer further comment and questions during the later discussion. Buys said he understood the plan as being a required document for this process with DEQ and that he wanted to express concern over some of the recommendations therein including the potential of installing a mechanical plant. He said he wanted to ensure the City Council understood there were other options that could be less expensive.

Mayor Good added to the conversation that the plans include a lot of unknown potential related to growth, new homes, and that “besides needing to get the lagoon fixed, the plan is not set in stone.” She added that in order to move forward with many parts of the plan, especially anything needing public funding, “We will have public hearings, periods of public comment…we have to let the people of our community know exactly what we’re going to do.”

Councilmember Traci Foster said she thought the plan was thorough and would be helpful in the future. She also clarified the action item, asking “by approving this plan for DEQ, we’re not saying we’re going to move forward with any of this specifically. The next steps will be figuring out fixing the lining as number one priority…and when we come up with that plan then we submit it to the public, they can come with their questions, and then from there we move forward?” Good responded affirmatively and a motion to approve sending the plan to DEQ was passed unanimously. The city plans to post the 350 page document on their website.

Candidates for Adams County Assessor Farrah Ball and Kala Nichols, along with candidates for Adams County Clerk Tara Dahl and Tara Horton, were in attendance and the City Council asked various questions about their plans and experience.

Good shared her Mayor’s Report noting that the Early Learning Center Daycare is scheduled to open on May 11 with a special grand opening event planned for May 8. She also reported that the tree grant the City applied for was approved. The City plans to purchase trees from Creekside Nursery to be planted at the Skatepark.

Good said she was working with City Community Events and Outreach Coordinator Stepheny Becker and Lindsey Harris with the West Central Mountains Economic Development Council for a MV Business coalition kickoff event. They hope this will be a good option for those requesting a Chamber of Commerce as it will allow owners to get together without requiring the procedure of a chamber.

A Rural Success Summit in Pocatello will be attended by Mayor Good. She will also be co-presenting on the city’s success with the recent completion of the city’s water project. Good said she looks forward to meeting with various organizations there and getting conversations going about upcoming projects.

The council discussed new four way Stop Signs. Good reported the signs and posts had arrived and the council agreed they would put out information to the public about the new signs before installation, noting it will take some adjusting for people.

Discussion continued related to reviewing rates and fees. Mayor Good recommended the Council review these at least once per year and City Clerk Kyla Gardner explained some more specific items saying certain permit fees are not currently listed in the city’s documentation correctly and will need to be confirmed. Councilmember Shiloh Ryker brought up that they should not be price gouging but should be mindful to make back the money it costs the city to execute specific tasks. The city attorney confirmed that any rate changes of more than 5% would need to be discussed in a public hearing before approval.

Two items, the conference table from the old City Hall and two piles of wood were declared surplus by the council and will be put up for bid.

Applications for an open unit in the City’s Industrial Park were reviewed. The space was previously occupied by Salmon River Mobile Vet. After discussion with one of the applicants, Dalrymple Construction, Councilmember Foster asked if the availability of the space had been advertised as it is not completely available for a new occupant yet. After discussion about the original purpose of the Industrial Park spaces, the Council agreed to hold off on approval of either application and post the availability in multiple locations for a couple weeks with a deadline of May 7. The Council will make a decision on applicants at the May 11 Council meeting.

Good brought up an idea from Becker about an introductory rate for repeat classes and events wanting to rent space in the Youth Center. Council Members discussed classes like Zumba or yoga that could take place regularly for multiple months. The discussion included concern about timing of classes and considering not hosting other classes during preschool or daycare hours.

Two approvals were unanimous by the Council. The first for application to the Stibnite Foundation for a grant to update laptops and other technology items including the city website. The second for approval to transfer $100,000 from a Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) fund to the city’s operating account. These funds will go into specific accounts in the city budget and are already allocated within the LGIP account for those budget line items.

Auction of the Old City Hall was approved for July 20 at 3:00 p.m. at 401 Virginia Street.

Future Meeting Topics may include public comment for dogs in the park, interviews with candidates for State Senate and County Commissioner and review of lease applications.