THE 1207TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MAY 6TH, 2002 AT 7:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Mayor Berget called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Baeth, Bauer, Porter, Sorenson, Stephens and Thom, and Dan Thede, Supervisor of City Services and Beth A Burrell, Deputy City Clerk were present.
Mr. Stephens made a motion to accept the minutes as read from the April 1st regular and April 15th special meetings.
Mr. Bauer seconded.
Motion carried.
Ordinance # 1591 was given the first reading.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Lease on Little League fields will be on next month’s agenda.
The Open House at 178 Glendora will be May 18th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
There will be a Retreat at Venture Inn, May 19th starting at 1:00 pm for the mayor and council. This will be a planning meeting.
A report was given on the California property. The burnt out home was dismantled and the debris was hauled to the county landfill. The job was done with the help of DC Orr and his excavator. The landfill fee was waived due to the cooperation between the city and the county.
The City Council is looking at condemning 5 homes within the City limits. The houses must either be demolished or brought up to code.
Mr. Stephens reported that speed limits around Asa Wood School could be reduced.
Alley cleanup will be May 28-31. Only bagged, boxed or packaged items will be picked up and no household garbage will be accepted.
Budget amendment for the police committee will be moved to the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Phillip and Colby of the Seventh Grade class gave a power point presentation on Pioneer Park and the improvements being made there. Ground has been leveled and a pavilion is being built.
The sewer bond will be paid off May 8 in the amount of $156,319.40 with a loan from LADC monies. The Water bond in the amount of $886,345. will be paid off June 15. This will eliminate reason for a raise in Water and Sewer rates at this time.
Mr. Sorenson made a motion that the Board of Adjustments be given permission to change their meeting schedule to meet their needs.
Mr. Bauer Seconded.
Motion passed.
River Park road base is in. Paving and finishing will be covered at the retreat on May 19.
Bids were opened for Gas, Propane, and gravel. Remp Sand & Gravel bid $3.99 per yard on ½” minus crush and $12.64 per yard on 3/8” minus chips. City Service Inc. bid $1.365 per gallon for unleaded gasoline and $1.275 per gallon for diesel fuel. NW Propane bid $.80 per gallon for propane. The bids were read and put into committee for a decision.
The Little League fields were put on hold until the next meeting.
Pat Naughton introduced a proposal by the Heritage Museum for LADC. The museum proposal will be covered at the special meeting on May 20.
George Gerard presented a proposal from the college asking for two grants. One for $10,000 so the college can offer Hazmat classes. The college would be able to offer the classes for about half of what is now being charged for the same class. They are also asking for a $40,000 grant in order to enable a building trades program. This would be a two-year degree. High School Seniors would be offered a running start, allowing them to start the program while still in high school. Their initial classes would be offered a ½ price. The building trades program would be self-sustaining after the first year. These grants will be discussed at the retreat and a decision will be made at the special meeting on May 20.
Les Skramstad asked permission for the asbestos group to put up crosses at the cemetery for Memorial Day. Dan Stephens moved that permission be granted.
George Bauer Seconded
Motion passed.
Alan Olsen of Raintree Nursery voiced his displeasure that the council had not asked him for a bid for the landscaping at Water Treatment Plant. Discussion followed.
Mr. Rostorfer addressed the council.
The LADC/City Council meeting will be held Monday, May 13, 2002. A presentation for wind generation manufacture will be made at that time.
MMIA preliminary rate projections were presented.
The Valve on the big water tank will be excavated and repaired.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery/Parks, Jane Thom, reported that the Fireman’s park is now open. The host is in place and everything is ready for summer.
City/County Liaison, Joyce Baeth, commented that the airport runway has been cleared and the computer task force is making plans. There was a meeting with Libby, Troy, Eureka and the County at the Libby Dam last Wednesday. The City will be receiving some help with weed spraying; and the county is helping with a grant for working on the streets in Johnston acres.
Tom Wood gave the fire report. There were three fires in the city and five in the county.
Personnel, Jane Thom, reported that Chris Swenson had been hired as summer help as of May 13 to do mowing, etc. The Council will be implementing breakfast with the different crews starting May 15 with the road crew.
Dan Stephens gave the police report. There had been 265 calls, 25 arrests and 49 citations. Clay had given Mr. Stephens a copy of the application form for the Citizen’s Academy, a citizen’s watch group for Mineral Ave. Classes will be held in the Ponderosa Room on Thursdays from 7 to 9 pm starting in late summer. It is an eight-week program. Mr. Stephens gave the application form to Mrs. Porter to be duplicated.
Water, Jane Thom, stated that everything is running smoothly with the water treatment plant. The distribution crew is working on repairing leaks and curb stops. The meter reader is working diligently on repairing meters.
Sewer & Lights, George Bauer, gave phone numbers so anyone with sewer backup problems could get in touch with the proper help.
Streets & Alleys, Ken Sorenson, reported that the new street sweeper was in service and working well. There were 11 funerals during the month of April. The Street crew assisted in Arbor Day and helped with planting more trees on the boulevard and did some work at the Clawson residence. The stop signs are in place on 10th and Main and on 5th and Montana.
Community Development, Judy Porter, stated that she had been working with Janice Wood of the Chamber of Commerce. They have set up a beautification committee. Warning tickets were handed out to five citizens for trash and junk. They have 10 days to correct the problem. The high school, middle school, and girl scouts did a wonderful job of cleaning up. Pat Naughton gave a report on what EDC is doing. Mayor Berget mentioned the sidewalk grant was good for another year. He would like to pick a sidewalk that needs to be replaced and do it.
Budget/Finance, Dan Stephens, stated that budget would be started this month. The departments are putting in their wish lists.
Union negotiations, Dan Stephens, May 14 meeting has been canceled and rescheduled for May 28.
Mr. Bauer moved to pay the Claims.
Mr. Stephens Seconded
Passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm
Mayor Anthony J Berget
Deputy City Clerk Beth A Burrell