Regular City Council Meeting 3/11/09

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:00 p.m. 714 Main (North Entrance) The purpose of the Agenda is to assist the Council and interested citizens in the conduct of the public meeting. Careful review of the Agenda is encouraged. Testimony from the public will be solicited for any item or issue listed under the category of Public Hearings. Any individual who wishes to address the Council on any other subject should plan to speak when Item 5– Public Comments is identified by the Mayor. The Mayor will not normally allow audience participation at any other time. Idaho Law prohibits council action on items brought under this section except in an emergency circumstance.

CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME PRAYER OFFERED BY: Linda Janssen

PLEDGE LED BY: Richard Huntsman

Present: Mayor Stronks, Councilwoman Janssen, Councilman Huntsman, Councilman Pincock and Councilman Brady.

Also Present: City Clerk Cathy Stegelmeier, City Attorney Joette Lookabaugh, Sara Reinke, Trevor Lenz, Duane Kerbs and Stoney Tucker.

Mayor Stronks opened the meeting at 7:01 PM.

Mayor Stronks welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1.  CONSENT AGENDA:

Being considered routine by the City Council, these items will be enacted by one motion unless requested by a Councilman or a citizen that one or more items be removed for later discussion.

A. Minutes – Approval of Regular Council Meeting 2-11-2008, Special Meeting 2-17-2008

B. Tresrurers Report & Financial Statement – As Submitted

C. Payables – Bills for Council approval as a result of City expenditures

D. Employee Expenses – As Submitted

Councilman Brady made a motion to accept consent agenda as presented. Councilman Pincock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously

2. NEW BUSINESS/PETITIONS:

A. Speech – Trevor Lenz. Mayor Stronks introduced Trevor Lenz and explained that he had asked Trevor to come to Council to present an essay he had written. Trevor explained that the essay was written for a newspaper contest. The essay was about diversity and how it affects his life. Trevor read his essay. Mayor Stronks thanked Trevor for his time and congratulated him. Mayor Stronks explained that he feels that the youth of the Ashton Community are one it’s best assets.

B. Garbage Service – Stoney Tucker with PSI. Mr. Tucker came to talk to the Council about contract renewal. The contract has expired and PSI would like to renew it if the City was willing. The new contract would include a 4 % increase in rates. Mr. Tucker had a new contract with him. Councilman Pincock expressed that PSI and the City have had a good working relationship. City Clerk Stegelmeier asked Mr. Tucker if City Attorney Lookabaugh could go over the contract. City Attorney Lookabaugh asked that the automatic renewal section be modified, it was and the Mayor signed the contract following the approval of the motion. Mr. Tucker then asked if the Council was interesting in some recycling information. The Council told him that they are very interested and would appreciate some more information.

Councilman Brady made a motion to approve the new contract with PSI. Councilman Pincock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

C. Security for Buildings – Catherine Crouch with Pinnacle Security. Mayor Stronks explained that Katherine was unable to come but he would explain about the security system. Mayor Stronks has been concerned about a fire in the City Building. There have been several times he has had to come over to check out a problem. This security system has great smoke alarms automatically call in a fire to 911. He thought they should put security on the main doors also. The system could also be used for a serious situation with a customer out front. Councilman Pincock asked if the system used a land line or cell and Mayor Stronks told them that it uses a cell phone. The contract would be a three year contract. The Council asked that Katherine still come and do a presentation so everyone is trained on the system.

Councilwoman Janssen made a motion to approve Pinnacle Security for security at the City Building. Councilman Pincock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

3. UNFINISHED / OLD BUSINESS:

A. Dog Ordinance Draft. Councilwoman Janssen reminded City Clerk Stegelmeier to remove the batch number information in the ordinance. The Council set April Council Meeting for passage of the ordinance & resolution.

4. STAFF AND COMMITTEE/SPECIAL REPORTS

A. Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee Report – Sam Edgington. Mayor Stronks asked Councilman Brady to report on MYAC. Councilman Brady explained that MYAC is renewing the cell phone recycling project and have a box over at the high school. He thought they would be interested on helping to organize recycling after we get the information from PSI. Mayor Stronks told the Council that they will be having a pizza party on the 6th to do a little more recruiting for next year.

B. Tree Committee – Penny Vasquez. Penny had called City Clerk Stegelmeier earlier to explain that there wasn’t any report this month and she would not be attending the meeting.

C. Community Center Committee Report – Sara Reinke. Sara explained that the gym floor has been refinished. It is gorgeous. At the end of April there will be a Horizon’s meeting that the committee will be partnering with to have a sort of open house to show the community what has been done. The rooms have been renting and the building is being used regularly. The Council thanked Sara for her work on the Community Center.

D. City Business – Cathy Stegelmeier. City Clerk Stegelmeier presented the Council with a thank you card from the Food Bank. City Clerk Stegelmeier then explained to the Council that Renn Nielson is concerned about the expectation of the Council concerning the lease agreement with Nielson Brothers Angus Ranch. Councilman Pincock expressed his understanding that since the project work had not been completed to allow for farming, the lease payment would be put off. City Clerk Stegelmeier explained that City Attorney Lookabaugh is of the opinion that a motion from the council to show their understanding should be sufficient to satisfy the contract.

Councilman Pincock made a motion to express the City Council’s understanding that the lease contract terms would be changed because of the delays due to construction. The dates will change and there will be no lease payment this year from the Nielsons. Councilman Brady seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Stronks explained that he had received a letter from Mr. Jeppesen asking the City for permission to use and old road through the City’s property at the gun range. The Council asked for City Attorney Lookabaugh’s advice in the matter. City Attorney Lookabaugh explained that it adds liability and is not a good idea. Councilwoman Janssen asked City Clerk Stegelmeier to draft a letter for Mr. Jeppesen with City Attorney Lookabaugh’s approval denying the request for an easement across City property. Councilmen Brady, Pincock and Huntsman concurred with the request.

 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of 3 minutes unless repeat testimony is requested by the Mayor/Council.)

Mayor Stronks thanked the local Boy Scout group for coming and setting in on the meeting.

Councilwoman Janssen made motion to enter executive session. Councilman Pincock seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Stronks called for 15 minute recess.

 6. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I.C. 67-2345 Certain City-related matters may need to be discussed confidentially as a matter of law (Acquisition of real property, personnel matters, attorney-client communications) subject to applicable legal requirements, the Council may enter executive session by roll call vote to discuss such matters.

Advise Legal Counsel, Personnel, Acquisition of Real Property.

Councilman Pincock made a motion to exit executive session. Councilman Brady seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Councilwoman Janssen made a motion to appoint Schiess and Associates as engineers for the City’s Water Planning Grant and also for the Main Street water project. Councilman Brady seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

7. ADJOURNMENT

Councilman Brady made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Pincock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. NEXT MEETING Regular Council 7:00 p.m. – Wednesday, April 8, 2009, Council Chambers. Questions concerning items appearing on this Agenda or requests for accommodation of special needs to participate in the meeting should be addressed to the Office of the City Clerk or call 208-652-3987.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Cathy Stegelmeier, City Clerk.

Attest:

Cathy Stegelmeier Theo R. Stronks

City Clerk Mayor