December 14, 2011 City Council Minutes

 City of Heyburn Council Meeting Minutes

December 14, 2011

7:00 P.M.

 

Council Present:

Cleo Gallegos, Leann Smith, Rocky Baker and Joanne Justesen. 

 

Employees Present:

Greg Richins, Steven Tuft and Deborah Hopkins.  

 

Visitors Present: 

Bill and Norma Morrison, Brittany Bowden, Brian Duncan, Davis and Karen Vansant, Matt Price, Donn Carnahan, Tami Ursenbach, Larry Rincover, and Mike Brown.

 

Meeting conducted by Mayor George A. Anderson.  Mayor Anderson led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.   Mayor Anderson amended the agenda to include Item 7 - Christmas Tree Burn - Brian Duncan and also Item 8 - Discuss/Approve Waiver of the Requirement to have Water and Sewer Hookup Fees Paid to Issue Building Permit for Apache River Building until Those Fees Can be Established.

 

Approve Minutes of the November 23, 2011 Council Meeting

Motion by Rocky Baker to approve the minutes of the November 23, 2011 council meeting as presented.  Second by Joanne Justesen.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye.

 

Discuss/Approve Paying the Bills

Motion by Leann Smith to approve paying the bills as presented.  Second by Rocky Baker.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye.

 

Discuss/Approve Loan to Heyburn Urban Renewal Agency to Pay the Bills

Motion by Joanne Justesen to authorize a loan to the Heyburn Urban Renewal Agency to pay the bills as presented.  Second by Cleo Gallegos.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye.

 

Discuss/Approve Professional Services Agreement with Negotiation Services, LLC

Larry Rincover from Negotiation Services, LLC introduced himself to the mayor, council members and City of Heyburn staff.  He presented a brief overview of the process and answered questions stating that 28 parcels would be involved. 

 

Motion by Leann Smith to approve the Professional Services Agreement with Negotiation Services, LLC.  Second by Rocky Baker.   Leann Smith amended her motion to include authorizing the mayoral signature.  Rocky Baker seconded the amended motion.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye.

 

Discuss/Approve USDA-RD Amendment No. 1 to Owner-Engineer Agreement

City Superintendent Greg Richins explained to those present the purpose of the amended owner-engineer agreement with Forsgren Associates, Inc. was to authorize engineering fees for the final projects associated with the $182,254.71 in grant funding.  He stated the engineering fees would not exceed 10% of the remaining funds.  He also stated the funds will be used for various projects within the fenced-in area of the sewer plant. 

 

Motion by Rocky Baker to authorize the mayoral signature on the USDA-RD Amendment No. 1 to Owner-Engineer Agreement.  Second by Leann Smith.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye.

 

Discuss/Suggest Minidoka Building Appeals Board Nominations

Council members were invited to suggest names for the Minidoka Building Appeals Board.  Those mentioned were Scott Bell, Myron Wilson, Kay Catmull, and Andy Walton.  As the final decision is not of an urgent nature, this item will be on the December 28, 2011 city council agenda for the final recommendation. 

 

Christmas Tree Burn - Tami Ursenbach

Tami Ursenbach from the HEART Committee informed the mayor and council about the upcoming Christmas tree burn they would like to have at Ga’ Lawn Park on January 7, 2012.  She explained in the past, the Boy Scouts have gathered the trees from the Heyburn residents. 

 

Mike Brown, Minidoka County Fire Protection District Fire Chief expressed his concern about allowing the burning to take place on city property, citing the restriction in place from the Department of Environmental Quality.  He stated he contacted Roy Belnap regarding possibly using his vacant property located south of the new Heyburn Elementary School as a burn site.  This location would provide adequate pavement parking for those attending.  

 

Discuss/Approve Waiver of the Requirement to have Water and Sewer Hookup Fees Paid to Issue Building Permit for Apache River Building until Those Fees Can be Established

City Superintendent Greg Richins informed those present that at the current time, the City of Heyburn does not have a rate set for hooking up to sewer and water for a project as large as the Apache River building.  He also stated the contractors are ready to move forward with securing their building permit, but cannot do so until the hookup fees have been paid.  City Attorney Steven Tuft stated it was important to note the requirement for Certification of Occupancy should not be waived. 

 

Motion by Leann Smith to waive the requirement to purchase the water and sewer hookup fees for Apache River until such time as the fees have been established.  Second by Rocky Baker.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye.

 

The council meeting ended at 7:42 PM. 

 

 

 

 

 

George A. Anderson                                             Deborah F. Hopkins   

Mayor                                                              City Clerk