March 23, 2011 City Council Meeting Minutes

 City of Heyburn Council Meeting Minutes

March 23, 2011

7:00 P.M.

Council Present:

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

Employees Present:

Steven Tuft, Dan Bristol, Scott Spevak, and Deborah Hopkins.  

Visitors Present: 

Sandra Miller, Phyllis Bean, Bill and Norma Morrison, Eric Christensen, Eric Johnson, Laurie Welch, Jo Elg, Larry King, Rose Schmitt, Jim Bowers, Amy May, Ralph Williams, Davis and Karen VanSant, Earl Andrew, Mike Devers, Todd McGhie, and Brittany Bowden.    

Meeting conducted by Mayor George A. Anderson.  Mayor Anderson welcomed everyone to the meeting and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mayor Anderson entertained a motion to amend the agenda to include discussion and possible action on a street issue. 

Motion by Rocky Baker to amend the agenda to include Item 5A - Streets.  The reason is an issue has come up with streets that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.  Second by Joanne Justesen.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye.

Approve Minutes of the Council Meeting held on March 9, 2011 

Motion by Leann Smith to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2011 council meeting as presented.  Second by Rocky Baker.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye.

Discuss/Approve Paying the Bills

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

Request to Waive Park/Amphitheater Fees 

a) Minidoka County School District-Lunch in the Park Update & Request for Park 

Phyllis Bean, Food Service Supervisor for the Minidoka County School District reported the number of lunches served in their Summer Lunch in the Park Program: 

                        Year            Heyburn          Rupert              Paul

                        2009       656                  4,230               1,595

                        2010            2,262               8,434               2,673

She requested the use of Ga’ Lawn Park Monday through Friday between the hours of 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM beginning June 5, 2011 through July 31, 2011.  Council members thanked her for providing this service to the kids in our community. 

Motion by Cleo Gallegos to waive the fees for use of Ga’ Lawn Park for the Minidoka County Summer Lunch in the Park Program.  Second by Rocky Baker.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye. 

b) Minidoka County Schools Run/Walk - Amy May - April 30, 2011

Amy May from Impact Athletic informed those present that the Minidoka County School District has asked Impact Athletic if they would organize the annual run/walk to be held April 30, 2011.  The event this year will include 1 mile, 3 mile, and 6 mile run/walks beginning at 9:00 AM with an anticipated ending time of noon.  She requested the fees be waived for use of the Riverside Park.

Motion by Joanne Justesen to waive the fees for use of Riverside Park for Impact Athletic and Minidoka County Schools Run/Walk to be held April 30, 2011.  Second by Cleo Gallegos.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye. 

c) Zion & Trinity Lutheran Church Services for July 31, 2011

Mayor Anderson stated the Zion and Trinity Lutheran Churches have requested the fees be waived for their church services and barbeque on July 31, 2011.  He also stated the churches have extended an open invitation to join them. 

Motion by Leann Smith to waive the fees for use of Riverside Park and Amphitheater for the Zion and Trinity Lutheran Church services and barbeque to be held on July 31, 2011.  Second by Rocky.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye. 

d) Operation Vantastic - Use of Amphitheater - Wyatt Saunders - June 25, 2011

City Clerk Deborah Hopkins stated that Mr. Saunders reported to her that their organization has lost their sponsor and would not be attending the council meeting and has withdrawn their request. 

Discuss/Approve Request to Waive Fees for Moving a Utility Pole - Linda Wilcox 

Linda Wilcox was not present. 

Homeless Children Presentation - Grace Campos & Sandra Miller

Grace Campos and Sandra Miller from the Minidoka County School District presented information on the different programs the school district has in place for helping children.  Sandra stated the reason for attending the council meeting was to begin building relationships. 

Streets - Scott Spevak

City Superintendent Scott Spevak informed the mayor and council members that the Heyburn Post Office has reported a problem with Holsten and Sessions Streets, which are both one-way streets.  He stated the mail carriers have to deliver the mail on these streets in the opposite direction creating a possible traffic safety issue.  The post office is requesting the direction of the one-ways be changed. 

Motion by Rocky Baker to change the passage route on Holsten Street to the east and Sessions Street to the west.  Second by Joanne Justesen.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye. 

Discuss/Approve Residential Exchange Program Settlement Agreement with Bonneville Power - Jo Elg

Jo Elg from United Electric Coop briefly discussed the Residential Exchange Program Settlement Agreement with Bonneville Power.  This agreement must be signed and received in Portland by April 15, 2011.  She answered questions posed from the council members.  Larry King, Account Executive from Bonneville Power, also briefly provided some additional facts about the settlement saying it has been in litigation for 30 years.  He also stated the settlement agreement before the mayor and council is the closest to resolution this litigation has ever been.   

Motion by Rocky Baker to authorize the mayoral signature on the Residential Exchange Program Settlement Agreement with Bonneville Power.  Second by Joanne Justesen.  Roll Call Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye. 

Discuss/Approve City of Heyburn Personnel Handbook

City Superintendent Scott Spevak presented a list of comments compiled from a meeting that employee representatives had held with Mayor Anderson, Scott Spevak, and City Clerk Deborah Hopkins.   Comments were as follows:  allowing City of Heyburn employees to be volunteers for the Minidoka County Fire Protection District; PTO time off changed to accrual of .75 per month; and eliminating the notation of the “citizen ride along” program. 

Motion by Rocky Baker to approve the City of Heyburn Personnel Handbook with the changes of allowing City of Heyburn employees to be volunteers for the Minidoka County Fire Protection District; PTO time off changed to accrual of .75 per month, and eliminating the notation of the “citizen ride along” program.  Second by Joanne Justesen.  Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye. 

Executive Session for Matters of Litigation as authorized by Idaho Code Section 67-2345

Motion by Leann Smith to go into Executive Session for Matters of Litigation as authorized by Idaho Code Section 67-2345.  Second by Joanne Justesen.  Roll Call Vote:  Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Joanne Justesen - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye. 

Executive Session Minutes.

Council Present:

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

Employees Present:

Scott Spevak, Deborah Hopkins, and Steven Tuft.

Guests Present:

None.

Meeting conducted by Mayor George A. Anderson. The topic was a matter of litigation.  This matter was discussed with City Attorney Steven Tuft.  Executive Session began at 8:10 PM and concluded at 8:40 PM.

The council meeting ended at 8:40 P.M.  

George A. Anderson

Mayor

Deborah F. Hopkins

City Clerk/Treasurer