October 10, 2007

 City of Heyburn Council Minutes

Public Hearing on Proposed Water Rate Increase

Public Hearing on Facility Planning Study

 October 10, 2007

7:00 P.M.

Council Present:

Cleo Gallegos, Dee Ray Bailey, Rocky Baker and Leann Smith.

Employees Present:

Linda Dayley, Scott Spevak, Ralph Martini, Deb Hopkins and Steve Tuft.

Visitors Present: Bill and Norma Morrison, Clair Wardle, George Warrell, Rodney and Rose Schmitt, Rich Green, Teesa and Herb Sinclair, Loren Jalbert, Vernon Stephens, Justin Mettler and Linda Anderson.

Meeting conducted by Mayor George A. Anderson.

Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Anderson.

Approve Minutes of the Council Meeting on September 26, 2007.

Motion by Dee Ray Bailey to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting on September 26, 2007 as written. Second by Cleo Gallegos. Vote: Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Dee Ray Bailey - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye.

Approved Year End Bills - Questions. 

Motion by Leann Smith to pay the year-end bills. Second by Dee Ray Bailey. Vote: Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Dee Ray Bailey - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye.

Approve Paying Bailey Oil Bill.

Motion by Rocky Baker to pay Bailey Oil Bill. Second by Cleo Gallegos. Roll Call Vote: Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Dee Ray Bailey - Abstained; Rocky Baker - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye.

Discuss/Approve Scout Training at the Heyburn Riverside Park on May 17, 2008.

Linda Anderson asked permission from the Mayor and Council to use the Riverside Park for an adult Cub Scout Training event to be held on May 17, 2008. Linda also asked that the fee for the event and the use of the tent sites be waived.

Motion by Rocky Baker to waive the fees at the Heyburn Riverside Park on May 17, 2008 for the adult leadership training and for the use of the tent sites . Second by Dee Ray Bailey. Vote: Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Dee Ray Bailey - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye.

Public Hearing on the Facility Planning Study.

Mayor Anderson explained that the City of Heyburn had submitted a draft Facility Study of City of Heyburn Water System to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and has been authorized to receive public comment on the document. The document describes proposed system improvements to the potable water system. This hearing will include a discussion of the scope of work, budget, schedule, benefits and location of the proposed project.

Mayor Anderson opened the hearing for comments and turned the presentation of the Facility Planning Report over to the engineer from Sunrise Engineering, Loren Jalbert.

Mr. Jalbert explained the Facility Planning Report examines the water usage needs of the City of Heyburn for 2007 through the year 2027.  He stated the population of Heyburn was 2,755 in the year 2005.  Using the information from the last census, the estimated yearly growth for the City of Heyburn is 5.76%.  Currently, the Heyburn water system serves 1,247 connections with the possibility of those connections reaching a total of 3,822 by the year 2027.  The highest water usage for the City of Heyburn is typically the second week of June for the last six years.  Mr. Jalbert stated the City has had no violations in their drinking water.  Due to the anticipated increase in population, the City will experience a shortage of 2.1 MGD by June of 2027.  The engineering firm of Sunrise Engineering has recommended that a new well be completed along with 5,600 feet of distribution line in 2008 to address the issues of growth, school, and line pressure.  He presented a color-coded map for the council and visitors presented which outlined the proposed project. 

Mayor Anderson opened the Public Hearing to questions from the audience.

Councilwoman Leann Smith: By 2027 the city will need 3 more wells and tanks?

Loren Jalbert: Yes as growth happens.

Rodney Schmitt: Future growth is going to happen but I don’t think Heyburn is going to have an abundance of growth. 400% is not going to happen. 

Hearing no further comments Mayor Anderson closed the Public Hearing.

Hearing for Proposed Increase in Water Rates.

Pursuant to the requirements of Idaho Code Section 63-1311A, the City of Heyburn gives notice of a hearing to consider the increase of water fees or rates. At this hearing, the Mayor and Council will take public comments on the proposed increases.

Mayor Anderson opened the hearing for comments.

Mayor Anderson read rate schedules from surrounding cities:

Charges                            Base Rate                                          Overage

City of Heyburn (Existing)            12.97 – 5,000 gallons                55 cents per 1,000 gallons

City of Rupert               13.00 – 2,000 gallons                78 cents per 1,000 gallons

City of Paul – Summer            20.00 – 15,000 gallons            $1.00 per 1,000 gallons

City of Paul – Winter             30.00 – Flat Rate                       Does not apply        

City of Burley               14.50 – 3,000 gallons                52 cents per 1,000 gallons

City of Heyburn (Proposed)*            26.69 – 5,000 gallons                75 cents per 1,000 gallons

Rodney Schmidt addressed the mayor and council by saying that he felt there was more than one way to do a job.  He felt that doubling the water rates would hit the older population the hardest.  He would prefer the rates be increased gradually. 

Teesa Sinclair:   Are there any government grants available.

Steve Tuft:  The time of grants is no more.  The city is pursuing the cheapest money available. 

Herb Sinclair:  By raising the rates so rapidly, is it something that has to be done right now. 

Loren Jalbert:  The Department of Environmental Quality requires that the City have a base rate of $30 a month for operation and upgrades to the system.

Vernon Stephens:  It seems the little guy is paying for bigger guy.

Councilwoman Leann Smith: One thing that we have to remember that the city has not raised the rates for a long time.

City Superintendent Scott Spevak: Water rates have not been raised for at least 8 years because of the rising costs of electricity.

Councilman Rocky Baker: In the Stone Addition, the flow hydrants have terrible flow problems. It’s nothing that we want to do. We thought the cost was going to be $35 right off the bat. If we don’t raise the rates now, the cost will keep going up.

Councilwoman Cleo Gallegos: If we don’t keep up with the times, the cost will be much more expensive. We are mindful of the people on fixed incomes.  We are faced with something we have not way out of not doing. 

Ralph Martini:  When there was a deficiency at the school, we spent our reserves in correcting that problem.  Now they tell us they are building a new school, and we do not have the reserves on hand to fund such a project. 

Rodney Schmitt: Why did the City of Heyburn build the school on the other side of the highway?   

Norma Morrison: It is not the decision of the City of Heyburn where the school is built. It is the decision of the Minidoka County School Board.

Ralph Martini: Fire flow on the east side of the highway is minimal.  It will take a long time to take water out of the hydrant and push the water that way. 

Councilwoman Leann Smith: I don’t know if you are aware of the fact that an area, known as the Biscotti Estates, that has already been annexed and platted which will consist of 85 new homes. They will be receiving city services.

Hearing no further comments, Mayor Anderson closed the Public Hearing.

Approve Resolution No. 2007-9.

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HEYBURN AMENDING THE RATE FOR DOMESTIC WATER, INCREASING THE BASE RATE FOR DELIVERY OF WATER TO $26.69 PER MONTH PER 5,000 GALLONS AND 75 CENTS FOR EACH 1,000 GALLONS THEREAFTER; AND, PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE.

After discussion, a motion was made by Leann Smith to approve Resolution No. 2007-9, increasing the base rate for delivery of water to $26.69 per month per 5,000 gallons and 75 cents for each 1,000 gallons thereafter including a yearly 3% increase for the next 5 years. Second by Dee Ray Bailey. Roll Call Vote: Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye; Dee Ray Bailey - Aye.

Discussion on the Infrastructure of the McBride Property - Teesa Sinclair.

Herb Sinclair presented to the Mayor and Council a map of the proposed lots with infrastructure designs. After discussion, it was decided that Scott Spevak would set up a meeting between Teesa and Herb Sinclair, Moon and Associates, Steve Tuft, Mayor Anderson and himself. The results of that meeting will be brought back to the Council at the next meeting.

Mayor Time.

There was no Mayor time.

Executive Session for Litigation and Matters of Commerce.

Motion by Rocky Baker for an Executive Session for Litigation and Matters of Commerce as authorized by Idaho Code Section 67-2345. Second by Cleo Gallegos. Roll Call Vote: Cleo Gallegos - Aye; Dee Ray Bailey - Aye; Rocky Baker - Aye; Leann Smith - Aye.

Council Meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:40 P.M.

Executive Session Minutes.

Council Present:

Cleo Gallegos, Dee Ray Bailey, Rocky Baker and Leann Smith.

Employees Present:

Scott Spevak, Linda Dayley and Steve Tuft.

The executive session commenced at 8:45 P.M. and ended at 8:57 P.M. The executive session consisted of a discussion of confidential litigation and matters of commerce.

George A. Anderson, Mayor

Linda L. Dayley, City Clerk/Treasurer