February 14, 2018 Special & Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor: MayorCleo Gallegos.
Council Present: Chad Anderson, Dick Galbraith, and Rose Schmitt.
Council Absent: Joanne Justesen – excused.
Presentation by Ferguson Waterworks on Water & Electric Meter Upgrades – Bob Ferlic
Erik Ongstad, Sensus- Senior Account Development Manager Water, Joe Ruggeri Sensus – Teritory Manager Electric, Aldon Enbysk Ferguson -Municipal Sales presented the option of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) solutions to those present, explaining that this solution would allow the City to automatically collect consumption, diagnostic and status data from their water and electric meters and transfer that data to a central database for billing and analysis. Ferguson Waterworks offers modules that read and store data at residential and commercial meters and at distribution points within utility networks.
Those presenting explained the advantages to the advanced metering infrastructure, including increased revenue due to the increased accuracy in readings, meter tampering is automatically detected, and changes to usage rates are easily implemented. Another advantage is the ability to reduce operating costs by providing consistent billing cycles that can be read accurately from a remote location, eliminating errors in keypad entry during manual reading. This would also provide environmental protection where leaks can be detected almost instantly therefore can be repaired faster.
The council meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM.
Cleo Gallegos Ashlee Langley
Mayor City Clerk/Treasurer
Mayor: Mayor Cleo Gallegos.
Council Present: Chad Anderson, Dick Galbraith, and Rose Schmitt.
Council Absent: Joanne Justesen – excused.
Welcome & Pledge
Meeting conducted by Mayor Cleo Gallegos who welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Mayor Gallegos asked City Resident Kari Anderson to lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Discuss/Approve Minutes of the January 24, 2018 Council Meeting
Motion by Chad Anderson to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2018 Council Meeting as presented. Second by Dick Galbraith. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss/Approve Paying the Bills
Motion by Dick Galbraith to approve the bills excluding the check to High Output Construction in the amount of $43,750 for further explanation. Second by Rose Schmitt. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss / Approve Water & Electric Meter Upgrades with Ferguson Waterworks – Bob Ferlic
City Administrator Tony Morley addressed the city council regarding budgeting questions stating that there was a bond that the City could have gone for this year that could have possibly offset some of the costs involved with the meter upgrades, but due to a short timeline it just wasn’t possible. Mr. Morley stated that at this point we would like to see how the rate increases perform and possibly spread the meter upgrade costs over two, possibly three budget years.
Motion by Chad Anderson to table the water & electric meter upgrades with Ferguson Waterworks to the next council meeting to allow input from the full council on such a large expense and decision. Second by Rose Schmitt. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss / Approve 2018 Camp Host Agreement
City Attorney Paul Ross presented the 2018 Camp Host Agreement with Pamela Lynn and Dale Lynn to those present. Mr. Ross stated that the agreement has been updated and revised to the present circumstances of the city and new hosts.
Motion by Dick Galbraith to approve the 2018 Camp Host Agreement with Pamela Lynn and Dale Lynn as presented. Second by Chad Anderson. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss / Approve Partnership for Heyburn Pumpkin Festival with Mini-Cassia Shelter
- Advocates Against Violence – Juana Hernandez & Kari Anderson
Heyburn Resident Kari Anderson asked the city council to consider a partnership with the Mini-Cassia Shelter for the Heyburn Pumpkin Festival to be held on October 6, 2018. This event is designed to promote safety in our community. Mrs. Anderson stated that the committee has been in contact with the local police departments, hospitals, and life flight and they are all very interested in participating in the event. There will be vendors, concessions, and a straw maze. The Mini-Cassia Shelter has received a $2,000 grant from Walmart to go towards the event. Kari Anderson asked the council to consider donating the use of Riverside Park for the event as well as a monetary donation to help with the cost of limited liability insurance.
Motion by Dick Galbraith to table partnering with the Mini-Cassia Shelter for the Heyburn Pumpkin Festival to continue the discussion to the next council meeting. Second by Chad Anderson. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss / Approve Well #3 VFD Replacement
Water Department Manager Eric Christensen presented three bids to those present for VFD Replacement for Well #3. Mr. Christensen explained that parts are no longer available for the VFD’s that are currently at Well #3 so if anything fails the city is going to have to pay for an emergency replacement.
Motion by Dick Galbraith to approve the bid from Energy Management Corporation in the amount of $16,091 for the replacement of VFD’s for Well #3. Second by Chad Anderson. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss / Approve Wastewater Treatment Plant Salsnes Filter Repair
Wastewater Department Manager Ralph Martini presented a bid to those present for rollers to repair the Salsnes filter at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Martini informed those present that the quote they have tonight is from the only company that makes the parts needed to complete the Salsnes repair. Mr. Martini asked the council to consider approving the purchase of rollers to fix the Salsnes filter with the quote provided.
Motion by Dick Galbraith to approve the purchase of rollers to repair the Salsnes filter at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $12,908. Second by Rose Schmitt. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss / Approve Wastewater Pipe Replacement Projects & Pipe Purchase
Mayor Cleo Gallegos tabled this item.
Discuss / Approve Valley Office Systems Copier Proposal
City Administrator Tony Morley presented a quote to those present for a copier from Valley Office Systems to replace the Xerox Machine at City Hall. This contract would save the city money each month on copier costs. Mr. Morley stated he received two quotes for copier replacements, but Valley Office Systems offered a technology side to handle electronic filing which was very appealing. Mr. Morley asked the council to consider the contract with Valley Office Systems for a new copier that would in turn save the city some money on copier expenses.
Motion by Chad Anderson to approve the contract with Valley Office Systems for a new copier at City Hall. Second by Rose Schmitt. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Discuss / Approve IT Service Quote Agreements
City Administrator Tony Morley explained that the City has had some problems with their current IT Service provider. Mr. Morley stated that their customer service has not been what we have desired, so we have been looking at other IT Service providers to replace them with. We have had three solid bids come back and are still waiting on a few more to come in. Mr. Morley asked for more time to get the rest of the bids in.
After a brief discussion, this item was tabled.
Update on Street Department Building
City Administrator Tony Morley provided those present with an update on the Street Department Building. Mr. Morley explained that the city sent out a request for architectural services and received nine responses. Mr. Morley stated the site selection team consisted of the Mayor, City Clerk, and himself. All architects were evaluated on a scoring system that was actually published in the newspaper along with the request for qualifications. This information was also published on the Idaho Architect Association’s website. The selection team individually scored the architects and then compiled their results. The outcome of the scoring resulted in the selection of Myers Anderson out of Pocatello, Idaho. Mr. Morley stated city staff has met with Myers Anderson and are now in the process of working on some projected costs and drawings in order to put the project out for bid.
Mayors Time & Committee Reports
Mayor Cleo Gallegos announced that City Employee Brenton Holt received three new licenses, Wastewater Collection Operator Class 1, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class 1, and Drinking Water Distribution Operator Class 2. Mayor Gallegos also announced that Mr. Holt is now a Certified Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester. Those present applauded Mr. Holt for his accomplishments.
Mayor Cleo Gallegos also announced that Ernest Juarez is now a Certified Residential Building Inspector. Mayor Gallegos stated that the City is very proud of Ernie for his accomplishment. Those present applauded Mr. Juarez for his accomplishments.
Mayor Gallegos stated that an awards banquet was held Monday, February 12, 2018 at the Canyon Crest Event Center, Twin Falls, to recognize local businesses. This year they selected a business from Heyburn to recognize and they chose Teds Diesel & Electric on 21st street owned by Douglas Martin.
Comments from the Public (Each person has 3 min. to comment).
Mayor Gallegos opened this time up to the public for additional comments.
Executive Session
Pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(c) To acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; and (f) to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement.
Motion by Dick Galbraith to go into Executive Session as per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(c) acquire interest in real property and (f) litigation. Second by Chad Anderson. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
Executive Session Minutes
The Executive Session was conducted by Mayor Cleo Gallegos. The topics were (c) to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; and (f) to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated.
No decisions were made.
The Executive Session began at 8:15 PM and returned to open session at 8:58 PM.
Motion by Dick Galbraith to adjourn the council meeting. Second by Chad Anderson. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Rose Schmitt – Aye.
The council meeting adjourned at 8:59 PM.
Cleo Gallegos Ashlee Langley
Mayor City Clerk/Treasurer