August 1, 2024 – Council Minutes

Council President Harrison called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm Thursday, August 1, 2024.   The pledge of allegiance was given by Councilman Stone and the prayer given by Councilwoman Harrison.         

The chair asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilwoman Harrison Present  

Councilman Howe Present via phone

Councilman Stone Present  

Councilwoman Hillman Absent    

Councilman Wilder Absent   

Also present:  Mitch Bradley, Allen Fullmer and Sam Angell 

Amend Order of Business: 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to amend the order of business moving the discussion of the May 2024 financials at the end of the clerk’s items. Motion seconded by Councilman Stone. 

The chair called for a voice poll: all in favor none opposed.

Public Comment: 

None

Nomination of Council Member – Alex Espinosa: 

Tabled due to illness.

Clerk’s Items: 

• Review of 2024 Proposed Budget: 

The clerk reviewed the various funds revenues and expenditures for all city funds.  He explained the basis for his revenue projections regarding property taxes and proprietary funds (water, sewer, sanitation).  Property taxes were being capped at the 8% growth rate.  Utility fees for the sewer fund he suggested they be raised $8.00 per month for the residential users.  Water and sanitation fees were considered acceptable.  For the sewer bond fund, he suggested with the retirement of the USDA sewer bond, that those fees could be reduced $8.00 per residential user and still have sufficient funds to amortize the DEQ sewer loan.  Reviewing the expenditures, he mentioned items that change from the previous year either additions or decreases.  Total revenue projections totaled $21.6 million which includes $6.3 million of cash/savings carryforward.  Total expenditure totaled $21.6 million.  

• Set Aug 15, 2024 Budget hearing with publication:

Councilman Howe moved to advertise for a public hearing on the 2024 budget for Aug 15, 2024 seconded by Councilman Stone.  

The chair called for a roll call poll: 

Councilwoman Harrison Yes   

Councilman Howe Yes

Councilman Stone Yes

• 3^rd Quarter Interfund Transfers: 

The clerk presented the council with the following 3^rd quarter interfund transfers:

	To	From
General Fund	18,750.00
Water Revenue		6,250.00
Sanitation		6,250.00
Sewer Revenue		6,250.00
Airport	14,000.00
General Fund		14,000.00
Capital Improve Fund	50,000.00
General Fund		50,000.00

Councilwoman Harrison moved to authorize and approve the above listed interfund     transfers seconded by Councilman Howe.  

The chair called for a roll call poll: 

Councilwoman Harrison Yes   

Councilman Howe Yes

Councilman Stone Yes

• Retirement of USDA Sewer Revenue Bond: 

The clerk presented the council with a net position statement on the city’s bond fund.  Total cash/saving totaled $1,269,357 on May 31, 2024, and current bonds payable totaling $313,922 leaving a net cash/saving over debt of $955,435.  The bond payable included $115,747 remaining on the USDA bond.  With cash and savings on hand plus the continuation of the monthly bond fee of $24 per month the fund will have sufficient income and cash reserves to pay and fund the remaining DEQ annual loan payment of $396,350.  

Councilman Stone moved to approve the payment of the USDA sewer bond seconded by Councilman Howe.  

The chair called for a voice poll: all in favor none opposed. 

Planning/Zoning – Moratorium Sign Boards: 

Ione Hansen stated she has been reviewing various city ordinances and one that needed work and updating was sign boards.  Several cities, Ammon and Pocatello, have updated their sign board ordinance and she is in the process of doing the same.  She was asking the council to issue a moratorium on sign boards pending the updating of the signboard ordinance.  

The council discussed the issuance of the moratorium which on the advice of counsel needed to be done via an ordinance.  Given that advice, the attorney stated he would draft an ordinance for an interim moratorium on sign boards and have it available for the next council meeting.  

Waiver of Connection Fees – Idaho Dept of Transportation: 

Mitch Bradley stated ITD was requesting permission to connect to the city’s sewer system for their plant on Yellowstone Hwy.  The city had planned for this connection when the sewer line was installed for the Cottonwood school and is of sufficient size to handle the connection.  But the question of a connection fee of $3,000 was not considered at that time.  Mr. Bradley asked the council to waive the $3,000 connection fee for ITD. 

Councilman Stone moved to waive the $3,000 connection fee for ITD seconded by Councilwoman Harrison.  

The chair called for a voice poll: all in favor none opposed. 

Review and Approval of Minutes: 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to approve the minutes of July 18, 2024, seconded by Councilman Howe.  

The chair called for a voice poll: all in favor none opposed with Councilman Stone abstaining. 

Review and Approval of Bills: 

The clerk presented the bill list with additions of mainly payroll deductions that were not included in the bill list printed on Friday.  The additions totaled $7,369.74 (later correct to $6,766.03 with the deletion of a check to ACE Hdw).  

Councilwoman Harrison moved to approve the bills with the additions seconded by Councilman Howe.  

The chair called for a roll call poll: 

Councilwoman Harrison Yes   

Councilman Howe Yes

Councilman Stone Yes

Executive Session: 

Tabled until next council.  

Adjournment: 

Councilman Stone moved to adjourn seconded by Councilman Howe.

The chair called for a voice poll: all in favor none opposed. 

Meeting adjourned: 7:52 PM

_______________________

Richard Datwyler, Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________

David Swager, Clerk

Approved at a regular council meeting: Aug 15, 2024 on a voice poll:  all in favor with two abstention. 

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