Minutes of the Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Soda Springs, Caribou s8

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO HELD JULY 15TH, 2009.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:00PM BY KIRK L. HANSEN, MAYOR.

ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: KIRK L. HANSEN, MAYOR RANDALL E. PRESCOTT, PRES. MITCHELL J. HART LYNDA LEE ARNELL R. WALKER EXCUSED:

ALSO PRESENT: Mark Steele Alan Skinner, Director CHAT TV Staff Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk Michele Reddish Clyde Nelson, Attorney

The invocation was given by Michele Reddish, Mayor Hansen then led everyone in the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’.

The Council reviewed the minutes from the last meeting and the pre-paid accounts payable for July 2009. Councilmember Prescott moved to dispense with the reading of the July 1st, 2009 minutes and approve them as written along with the pre-paid accounts payable for July 2009. Councilmember Walker seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

(SEE ATTACHED ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REGISTER FOR DETAIL)

Director Skinner informed the Mayor and Council that he just received the list from Forsgren requesting documents pertaining to the wastewater treatment plant project and mentioned that Dave Noel will be here on Thursday, July 16th to discuss the schedule of the review. Councilmember Hart reported that he attended a meeting with DEQ and learned that updated phosphorus data may be favorable to municipal treatment plants. DEQ will be scheduling a meeting with the City in the near future to discuss the new data. Mayor Hansen mentioned a conversation he had with Jon Hall who recommended having Director Skinner act as the on-site engineer because of his qualifications which could save the City money on the treatment plant project.

Director Skinner reported on the cleaning of the 4th South culvert. The first 80 feet is jam packed with rock, 2x4’s and plywood with only about a 6 inch opening and the bottom of the culvert is rotted out. Director Skinner recommends replacing 80 to 100 feet of culvert which is the width of the road with the City purchasing the supplies and solicit bids for the construction portion of the job. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve proceeding with taking bids on the construction portion of replacing up to 100 feet of culvert on 4th South Street with the City purchasing the supplies. Councilmember Lee seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried. JULY 15TH , 2009 PAGE 2

Councilmember Walker presented a resolution supporting Monsanto and the opening of the Blackfoot Bridge Mine for the Mayor and Council’s consideration. Councilmember Walker moved to approve Resolution 2009-5 recognizing the economic and environmental significance of Monsanto’s proposed Blackfoot Bridge Mine. Councilmember Prescott seconded the motion to adopt Resolution 2009-5. All in favor, motion carried.

(See Attached Copy of Resolution 2009-5 - Original on File)

Attorney Nelson requested the City to cover half of his expenses to attend the three day Idaho Prosecuting Attorney’s conference which provides very valuable training. Councilmember Hart moved to approve the request, seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried.

Mayor Hansen presented a letter from Rex Maughan offering to restore and improve the spring and surrounding area known as Lover’s Delight. The Maughan family will do the work and provide the materials to clean-up the weeds, trim bushes, repair benches and tables and provide new benches and tables to the west side of the walkway. They would also repair the signboard and add a small note stating “Restoration Project provided by the W.P. Maughan Family”. The City would be responsible for maintenance after the improvements are made. The Council agreed it was a good idea and generous of the Maughan family. Councilmember Prescott mentioned that additional parking may need to be considered. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve accepting the proposal from Rex Maughan to restore and improve Lover’s Delight. Councilmember Walker seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried. Mayor Hansen asked Director Skinner to supervise the project.

The Mayor, Council and Staff reviewed the proposed FY2010 budget. Clerk Vorwaller detailed the changes made since the last meeting which included a $50,000 property tax revenue shift from the General Fund to the Street Fund and also changes to the benefits to reflect the decision to switch health insurance carriers. The General Funds proposed revenue over expenditures is a negative $100,000. Mayor Hansen reviewed the estimated beginning fund balance compared to the actual. General Fund is struggling due to the Power Fund transfers being fixed in 2007. Clerk Vorwaller suggested a new revenue for use of the park pavilions and the grills. The Mayor and Council discussed the idea and agreed that a donation could be suggested but did not want to set a fee. The Library budget was discussed at length. The Library revenue will not cover the increased cost of wages and benefits without an increase in the transfer from General Fund. Councilmember Lee explained how busy the library is and also mentioned that on Councilmember Hart’s suggestion, Head Librarian Erickson is going to do some research on the pros and cons of becoming a library district. The Mayor and Council discussed increasing library fees and the public’s perception that property taxes pay for JULY 15TH , 2009 PAGE 3 their use of the library. The Council considered transferring an additional amount from the Power Fund specifically for the library. The other funds were reviewed. The Power Fund includes $200,000 for the new transmission line southeast of town and the sewer fund has a power upgrade of $60,000 budgeted for the WWTP project if the engineers review suggests that’s how the City should proceed. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve the adoption of the tentative budget for the FY 2010 which includes the 3% property tax increase and a 3% cost of living allowance and also the addition of a $20, 000 transfer from the Power Fund to General for the Library. The budget hearing is scheduled for August 19th, 2009. Councilmember Walker seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried. The proposed budget will be reviewed again on August 5th at which time only decreases can be made.

Councilmember Hart moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:05pm, seconded by Councilmember Prescott. All in favor, motion carried.

PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS 5TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2009.

______Kirk L. Hansen, Mayor

ATTEST:

______Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk