Council Minutes 03/20/1980
March 20, 1980
13G
CITY OF AMMON
March 2.0, 1980
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council:
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor George Wehmann, with the following
City Officials present:
Mayor George Wehmann
Councilman Russell N. Swensen
Councilwoman Carol A. Dille
Councilman David Rowberry
Councilman Thayle D. Monson
Clerk Deon Hemingway
Public Works Director Hayse
Attorney W. Joe Anderson
Engineer David E. Benton
L. Whiteley
Others present during the meeting were Mr. and Mr. Ron Folsom, Irene Ricks, Marylou
Aitken, Doward Kopp, and Dean Larsen.
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The pledge of allegiance to the flag was conducted by Councilwoman Dille and the invoca-
tion was offered by Mayor Wehmann. Minutes of the meeting on January 17, 1980, were
approved as prepared.
An application for variance submitted by Ron Folsom, 2750 Sawtooth Street, was con-
sidered and found to be in order , with the signature of approval of the adjoining property
owner having been obtained. Councilwoman Dille moved to approve the variance of 3t feet
on the west sideyard as requested. The motion was seconded by Councilman RowberrYi voting
was Dille yes, Rowberry yes, Swensen yes, Monson yes; motion carried.
Irene Ricks, 3425 Rawson Street, and Marylou Aitken, 3415 Rawson Street, appeared to ex-
press their fears of what might happen to them or their property, as widows living alone,
because of the darkness in the neighborhood since the street light has been rem~ved, and
acknowledged that their neighbor, Doward Kopp of 3430 Rawson Street, had come along to
speak for them. In response to a question about the light being replaced, it was noted
that the City does not see any relief in its financial condition which resulted from the
l% Initiative and must stick to the decision to save money by turning off all street lights
except those at intersections even though it is known that this action is not agreeable
with everyone in the City. A suggestion was made that the residents contact the power com-
pany or a private electriciafu to have a light installed which can be hooked up to a meter
and paid for by themselves. The lights at the tennis courts were discussed in connection
with lighting costs, and the Mayor and Council members agreed that careful consideration
should be given before making a decision about whether or not to use the lights at the
tennis courts this season. It was determined that Dean Larsen, 1960 Dove Drive, was present
relative to the street light in the vicinity of his home and apparently accepted the ex- I
planations which were given.
The water system plan for Aimee Ann Estates was brought up for discussion, and agreement
was indicated on a suggestion made by Mayor Wehmann that the developer be required to put
in stubs for fire hydrants to one foot underground (with ~alves to keep the water at the
level of the mains) and purchase the hydrants to be left with the City for installation at
such future time as the subdivision might be annexed. It was requested that Engineer Ben-
ton notify the developer's engineer about this,along with other changes that need to be
made in the plan, and bring it back to the Council for further comment and action.
Council members were reminded to review the Preliminary Flood Insurance Study and Map
which were distributed at the previous meeting in order to be ready for a meeting Which
is to be scheduled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Mayor Wehmann reported that a letter has been received from Judge Black relative to the
discrepancy in money remitted from the magistrate court in months past. It was pointed
out that the letter contains a statement about the City of Ammon not being entitled to
any of the money paid to the court for fines on citations written in Ammon since the
County deputies are writing the tickets, and Mayor Wehmann mentioned that Sheriff Skinner
is asking for an opinion by the Attorney General on this subject. Attorney Anderson in-
dicated that he does not agree with the Judge's statement and is in favor of getting an
opinion.
In response to a comment by Councilman Swensen with reference to the need to add some in-
sulation in the City Building to save heating costs, Mayor Wehmann announced that an
application to obtain Federal grant funds for this purpose will be completed and filed
by April 9th.
The operation of the swimming pool for the coming season was discussed briefly, and
suggestions were made to delay the opening date and curtail the night swimming to save
on water-heating and employee costs. Mayor Wehmann also requested that the under-water
lights be taken out for safety reasons.
Regarding the sewer connection which still needs to be completed at the Servisoft Water
Conditioning Company on 17th Street, Engineer Benton was asked to check what information
is available to determine if a long enough service line was put in to extend to the pro-
perty line even though 17th Street was widened after the line was installed or if the end
of the service line might now be under the street.
According to Attorney Anderson, the hearings on the latest Utah Power & Light Company
rate-increase case are finished, and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission should be
making a decision within the next three weeks. He advised that there should be no pro-
lem with the City allowing adjacent property owners to use City land behind several of
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March 20, 1980
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the lots on Falcon Drive for gardens and that a signed agreement wlth a c arge or ne
use of the extra water ($12.00 per year was recommended by the Council)would be satis-
factory. It was the advice of Attorney Anderson that the City is not be be involved in
irrigation ditch matters such as the problem that was brought to the City Council at the
February 21, 1980, meeting, and he was asked to put this in writing for the City records.
Councilman Rowberry reported that there was good attendance at the recent dinner for the
members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Upon the recommendation of Mayor Wehmann,
it was moved by Councilman Rowberry and seconded by Councilman Monson that Neil Allen,
2735 Salmon Street, be appointed to the Ammon Planning and Zoning Commission for a three-
year term commencing March 1, 1980. Voting was all in favor; motion carried.
Public Works Director, Hayse Whiteley, reported that the culvert situation for the ditch
on Georgia Lane, which was discussed at the meeting on February 21st, is about the same
as others in the City, and it was acknowledged that when work is needed on culverts, it
is to be taken care of by the ditch users~ Bids for trimming the large trees on Owen
Street along the north side of the school were listed as follows: Jim's Tree Service,
$585 to cut the trees off at 30 feet with the City employees doing the clean up; J. D.
Woolf, $560 for cutting to 30 feet with the City cleaning up or $990 to cut down com-
pletely and take care of everything. It was felt that no decision should be made on this
until the School District officials have been approached about paying up to 50% of the
cost, since it has been indicated that the school is willing to participate and is
anxious to have the trees removed because of concern for the students because some of the
limbs have been falling down. Mr. Whiteley also referred to the status of the clean-up
on the Robert Stedtfeld and Dewey Miller properties, noted that plans for the sewer
connection at the Ammon Produce Company are being checked on periodically, and 'stated
that arrangements were made to purchase about 300 tons of crushed gravel as mentioned
in the last meeting which is now being stockpiled on the City property near Well #7.
With reference to construction of a new bridge across Sand Creek in connection with
Robert Nixon's storage-unit project for which a special use permit has been granted,
Mayor Wehmann stated that the bridge plans must be approved by the City Council.
Claims were approved for payment in the amount of $8,261.04. It was moved by Council-
man Swensen and seconded by Councilwoman Dille that the meeting adjourn; voting was all
in favor; meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
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AT'lEST, ~ %~7
CIIT CLERK f7
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CITY OF AMMON
April 3, 1980
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council:
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Council President Russell N. Swensen,
with the following City Officials present:
Councilman Russell N.Swensen Clerk Deon Hemingway
Councilwoman Carol A. Dille Public Works Director Hayse L. Whiteley
Councilman David Rowberry Attorney W. Joe Anderson (arrived 7:50 P.M.)
Councilman Thayle D. Monson
Excused: Mayor George Wehmann (out-of-town)
Also present was Mrs. Gene (Linda) Killian, 3225 Circle S Drive.
The pledge of allegiance to the flag was conducted by Councilman Monson and the invocation
was offered by Councilman Swensen. Minutes of the special meeting on Febi;uary 7, 1980,
and the regular meetings on February 7, 1980, February 21, 1980, and March 6, 1980, were
approved as prepared.
The first item of business was the consideration of a application for a variance submitted
by Gene Killian, 3225 Circle S Drive, which was found to be in order with the signature
of approval of the adjoining property owner having been obtained. It was noted that the
applicant requested permission to put a six-foot wood fence around the backyard of his
corner lot, starting at the front of the house which sets back 35 feet from the front
property line. There was some discussion about whether or not the construction of the
fence as described would actually be in conflict with the regulations regarding fences
in Sections 11-5~8 and 11-5-27(L) of the zoning ordinance, but it was felt that action
should be taken on the variance application to avoid problems if any questions come up
in the future. Councilwoman Dille moved to approve the variance for Gene Killian as
requested. The motion was seconded by Councilman Monson; voting was Dille yes, Monson
yes, Rowberry yes, Swensen yes; motion carried.
Council President Swensen pointed out that an inspection of the Sand Creek bridge on 17th
Street is required annually due to federal funds having been used when the bridge was
widened a few years ago, and that the State Highway Department has presented an agreement
to make the inspection but the firm of the City Engineer, David Benton, is qualified to
take care of this and would like to do so. It was moved by Councilman Rowberry and