Council Minutes 10/02/1974
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After the Council had discussed a suggestion made by Mayor Turnbow as requested
by Fire Chief Marvin McGary, Councilman Cheney moved that the 1940 Ford Fire
Truck (which has not been used for some time) be declared as surplus and that
the City Attorney be authorized to advertise for bids. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Swensen; voting was all in favor; motion carried.
. ~ All council members were encouraged by Mayor Turnbow to attend the AIC
District Meetings in Rexburg on October 11, 197 4, at 2 to 5 P. M. at the Valley
Bank Building and from 6:30 to 9:30 P. M. at Walkers Cafe. The Magistrate
Court System and proposed legislation will be discussed at these meetings.
Mayor Turnbow asked that Councilman Swensen write a letter of thanks to those
who served on the special committee for water'rates.
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Councilman Swensen announced that terms of two members on the Traffic
Safety Commission expired this month. He indicated that Mrs. Yolande Waid
would be asked to accept re-appointment, and a replacement would be needed
for Douglas Smith, for which several names were suggested. It was mentioned
thafthe Sheriff's Office is making a survey of where traffic signs which were
removed during the water and sewer construction have not been replaced.
Regarding the Recreation Department, Councilman Cheney reported that new
uniform shirts for the basketball program are needed, and that he will be working
on getting coaches and the gymnasium lined up.
Cou.."1cilman Hirschi noted that there is a travel trailer sitting in the lot at the Servi-
suft Water Conditioning Company on 17th Street which is being lived in and should be
checked on.
According to Engineer Benton, some hand excavation work will have to be done for
the sewe'r at the swimming pool, and he was requested to go ahead and get it done
in the most economical way.
Concern was expressed by GoulllCilman Swensen that the citizens may voice some I
objection to the increase in tax levy which was published in the newspaper today, .
showing a jump from 13.10 mills for last year to 23.64 mills. It was noted that
explanation can be made that the additional revenue was needed for street improve-
ments' and the levy can go back down next year.
Councilman Cheney moved that the meeting adjourn at 11:05 P. M.
a'pproved for payment.
Claims were
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CLERK '. ..' if
~ -t: rVMfr>f~
AYOR
CITY OF AMMON
Octobe-r 2, 1974
Minutes of the regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council:
The meeting was called to order at 7: 35
the following City Officials present:
Mayor Keith C. Turnbow"
Councilman Russell N. Swensen
Councilman Gerald B. Cheney
Councilman' Brent Hirschi
Councilman Marvin J. Anderson
P. M. by Mayo!" 'Keith C. Turnbow;' with
Clerk Deon Hemingway
Asst. Attorney Franklin Smith
Engineer David E. Benton
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Prayer was offered by Councilman Swenson. Minutes of the meeting of September
18, 1974, were approved as typed.
It was noted that the following notice has been published as a result of the- described
vehicle being declared surplus at the Council Meeting of September 4, 1974: "NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, October 2, 1974, at the hour of 7:30 o'clock P. M.,
the City of Ammon will sell as surplus property to the highest bidder, for cash, a
1970 Plymouth Fury 4-door sedan, V.!. N. PK4lLOD-175, 949. Persons interested in
purchasing said property must submit their bid in writing to the City Clerk, Ammon
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City Building, 3270 Molen Street, Ammon, Idaho 83401 prior to the time 'of sale.
Said property may be inspected at the Ammon City Building during regular business
hours. The City reserves the right to refuse any and all bids. Dated this 16th day of
September, 1974. (Published on September 21, 1974, and September 28, 1974.)"
This being the appointed time for the bid opening, it was made a matter of record
that two (2) sealed bids had been received. Councilman Hirschi presented a request
from the Fire Department that the car be retained for use of that department. After
consideration of this request by the Council and Mayor, Councilman Hirschi moved
that the police car be kept and turned over to the Fire Department for official use.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Cheney; voting was all in favor; motion
carried. Councilman Hirschi also moved that the bids received on the police car be
rejected; seconded by Councilman Swensen; voting all in favor; motion carried. The
unopened bids were given to Councilman Anderson to return to the submitters with a
report on the proceedings as transacted.
Councilman Swensen reported that circumstances have delayed scheduling a meeting
of the special committee appointed to study outside-the-city water rates until
Thursday, October 3, 1974. Consequently, he moved that the motion recorded in the
minutes of the Council Meeting on September 18, 1974, in regard .to the final report
of the special committee be tabled until the next regular council meeting on October
16, 1974, due to the committee report not being finalized until October 3, 1974. The
motion was seconded by Councilman Cheney; voting was all in favor; motion carried.
According to Engineer Benton, the street improvement work has begun on Ross Avenue
south of Sunnyside Road under Local Improvement District #6.
Mayor Turnbow announced that residents have been given written notices and information
about making individual connections to the new sewer system. The City has been
divided into two areas for this purpose, with Area A given a starting date of October
10, and Area B, Nov.!. A permit must be obtained from the City Office for each
connection either by the property owner or his contractor for record keeping and
inspection purposes. In connection with the installation of private sewer lines,
approval was given by the Council to a recommendation by Mayor Turnbow that be-
ginning of such work on a given street will be subject to notice having been filed
at the City Office by the Project Engineer that the Project Con tractor I s obligation
for cement and street repair work has been- completed; then the property owner or
his contractor will be held responsible for any damage to sidewalk, curb, gutter,
paving, etc. which might take place during the install:ation of sewer lines on private
property; also contractors must meet all federal and state safety regulations while
doing excavating work, and~ must carry insurance for liability and damage. The
property owner or his contractor will also be responsible to clean up rocks, dirt, etc.,
off the sidewalk, curb, gutter, and paving when the sewer line is completed en a
diven lot. As a matter of review, Mayor Turnbow noted that any sewer connections
outside the City (east of Sand Creek on Sunnyside Road to the west city limits) would
be at the expense of the property owner for the entire cost of the installation, and the
monthly charge for service would be billed at the rate of 1-1/3 times the city rate.
In response to an inquiry by Mayor Turnbow, Attorney Smith advised that those who
have their sewer connection work done without getting a permit could be penalized
by passing a resolution to put a surcharge on the permit fee. He explained that the
residents should be made aware that the inspection is for their benefit and will be a
help to them, and if an inspection cannot be made because the trench is filled in a
record should be kept on this for future reference. It was the feeling of the Mayor
and Council members that sewer inspections need not be 'made on Saturdays and
Sundays.
Mayor Turnbow read an agreement with Utah Power & Light Co. for power for
sewer lift stations which requires council action. Councilman Swensen moved that
the City accept the service agreement for electrical power for the sewer lift stations
on Rich Lane (Avenue) and Ross Avenue. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Hirschi; voting was all in favor; motion carried.
It was determined that, in accordance with the policy set in August of 1972, there will
be no sewer hook-up fee charged for the new homes now being built on Ross Avenue
where septic tanks were put in even though the sewer connections may be made for
the homes before being occupied so the septic tanks may never be used.
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At the request of Mayor Turnbow, the C;:ouncil re,viewed tl}e rates for City services
for trailerhomes in mobile home courts. Reference was made to Council actions on
this subject on November 21, 1973, and December 6, 1973. A thorough consideration
of the matter resulted in a motion being made by Councilman Hir.schi that the rates
for all mobilehome courts in Mobilehome Zones within the Ammon City Limits be set
as follows: A charge of $4.00 for sewe:r, $4.30 for water, and $2.00 for garbage coll-
ection per month per l1nit, and that the mobile home courts maintain theirown sewer
and water lines and facilities up to the point of connection to the City sewer and water
systems. The motion was seconded by Councilman Swensen; voting was unanimous
in favor; motion carried. This makes a charge of $10. 30 per month for the three
services inside the City, with the rates for outside the City for sewer service only
being 1-1/3 times $4.00 or $5. 35 per mont~ for each trailerhome in a mobile home
court.
Regarding the sewer rates for businesses, Engineer Benton was asked to check
on what is charged by other cities in the area for those which use excessive
amounts of water (such as_water softener companies, etc.) and make a recom-
mendation. It was felt that other businesses should pay the same rate as for
family dwellings.
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Mayor Turnbow invited the Councilmen to make contributions to the Community
Chest through the City if not making them at their places of employment.
According to Councilman Swensen, the city's application for the Flood Plain
Insurance Program .has not been received by the Federal Insurance Administra-
tor's office, but is being tracked dow;n and will be taken care of. He expressed
concern over the property tax mill levy, and suggested that a public meeting be
held to discuss this $ubject and the sewer and water project with the residents.
(See excerpt of minutes for resolution approving Requests fpI;' Payment under the
water and sewer project. The motion was made by Councilman Swensep, seconded
by Councilman Cheney, voting all in favor. )
Attorney Smith reported that an understanding has been reached with the City
of Idaho Falls to amend the inspection agreement which the City of Ammon has I
with them to the effect of allowing Ammon City employee, LaVern Williams, to
make the inspections on sewer lines on private property, and the Attorney's
office would proceed to negotiate on this situation.
A problem concerning a fire hydrant on Falcon Drive which needs repair on the
threads was reported by Councilman Hirschi as requested by the Fire Chief and
was turned over to Engineer Benton to get taken care of since it relates to the
use of the fire hydrant by the sewer project contractor.
Mayor Turnbow announced that two men on the city maintenance crew have quit,
and asked for suggestions for replacements. He expressed his feeling that it
would be necessary to pay more money for starting salaries (perhaps to $500
per month plus insurance) in order to get a higher caliber of personnel, and also
to look at the salaries of the present employees
Claims were approved for payment.
The meeting
was a.djourned at 12 midnight.
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AYOR
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CEERK . ,
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