Council Minutes 04/07/1976
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CITY OF AMMON
April 7,.1976
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council:
The meeting was called to order at 7:55
the following City Officials present:
.Mayor George Wehmann
Councilman Russell N. Swensen
Councilman Francis Lee
Councilwoman Carol A. Dille
P. M. by Mayor George Wehrnann, with
Clerk Deon Hemingway
Engineer David E. Benton
Asst. Attorney Franklin Smith
Fire Chief Marvin McGary
Maint. Employee Gene Simpson
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Others present: John Homer
After the pledge of allegiance to the flag, prayer was offered by Councilman
Lee. Minutes of the meeting of March 17, 1976, were approved as typed.
Prior to the opening of this meeting, there was a short public meeting regarding
the construction work being done at this time on 17th Street. There were nine
interested citizens pr.esent, along with the Mayor and Council Members listed
above, Engineer Benton; County Engineer Robert Gray and staff members Bill
Manwill and Mike Townsley,. and Vern Fowler .representing H-K Contractors.
Updated information on .the construction schedule was presented and questions
were answered. _ Another meeting was set for 7 P.M., May 5,.1976,. unless needed
before that time..
John Homer,- representing the City's liability and hazard insurance carrier,
reviewed a prepared quotation for renewal of the policy, noting that there has been
a change in the rating system for vehicles which would increase the premium,
especially on the garbage truck. He mentioned that the coverage would include .
damage to homes and other buildings caused by .sewer failure if the City is negli~
gent or aware of the situation, and even though this was not defined in the outline
as presented, it could be taken care of by making the designation under General
Liability as Water and Sewer Works. He recommended that the collision coverage I
be extended to the fire truck and garbage truck with $1000 deductible probably being
adequate. Also pointed out was the fact that only the .pumphouses at Wells #1 and #4
have been listed in the past under fire coverage, and it was determined that the
building at Well #3 should be added. Councilwoman Dille moved that the proposal
for insurance be accepted with the four changes as discussed. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Swensen; a voice vote indicated all in favor; motion carried.
Councilwoman Dille specified that the agent should prepare the policy which should
be checked by the City Attorney for completeness before the premium payment is
made.
Regarding False Arrest Insurance, it was requested that the City Attorney study
the matter and make a recommendation. Reference was made to an article in the
March, 1976, Idaho. Cities magazine in connection with this subject.
Applications for Non-Commercial Kennel Licenses were placed before the Council
for consideration by Councilwoman Dille, with action as follows: The petition
of David Hudson, 3385 Owen Street, who had been granted a provisional license
previously to keep 3 dogs, was found to be in order with the addition of the
signature of a neighbor. who had been away far the winter when the original appli-
cation was submitted. Councilwoman Dille moved that the Non-commercial
Kennel License for David Hudson be made official in as much as the applicant I
has. complied with the City Ordinance. The.motion'was seconded by Council-
man Swensen; voting was all in favor; motion carried. The application sub-
mitted by Brent Dees, 3440 Rawson, 'to have 4 dogs was reviewed. Council-
woman Dille moved that the application fora non-commercial Kennel License
be granted in as much as compliance with the 75% signature requirement had
been met. The motion was seconded by Councilman Swensen; voting was unani-
mous in favor; motion carried. Galen Anderson, 3425 Rawson Street, had also
submitted an application to keep 4 dogs at his place of residence. Councilwoman
Dille moved to accept the application and grant the requested license in as much
as the 75% signature requirement had been complied with. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Swensen; voting was all in favor; motion carried. It was noted
that all the licenses granted were for the year 1976, and must be renewed through
the application-and-signature procedure for any future years.
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Mayor Wehmann reviewed an agcreement for 22 sodium vapor street lights to be
installed along 17th Street as part of the street improvement project. Councilman
Swensen moved that Mayor Wehmann be authorized to sign the Street Light Agree-
ment with Utah Power &: Light Company on behalf of the City of Ammon. The motion
~seconded by Councilman Lee; voting was all in favor; motion carried.
Fire Chief Marvin McGary presented a request to order some needed fire fight-
ing gear (brooms, pitch forks, shovels), and to have one of the fire telephones
moved to different home. He was advised by Mayor Wehmann to take these matters
to the Council member in charge of the Fire Department for action. In response
to an inquiry regarding matching funds for fire equipment under the Rural Com-
munity Fire Protection grant program, Mr. McGary was informed by Councilman
Swensen that the claim for items obtained last year has been submitted, and it
should be possible to get more funds this year since it was to be a 3-year program.
The Fire Chief also asked if any action had been taken on a complaint about a
propane gas truck being consistently parked at the west end of Salmon Street in
violation of the fire code, noting that it has been observed that the truck is still
being parked there. Councilwoman Dille is to work on this matter. Mr. McGary
asked if Meadow Lane, the street he lives on, could be posted for "No Parking"
since the number of cars in the street most of the time presents a traffic ha2iard.
Mayor Wehmann stated that the street would be measured and signs posted if the
width is 36 feet' or Ie s s.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bonneville Council of Governments - Councilman Swensen reported that, in
acc,Qrdance with Mayor Wehmann's request, the City of Ammon will be informed
when any future meetings are held by BCOG on the Hitt Road extension.
Copies of "population trees" for Bonneville County, Ammon, etc., based
on the statistics of the recent special census and prepared by Rolfe Lines of
BCOG, were distributed by Councilman Swensen to the Mayor and Council. He
noted that an evaluation of these will be prepared which should help the School
Districts in making plans for the future.
According to Councilman Swensen, the County Commissioners (Commissioner
Art Detrick) would like to have a letter indicating the feelings of the City of Ammon
Officials regarding joining the East-Central Idaho Economic Development District
organization. After some discussion by the Council, Councilman Lee moved to
authorize Mayor Wehmann to send a letter of intent to Commissioner Detrick
affirming the willingness of the City of Ammon to continue the investigation into
joining the ECIEDD. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dille; a voice
vote indicated all in favor; motion carried. Mayor Wehmann mentioned that the
feelings of the Council concerning a definition of the benefits to be expected and
the cost to the City should be expressed in the letter.
Attorney - With reference to the request made at the last meeting to have the City
Attorney advise the Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding
replatting, Atto.rney Smith reported that it is the feeling of the City' s legal counsel
that isolated changes of altering the lot size of one or two lots within a subdivision
does not constitute a major change. In the case at hand which involves making
smaller lots of the large lots in the Original Townsite, Attorney Smith indicated
that replatting need not be required. However, in the matter of setting a precedence,
he noted that the City is not bound by past actions. He explained that replatting is
done by filing a corrected plat with signatures of property owners, and does not
require vacating, etc. Mayor Wehmann recommended that replatting not be required
for this kind of change.
In response to a request by Mayor Wehmann, Attorney Smith agreed to write
letters to two residents who have or intend to deduct $6.00 from their payment on
city services as a result of allegedly having good garbage cans taken when their
garbage was collected. The residents are to be advised of the proper procedure
to use in filing claims against the City.
Engineer - Figures on two bids received for puttting in a drain at Geneva and
Vaughn Street were reviewed by Engineer Benton ,as follows:
Dennis Virgin $1, 690.
H-K Contractors, Inc. 1,700.
He mentioned that the contractor is to protect the curb and sidewalk and to replace
damaged sections at his own expense as part of the lump-sum bid. It was pointed
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out by Councilman Lee that the bid prices on this drain are considerably more than
estimated on a list of repair items which had been furnished him, and on which he
-had based the amount set in the budget for this purpose. Councilman Lee moved that
a contract be awarded to the, low bidder (Dennis Virgin, $1, '90. ) for constructing
a French drain at Vaughn and Geneva. The motion was seconded by Councilman
Swensen; a voice vote was all in favor; motion carried.
Engineer Benton reported that he had checked into the cost of installing
water service connections, and recommended that the fees set on April 3, 1974,
under the provisions of Section 4-3-15 of the City Code, remain in effect with the
clarification that the cost of pavement or concrete replacement is in addition to the
scheduled amounts.
Regarding the property which Mr. Bud Birch referred to, in the last meeting I
(between Ammon Road and the Utterbeck Addition), Engineer Benton stated that
a check of the City and County records proved that this area is in the Ammon
City Limits.
,/' Engineer Benton explained that Councilman Anderson had requested infor-
mation on paint for the park storage building, and mentioned that an estimate of a
quantity of 15 gallons has been arrived at, with a quotation being obtained of $11. 00
per gallon for a paint which can be color matched with that on the water reservoir
tank.
Drawings of proposed plans for ball diamonds and football fields in McCow n
Park which have been prepared in order to request matching funds from the Bureau
of Outdoor Recreation were displayed and explained by Engineer Benton.
Fiscal Operations - Councilman Swensen stated that there was nothing to report
except for the insurance matters which were discussed earlier in the meeting.
Planning and Zoning - A report by Councilwoman Dille indicated that the City
had received a letter from Framco Builders, 1430 E. 17th Street, Idaho Falls,
addressed to the Planning and Zoning Department, stating that a check for a
Building Permit was paid under protest because of what was felt to be "excessive
and unreasonable sewer Hook- Up fees ". The letter was filed for future reference.
Parks and Recreation - Councilman Lee explained that, in the absence of Council-
man Anderson, he had been asked to report that a bid of $490 for roofing the
shelter at McCowin Park with corrugated metal has been received from Steve
Loveland. Action on this was deferred until Councilman Anderson is present.
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City Clerk - Clerk Deon Hemingway reported that there has been payment made
or other response made to four out of the seven claims which were filed in the
Small Claims Court on March 18, 1976.
A list of semi-permanent records was presented by the City Clerk, with a
request that authorization be given to have the records destroye1. Councilman
Swensen moved that the following resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS the following semi-permanent records of the City
of Ammon have been retained for five years or longer:
Election records for 1967 and 1969
Receipt books, claims, bank statements, check stubs for
1969 and 1970;
AND WHEREAS the Idaho Code .provides that semi-permanent
records may be destroyed after a retention of five years:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that authorization is hereby
given to destroy such records by the most satisfactory means
available.
The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Dille; voting was all in favor; motion
carried.
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Police and Fire Department - According to Councilwoman Dille, a contest is
being planned for painting fire hydrants as .part of a Bicentennial Project, with
a $25 savings bond to be offered as the prize. She indicated that applications
will be made available for this contest, and it was suggested that members of the
Art Guild be asked to be judges.
Councilwoman Dille reviewed the February report on animal control and
the January report from the Sheriff! s .Departrhent, noting that she had not yet
received the more recent reports.
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Brief summary of Animal Control and Law Enforcement
Animal Control. . . . No. of hours patrolled
February, 1976 No. of miles patrolled
C. R. 's received
C. R. I S completed
Warnings
Citations
Warrants
reports:
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168
14
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(Tom Bird, Ammon
Road)
Arrests (Tom Bird, Ammon
Road) 1
Dog s im pounde d 6
No. of hours patrolled 366.5
1
Law Enforcement. . .
January, 1976
She mentioned that comments being made by people that have received citations for
dog or parking violations indicate concern about why their neighbors who were also
disobeying the law were not cited. She reported that the officers seem to be reluctant
to write parking tickets. Mayor Wehmann suggested that he and Councilwoman Dille
meet with Sheriff Skinner to discuss these items.
A written report on the Governor's Statewide Safety Conference, which she
attended recently in Boise, is being prepared by Councilwoman Dille for presenta-
tion at a future meeting.
Public Works - Councilman Lee noted that, in view of the increase put into effect
for residential water users, it is in order to also increase the rates for apartments,
trailer courts, businesses, etc., and he will-study the matter and make a recommen-
dation at the next meeting. Regarding sewer connections, he reported that the one
at 3640 Samuel Street has been done, and that the papers have been filed citing Fred
Blair, who owns the homes at 1900 Curlew and 2045 Dove, into court for violation
-of. the City Code which requires hooking on to the sewer.
With reference to bids and specifications on a new garbage truck, Council-
Lee reported that he has received additional information from Starline Equipment
Co., a Boise firm, and will pursue the matter further by getting a quotation on a
trade-in on the present truck and a proposed payment schedule.
Mayor - Mayor Wehmann reported that an information sheet for new residents is
being prepared and will be taken up at the next meeting.
Councilman Swensen mentioned that it is approaching the time when the ditch
watering schedule should be prepared for residents in the Original Townsite who
irrigate with water from ditches. He stated that he would be willing to do this as
he has done in the past f.ew years if desired, and approval of this proposal was
indicated. Regarding the cleaning of the ditches, it was mentioned that it is expected
that this will be done by the city employees, and Councilman Swensen agreed to
work with the City Maintenance Supervisor to see if any other help is needed for
this project. He also indicated that he would follow through with a matter which was
arranged last year to get the officials of the L. D. S. Church to correct a culvert
problem that exists through the church parking lot between the church and the Ammon
Junior High School.
'Another matter brought to the attention of the Council for consideration was that
of allowing open burning of yard clean-up materials. Councilman Swensen moved
that the Mayor and City Council of Ammon isstle a blanket burning permit to
citizens for the purpose of burning leaves and other yard trash up to May 10, and
. that individual permits will be required for open burning between May 10 and
October 10. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lee; a voice vote indicated
all in favor; motion carried. It was recommended that a special clean-up time
be set for some time during May.
In response to an inquiry by Mayor Wehmann, Engineer Benton indicated that
he would talk to the foreman of H-K Contractors the next morning about picking up
the chips on streets where chip-and-seal was done last year.
According to Mayor Wehmann, a carbon copy of a letter from the Idaho Public
Utilities Commission to Representative John Sess.ions which has been received
states that Ammon is not going to be afforded a public hearing on the rate increase
requested by Utah Power &: Light Company. He inquired of the Attorney if the
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City can request an injunction in this matter, and Attorney Smith agreed to do
some research and make, a recommendation.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 P. M.. Claims were approved for payment.
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CLERK
CITY OF AMMON
Apri12l, 197.6. .
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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the IMayor and City Council:
The meeting was called to order at 7: 35
the following City Officials present:
Mayor George Wehmann
Councilman Russell N. Swensen
Councilwoman Carol A. Dille
Councilman Francis Lee
Councilman Marvin J. Anderson
P. M. by Mayor George Wehmann, with
Clerk Deon Hemingway
Asst. Engineer Bob Butler
Asst. Attorney Franklin Smith
Maintenance Supervisor LaVern Williams
Others present during the meeting were Harvey Crandall, LaMar John, Jim Myers,
John VanDyck, and four Boy Scouts --Richard Jensen, Kurt Johnson, Mike Moss,
and Brian Affleck.
Councilwoman Dille led the pledge of allegiance to the flag, and prayer was offered
by Councilman Swensen. The minutes of the meeting of April 7, 1976, were approved
as type d.
With reference to the City's insurance, Mayor Wehmann mentioned that one of the
City employees was involved in an accident with a City vehicle on Monday, and
that Mr. Homer, representing the insurance carrier, has given assurance that
the liability of the City is covered by insurance even though the policy has -not
been delivered and the premium paid. He also reported that there was a sewer
back-up problem on Eagle Drive recently to which the City of Idaho Falls crew
responded quickly, and it is not know at this time if any claim will be filed by the
occupant of the one home that received some water damage in the basement.
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Harvey Crandall, LaMar John, and Jim Myers, representing the firm of Crandall,
Hinckley, and John, answered questions and reviewed the City's financial audit
report for 1975, after which Councilman Swensen moved that the audit report be
accepted as presented with the corrections suggested of listing the names of the
1975 City Administration Officials on the cover page and deleting the la.st three
words on the last line on page 2. relating to the interest paid on the Water and Sewer
Revenue Bond. The motion was seconded by Councilman Lee; voting was all in favor,
motion carried. Mayor Wehmann and Councilman Swensen expr,essed appreciation Jor
the especially good work done in preparing and presenting the audit.
John VanDyck, of 3290 Circle S. Drive, was given time to present a problem conc~rn-
ing his sideyard boundary line and the easement along the back of his property. He!
was advised to take the legal description of his property to the City Engineer's
office to see if his questions can be answered without hav~ng a private survey made
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Engineer - Bob Butler, representing the City Engineer, reported that the drain at
Geneva and Vaughn is to be put in about the middle of May when the weather is
satisfactory for getting the street repair done immediately after the job is complet d.
With reference to a storm drainage problem at the residence of James Harvey, 234t
Midway Avenue, Mayor Wehmann asked that the City Engine~r prepare a design for! a
drainage system which will be more satisfactory than the concrete gulley which prel-
sently carries the surface water from Sabin Dr. and Southwick Lane into a pond area
at the rear of Mr. Harvey's yard. Mr. Butler also agreed to check with H-K Con-
tractors (former~y Hartwell Excavating Co. ) about when the fire hydrant at Ross
Avenue and Geneva Drive is to be raised up, which was supposed to have been done as