Loading...
Council Minutes 05/17/2001 CITY OF AMMON May 17, 2001 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council: The meeting was called to order by Mayor C. Bruce Ard at 7:30 P.M. in the City Building, 2135 South Ammon Road, Ammon, Idaho, with the following City Officials present: Mayor C. Bruce Ard Council member W. Lee Bean Councilmember Harvey L. Crandall Councilmember Leslie Folsom Councilmember Ira K. Hall Attorney W. Joe Anderson Engineer Bill Manwill Public Works Director David Wadsworth Fire Chief Clarence Nelson City Clerk Aleen C. Jensen Others Present: Alan Cunningham, Mountain River Engineering Cindy Donovan, 3725 East Sunnyside Road, Ammon Tom Hunsaker, 2925 Carolyn Lane, Ammon David Benton, Benton Engineering Clay Jensen, Wood Funeral Home Jerald and Robin Knight, 3275 Owen Street, Ammon Stanley W. and JoAnn Cramer, 3040 South Ammon Road, Ammon Council member Hall led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Councilmember Crandall offered a prayer. The first item on the agenda was the storage buildings (sheds) at 3275 Owen Street. Last fall there was a problem with the storage buildings (sheds) that Jerald Knight moved on to his property. Following discussions with him and with his neighbors, Mr. Knight agreed with the City Council that the two boxcar type, storage buildings (sheds) would be moved off his property by June 1, 2001. Recently, a letter was sent to Mr. Knight to remind him of the moving deadline. Now that the moving deadline approaches, he does not want to move the storage buildings (sheds). Instead he has moved them farther back on his property. Mr. Knight attended the meeting, and he confronted the City Council with, "What codes have the storage sheds broken?" He argued that he was not in violation of any code or ordinance, the sheds are not a problem, they are not ugly, and they are not in bad shape. He invited his neighbors to come to City Council meeting to voice their opinions, but they did not show. He claimed that his neighbors have intimidated him one way after another. He believes the only reason the sheds need to be moved is because the neighbors do not like them. City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 2 Councilmember Hall explained the whole thing was perpetuated because Mr. Knight moved the two storage buildings (sheds) in and put them too close to the road. There were discussions about the buildings (sheds), and Mr. Knight committed on his own volition that the sheds would be gone by a certain date. The commitment was that the sheds would be gone not that they would be moved back in compliance. The City Council allowed the sheds to stay through the winter and the moving date was set for June 1, 2001. Mr. Knight was asked if the explanation by Councilmember Hall was true. The response was that the explanation was partially true. Jerald Knight understood the problem started because he moved the sheds on his property without a moving permit. However, he did discuss his plans with Public Works Director Wadsworth before moving the sheds. It was determined that the sheds were in violation of the setback requirements. An argumentative discussion continued. Jerald Knight was sure that he had done no wrong, and he did not think he should have to move the sheds. The City Council asked that he honor his word. Councilmember Crandall concluded the discussion by stating, "the City Council expects you to do what you said you would do." Council member Hall said he thought the City Council had stated their position clearly and he thanked Mr. Knight. Benton Engineering requested a discussion on the street widths in Briarwood Addition. Engineer David Benton represented the developer. When the Preliminary Plat for the remainder of Briarwood was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission in January or February, the street widths were designated as sixty (60) feet with the entrances into the cul-de-sacs as fifty (50) feet. Since then the Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended and it has been approved by ordinance that all streets will be sixty (60) feet including the cul-de-sac entrances. Mr. Johnson, the developer, would like approval to continue to develop Division No. 4 of Briarwood with fifty (50) feet cul-de-sac entrances according to the Preliminary Plat and to Divisions No.1, No.2, and NO.3. The Final Plat for Division NO.4 has been prepared with fifty (50) feet cul-de-sac entrances and is ready for the Planning and Zoning Commission's review and recommendation. The change in street width requirements occurred in the middle of the Briarwood development. A revision of the Final Plat for Division NO.4 would require changing the cul-de-sacs from fifty (50) feet entrances to sixty (60) feet. The Council was oriented to the area proposed for Division NO.4. Tom Hunsaker, member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, remembered that the Preliminary Plat for development of Division No. 3 was approved, but development of the remainder of the property was rejected until the plans included extending John Adams Parkway to the railroad tracks. There was a discussion on what was approved on the Preliminary Plat. Engineer Manwill advised that the dimensions of the streets were not on the Preliminary Plat so City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 3 no would know for sure what the street widths were. However, the plat would be to scale, so streets of fifty (50) feet would show as smaller. Engineer Benton showed the Preliminary Plat, and there were no dimensions except you could see that the cul-de- sac streets were narrower. It was explained that a preliminary plat is a signal to proceed with the final plat. All streets in Briarwood to be developed to the north of Division NO.4 will be sixty (60) feet. Some of the Council members were bothered by requiring sixty (60) feet entrances to the cul-de-sacs if the Preliminary Plat had been approved differently. Also, some of the members suggested that apparently some approval was given or the developer would not have gone ahead with extending the sewer lines through Division NO.4. It was recommended that the minutes of the meetings be researched. Attorney Anderson did not advise changing requirements half way through. Councilmember Crandall stated that the Council was obligated to give the developer an answer, and the answer ought to be a vote. Councilmember Crandall moved that, if we approved the Preliminary Plat of Briarwood Division NO.4 with the cul-de-sacs being fifty (50) feet, he recommended staying with the fifty (50) feet even though the ordinance has changed. However, if the Plat has not been approved at fifty (50) feet, then the cul-de-sacs should be sixty (60) feet based on the approved ordinance. Councilmember Hall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Crandall- Yes; Hall- Yes; Bean - Yes; Folsom - No. The motion carried by a vote of three for and one opposed. Stanley Cramer, 3040 South Ammon Road, went out to turn on his irrigation water. There was no water. He could hear the water in the ditch. Upon investigation he learned that the City of Ammon had sealed off his irrigation water pipe last fall. It was leaking in the middle of Ammon Road. Public Works Director David Wadsworth explained about the leakage into the sewer, which was determined to be caused by Cramer's irrigation line. The problem was causing Ammon Road to sink. The irrigation line did not serve anyone except Cramers. The thing that bothers "Stan" Cramer is that he was not even consulted before the City took action. The City cannot take a man's irrigation water away. Public Works Director Wadsworth apologized for not discussing the problem with "Stan" Cramer before acting. Councilmember Crandall pointed out that the City needs to be honorable, and he asked what type of correction that Cramers would be satisfied with. It was determined that Cramer has a one-inch City water line coming into his house. It would be cheaper to negotiate something so his lot could be irrigated with City water rather than flood irrigation water. The best solution would be for the City to install a sprinkler system. Cramers were asked if this would be acceptable. This raised questions. "Stan" Cramer asked how long it would be before the City converts to metering water because it could be expensive to pay for metered water to water his lawn. The City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 4 response was that the City does not have any plans to meter residential water. Another question was would the sprinkler cover his front yard, his back yard, and the City easement on the south side, which Cramer has maintained. The sprinkler deal would have to include the front and back yards, but he could understand about not including the City right-of-way. When a person relinquishes his water right, the water goes back to the Irrigation Company. A request for exclusion would need to be filed with the Progressive Irrigation District, and the City would be responsible for the costs. Once the water rights are relinquished there would be no more water rights with the property. Councilmember Hall asked two questions. How much would it cost to replace the line across the street? David Wadsworth said it depends on how much pavement has to be replaced, and he estimated it would probably be $8,000 to $9,000. The other question: Who is responsible for all the irrigation lines going across Ammon Road? Is it the City of Ammon or Progressive Irrigation? The City does not own the individual water lines, so who is responsible if they go bad? Attorney Anderson explained each water user owns his line or his ditch. Once the line comes off the Progressive ditch, it becomes the property and the responsibility of the user. However, the lines were installed across the road as part of the Ammon Road project. Cramer's line apparently became defective so the City becomes responsible. Attorney Anderson explained further that the City put the line there, and if the property owner had a system that was workable when the City improved the road and replaced the line, then the City has a responsibility. The Councilmembers were agreeable with installing a sprinkler system for Cramers and Cramers agreed that it would be an acceptable solution. Stanley Cramer restated what was being agreed to, as he understood it. The City would install an automatic sprinkler system that would cover the front yard, the backyard, and a strip on the west side of the driveway. He will not push for the City easement area. It may be possible to put sprinkler heads on the Cramer property so they could be directed toward the easement. The water rights are to be excluded from the Progressive Irrigation District. Council member Crandall moved, in lieu of unplugging Stanley Cramer's irrigation system which crossed Ammon Road and which the City plugged, that the City installs a sprinkler system on Cramer's property to sprinkle the front yard, the back yard, and the strip of property west of the driveway and also that the City pays to exclude the Cramer property from the Progressive Irrigation District. "Stan" Cramer asked about the existing headgate. He wondered if it would be left where it is or if the City would move it as part of the project. The City did not feel an obligation to do anything with the headgate. City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 5 Councilmember Folsom seconded the motion made by Council member Crandall to resolve Cramer's irrigation problem. Roll call vote: Crandall - Yes; Folsom - Yes; Bean - Yes; Hall- Yes. The motion carried unanimously. There was a discussion about when the sprinkler system would be installed. He would like it as soon as possible. David Wadsworth agreed to work with a contractor, and it was estimated it would be two weeks. Stanley Cramer would like a copy of the minutes. The City Clerk was instructed to proceed with the exclusion from Progressive Irrigation. The minutes of City Council Meeting held May 3, 2001, were reviewed. Council member Bean recommended on Page 14, Paragraph 4, that the wording be added to show that the luncheon meeting scheduled with the lona Bonneville Sewer District was a work session so that it would not be construed as a public meeting, which was not advertised. Councilmember Bean moved to approve the minutes of May 3, 2001, with the correction. Councilmember Hall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bean - Yes; Hall - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Folsom - Abstained because she had not read the minutes. The motion carried. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on May 1, 2001, to consider the request of Wood Funeral Home for annexation of a narrow strip approximately twenty-seven (27) feet wide between the Wood property and McDonald's Farm. Attorney Anderson advised that the City Council would not need to hold a public hearing if they made a finding of fact that the second hearing is not necessary. The Idaho Code states a second hearing may be held. On the Wood request, Attorney Anderson drafted the ordinance so the City Council could take action without another hearing. The property was advertised for annexation with a zone of R-1. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a zone of R-3A like the rest of the Wood property. Attorney Anderson further advised it would not be necessary to re-advertise because the owner asked for an initial zone of R-1 but the Council can make their own determination of what to zone the property. R-3A is still a residential zone and compatible with the remainder of the property. Alan Cunningham of Mountain River Engineering oriented the Council to the twenty- seven (27) feet of property. The strip has been deeded to Woods and goes across the north side of the Woods property and extends east another 114 feet. Woods have an option on the additional 114 feet. The correct location of the proposed cul-de-sac at the end of Maurine Street, as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, was pointed out. The cul-de-sac is designed to be centered. The developer will not be able to use the cul-de-sac so he is trying to determine financially how he can develop a cul-de-sac. The Council discussed whether or not a cul-de-sac is justified. It was decided to go ahead with the annexation of the twenty-seven (27) feet but to leave the determination about the cul-de-sac until a later time. The drainage system should also be addressed. City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 6 Councilmember Folsom moved to approve the annexation of the twenty-seven (27) feet between McDonald's Farm and Wood Funeral Home with an initial zone of R-3A. Councilmember Hall seconded the motion. Attorney Anderson stopped action on the motion and instructed the Council to follow the ordinance procedure. Councilmember Folsom introduced Ordinance No. 290 by title, AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN LANDS TO THE CITY OF AMMON, BONNEVILLE COUNTY, IDAHO; DESCRIBING WITH PARTICULARITY SAID LANDS TO BE ANNEXED AND HEREBY ANNEXED AND DECLARING SAID LANDS A PART OF THE CITY OF AMMON, BONNEVILLE COUNTY, IDAHO; DETERMINING THE PROPER ZONING FOR CLASSIFICATION OF THE ANNEXED LANDS AND TERRITORY UNDER THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AMMON, IDAHO; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS ORDINANCE AND OF THE ANNEXATION OF SAID LANDS. (WOOD FUNERAL HOME) Councilmember Folsom moved that the City Council dispenses with the rule requiring the reading of the ordinance on three different days and that the three readings be waived. Councilmember Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Folsom - Yes; Crandall- Yes; Bean - Yes; Hall- Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Ordinance No. 290 was read in full. Councilmember Folsom moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 290 as an ordinance of the City of Ammon on its third and final reading. Councilmember Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Folsom - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Hall- Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Alan Cunningham advised that the Final Plat for Wood Division No. 1 has been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council with the cul- de-sac. He asked what procedure would be necessary to eliminate or to change the cul-de-sac. Councilmember Folsom recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission decide about the cul-de-sac issue. Construction can not begin until the Development Agreement is approved. The Development Agreement for Wood Division No. 1 has been reviewed by Engineer Manwill and Attorney Anderson. The twenty-seven (27) feet should be included as part of the Development Agreement for Division No.1. Attorney Anderson advised that acceptance of the Development Agreement could be approved as part of the annexation, which was scheduled as an item on the meeting agenda. Council member Bean asked about the south side of John Adams Parkway and what position has been taken relative to the developer's involvement in developing it. Is John Adams Parkway addressed in the Development Agreement? Alan Cunningham stated that he did not think development of John Adams Parkway was clarified in the Development Agreement, but the developer is paying toward the development of it. Engineer Manwill understood a condition of sale was that the developer would be responsible City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 7 for the full cost of John Adams Parkway. He recommended checking the sales agreement. The improvement drawings for Wood Division No. 1 have been signed off by the City of Idaho Falls. Curb, gutter and sidewalk are included. The improvement drawings do not include responsibility for half of John Adams Parkway. The City wants the whole street developed, and the responsibility for costs is up to the developer and the property owner. The Development Agreement references the improvement drawings and they show development of the whole street. Council member Bean recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission take a good look at the cul-de-sac for Wood Funeral Home to see if some of the costs could be eliminated for the developer. Councilmember Folsom asked if the City Council could not leave their recommendation out and let the Planning and Zoning Commission make the judgement call. After the Commission's judgement call, the City Council could make their decision. Councilmember Bean and Mayor Ard both agreed that the Planning and Zoning Commission needs to understand the feelings of the City Council. Planning and Zoning does not need to go through the motions if City Council is probably going to disapprove. Councilmember Bean's feelings are that the cul-de-sac is not needed. If Planning and Zoning came back to say they want a cul- de-sac, unless they have some extremely over-riding issues to justify a cul-de-sac, Council member Bean would probably vote against one. Planning and Zoning needs to know some of the Council feelings for guidance. Council member Bean moved to approve the Development Agreement for Wood Addition Division No. 1 with the improvement drawings as presented to show the full width of John Adams Parkway being developed. Council member Hall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bean - Yes; Hall - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. There will be no crematorium at the Wood Funeral Home facility on Ammon Road. A Conditional Use Permit was granted, and those minutes indicate no crematorium. The next item of business was a request for rezone from R-1 to R-1A of a lot owned by Harold Loveland at 3220 Romrell Lane. The Planning and Zoning Commission considered the request at a Public Hearing on May 1, and they recommended approval. Mayor Ard asked if any of the City Council had a problem with accepting the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Council member Crandall asked for a clarification of the R-1 and R-1A zone. Tom Hunsaker reported on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilmember Hall had a problem. He thought it was a request for a duplex just like the one to the north, and they would be the only ones in the area. The existing duplex is "grandfathered" in. The remainder of the area is R-1. This request appears to be City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 8 for another duplex rental. Public Works Director Wadsworth and Attorney Anderson pointed out there is a duplex next door on one side and a mobile home next door on the other side. Councilmember Hall continued that is true, but there are private dwellings all around. Also, there is the old City Building on the same block. All of the non-conforming uses are "grandfathered" in. There was no public opposition in the Planning and Zoning hearing. Planning and Zoning members voted six for the rezone and one against. Karen Anderson voted no because she thought it was spot zoning. Tom Hunsaker explained about what is considered low density and about the lot size requirements. Councilmember Bean tried to determine what the difference is between a duplex and a townhouse. Mayor Ard, Councilmember Folsom, and Public Works Director Wadsworth explained their understanding of the difference. A duplex has a common wall, but it does not have a property line division. There is such a hodge- podge of lot sizes and uses in the original townsite of Ammon. The property owner submitted a list of neighbors with his application who signed to show they did not oppose the rezone. Councilmember Bean stated he believed the Council opens themselves up for spot zoning when someone comes in for a rezone of a residential lot so they can build a twin-home on it. Council member Crandall was of the opinion that anything built there would be an addition to the area. Councilmembers struggled with which was good planning to grant or to deny the request. The Councilmembers decided that they would like to take a look at the surrounding area before making a decision. The R-1A zone does not specify owner occupied or rental unit. Councilmember Bean moved to table the discussion and decision until the next City Council meeting relative to the request of Harold Loveland to rezone his lot at 3220 Romrell Lane from R-1 to R-1A. Council member Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bean - Yes; Crandall- Yes; Hall - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Council member Bean discussed writing a letter to the property owners on East 21 st Street to determine if they are interested in connecting to the water and sewer while it is being extended passed their property. The City can stub the lines in, but some owners may not have the funds to connect at this time. As long as it is stubbed in, they can connect at their disposal. On those properties that had to have a lift for the sewer, the City would reimburse them for up to the cost of the connection fee. The water connection fee would be waived. We also talked about those that do not have to put the lift in. We would still charge them a sewer connection fee. This may be unfair just because somebody has some additional costs. Shouldn't the City provide the same opportunity for everybody? If we are reimbursing one, should we reimburse all? Councilmember Bean circulated a draft copy of a letter to property owners who would need the lift. The Councilmembers discussed how to word a letter that could include all of the property owners. The City has to charge the $600 sewer connection City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 9 fee according to the agreement with the City of Idaho Falls. Councilmember Crandall and Councilmember Folsom were unfamiliar with the details brought up because they missed the sewer work session with the lona Bonneville Sewer District. At the last City Council meeting it was agreed that Council member Hall would go talk to the residents on 21st Street. Then the City found the sewer appears to be too shallow on the gravity line, so it was discussed at the work session with IBSD about reimbursing those who required a lift pump. Lift pumps would be cheaper than lowering the line for three or four homes. It was pointed out that the City is not reimbursing anyone. The City would pay up to $600 toward a lift pump for those who needed one. Discussion continued on how to reword the letter. Councilmember Bean agreed to rewrite the letter and to mail it to those involved as soon as possible since work is progressing on the sewer line. Alan Cunningham of Mountain River Engineering reminded that each owner, who wants to connect, based on the Development Agreement, pays to the developer for half the cost of the line going past their front footage property. This could result in a sizeable fee. The developer is working to keep the costs down. Alan Cunningham could provide an approximate cost. At the meeting it was estimated that, based on a connection fee, a front footage fee, a service line, and the physical connection the cost to connect would be approximately $6000. The property owners should be given a choice of whether or not they want to connect. The Ammon West LOS Stake Youth would like to do a service project for the City on June 9. Councilmember Bean suggested a project. The Council has talked about curbs next to intersections, like on 17th Street, that have not been painted. He wondered if the youth could be utilized to paint some curbs so cars would not park next to the intersection. There would be forty to sixty youth involved. It was agreed this would be a good project. The City Council discussed how to choose the youth delegates for the AIC Idaho Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC), "Building Bridges for Our Future," which runs concurrently during the Annual AIC Conference on June 12 through 15 in Nampa. Connie Guymon has been working with the High School Counselors to select two worthy delegates for Ammon. The City Clerk asked if the City Council wanted to review the business licenses before they are issued. The Planning and Zoning Commission would probably be better qualified to review licenses. They could do it similar to the way they do building permits to determine that the business is an acceptable use, it is in the proper zone, and there is adequate parking. City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 10 Councilmember Bean moved to issue a business license to Welch's Music, Inc., 2641 South 25th East, for the remainder of the year 2001, and to issue a temporary fireworks permit to TNT Fireworks for the sale of safe and sane fireworks in Albertsons' parking lot from midnight June 23 through midnight July 5, 2001, contingent upon approval by the Fire Marshal. Councilmember Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bean - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Hall - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. The City Clerk requested the City Council to review the public hearing procedure on zoning matters. According to the recent revisions to Idaho Code, most zoning matters require one public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission. After the Commission makes a recommendation, the City Council may accept the recommendation and take action or they may decide to hold a second hearing before any action is taken. The City Office has received two requests for variances, which need to have public hearings. The Planning and Zoning Commission has considered both of them at a meeting, but they did not conduct a hearing. Granting a variance is considered as a power of the Board of Adjustment. Our City Council acts as the Board of Adjustment and has been holding the public hearing. Since Planning and Zoning has already made a recommendation for Rex Purcell and Jason Brown, the City Council should advertise for the public hearings. The City Office was counseled to collect the fee before advertising. Browns have already paid $75. Hearings will be scheduled for June 7. Fire Chief Nelson reported that the Fire Department has been approved for a grant from the Idaho Department of Lands in the amount of $5,986.89 to use to purchase radios. The Department planned to use the funds to purchase a radio repeater system. When the grant was applied for, Ammon planned to go in with City of Ucon on a system. However, Ucon backed out. Chief Nelson has been in contact with Teton Communications and a system would cost $12,278. The monthly re-occurring costs will be about $150 per month or $1,800 per year. It will take approximately three months to put the system together. Council member Bean stated the grant acknowledges that the Department is going to purchase radios. Chief Nelson clarified that the grant is for the radio repeater system. Council member Bean asked for an explanation of what the problem is that necessitates the City doing this. The radio system the Department is on now is about forty or forty-five years of age. Idaho Falls Fire Department got on a radio system through dispatch and this system was set up. Back in the sixties Ammon joined in with Idaho Falls. At that time, the system was top of the line. Ten or fifteen years ago Idaho Falls got off of it. The system is just outdated. There have been dispatch problems with the old system. The Fire Department's radios and pagers will be accepted into the new frequency with some program modifications. The radio City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 11 dispatch equipment is located at the 911 Dispatch Station on Skyline and Grandview. Dispatch is running two systems-one for them and one for Ammon. Idaho Falls will not allow us to share on the other system. Chief Nelson explained how the dispatch system operates. Ammon works off of individual pagers and individual radios. Ammon's radio equipment is not old, but the dispatch equipment is old. The repeater system would replace the equipment on lona Hill and the dispatch equipment. Virtually Ammon would get a better range from the dispatch center to here. Ammon would be leasing space on the Teton Communications' tower. If we did not go with the repeater system, what are the options? Teton Communications and Mountainland Communications have done about all they can for Ammon on the old system. Councilmember Folsom stated that we can not become too outmoded on our fire system. The Council discussed equipment, costs, frequencies, and operation procedures. Radio expense is costly. Chief Nelson called a representative of Teton Communication and Council member Bean talked with him to help determine that the City was getting the best price quote. The City's part of the cost would come from funds budgeted for capital outlay for the upgrade of radio communications. The problem is adjusting to cover the monthly expenditures within the budget. The Fire Chief and the City Council did not want to pass up the grant. Mayor Ard cautioned that the more the Department commits to monthly things the less there is for anything else. There are a lot of monthly expenditures such as cell phone, telephone, power bill, gas bill, insurance, and an automobile. Councilmember Hall said it is amazing that forty-five year old electronic equipment is still running. Commercial building is not going to stop in Ammon. Councilmember Folsom moved to go ahead with the purchase of the Teton Communications' repeater system using the grant money the Idaho Department of Lands is offering and keeping expenses down as much as the Department can, like when doing their mobile programming, to get all the units in at one time. Councilmember Hall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Folsom - Yes; Hall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Crandall- Yes. The motion carried unanimously. There is to be six months of free maintenance. Teton Communications will apply for the frequency. It will take five to eight weeks to get the repeater system up and running. Councilmember Bean presented the signed Memorandums of Understanding regarding the sewer and Impact Area agreements with the City of Idaho Falls. He read a letter from Chad Stanger, City of Idaho Falls Public Works Director. The net amount of sewer fees owed July 1, 1999, through April 30, 2001, was calculated to City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 12 be $266,670. Idaho Falls will start billing this as of June 1, and they will prorate it over thirty months with no interest. Also, our monthly charges will be higher. The Owen Street bid opening is advertised for Wednesday, May 30, 2001, at 2:00 p.m. at Mountain River Engineering. Reports: David Wadsworth reported that Public Works has been busy. There is a training program for Animal Control in Boise next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. He would like to send Jay Glick. The City Council authorized Jay to go. The resident of 625 Tiebreaker has called in to say the City chipped their sidewalk during winter snow plowing. Public Works Director Wadsworth has checked the problem out. What has happened is it was pretty dry when they poured their sidewalk and the top surface is rocky. That is scaling of cement, which is not done properly or is bad concrete. Work is progressing to open the swimming pool. Water lines have been repaired on Ross Avenue, and Rick Williams has been working on clay valves. Councilmember Bean inquired about part time help for the parks. There are two new employees working in the parks. One is working eight hours a day, and one is working after school. Council member Hall reported that no decision has been made about a storage shed for baseball equipment. The last time Jay Johnson was at Council meeting he asked that we talk with him about parks. Council member Hall has only talked with him briefly, and he expressed a willingness to do something. There are some alternatives. In the meantime, Councilmember Hall has looked at the park the County has in McDonald's Farm. It is probably a two-acre park. Engineer Manwill explained there are three parcels, but it is not fully developed. It is owned by Mobile Home Estates or Wilcox Construction. If adjacent land is reclaimed, it could be a big park. Councilmember Hall said that he misunderstood what was available there so he will investigate it further. Engineer Bill Manwill said the Cities-County Meeting was poorly attended. The Hitt Road sewer was discussed. Contracts have been signed and construction should start. The County wi II work with the contractor on some of the roadwork. The contract does call for $60,000 for street repair. City of Ammon will likely be hearing more about it at some point in time. The Public Information Meeting on the Shelley Regional Sewer Study was held in Ammon on May 15, 2001. No one showed up except the steering committee and the staff. The newsletter was circulated over a period of three or four days. Traffic systems do not recognize political boundaries. If there is a road that is started, it should be extended through. Bill Manwill's job as traffic engineer is to try to look at a road from an engineering point. The Council's job is to look at it from a political side. City Council Meeting, May 17, 2001 - Page 13 As a matter of interest, there was a discussion brought up regarding the annexation of roads. Also another interesting matter, Council member Folsom pointed out that the Attorney General's office is examining Iiquor-by-the-drink licensing. Claims were approved. Council member Crandall moved to adjourn the meeting, and Council member Hall seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned. Mayor Attest: City Clerk