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7/1/1999 Council Minutes CITY OF AMMON July 1, 1999 Minutes of the Public Hearing and Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council: I 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 Harvey L. Crandall Councilmember Steven J. Loveland Attorney W. Joe Anderson Engineer Bill Manwill Public Works Director David Wadsworth Fire Chief Clarence Nelson City Clerk Aleen C. Jensen Others Present: Wes Benjamin, property owner of 3010 South Ammon Road, Ammon Tom Hunsaker, 2925 Carolyn Lane, Ammon Garth Cunningham, Mountain River Engineering Larry Hook, 2475 South Ammon Road, Ammon Carol Rapp, 1845 Dove Drive, Ammon Brett Ferguson, 1830 Curlew, Ammon Laraine Sant, 3665 Marlene, Idaho Falls Absent: Councilmember W. Lee Bean Council member Ira K. Hall I Councilmember Loveland led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Council member Crandall offered the invocation. There was not a quorum present so agenda items were heard and discussed, but no official action was taken. Larry Hook, 2475 South Ammon Road, pointed out a flooding problem with the Little Sand Creek waste ditch. During the summer irrigation system, the water backs up and his corrals get flooded. He presented pictures to help explain the problem. When Jay Johnson developed Maple Village, he replaced the waste ditch across that property with a ten (10) inch culvert. He assumed that would handle the flow. Mr. Hook upgraded to a twenty-four (24) inch culvert across his property to improve handling the flow. The problem has been discussed with the Irrigation District, and they recommended coming to the City Council. There are no specific district requirements, but Idaho Code states that an irrigation water area has to be maintained. Johnson used a ten (10) inch pipe because that was what was in place across Hook's property. Lorraine Sant expressed the opinion that the small pipe causes the problem. The Council discussed the issue, the location of the waste ditch, the involvement of surrounding properties, and ideas to correct. It was recommended that Jay Johnson, developer of Maple Village, and John Shepherd, an adjacent neighbor, be approached to try to mediate the problem with Larry Hook. I Brett Ferguson, 1830 Curlew, and Carol Rapp, 1845 Dove, reported problems with dogs and the condition of the property at 1840 Curlew. There are three dogs in the backyard, which are mostly unattended and have free run of the house. People go and come occasionally to the house, but no one is living there full time. The weeds in the backyard are tall, and they are a potential fire hazard. Also, there are four old cars in the backyard and old tires are stacked up. The conditions described indicate a public nuisance exists. The dog owner should be issued citations for violation of the dog ordinance, but he is hard to locate. It was suggested by the Attorney to write a letter to the property owner stating that it has come to the City Council's attention that there is possibly a nuisance condition. It needs to be corrected or the City will take necessary action to declare a nuisance. The Mayor and City Clerk agreed to write a letter. Brett Ferguson brought up another problem about speeding on Curlew Drive. He wanted to know what could be done to slow down the motorists. Public Works Director Wadsworth promised to discuss the problem with the Bonneville County Sheriff's deputies to have them increase patrol of the area. I Wes Benjamin, owner of the triplex at 3010 South Ammon Road, requested a policy adjustment in his billing for city services. Previously the property owner was billed for the three units. Mr. Benjamin would like the tenants to be individually responsible. There is only one shut off valve and it is a payment protection to the City to have the property owner responsible. After discussion, Mr. Benjamin proposed that he, property owner, will be billed for two units; one tenant will be billed individually; the property owner will pay a $70.00 deposit for the unit billed individually; and the property owner is to be notified if the individually billed unit becomes delinquent. The City Officials agreed to try the billing for Benjamin's apartments as proposed. Mayor Ard opened the Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing public comments regarding a proposed fee increase for a sewer connection. The increased fee is necessary due to a contractual agreement with the City of Idaho Falls for the treatment of sewage that states the City of Ammon will charge no less for a sewer connection than the City of Idaho Falls. The City of Idaho Falls has increased their connection fee to $600. Notice of the Hearing was published in the Post Register on June 1ih and June 24th, 1999. Mayor Ard explained the agreement to those present at the meeting. The increase does not affect the monthly sewer charge. It applies to the fee for new sewer connections. The fee is set aside for improvements to the system. There were no comments and no objections. Mayor Ard directed Attorney Anderson to prepare a resolution for the next meeting to raise the sewer connection fee to $600 effective July 1, 1999. All building permits issued after July 1,1999, should pay the increased connection fee. Mayor Ard closed the Public Hearing. Regarding unfinished business, the new playground equipment ordered for Lion's Park has been received. The applications for employee health insurance have been completed and submitted for a new proposal. I Councilman Loveland reviewed the status of fire station. Contractors have asked the Council to select the color for the roofing. A color sample chart was available, and it was agreed to match the City Building as nearly as possible. Carol Miller and Marlene Hatton are interested in annexing to the City of Ammon so they can hook up to the water and sewer. They have questions about when they should plan to hook up and other details they need to address. It was suggested they talk with Garth Cunningham. Garth Cunningham of Mountain River Engineering discussed the required pavement width for the Eagle Pointe Subdivision. Division No.1 was approved with a pavement width of twenty-eight (28) feet. The City requested this to be changed to thirty-two (32) feet and for Division No. 2 to be developed with a pavement width of thirty-two (32) feet. The developers proposed a trade-off to justify developing both Division No. 1 and Division No.2 with a pavement width of thirty (32) feet. Basically, the City would receive $7700 to put a larger pump in the Ross Avenue lift station, the smaller pumps now in Ross Avenue would be relocated to the 1 ih Street lift station, pavement width would be thirty-two (32) feet, and the sewer for Division No.1 and Division No. 2 would flow south to Ross Avenue. The concept appeared to be workable. It was recommended that Gene Prudent of Idaho Falls Sewer Department be contacted for input on upsizing the Ross Avenue lift station. I Fire Chief Nelson reported for the Fire Department. He invited the Mayor and City Council to ride with the Department in the 4th of July Parade. A projected date for breaking ground for the new fire station was discussed. David Wadsworth reported for Public Works. The ball diamonds have been cleaned up for the Western Boys Baseball Tournament. The shelter at McCowin Park has been repaired up. Engineer Manwill reported that Bonneville County and lona Bonneville Sewer District are both interested in working out a cooperative agreement with the three entities. The City Clerk inquired about the request of Mel Richardson for a variance to divide his lot in two pieces. Procedures were discussed. Mayor Ard reported on the AIC Conference in Boise. While at the conference, Mayor Ard, Councilman Hall and Councilman Crandall visited the Edwards Theater. It was an interesting preview of what is coming to Ammon. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M. I ~CD Mayor ATTEST City Clerk I I