Hospital—John Williams

Hospital CEO John Williams spoke to the city council about the hospital’s use permit.  Williams requested a change to the city ordinance related to the hospital.  He requested that the hospital be allowed to purchase land which becomes available near the hospital’s property.  Williams mentioned that the current problems at the hospital were space and parking.  A property recently purchased by the hospital was stated to be zoned residential and commercial.  

iiiA Report—Amy Manning

Amy Manning from the iiiA Insurance group presented her annual report to the city. iiiA is the provider of the city’s health benefits program.  Manning is the Executive Director of the group.  The group is a trust that provides insurance to a list of subscriber entities, which includes cities across the state, as well as other organizations and groups.  Since switching to the insurance provider for city employees, the city has paid less in premiums for the coverage, which has been reported to be satisfactory by those employees who were asked about their experience.  

Bryce Goodin

Goodin spoke to the council about a proposed development, to be called “Mountain Valley Meadows,” on 100 West.  The preliminary plat was submitted to the council in November.  The council examined the map, and discussed JUB’s response to the plat, which included several issues deemed necessary to address.  The concerns raised by JUB were discussed in turn by the city and Goodin.

Of greatest concern to the city was the issue of access to utility services.  Councilmember Tyrell Neal raised the point that the infrastructure should be designed as well as possible for future development and to allow for the best access.

The potential of using open space for a spot to route utilities from was raised.  It was clarified that the city did not have a requirement for open space, and that such issues were the responsibility of the developer to establish.

Neal restated that it needed to be correctly planned in the first place, and not patched into another line, or makeshifted, as that would potentially create problems down the road.  The minimum lot frontage for the city is 70’.  Goodin suggested that he could shrink that in order to run utilities.  Land could also be given to the city as an easement in order for utility access.  The city would take on the tasks of maintaining the area.  

A discussion was had over the ultimate size of some of the lots in order to create a good layout for the city’s needs and the design of the development.

Commercial lots which are part of the development are on Hwy 38, which belongs to the state, presenting an issue for any work taking place on the road.  The issue of whether a water line can cross two private properties was raised by City Superintendent Tyler Webster.  

A comment on the sewer suggests that the sewer will require the ground level to be raised in order to function.  Irrigation issues will need to be further discussed with the city.  

Another issue raised was the water collection system.  Tyler Webster explained that “retention” systems mean that the water stays on site, whereas “detention” keeps the water on site for a time, but usually outlets it to a stream or some other egress.  A detention system requires less space and volume for water management.  The city ordinance in place requires retention areas.  A change to the ordinance was suggested. 

Naming of the streets was also discussed.  Goodin explained that the proposed names for the steets were essentially placeholders, and would be finalized at a later point.  .  

Shelly Williams stated that PZ had recommended approval of the preliminary plat to the next stage, which would be final.  

The Mountain Valley Meadows was motioned for approval by Tyrell Neal, with the condition that the utility access alley as discussed was in place, and seconded by Councilmember Jaime Olsen.  The motion was approved unanimously.   

Security Cameras

A proposal for security cameras was discussed.  Councilmember Lance Tripp would like to have security cameras on the pickleball court.  ATC would like an opportunity to bid on them.  Tyler Webster mentioned that he would also like security cameras at the wastewater plant.  

The number of total security cameras requested was discussed, as well as the type.  Lace Tripp explained that “Part of the problem we have is that the system is a harddrive system.  It only keeps about a week worth of footage.  This other system, cloud based, is saved for a lot longer.   They have to be modular, so they don’t have to be hardwired to anything.”   

It was debated whether the cost of the cameras was offset by the amount recouped by finding the culprits of any vandalism.  Tyler Webster brought up the deterrent effect.  

The issue of vandalism at city facilities was discussed, and it was noted that incidents of vandalism had become more of a problem.  In one recent case, cameras were able to quickly determine the source of the vandalism and had led to remediation.  

Lance Tripp stated that he would speak with ATC about their security camera possibilities.  

Resolution 20240410-Banking

Brett Evanson prepared a resolution regarding banking.  $92K in the Community Foundation Account will be moved to a money market account, which couldn’t happen without a resolution.  A resolution was passed.  The prior account was non interest bearing, while the money market account will result in a small return.  

SICOG

The Mayor reported that SICOG had responded about the city’s comprehensive plan.  It can be prepared by them for $3500.  The first time it was around $10k, but this is an update.  A motion passed to proceed with the update.

4 CASI

Molly Beseris from 4CASI required a letter from the city agreeing to fund 4CASI,  necessary because the letter date requirement is different from the budget calendar.  A motion to send the letter was approved pending fund availability.  

Arbor Day 

Gary Bates has retired—he was the one who provided tress to the city for Arbor Day.  The city decided to plant trees in honor of Arbor day, in conjunction with Walking Day.  Arbor day is the 26th.  The trees that are planned to be planted by the courthouse might also be part of the event.  The event was tentatively planned for April 22, which is also Earth Day, as well as a home baseball game.  The event was planned to include planting trees to the west of the Co-op building at 6 p.m.  As reported last week, the event saw the participation of council members and a number of community volunteers.  

Bids—Office Remodel

Bids for John Christophersen’s office and the bathroom and other areas of the city hall building were presented to the council.  Fix-It Shop [Beutler] bid $14K or so, Invision [Paul Giles] bid $8,513.70.  The first bid includes replacing the subfloor, while the second doesn’t.  The council asked Giles to include a bid that includes subfloor.  

Lance Tripp mentioned that there may be ordinance requiring both a men’s and women’s bathroom if one is replaced.  

The question of whether the contractor needed to be bonded on this small of a project was raised.  City Attorney Brett Evanson believed a project over $50K is necessary in order to require bonding.

A motion to go with Invision Solutions, with condition of adding subfloor to beid, but not to exceed 14040. 
Approved.

Bid for Park Grass

The cost of planting grass on the north half of the soccer field needed to be approved, upon approval of the grant to install the sprinkler system.  The bid from Ihler hydroseed for $22,825, contingent on approval of sprinkling grant was approved.

PZ

Shelly Williams spoke to the council representing Planning and Zoning.  Carson Hunt asked for permission to add on to a freezer at the Mill Stream location on 400 West.  He is looking for permit to put a 14” freezer on his property.  

Arne Jones spoke to the Council about apartments on 90 S.  There have recently been a number of policing issues in the area.  Because the apartments use a shared, external communal kitchen area, the regulations per city code about dwellings were discussed.  Building Inspector Tory Richardson is working with Fire and Building Departments to inspect the premises.  Williams stated that the ordinances in place indicate that there may be issues with the facility that are in violation, though whether these are code enforcement issues or criminal issues is yet to be determined.  When the apartments were initially opened up, it was stated that they were not designed to serve a temporary housing function.  

The Ekstroms wanted to tearing down the Up the Creek structure and build a new shop in its place.   The issue of what setbacks would be needed or appropriate were discussed.  The language explains that the building requires either a setback or conformance with the neighbors.  A property can be built on an original footprint without meeting new codes.  The shop would be oriented so that the entrance faces the Mason’s lodge.  

Brett Evanson suggested that applying for the variance would be a “better safe than sorry” approach, and Lance Tripp suggested that it might be worth requiring it in order to avoid setting a precedent.  

Tyrell Neal said that when the plans are more complete, they should approach the council again.  

Mike Wells has property totaling 14 acres by the stake park with a structure on it.  Because the property around it has been sold, its status as a “flag lot” has resulted in some issues with future construction on the property.

SPF Funding

A Letter of Intent to the DEQ about upgrading wells and do leak detection was discussed.  Congressman Mike Simpson’s office says that Malad qualifies for the grant, but it has an $834K plus cost associated with it.  The grant needs to be responded to immediately.  Terrill Schwartz thinks that such an expense would be best served by a revenue bond election, it would only be appropriate to go to voters.  I was pointed out that an ongoing water study was not back yet.  

Business Licenses

Mary’s Piano School, run by Mary Thomas, offers private lessons.  A business license was approved.

John Christophersen

Code Enforcement Officer John Christophersen reported that he was working on spring ordinances, including watering restrictions.  One dog was reported to have been surrendered and relocated with a rescue group.

Tyler Webster—City Superintendent

Tyler Webster discussed the groundskeeping situation at the cemetery.  The backhoe is heavy and causes some problems on the ground, which a smaller vehicle would avoid.

Webster discussed upcoming crack/chip sealing.  A motion to approve $12,400 to crack seal Reynolds, Jenkins, and Walking Path and Seal coat was approved. 

A related motion to chip seal the two roads for $27,900 on Jenkins and Reynolds was approved.  The county performs the work, and the city reimburses them.