The Malad City Council met for a regular meeting on 3/12. Mayor Hawkins joined the meeting remotely.

Youth Council  

Members of the Mayor’s Youth Council  joined the meeting to speak to the full city council.  Youth Council President Aubree Palmer  reported on the counselor’s closet, a service initiative of the youth council to provide resources to fellow students.  the pantry has hygiene items, clothing, shoes, etc.  “ A lot of times we have our counselor, Nacona [Smith] let kids know if they need anything.  We advocate for the city by being good examples.  We are looking to set up a lunch account where community members can sponsor lunches.  Maybe put food into some of the backpacks for after school activities,” Palmer reported, in part.  

Hearing for Variance on JRD Properties

Summary: Doug Crowther spoke to the council regarding a property sale.  They are trying to sell a lot, but need it to be a buildable lot.  At issue is the frontage requirement, which, like a number of the older lots in town, it does not quite meet. 

A variance for the property at 162 100 W to waive the 70’ frontage requirement was heard, and there were no speakers for or against.  

A letter from Planning and Zoning chair Shelly Williams recommended approving the variance and allowing the lot to become “buildable.”

The hearing was closed because a decision wasn’t on the agenda.  It will be voted on for the next meeting.

Advisory Report

Dallas Jones, speaking on behalf of the Sheriff’s Dept, reported 111 incidents investigated in April.  Total in city 54, schools 6.  February citations were 14 in the city, 8 county, and 6 and 4 warnings issued, respectively.   

Lance Tripp thanked the sheriff’s office, and noted that the cameras in the park should be up and
going soon.

Recreation

The council approved a fee for ten dollars a month for the use of a  QR code, but then found a free one instead.  The group discussed getting a second battery or blower for the cleaning equipment at the park.  It would be paid for out of rec budget for $200.  

The parameters of the recreation department were discussed. 

City Clerk Susan Wittman advised that they have their own account and board, and council liaison Lance Tripp noted that “the city approves their expenditures.  I think they should have a baseline that they can spend without having to have approval.”

Councilmember Jaime Olsen suggested that the city set a per purchase limit, over which authorization would be required.  

Tripp further noted that the board knew what it costs for each program over the year on average, so budgeting would not be difficult.

City Attorney Brett Evanson stated that “It would be best for them to set a budget that you approved and they could come back for more as needed.” 

Susan Wittman  suggested that as the recreation board moves forward, it prioritize shopping local when possible. 

While the Hawks soccer club gets going, Evanson advised that the city could collect and hold any donations given to the group until the 501 (c3) was up and going.

Tyler Webster—City Superintendent

Webster announced a service project with IHLA for the 23rd of April, which will be cleaning the cemetery.  He also noted that there is a gravestone that needs to
be repaired.  

CM (Councilmember) Lance Tripp wondered whether the city could have the pickleball court plaque worked on at the same time.  

The flashing signs for the school zone had not arrived at the time of the meeting, but were on the way.

There are some remaining light poles on Main Street waiting for completion.  CM Larry Thomas  mentioned that he has had a number of customers who have mentioned the better “look” of the downtown with the new poles.

Clerk Wittman and CM Tripp noted some damaged signs around town, including a parallel parking sign that has been hit by the Co-op, and the stop sign across from Central.  “We’ve got a whole lot of bent stop signs,” Superintendent Webster agreed.  Treasurer Terrill Schwartz advised that the Co-op also had a broken window.

John Christophersen—Code Enforcement

Christophersen updated the council on the current situation with a grant for the dog pound.  He noted that it might be 3 or 4 months until it was clear whether the funds would be awarded.  

A rabies clinic, with a reduced rate for fixing cats, is approaching.  “This year we’re getting in the swing.  I think people are getting educated.”  

He recently checked street lights that aren’t working, and gave a list of problem lights to Susan Wittman.  He noted that  there are quite a few. 

Code enforcement had quite a few dog calls in February, and is going to start working on yards when spring arrives.  

JC asked if there was a way to do a spring cleaning, yardwaste pickup day.  He advised that the landfill doesn’t charge for yard waste if it is burnable.  For tires, etc, he will see if there’s a free dump day coming up.  

Brett Evanson 

The Oneida County Library asked if the city would donate property adjacent to its building.  Evanson advised that the city would need to make a declaration in a public meeting and explain the reason, then publish and hold a public hearing.  Then the mayor is designated to sign and transfer deed after approval.  The city needs a full legal description, which will take a few months.  

CM Tyrell Neal motioned to declare a donation of property on the west side of the bldg. to the library.  30 feet to the west side of lib.  Passed.  

The council discussed the airplane at the park agreement.  The national museum loaned the plane in the park to the city, and they have to renew it every 5 years.  It was signed to renew the same agreement as the last 20 years, accepting liability for the full replacement value.  Insurance in place to cover it.  

Thayne Barker is working on getting new decals.  The Lions Club did a fundraiser to bring it here.  Mayor Hawkins was approved to sign the agreement for the plane at park.

ITD agreement.  Contract with state to participate in the Bannock street project. A resolution to authorize payment to state for $389,971 to the state of Idaho for Bannock project was presented.  The project was supposed to go to bid in November.  LHTAC hasn’t gotten the money in yet due to federal funding delays, but ITD won’t release the money until the agreement is done.  Forsgren is the engineer, as well as the project manager.  Res 2025-0312 passed.

A Forest Service Grant for projects in the park includes funding from Hispanic Access, so it is currently frozen.  They sent an amendment to the contract for signature.  It says that everything is on hold until the funding is secured, and they will do their best to reimburse the city.  Attorney Evanson reccomended signing the contract.  They do not believe that this will endanger the funding at all.  Amotion to accept and sign the amended contract with Hispanic Access was approved.

Concession Stand update.  The council discussed the future of the concession stand in the park.  The idea of letting youth and other local groups use it as a fundraising opportunity was raised.  The contract is for 15% of sales. They have to be open for all city events.  If they’re helping provide an activity, there’s no vendor fee on 4th, but otherwise there is. 

New Business 

Resident Kade Purser, who lives on 100 W spoke to the council about the recent flooding.  He thanked the city for its work during the flooding, and noted that “Tyler has been awesome.  Answered his phone even while on vacation.  I’m here to make sure that our driveways get put back together as it is caused by a city issue.”  He asked what the city would do after the flooding issues had abated to prepare for next spring.

Superintendent Webster stated “We’ve got to wait until it’s done doing it.  My assumption is that this is an unusual set of weather issues.”

CM Tripp agreed, noting that “I’ve never seen it wash out like
that before.”

Webster said “We’ll try to take care of what we can, and if we need to bring in road base we will.  Tonight and Saturday we’ll have a storm come in.  Thank goodness it didn’t get into anyone’s house.  There are sandbags over at the firehouse.”

Purser thanked the city for its response, stating “When you get to a new community, one hard thing is that no one has your number.  I wasn’t even thinking about fishing when I left.  But when I got back…”

A Natural Gas company has spoken to the city about possibly setting up a utility line in town.  It seems unlikely to go forward, as the price tag was estimated at near $85 million.

CM Jaime Olsen discussed making a new building permit application that they all need to look at.  It has more signature requirements, for Inspector Tory Richardson, PZ Administrator Shelly Williams, and Superintendent Tyler Webster 

Reports

Business Licenses for Survival Gear and Prep at 169 Bannock, and Nielsen Plumbing, LLC. were both approved

Jaime Olsen

CM Olsen reported that there are a couple of potholes on 300 N.  

She attended an opioid settlement fund meeting with the sheriff, who is looking for ideas on how to better the community with the funds received out of a multi-state settlement with drug manufacturers.  HS had a few ideas, like Narcan purchases and training.  Request for funding through the settlement for projects.  A list of things that can be applied for contains some interesting possibilities.  Suggestions included an awareness billboard and maybe a booth at the Welsh Festival and the Fourth of July events.  

Lance Tripp

Tripp reported that someone kicked the rock that kids play with at the splashpad and it needs to be fixed.  

Tripp raised the issue of maybe putting privacy slats or mesh in front of the cars in the lot by pickleball park.  He will look into prices.

The pickleball solar panels need to go back up.  Need a lift to get
them up.  

The city needs to get more pickleballs for the public supply.   80 for about $60.  

Trevor Robbins--Arborist

Robbins is tasked with maintaining the city’s inventory of trees, under a grant.  He wants to create a committee/council to deal with the trees in town.  

He would like some direction about what the city would like to do.  He has talked to Sawyer Fonnesbeck about some possibilities for involvement with 4-H or the Extension Office.

The city should know in April if the Hispanic Access funds will come through, which are for the trees in the park.  They will wait until the next meeting to decide what to do.  There is a grant from Ifft that could be used for grass by Pickleball that they might should start on.  

A drip irrigation is more efficient than a bubbler, according to Robbins.  A mature tree doesn’t need a water bubbler/sprinkler supply most years, especially if it’s not native.  

Robbins says that the $36K figure for treecare is a ballpark that can be adjusted, ideally by a committee.  He met with the Urban Forestry Services Supervisor of Denver, who told him that for a bare bones plan the idea he has for its urban forestry future covers the necessities.  SLC director told him to get the community involved.  He has also talked with Fonnesbeck about involving students from High School and FFA, Senior Center, etc.  

Trevor thinks that the grant is actually for $100K for 4 years in whatever way it works.  It will be more expensive up front, in order to provide a good foundation for the future health of the trees, so future years will be cheaper down the road.  “As long as there’s opportunity here, I don’t plan on going anywhere.”