Airport Project on Schedule, City Hall Closed Oct. 21
The Council City Council met for their regular meeting on October 8th at City Hall. Mayor Bruce Gardner and all council members were present.
The mayor and council went into executive session first before any business was discussed.
The first item of business, after the executive session, was the engineering report from Andrew Kimmel with Great West Engineering.
Andrew reported that the surveyor completed some additional work at the tank and well site on the hill. This is so that they could either demolish the concrete tank or fill and abandon it when the project is complete. It would be replaced by the new tank as part of the project.
The storage tank plans are 90% designed. Andrew mentioned that they will have their ‘first iteration’ with DEQ soon.
Andrew also mentioned that the city may want to consider updating the transportation and comprehensive plans in the near future. Grants are available for developing each plan. He mentioned getting these items of business on the agenda at the next regular meeting so that this could be discussed further.
Kathy Hughes, chair of the Airport Commission, reported that Hillcrest Aviation and Hoffman Mining have paid their fuel flowage fees and are all caught up.
Hughes also reported that Sheriff Zollman requested access to the airport ramp to conduct vehicle training on the afternoon of October 15th for about 4 hours. They would move aside for any airplanes that come in.
A pilot that owns property in the county and visits often is requesting to leave a vehicle at the airport for a fee. He would sign a release of liability waiver. Caleb Shumway mentioned that snow removal could be a concern. This was approved as long as it is not in the way of snow removal operations.
Finally, Hughes reported that fuel sales total $867 so far for the year.
The Airport Project seems to be on schedule according to Kayla Brown with J-U-B Engineering. The final approval to advertise for bids is expected to come in January. The city will then advertise for bids, and expects to open them in March of next year. This is a ways out so it is not set in stone of course.
The construction will most likely not start before July and they expect the project to be complete and closed out by the end of 2025. Funding is coming from the FAA, state grants and some city funds.
Ashley Scott gave her Clerk’s report. Herself and Julie Pate will be attending training in Nampa on October 21st so City Hall will be closed.
James McQue was awarded the janitorial contract for the city park bathroom and the airport bathroom. James has contracted with the city for this work the past two years.
There will be an audit for fiscal years 2023-2024 on November 20th and 21st.
Caleb Shumway with Public Works reported that they have their hydrovac trailer and have been using it. He also reported that he worked with the fire department to close streets during the fire at 202 Illinois Ave.
Next was a public hearing for a mixed use conditional use permit for 101 Michigan Ave.. The building has three spaces. The haircutting business would stay in the front. The owners would like to use the space within the building but on the south side, to create a small apartment since there doesn’t seem to be a need for more commercial space in town. There were no comments against this use. (I did express my favorable opinion for this use, as a private citizen.)
This was approved with the stipulations that garbage collection be mandatory and to have a plan to mitigate parking for snow removal.
Another public comment period was held for any comments regarding city fee increases. No one spoke in favor of, or against this. This was also approved. The Legal Notice for this change was printed in the past 2-3 weeks.
Chris Boyd has moved to Canyon County where he is the Republican nominee for Canyon County Prosecutor in next month’s election. Boyd has been working with the city on misdemeanor legal matters on a contract basis. After thanking him for his service to the city, the city elected to terminate their contract with Chris. This is a 30 day notice for termination of the contract.
For reference, the city council does not accept public comment unless the individual gets on the agenda ahead of time. For public hearings that are held as part of the meeting, there are sign up sheets that you need to put your name on if you desire to comment.
