Comprehensive Plan, RV Use Permits
The New Meadows City Council discussed potential growth and the comprehensive plan, RV use permits, a designated truck route, and dogs in the city park at their regular meeting on Monday, June 22. They also reviewed the sewer budget and discussed Idaho Power franchise fees, disbanding the Roads & Streets Committee and selection criteria and discounts for the Industrial Park.
Mayor Julie Good reported on the America 250 celebrations, a kids skate camp and final work on the youth center. Stove and hood installation, trim work, flooring, blinds, a fan and a roll up window in the kitchen are being finished there. The skate camp was postponed due to weather. New dates will be announced.
America 250 events in New Meadows will take place on July 3 and 4. “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights” in the city park will be held from 4:00 - 10:00 p.m. with Landon Vance and Lucky Tongue performing. The event includes free BBQ, birthday cake, family friendly games and a sparkler finale. The event is organized by the city and paid for by the America250 in Idaho celebration fund grant and donations. July 4 activities include breakfast at the community center, special farmer’s market activities and the Meadows Valley Fire Department’s S.A.V.E.S. The Day Dinner, Raffle and Auction.
Micki Eby with the Adams County Historical Society explained their new museum exhibit that will open July 3. Eby thanked the city for including them in the America250 grant funding. The exhibit, titled “Moments That Made Us,” will feature 21 panels about the history of America, Idaho and Meadows Valley from 1776 forward. Eby said at last check there are 48 historical organizations in Idaho participating with exhibits. The society board visited the nearest exhibit at St. Gertrude’s Monastery.
Good addressed dust abatement and said an instructional map was given to drivers by Hunter Brown from Public Works but the drivers missed some key areas. She said she would arrange for the company to return to treat missed streets and confirm the amount of product used. Good said, “Hunter more than did his job,” and was watering streets, working on a holiday and rolled roads the next day.
On the news of Rick Burden’s recent passing, Mayor Good said it was devastating and a “big loss to our community.” She said Burden did a great job at bringing a renowned BBQ place, Sagebrush, into our community and she would keep his family in her thoughts and prayers.
The city’s comprehensive plan is reviewed and updated to reflect goals and vision for future growth. The council discussed the first 15 pages and will address further sections at upcoming meetings. Concern over balancing growth related to housing versus infrastructure and services ruled the conversation. Councilmember Traci Foster said, “How do we manage it to be not a housing development for McCall but a community?” Councilmember Shiloh Ryker said, “We’re looking for a proportional relationship between building services and homes.” Good said the plan informs decision making saying, “When people come to you with a development you look at this document to say we want the services that also complement the housing increase.”
The council discussed the need for things like a grocery store. City Attorney Chris Yorgason recommended identifying where on the map specific services should exist. He added, “Your plan is not a law but it does tell anybody that’s coming in, these are our goals and guidelines for what we want.” The plan is available to view on the city’s website.
An action item regarding RV use permits was tabled. Attorney Yorgason recommended the council consider removing “sunset clauses” in ordinances. There are four categories for RV permits. These include vacations, in cases of destruction from fires or floods and when building a home. The fourth category was discussed which is in the case of displacement when “occupants are unable to find adequate housing.” Ryker said, “I am in favor of making a more permanent decision.” The council discussed affordable housing and that they did not want to investigate people’s incomes but assume applicants have exhausted all other options. Discussion included potential permit fees and time caps.
The reviewed sewer fund proposed budget noted a 12.5% increase in insurance costs in the next year versus last year’s 5% jump. Gardner said they are projecting increased costs in testing, postage, equipment, software. She added that since the city did a full camera review of the sewer this year, that should reduce costs next year.
Pursuit of assigning an official designated truck route through the city was discussed. Mayor Good said the roads and streets committee had considered this. Foster mentioned Google Maps currently routes people to the old C&M building in town instead of their current address off the highway. The council discussed the impact on city streets when trucks drive through alleys and on side streets.
A discussion on Idaho power franchise fees was tabled. The franchise agreement is meant to be evaluated every 20 years. Related documents are available in the meeting packet. Yorgason said he would review rules related to changing the percentage charged and whether a public hearing or vote would be required to keep the current 3% rate.
An action item for Charlie Harrington for a land change request did not move forward as the party said it was not applicable after further research.
A motion to remove eight rocks from the city park was approved unanimously including every other rock going eastward from the bathroom beginning with the second rock and ending with the meadows valley sign. Some rocks may be switched with others but the spacing will be as stated.
Unanimous approval was given to a motion to apply for a grant funding for dog waste bags and receptacles. These are intended to be placed in the city park. Discussion on related animal ordinances was tabled.
During her earlier report, Good recognized the “amazing staff members” working for the city. She said City Clerk Gardner and Deputy Clerk Sonya Broadhecker go above and beyond to make sure everything gets done. Good said Public Works staff Hunter Brown and Michael Lee have a really awesome team that “really steps up” every day.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Future topics may include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fire Department, Idaho Power franchise fees, designated truck route, public hearings, dogs in the city park, RV use permit, disbanding the Roads & Streets committee and the auction of the old city hall building.
