Foster Sworn in as New Council Member; Tree Lighting December 8
Traci Foster was unanimously approved for appointment as a new City Council member and sworn into office at the regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. During the meeting the Council and the Mayor also discussed updates on the Childcare and Youth Center, funding for streets and roads, and schedule and staff changes. They also received an update on Brown’s Mountain Recycling and discussed future meeting topics. Six community members attended in person along with two on Zoom. City Engineer Grae Harper also consulted via Zoom. There was no added public input for future meetings.
In the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Julie Good discussed the upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting scheduled for Sunday, December 8. Plans for this year’s celebration include crafts at the library, hayrides, caroling, stories, treats, and of course a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus. The Adams County History Society plans to have the Mural idea submissions on display so people can vote on their favorites.
Mayor Good reported that she and City Clerk Kyla Gardner had attended the recent Economic Development Council Summit at Tamarack. She said there was lots of discussion on development in the region and that the Childcare/Youth Center was a large part of that. Since returning, the City has received some great feedback from people around the region and offers of assistance to help with the Youth Center project. She also brought up a resiliency conversation they took part in with local ski resorts and a rafting company and said Brundage General Manager Ken Rider spoke highly of his experience working with the City of New Meadows.
Next up Mayor Good said she had a presentation she wanted to give as a bit of surprise. This was a certificate presented to City Clerk Kyla Gardner for her outstanding work on the Water System Upgrades and the Comprehensive Financial Plan. The Mayor noted Gardner’s important and tireless work on these projects with a big thank you and appreciation. A hearty round of applause was given to Gardner.
As the Council approached action items, the appointment of new City council member Traci Foster was moved up on the agenda. The Council made a motion to appoint Foster as a Council Member and voted unanimously for approval. Foster was then called to the front of the room where Gardner led her through the swearing in and reciting of the oath. There were smiles throughout the room and a sense of excitement over the new council member and handshakes all around after the official ceremony. Foster told me outside of the meeting that she feels a “vested interest in the happenings of this community” as someone who grew up in New Meadows and is a long time resident here. She said she is excited to be part of the council and to participate in the workings of city government. Foster also noted that as “Idaho communities are seeing an increase in development and growth statewide, my goal is to help guide the growth potential in New Meadows in a positive and sustainable way, supporting local businesses, current and future residents and the overall city.” She said she hopes she can be “thoughtful in this new role and work alongside the community as we continue to build on the foundation of this amazing place we call home.”
Next up was a discussion on the Childcare and Youth Center. Mayor Good gave an update in her report earlier that she had met with the Project Managers the week prior to finalize details on items such as toilets, floor covering, and hardware. In the discussion, the Mayor also noted that the building has been lowered back down and that some have expressed concern about the height of the building. She said there is lots of fill dirt that will be brought in and when the entrances are finished the height will make sense. At December’s first Council meeting, the Project Managers plan to present a virtual tour. This is expected to be a very informative and helpful visual for anyone interested in getting an early look at the inside of the building.
Mayor Good then introduced an update for the Brown’s Mountain Recycling group noting that they had extended the possible start date of any fines to after November 6, 2024, due to the date the notice of ordinance violation was sent out. Donna Brown gave a further update that they are in process of obtaining a loan to finalize hiring United Metal to clear the entire property. After a few questions from the council and further explanation from Brown, a vote was taken on a motion to delay fines at least until after another update at the December 9, 2024 meeting. Brown said she expected they would have an update on the loan and United Metal start date by that meeting.
Afterward a motion was made and approved to put the scrap metal from the roof of the old recycle center up for bid once it is removed.
Since Diane Hunter, the Deputy City Clerk, is moving away and her position is open for a new employee, Gardner will be taking on some additional work. The council approved a motion allowing Gardner to adjust City Hall hours as needed to complete her work while covering the open position. Hours will be updated via notice on the City website and on Facebook. Changes may also be made to previously discussed holiday hours.
The council, mayor, city clerk, and city attorney Dick Stubbs all then went into a fairly quick executive session regarding per Idaho code 74-206 (f) related to communicating with legal counsel regarding possible or pending litigation.
Upon return, Mayor Good introduced the LHTAC funding discussion item. LHTAC is the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council. They manage some funding programs that cities can apply for each year. The specific grants and monetary amounts change year over year. Gardner gave an additional explanation of these programs and noted that New Meadows is part of the PAWG (Payette, Adams, Washington, Gem county) regional group. This group meets to discuss the different needs in their communities related to transportation, especially things like roads, streets, and bridges. The group discusses all the needs and then ranks them in order of importance and sends their recommendations to LHTAC. This year, New Meadows was ranked number 1 for grant funding by the PAWG group for a sign grant and the City has been working on applying for this grant.
Harper then explained another grant with LHTAC that the City will also be applying for. This grant comes up every few years and is usually for $2 million, but this year it is for $3 million. There is a 7.34% match rate for the recipient, but Harper noted that the match rate is usually closer to 50%. The grant is aimed at helping communities achieve big goals especially related to paving major streets. This grant could also help with developing a stormwater system. New Meadows has been ranked number 1 for receiving this grant by the PAWG group as well and Commercial and Heigho are the streets that qualify for grant funding.
Harper noted that figuring out how to use the money in a very precise way will be a top priority and he looks forward to updating the council on this process over the next couple months. Mayor Good emphasized that this is not just putting down asphalt, but also will include digging down to make sure the base will last, putting in curbs and gutters, potentially putting in sidewalks, and adding stormwater infrastructure. These grants will also be presented to the Roads and Streets Committee who will work on a plan and then present it back to the city council.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
Future city council meeting topics include the Youth Center virtual walk through, a presentation on water projects by Kirk Kundrick on November 25, and a field trip to the empty unit in the Industrial Park Complex. Other potential topics include alley work and road grading, potential meetings with local business owners and recommendations for a downtown business association or something similar, as well as water and sewer rates.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
