New Meadows Public Hearing Reports
Ryan Zollman, running for re-election as sheriff on Tuesday, spoke at the New Meadows Regular City Council meeting on May 13, 2024. Ryan has lived in Council since 2000 and been with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office since 2002. He was elected Sheriff in 2012. Ryan believes this community embraced him and his family when they were at their lowest point and he wants to be there for the community when we need him. Ryan is excited for communication to be better between officers because they all have new radios and a new dispatch system should be ready by July. Sheriff Zollman answered the council’s questions about staffing, grants, and reserves. He explained that when we see deputies sitting in the fire station parking lot, they are using the fire station’s internet to do their reports so they don’t have to go all the way back to Council.
Charlie Shepherd, running for re-election to State Rep. Seat 7B, was also present. He represents Adams, Idaho and most of Nez Perce County. He graduated high school in Riggins, logged for years, built log homes, and coached in Riggins while his dad was a legislator. Finally, he followed in his dad’s footsteps. Charlie has been married for 30 years. His kids and grandkids live in Idaho. He uses his knowledge to influence others in the legislature. Charlie answered questions about tourism, taxes, fish and game and economics. The mayor asked if he could keep the council updated regularly.
Mayor Good then opened the Public Hearing for the conditional use permit revocation for 3640 Southend Rd. The permit was given 10 years ago but the requirements were never completed. No one spoke in favor of the revocation. One citizen spoke neutrally about it wanting to see improvement. Several people spoke against the revocation. The public hearing was closed. After lengthy discussion and questions, the city council decided, because of the show of public support, to give Brown’s Recycling one more chance to come in to compliance.
The mayor reported chip sealing will begin the first part of July on the west side of town and go up Goose Creek canyon to McCall. The bridge by Last Chance turn-off will also be replaced this summer. The campground will be closed while this is happening. Work will also be done on Hwy 95 from the intersection, north to Hazard Creek Road with only one lane open for as long as it takes. The city will be using the text alert system to keep people updated.
The Childcare Facility Advisory Committee is up and running. They are hoping to have a plan for city council approval by June 10th.
The sack lunch program will be starting again June 3rd. There was discussion about Zipley coming into town to do work in the city right of way.
Kirk Kundrick spoke about a survey that’s needed for EPA to identify any lead pipes in the water system or service lines.
Another public hearing was opened. This one was about the Idaho Community Development Block Grant Status of Funded Activities. It was a requirement for the $500,000 received for the water system development in 2018. It was reported to be close to being wrapped up. There was no public input. The hearing was closed.
Keller Associates was appointed as the city’s new engineer.
IRON broadband, a nonprofit organization, is wanting to put a Telcom Hut by Well 5. The location was approved to present as a possibility for the project.
A public notification process standard will be developed to be used to avoid confusion for city utility notices.
The mayor was given authority to make needed decisions regarding the child care center as long as it doesn’t change the scope of the project. This will allow the project to move forward more quickly.
A $50/mo stipend for employee cell phone use was approved.
The council then went into Executive Session and afterward gave Diane Hunter a 75 cent/hr raise and Kyla Gardner a $3.00/hr raise. Dianne Hunter was also moved to permanent full time status.
Mayor Good then recognized Councilman Jeff Parnett and gave him a public thank you “for his wonderful influence on the youth of our community over all these many years at the school.”
