Skatepark, Dogs in the Park, Upcoming Events
The New Meadows City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, April 13. The council discussed upcoming city events, continued their discussion around dogs in the City Park, and received presentations about a draft wastewater facility plan, programs at the Youth Center, and the Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) Conference.
Mayor Julie Good began with her Mayor’s Report noting changes during the recent legislative sessions will affect the city especially in street funding and the general fund. She said many state agency budgets were cut by 3-5% which will trickle down to cuts in cities like New Meadows. She anticipates giving a report on what exactly these changes will mean in upcoming meetings.
Good reported she is inviting candidates for upcoming election seats to attend upcoming council meetings and give a brief report about themselves as well as provide opportunities for council members to ask questions. This will not be an open forum for questions, but is a public meeting.
Some upcoming events the Mayor reported include the Skatepark Raking and Grass Seeding Party at Mehen Memorial Skatepark on April 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, a Memorial Day weekend BBQ on Saturday, May 23 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., a full weekend of events for America’s 250th Birthday in July, and a Battle of the Bands event in August. Events can be found on the City Calendar and more information is available in the city’s Monday newsletter. A subscription link is available on the city website.
Mayor Good also said they are working on a “Hello Spring” event with Roberts Greenhouse and working with Creekside Nursery to purchase some trees for the Skatepark with a grant from the Arbor Foundation.
The council heard a presentation by Michael Lee of Public Works about the recent IRWA Conference he attended. He described many of the topics that were directly focused on needs unique to small rural communities including protecting the lagoon system, water log tracking, updating systems, preparedness and communication along with preventative maintenance. He said, “these are all areas where New Meadows has made progress and strives to continue” improving. He noted that these conferences are very important for public works staff and “making us aware of what’s going on and knowing what is important.” Council Member Traci Foster added she thought the conference probably brought “validity to what you are doing here and gives you some insight on what to work on”.
Regarding the Youth Center, a health inspection took place last week after the railing on the back steps and wheelchair ramp were finished. Mayor Good said the bathrooms that will be accessible from the skatepark are nearly complete and most of the kitchen appliances have been installed. She reported on some security updates that are being worked on including one time access door codes for things like parties and one off events.
A presentation was given to the council by local ninth grader Annie Rhoades about the YAC after school program for secondary students that had been meeting at the Youth Center. Rhoades said they had been learning about emotional wellness, personal moral reasoning, and how to help support others. She said their leader Shannon McKnight was a positive role model who helped teach them how to act responsibly. Rhoades said she hoped to be able to meet in the Youth Center again in the future. Mayor Good expressed agreement and said once the back half of the building was complete they would look into opportunities to work together. The group of secondary students includes around 4-8 regular attendees and the elementary age YAC After School program hosts around 15-30 kids.
The council moved to discuss dogs in the City Park. Currently dogs are not allowed, but are regularly seen, which has brought the discussion to the table. Council member Jessica Lillehaug brought some research from three different cities and detailed results from one city’s survey on forming a dog park or allowing dogs in the regular park. She noted that most people surveyed were against a dog park and the survey results showed a general opinion that mixed use spaces provide some “encouragement to clean up after your dogs” especially when considering children also using the space.
Discussion of related topics included potential dog conflicts, leash laws, concern of kids, and people not actually cleaning up after their dogs. A general price of around $300 - $350 for receptacles and waste bags was mentioned.
Kaitlin Thomas with Keller Associates, the city’s Engineering company gave a thorough report of the draft wastewater facility plan that will be sent to DEQ. The plan addresses a seepage leak in one of the facility’s lagoons as well as a long term plan for upgrades and updates including potential funding sources. The Mayor emphasized that this is a draft that will go to the City Council for review, then to DEQ, then be reviewed again along with opening a 90 day period for public comment before it is finalized.
A Budget Hearing date was set for August 10 at the regular Council meeting. A budget workshop will be held in July.
Mayor Good said a grant the city had been working on with the school to grow the preschool program to all day was postponed and they hope to apply at a later time.
Future meeting topics may include public comment on dogs in the park, Fire Department MOU updates, timing for auction of the Old City Hall, wastewater facility draft plan approval, industrial park rental application review, and County Assessor, Clerk, and Commissioner candidate presentations.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m..
