Stop Signs, Dogs and Summer Fun
The New Meadows City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, June 8. Major topics included continued review of the city’s comprehensive plan, discussion and decisions on dogs in the city park, approval of numbering system ordinance and a permanent stop sign plan for South Heigho.
Mayor Julie Good reported on recent and upcoming happenings including dust abatement, city projects and the recent circus. Circus attendance at all three show times totaled just under 1,300 guests. It was the first time this season that the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus added an extra show time to meet demand. The event hosted by the McCall Senior Center and City of New Meadows Parks & Rec brought in just over $5,000 which was split between both entities. Good said the event cost the city almost nothing to put on outside of staff setting out trash cans, selling tickets and doing some advertising so it was a huge win and hopefully a benefit to local businesses as well. Six portable toilets were graciously donated by Mountain Septic which came in handy, said Good, as a full bus broke down at the park the next day and the group was there for a few hours. The Mayor said they hope to do more events with the McCall Senior Center in the future and said the event was a “great picture of the power of collaboration.”
Outside of the meeting, the city has begun advertising for 4th of July and America 250 celebrations. On Friday, July 3 a Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights community BBQ is scheduled in the city park from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. The event includes a free BBQ, live music, yard games and other family fun as well as a sparkler finale. Saturday’s Farmer’s Market from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is set to include a kids red, white and blue parade, games and contests. That evening the Meadows Valley Rural Fire District is holding their annual S.A.V.E.S The Day Dinner, Raffle and Auction at 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from any local fire fighter or by visiting the fire station.
Grant funding has made possible a free smoke detector program and citizens are encouraged to contact City Hall to sign up. A release of liability form has been created by the city’s attorney so that city staff can do the installations. Mayor Good said Mark Peterson with C&M helped the city purchase 100 smoke detectors with the grant money.
Grass and weed notices for June have been distributed. Good noted a letter would be sent to Meadows Subdivision and the city would follow up within ten days if action was not taken to cut tall vegetation.
Regarding inquiries related to a surge in e-bike usage and safety concerns, Mayor Good said she contacted Sheriff Ryan Zollman to learn about rules and regulations related to age and type of bike. Councilmember Traci Foster brought up concerns about youth understanding rules related to riding motorized vehicles including stop signs and speed limit laws. Councilmember Jessica Lillehaug said McCall Police Department had recently put on a school assembly to detail which bikes could be ridden at what age and which bikes needed permits.
A discussion around rates and fees began with the current bulk water distribution system. The city council approved at the last meeting beginning the process of installing a bulk water station with a credit card system to track the number of gallons used and automate payment. Currently bulk water is accessed from a hydrant at the fire station since it has a backflow preventer. Businesses accessing bulk water must arrange with the city to have equipment inspected and receive a tracker from City Hall staff so they can be invoiced. Residential city water is charged at .01 cents per gallon. Bulk water is currently charged at $50 for up to 2500 gallons and $100 for 2501 gallons or more. City council plans to hear a presentation regarding the automated system and a public hearing will be scheduled ahead of execution of any plans. The city is also looking into adding a dump station.
The city council also reviewed rates and fees for notary services and reviewed the industrial park budget including items like utilities, late fees, water, sewer and maintenance costs.
They also further discussed the city’s comprehensive plan, but postponed updates until the next meeting. The plan is reviewed and referenced for any planning and zoning request and related public hearing.
Specific wording for dogs in the city park was discussed especially related to pet waste, leashing and service dogs.
Short term RV use permits for Fry/Conner and Brown were discussed and actioned. The conversation included RV use ordinances specifically related to clarifying use being approved in the case of housing displacement or not finding adequate housing and ensuring the applicant’s intended use applied to the ordinance details. Both permits were approved with a notice that the City Council is looking to revise RV use ordinances.
Councilmember Foster moved to approve permanent installation of stop signs on S Heigho after discussion. The Council passed the motion unanimously along with approval to add two signs that say “stop ahead” which were received by the city. Prior discussion noted community feedback so far has been negative but that they would rather receive negative feedback about stop signs than about speeding without stop signs.
A motion to amend an ordinance related to numbering systems on houses and buildings was approved unanimously. The amendment adds that owners must place reflective figures at least three inches high showing the number of the building in a place visible from the street without obstruction.
Large rocks in the city park were discussed and the council will address specific rocks to be removed at the next meeting.
Future meeting topics may also include dogs in the park ordinance, sewer proposed budget, bulk water rates per thousand gallons comparisons, comprehensive plan review of pages 1-15 and a public hearing for planning & zoning.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
