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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-12-01city council minutesBook 22 Page 337 REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1981 7:30 p.m. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor McCluskey. The Mayor requested that the visiting Scout Troop No. 276 lead the audience and the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Williams, Raymond, Mallea, Hopper, Carter, and Betts. Absent: none. (APPROVAL OF MINUTES) MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by Carter to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Executive Session at Noon on November 17, 1981; the Regular City Council Meeting, November 17, 1981, the Regular City Council Meeting, November 24, 1981; and the Executive Session on December 1, 1981, and approve them as written. MOTION CARRIED (AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION) The Mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience who would care to bring anything before the City Council that was not on the prepared Agenda. Since there was no one, the Mayor declared that the Meeting would continue as outlined. The Mayor did acknowledge the presence of Jack Carter's Scout Troop #276 who were present at the City Council Meeting. OLD BUSINESS (COLLEGE OF IDAHO ROAD CLOSURE) The Mayor stated that there had been quite a bit of discussion with regard to the College of Idaho request for a road closure and he would ask Councilman Hopper to report with regard to this item. Councilman Hopper was recognized and stated that he would like to reiterate his position on this request. when the College of Idaho originally owned that piece of ground, they dedicated that street for the benefit of the City of Caldwell and primarily for their own traffic. Today, with a different direction in their own format of the campus, namely closing the campus to automotive vehicles, Councilman Hopper said that he would like to endorse their plan of that particular area around Blatchley Theater. Councilman Hopper further stated that he felt it would be appropriate to address other areas on campus after the College comes to the City with a master plan or at least a study as to the needs of the campus. To avoid delaying any of their particular projects now, namely the Blatchley Theater corner, he would propose that the City Council temporarily close that and then start the machinery rolling for the vacation of the streets involved. MOVED by Hopper, SECONDED by Raymond that the City temporarily close Ohio Street and Michigan Street from a point at the alley between Ash Street and Hazel Street from that point at the alley to Hazel Street and including Hazel Street with the intent of vacating in the future. The City Council then discussed this issue further with Councilwoman Mallea stating that she would like to have it considered that this be a temporary closure and that the City would not vacate these streets until the master plan and', fire hydrant problems and access have been considered. Councilman Hopper pointed out that these things would have to be addressed in the process of vacation. It was also discussed that the College of Idaho would have to request the vacation in a written form. Councilman Hopper also stated that he felt there was a real spirit of cooperation as far as the President of the College was concerned as he did want to do things Book 22 Page 338 right. It was felt that if the Citywould tell him that he has the right to close it now and that the City will act upon his written request to vacate in the future. During the plans, the fire problems will be addressed. The Mayor then asked for a vote on the motion as made. (DECISION ON STEP PROGRAM) MOTION CARRIED The Mayor stated that the next item on the Agenda was a decision with regard to acceptance of the STEP Program. IIe then asked the Chief of Police if he had anything further to state with regard to this Program. The Police Chief stated that he had nothing further other than he was sure all of the City Council was aware that the members of the Finance Committee met with him last Friday afternoon and discussed the funding. The Mayor stated that he felt that this issue had been covered quite thoroughly, but would ask the City Council if they had. any statements to make at this time. Several questions were asked of the Police Chief with regard to the Grant. The Mayor pointed out th the public would have to be made aware with publicity as to what was going to happen if the STEP Program was accepted. Councilman Hopper stated that he was in full support of the Program, but would . ask the Chief of Police to be careful to not overspend the budget and to give strong consideration to a warning program rather than giving so many citations. Councilwoman Mallea stated that she had a list of the accidents and collisions; the top twenty, and she had the feeling that at least four of the top would be addressed by the completion of the new highway and the installation of the stop light at Blaine. She felt this program was an extensive dedication to one project and thought that the addition of one car and one patrolman for this purpose would be sufficient, although she was mindful of the collision problems. She further commented that there will be increased citations, increased court actions, and increased prosecutor costs and for all of these reasons she could not support this program. The Mayor said that the problems at Fifth Avenue and Blaine referred to will not be changed under any circumstances. Lie hoped that the problem at Fifth and the Interstate would be helped, but that would be three years from now. Councilwoman Williams stated that she felt the Council had the right to be concerned about the finances. After meeting with the Chief of Police and discussing the finances with him and the update of equipment, a lot of the worries were alleviated from her mind. It was then MOVED by Kopper, SECONDED by Betts that the City Council accept the STEP Program as outlined by the Chief of Police. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Hopper, Carter, Betts, Williams, Raymond. Those voting no: Mallea. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (REPORT FROM "SEWER PLUC-UP" DAMAGE COMMITTEE) The Mayor requested that Pete Cowles submit his report with regard to the sewer damage claim by William Higley of 1210 Arthur as Mr. Cowles was a member of that Committee assigned to study this claim. ____ Mr. Cowles read the following memo addressed to the Mayor and City Council: I had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Higley. I also had the opportunity to look at the damage done by the back up of the sewer from the 1100 block of Arthur on 11/14/81. I contacted Glen Hollis of the Caldwell Sewage Treatment Plant, who advised me that on the date of 11/14/81, the excessive rain caused many problems that night including Mr. Higley's. Mr. Higley stated that several inches of water settled into his basement. I-Ie obtained a water pump from Root Rents and removed Book 22 Page 339 the excess water, he stated that the carpet (indoor - outdoor) was mildewing and causing an offensive odor. He stated the carpet would have to be replaced. Mr. Higley checked several carpet dealers and found the cheapest (less expensive) carpet to be from Mr. C's Carpet of Caldwell. Carpet to measure 10' x 12'. Damage done to Mr. Higley's property was a direct result of the backup of the sewer lines on 11/14/81. Water pump from Root Rents $ 7.63 Indoor /out door carpet 85.00 Total 92.63 The Mayor suggested that the City Council encourage these people to put in a check valve and perhaps stipulate that the City of Caldwell would pay this time, but would not be responsible for any further damage. He further said that he would suggest that the claim be paid with an accompanying letter that the City will not pay another claim and recommend that based on this they put in a check valve for their own protection. The CityEngineer was recognized and stated that the Uniform Plumbing Code does state that in this kind of case that the water valve should be installed. MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by Hopper that the City of Caldwell pay the claim and accompany the check with a letter recommending that for their own protection they have a valve installed and that the insurance company be notified that this is the first of more possible claims that could exceed. $1,000. MOTION CARRIED (MAYOR'S COMMENTS) 1. Report on December 4th and December 5th. The Mayor stated that he made a report at the noon unofficial meeting with regard to these two dates. It was the intent of the employee's association to donate a portion of the money they receive from their sale to some charitable purpose. 2. The Mayor also stated that on December 15th, Bill Sacht would be at the noon meeting to discuss with the City Council removing Tenth Avenue from the Interstate to Cleveland from the State Highway System. The Mayor said that this would be extremely detrimental to the City of Caldwell and the City Engineer was in agreement with this. 3. Release Retainage from VIPCO. The City Engineer explained that the City should release the retainage that was the City's share. He talked with Jim Walker to verify that this would be the appropriate thing to do and he indicated it would be. The figure that the City would be releasing now would be $16,500.58. We would still have approximately $6,000 of Vipco money on the basic project and about another $9,400 from additional change orders that were currently being processed. Therefore, the City would still have on hand $15,400 of their dollars. Caldwell Electric has an outstanding bill of $16,400 approximatel -. and would not have enough to cover if the City was to release all of the retainage. In order to release the retainage, two checks should be made out; one to Vipco and one to Caldwell Electric. It was Mr. Redmond's recommendation that the City go ahead and release the retainage. MOVED by Raymond, SECONDED by Carter that the City Council accept the recommendation of the City Engineer. MOTION CARRIED 4. The Mayor asked that the City Council members look over the dog pound agreement that he distributed to them. S. The Mayor stated that he wanted to start a water study based on the study that Phil Leahy made for the City of Caldwell. The Mayor asked the City Council if it would be advantageous Book 22 Page 340 to have Mr. Leahy come to Caldwell at that time as he had indicate he would be willing to do so. Councilman Carter stated that perhaps not this next week, but some time in the future. 6. Letter from Canyon. County - Cities Disaster Services. The Mayor read the following letter: As a result of our preliminary planning for a mass casualty emergency last spring, those responsible for on scene Triage decided there was a need to reassess their in the field operations. After studying procedures used by the other emergency response organizations along with Local experience, Mercy Medical. Center, Caldwell Memorial Hospital and the Canyon County Paramedics have come up with a plan -- which they would like to review with our Disaster Response group. They will be doing this for us Friday morning, December the 4th 1981, in the ground floor meeting room of the Courthouse in Caldwell next to the Disaster Services Office at 9:00 a.m. You are invited to attend this presentation, and to give your input. Please plan to be there. (COMMITTEE REPORTS) Councilwoman Williams was recognized and stated that she was pleased with the number of people in the audience and would like to particularly recognize the presence of the new Librarian. She also thanked the Mayor for the letter sent to George Phelps. (APPLICATION FOR HARDSHIP DISCOUNT) Councilman Raymond presented one application For hardship discount and informed the City Council that he had reviewed this application and would recommend it be granted. MOVED by Raymond, hardship discount There being no fu 8:20 P.M. APPROVED AS written SECONDED by Carter that the application for as presented by Councilman Raymond be approved.--- MOTION CARRIED rther business, the Meeting was adjourned at THIS 15th DAY OF December 1.981. 'L1n Gl lman J ' Councilman ATTEST: City Cler- -kC,--'