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1 Star City Council Meeting Minutes January 19, 2010 The regular meeting of the Star City Council was held on January 19, 2010 at the Star City Hall at 7:00 pm. Mayor Nathan Mitchell called the meeting to order and all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Council persons Tammy McDaniel, Gary Smith, Tom Erlebach and Chad Bell were all present. Approval of the Agenda: Erlebach moved to approve the agenda, Bell seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes: Bell moved to approve the minutes of January 5, 2010, Erlebach seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Presentations/Public Input: Committee Reports – No committee reports were given. Public Input – Bruce Weaver, 2620 N. Munger, Star, Idaho, stated that he lives across from the Orion Park Subdivision. Weaver stated that the noxious weed program is being violated and wondered if the City will be enforcing the city weed ordinance. Mayor Mitchell stated that Orion Park will be mowed this spring; it was mowed in June, and the Sheriff’s crew will be out again this spring. The Mayor stated that two banks have called about the properties regarding entitlements. It is too wet right now to do any mowing. Old Business: Star River Walk Bridge Discussion – Tim Breuer with The Land Trust, stated that he was there to give a general update on the River Walk. Breuer stated that the City contracted with Keller for design and permit of the bridge. Bid packages have gone out and will be back at the end of the month. The intent of the grant money was to cover the bridge; the bridge cost will probably come in over the $5,000 that was budgeted. The interpretive bird blind is budgeted at $56,000. If the bridge is more we can go back to the trust for more money. The original property owner wants a separation of recreationist and livestock. We would not like to cut down any more trees than necessary. The other piece of the puzzle is fencing to keep trail users out of the core wildlife area where the rookery is located. Due to the cost of the fence, they are looking at going back to the Corp of Engineers to create a type of moat separating people away from the rookery. Signage is straight forward because it is subjective. The Council would like to see five or six sign samples. Breuer will get the information to the City Clerk and she will get it to Council. This will be on the agenda for the second meeting of February. Breuer stated the project was bigger than the grant monies received. Three interpretive signs were put into the budget. He believes there should be one at the main street trail head. Breuer asked about ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 the parking, it needs mowed and ready for visitors. Erlebach asked if we can clean that area and asked if there would be a problem with parking. The Mayor stated that we can do grading, but we need to make sure everyone knows what we are doing. New Business: Upstairs Discussion – The Mayor stated that this refers to the west side of the upstairs of City Hall. The City and Fire Department have been given a grant to build an Emergency Operation Center. Fire Chief Kevin Courtney stated that the grant was in the amount of $75,000. The Fire District would run the emergency center and want to talk to the Council about housing it upstairs at City Hall, along with administration offices of the Fire Department. The Fire Department is running out of room. They are waiting for Federal stimulus money to build the new fire station. The idea is that if there were a disaster, they would activate the emergency centers all over the county. The room would house multiple television screens, phones, radios all for resources. The Fire Department would absorb the cost of construction. The operation center can’t be moved, but will need to be in place for some time. The funds are to be spent by the end of April of this year. The Mayor asked Council if they want to commit the upstairs for the emergency operating center. Smith asked if it would be manned 24-7. Courtney stated that it will be available all hours. Chief Courtney stated that there is nothing like this in the northwest area. Bell asked how much room does the EOC require? Courtney stated that the area is less than 1500 sq. feet. The Fire Department will pay all utilities and for the improvements. Bell thinks that we need to sign a contract. The Fire Commissioners think it is a good idea; they are not excited about spending money. Bell stated that he would like to see a draft agreement. Legal Counsel will do a lease agreement for the EOC to include improvements. Ada County Hazard Mitigation Plan – The Mayor stated that this agreement is consent to be a planning partner. If we don’t participate, the City won’t be getting any grant funding. McDaniel moved to approve the ACCEM Mitigation Planning Partners Agreement, Bell seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Election of Council President – The Mayor opened nominations for Council President. Bell nominated Councilwoman Tammy McDaniel as Council President, Erlebach seconded the motion. The Mayor asked for any other nominations. Smith moved to close Council President nominations, Erlebach seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Bell moved to approve Councilwoman McDaniel as Council President and that it be unanimous, Erlebach seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Committee Assignments – (See attached sheet) ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 It was moved by Bell and seconded by McDaniel to approve the assignments. All aye: motion carried. Reports: Staff – No staff reports were given. Council – Smith reviewed the following: Master Plan Meeting, BVEP, ESTech, and meeting with State Representatives. Bell will meet with Valley Ride this week. Mayor – The Mayor stated that on February 12, the new EMS station will hold an open house. The Mayor will be meeting with Chamber officials on Thursday. Adjournment: Bell moved to adjourn the meeting, McDaniel seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. Respectfully submitted: Approved: Cathy Ward, City Clerk Nathan Mitchell, Mayor