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Council Minutes 04/04/1985 I ~ CD ,....... () <X: <J: I I March 21, 1985 April 4, 1985 28~ Regarding a proposal to change to a town marshall type of law enforcement, which was mentioned at the previous meeting, Councilwoman Dille reported that information will be ready to be presented when the Council meets on April 4th. According to Councilman Quigley, an application was filed on March 8th with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for grant funds through the Bureau of Outdoor Re- creation for a restroom in Peterson Park and exercise paths in Peterson Park and McCowin Park. He noted that, if the grant is approved, matching funds will be needed to complete the projects, part of which can be from donated labor, etc., and that the people who are involved with the Western Boys Baseball and the soccer leagues have expressed an interest in helping. Mayor Swensen indicated that he has become aware of some grant funds for community improvements which are available from a source in this area, and he will pursue the possibility of getting an application. Other items mentioned by Councilman Quigley included getting prices on a blanket for the swimming pool to save on water-heating costs and ordering trees for the parks. Hayse Whiteley, Public Works Director, referred to the favorable weather conditions which have prevented drainage problems while the deep snow banks along the streets have been melting. Mayor Swensen informed the Council members that he attended the Court hearing on the appeal filed by William McQuillen regarding the findings of the City Council which revoked the building permit issued to him to move a log house on to the lot on the west side of Ammon ~oad just south of the Horace Smith propertl at 2150 Ammon Road. (The public hearing on this matter was held on August 2, 1984.) It was noted that the Court granted additional time for the appealing party to file a brief and for the City to respond before a decision is to be made. Claims totaling $19,246.95 were approved for payment, and approval was given on vouchers in the amount of $17,048.53 for necessary disbursements since the previous meeting. A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Quigley and seconded by Councilwoman Dille; voting was all in favor; the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. ~/1.~~ MA R r AT~ST, ~~ CIT1 CLERK - CITY OF AMMON April 4, 1985 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Russell N. Swensen with the following City Officials present: Mayor Russell N. Swensen Councilman Merle J. Quigley Councilwoman Carol A. Dille COlIDcilman Thayle D. Monson Absent: Councilman Robert D. Deputy City Clerk Aleen C. Attorney W. Joe Anderson Engineer David E. Benton Planning Commission Member Williamson Jensen Kathy Dansie Others present during the meeting were Elwood Weidauer of 2920 Teton Street, Lee M. and Dorothy (Dot) Reed of 2295 Bittern Drive, Dale Buttars and Terry Gardner of Quality Insulation, Inc., Jay Ellingford of 2930 Teton Street, Roland K. York, and Lee Dille. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was directed by Mayor Swensen and the invocation was offered by Councilman Monson. Minutes of the meetings on January 3 and January 17, 1985, were approved as prepared vuth a motion by COlli~cilwoman Dille and a second by Councilman Quigley; voting was all in favor; motion carried. The meeting was opened as a ublic hearin on an a lication for a variance filed b Lee M. and Dorothy Reed, 2295 Bittern Drive Lot 7 Block 5 Hillview Village Div. 3 . Mayor Swensen announced that notice of the hearing was published in The Post-Register and notices were mailed to adjoining property owners. It was noted that the Reeds request a permit to rebuild their residence following a fire and would like to extend the side of the family room four feet since the foundation needs to be in a different location than the original one, so this would leave a sideyard setback of less than 15 feet which R-l Zoning requires on the street side of a corner lot on a block where a maximum of two lots face the street. The hearing procedures were explained by Mayor Swensen, and he called for the public in attendance to speak. No one desired to speak for or against the request. Councilman Quigley referred to the ordinance on requirements for granting variances which states that "strict application of the re- gulation would result in peculiar and exceptional difficulties or unnecessary hardship", and he said that he was having trouble applying the ordinance to this request. Dis- cussion followed on location of the property line and how many feet of variance were needed. It was decided that the variance, if granted, would have to be for 6 feet since, according to measurements taken by the City Building Inspector and the con- tractor, the property line is only 9 feet from the proposed new foundation, but there would still be 20 feet 6 inches from the house to the curb at the edge of the paved April 4, 1985 290 portion of the street right-of-way. Inasmuch as there were no further questions or comments, the public hearing was closed. Councilwoman Dille moved to grant to Lee M. and Dorothy Reed, 2295 Bittern Drive, a variance of six feet on the sideyard setback on the street side. The motion was seconded by Councilman Monson. In the brief dis- cussion which followed the motion, Councilman Quigley again mentioned the wording of the variance regulations and suggested that the ordinance be reviewed. Mayor Swensen commented that there were special circumstances because a fire had destroyed the end of Reed's house, and pointed out that no opposition to the request had been received. Roll call vote was Monson yes, Quigley yes, Dille yes; motion carried unanimously. Roland K. (Bud) York, an employee of Bonneville County Sheriff's Department who has been assisting Ammon with Animal Control, presented information to consider on the I concept of a town marshall. He pointed out that the state law requires the County to provide law enforcement services in the towns of the County except for enforcing city ordinances, so this would give coverage while a town marshall is not on duty, and he noted that other towns in the County are using this system. Mr. York indicated that he would be interested in applying for the position of town marshall in Ammon. Estimated costs for salary and obtaining the necessary equipment were reviewed, and the requirement for officers to be certified through the State Police Academy was mentioned. The Mayor and Council members recognized the advantage of having better enforcement of local ordinances, but expressed concern about the effects of cancelling the present law enforcement contract with Bonneville County and the insurance coverage which would be required. Attorney Anderson recommended reviewing back records inasmuch as there were real problems in the past when the City operated a police department, and he noted that the City officials were relieved when Bonneville County agreed to take over. It was understood that much more thought and study is needed before a decision can be made on this matter. Councilman Quigley mentioned the need to get started on arranging for a swimming pool manager for the coming season and to be checking the parks to see what needs to be done. He informed the Mayor and other Council members that Valerie Loveland wants to have her shaved ice stand near the pool in McCowin Park again this year, and approval was indicated. Regarding the William McQuillen court appeal on the log house situation, Attorney Anderson reported that the judge's decision is still pending and that the City's insurance carrier will be contacted about a claim filed by Horace and Theone Smith for a ttorneyfees incurred by them in connection with the public hearing and sub- I sequent action on this matter. Engineer Benton referred to the arrangements with Mountain Bell for a booster station (maxihut) on City property near Well #7, and noted that the telephone company has paid the agreed amount of $2500 for the purchase of an easement for the site of the building and $500 for the use of the access. It was recommended that Mayor Swensen sign the application for a permit to dig in the City street right-of-way for the buried telephone cable work. According to Engineer Benton he and Councilman Williamson are doing some research and working up graphs on sewer treatment and maintenance charges by the City of Idaho Falls. Information was presented about the availability of a suitable used fire truck, and 4ttorney Anderson advised that advertising for bids is required. In order to expedite ~atters, Councilman Quigley moved to authorize Mayor Swensen to work with Councilman ~illiamson to follow the necessary procedure for the purchase of a used fire truck. ouncilwoman Dille seconded the motion; voting was unanimous in favor; motion carried. laims to pay in the amount of $6,612.58 were approved, along with claims paid since the previous meeting totaling $6,040.56. It was moved by Councilman Monson and seconded by Councilman Quigley that the meeting adjourn; voting was all in favor; the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. ATTEST: "'w CIT CLERK Minutes recorded by Aleen C. ~Jt~ I n, Deputy City Clerk