Loading...
Council Minutes 09/19/1973 I o 00 I:"- CO tI.:l t:1J I I 23 CITY OF AMMON Sept. 19, 1973 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council: The meeting was called to order at 7: 35 P. M. by Mayor Keith C. following City Officials present: Mayor Keith C. Turnbow Councilman Russell N. Swensen Councilman James H. Southwick Councilman Gerald B. Cheney Councilman Marvin J. Anderson (Arrived at 8:00 P. M.) Turnbow with the Clerk Deon Hemingway Attorney W. Joe Anderson Engineer David E. Benton Others present during the meeting were Karan Gust, Sonja Griffeth, Gloria Harris, W. Harvey Olson (all residents of Sabin Drive), D. J. Wilson (Post-Register reporter), A. Wm. Brunt Jr., Reese Brown, and G. Earl Brunt. Prayer was offered by Councilman Cheney. Minutes of the meeting of Sept. 5, 1973, were approved as typed. W. Harvey Olson, representing the citizens of Sabin Drive, presented a prepared statement requesting further consideration of dips or bumps on that street to help eliminate speeding problems and danger to children's lives. He stated that the problem is a physical one and requires a physical solution. Thanks was expressed to the City for re-erecting the speed limit sign and increased patrolling in the area. Time was given to Councilman Southwick to review the feelings of the volunteer Fire Department personnel, indicating that they would refuse to drive emergency vehicles on a street if speed control devices were installed. Councilman Swensen noted that he had asked for additional patrolling immediately after the Sabin Drive delegation attended the Council Meeting in July, and that the speed limit sign was not found for a few days but is now up; also a stop sign has been installed at the south end of the street and a traffic count check was made over the past fourteen days. Mr. Olson reported that he had taken some readingS on the counter and found that it was not working during the last few days, so the total reading would not be valid. As sur- ance was given by Mayor Turnbow that the problem was not being ignored, but the City had been advised by legal counsel not to put in speed bumps or dips; also relief from the amount of traffic on Sabin Drive should be forthcoming next year when it is expected that Midway Avenue will be opened up to be a thoroughfare from 17th Street to Sunnyside Road. It was decided to have a crosswalk painted near the middle of the block on Sabin Drive and school crossing signs erected on either side (Mrs. Griffeth indicated that the mothers would take turns directing the school children to use the crosswalk). Also the property owners present are to contact the others on the street to see what the feeling would be for establishing a Local Improvement District to install sidewalks which would help keep the children off the street. Mayor Turnbow acknowledged that the city's Traffic Safety Commission is not active at this time since some terms have expired and reappointments have not been made. A. Wm. Brunt Jr. reviewed letters received by him recently regarding financing problems for the Eastgate Mobilehome Village indicating that most of the problem is the anticipated increase in water and sewer rates when the trailerpark is required to use the sewer services of the City of Ammon thus making operation of the business not financially rewarding. City officials pointed out that the Brunts and the financing agency (FHA) knew that Ammon rates were higher than those of Idaho Falls when the project was started several years ago, and that the payments on the city's water and sewer project bonds was based on including the monthly charges to the mobilhome re sidents. It was also noted that the City Council had made an official policy in 1971 that all residents of the City would be charged a uniform rate for water, etc. After considerabl,. more discussion, Engineer Benton sUggested a check could be made into the possibility of giving some credit which could lower the charge for sewer services since the sewer lines have already been put in at the trailerpark at Brunts' expense so do not have to be included in the forthcoming city project. A recommendation on this will be requested from the Project Engineer, Larry Perkins. Dr. Brunt's sUggestion to have the mobilehome area set up on a commercial basis for sewer service will also be investigated. In response to a comment made by Mr. Reece Brown, Manager of the Eastgate Mobile- home Village, that perhaps some consideration on rates should be given inasmuch 24 as the City does not maintain the waterline in the traile'rpark, Mayor Turn- bow pointed out that verbal agreement was made some time ago to have the main lines there under city maintenance as soon as the easements are turned over to the City. Mr. Earl Brunt presented a proposal to sell to the City the property now known as Falcon Park and a strip of land on the east side and adjacent to Sand Creek, indicating that he would be willing to negotiate on the suggested prices. Councilman Southwick move.d that this matter of Sand Creek and Falcon parks be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion was seconded by Councilman Swensen voting all in favor; motion carried. Attorney Anderson I and/or Engineer Benton were. asked to check on a matter brought to the attention of the Council by Mr. Brunt regarding whether or not the land now being used as Targhee Street running east of Avocet Drive was ever dedicated to the City. This property was originally platted as being reserved for a future street. Attorney Anderson advised that there is nothing detrimental to the City in the ordinance requested by Upper Valley Telecable or the petition presented by Television Station KID in the last meeting. With regard to the ordinance it was noted that the City would not be involved in its enforcement except to is sue citations if violations are reported, that the state law on malicious mischief is not sufficient to cover the telecable business, and that the City would collect on fines if a City ordinance is in effect. (See Excerpt of Minutes prepared by Attorney Anderson for first reading of Ordinance No. 111- -mo ved by Councilman Swensen and seconded by Councilman Cheney- -and adopting the resolution of accepting the KID petition- -moved by Councilman Southwick and seconded by Councilman Swensen. ) Mayor Turnbow mentioned that it was in order to adopt a resolution calling for a City election. Accordingly, Councilman Swensen presented the following: It is hereby resolved that we call for a Gene ral City Election to be held on November 6, 1973, and instruct the City Clerk to post and publish the notices of such election. Seconded by Councilman Cheney; voting all in favor; resolu- tion adopted. I Inasmuch as only one bid was received in response to the notice published on Sept. 13, 16, and 18, 1973, for selling the 1966 Plymouth Fury police car, Councilman Southwick moved that'the car be sold to Gordon Turnbow for $105.00 as bid. Seconded by Councilman Swensen; voting all in favor; motion carried. Engineer Benton reported that the last word he had is that approval to proceed on the EPA part of the sewer project has not yet been received from that agency. He noted that the location of the fire hydrant on Ross Avenue has been .checked and is back 3 to 5 feet on private property so should be moved out and raised up also. The problem of the hole along the curb and gutter on the ,east side of Ross Avenue is still being worked on by Engineer Benton along with making arrangements for a turn-around on the south end of Ross Avenue. A sUggestion to obtain easements to open RossAvenue from Peterson Park to Jennie Jean will also be checked by the Engineer. (j '.4 Discussions on where the sewer and water, project contractors can keep their equipment, etc., and what to do with the excess gravel from the construction I process and the top soil to be obtained from opening the alleyways in the Original Townsite resulted in the following motions and recommendations: . Councilman Swensen moved that the City work with the contractors on the water and sewer project (Hartwell Excavating, Goodwin Construction Co., and Andrew Well Drilling) to allow them to park trucks, equipment supplies, and offices on the newly purchased presently undevel(:>ped property north and west of McCowin Park during the life of said comtruction project. Se- conded by Councilman Southwick; voting all in favor; motion carried. Council- man Southwick moved that provisions be made for the dumping of fill dirt (top soil) in the newly purchased presently undeveloped area north and west of McCowin Park as sepcifically designated by the City Engineer. Seconded by Councilman Swensen; voting all in. favor; motion carried. The gravel should I o 00 .1:'- CQ W W I I '2~S- be used to build up the road beds where the alleyways are opened. Hartwells, or other heavy equipment operators such as Waters and Ellingfords, should be contacted for getting the top soil dug up and hauled to the designated area. Mayor Turnbow reported that Engineer Benton is working with the Attorn.ey to obtain permission (easements) from Bonneville County to put in the sewer line where it will have to be installed in the right-of-way of existing county roads, and recommended that a suggestion be made to the County to have Hartwells leave the dirt there then crushed gravel could be put on it for a bicycle path. A proposal on the Peterson Park Well #4 contract presented by letter from Richard Adams, President, The Bank of Commerce, was read by Mayor Turnbow, quoting a figure of $15, 106. 38, which includes intere st up to Sept. 11, 1973, with a per diem rate of $1. 80 thereafter. After advantages and disadvantages of accepting this offer were discussed, Councilman Southwick moved that the remaining loan on Well #4 be paid off as soon as possible as per the proposal of the Bank of Commerce. Seconded by Councilman Swensen; voting all in favor; motion carried. Regarding the matter mentioned in,the last meeting of investigating the possibility of opening a path or street through the Horace Smith property, Mayor Turnbow noted that the Smiths are not willing to have such action taken unless it is done properly with utility lines, curb and gutter, paving, etc., which they are not in a position to do at this time. A letter will be written explaining this to Mel Richardson who requested this investigation on behalf of himself and other residents of Brookfield Lane. Mayor Turnbow read a letter from the Idaho Falls Public Library which expressed thanks to the City of Ammon for extending free swimming passed in support of the summer reading program. The Council discussed problems relative to getting all of the city maintenance work done, and it was indicated that perhaps another man is needed on the city crew. Mayor Turnbow mentioned that he would like to recommend having one of the city employees work at night during the winter to make and maintain ice ponds, sand the streets, etc. Councilman Swensen requested sUggestions for Traffic Safety Commission members to fill vacancies left by expiration of terms and a member who has moved. He stated that letters have been written to two of the members asking the consider reappoint- ment. With reference to law enforcement, Mayor Turnbow asked for comments on the effectiveness of the present system of contracting with the Sheriff's Department. Councilman Southwick mentioned that he has heard less complaints and there is better response to protection needs on fire calls than there was with the former city police department. Mayor Turnbow explained that, in anticipation of increased costs for police protection next year, he had made an executive proposal to use some of the Revenue Sharing funds for this purpose, which was reflected in the report published in the newspaper as required by law. \ According to Councilman Anderson, residents at the north end of Avocet Drive have inquired about when the shrubs on the sign area there, which were dug up when the telephone cable was put in several weeks ago, will be replaced. He indicated that this would be taken care of next week, and Councilman Cheney is to check to see that the job is satisfactory when completed. Councilman Anderson moved that the meeting adjourn at 11:45 P. M. Claims were approved for payment. ~~-'- CLERK / /7- ~1i~ C11JJ1~ MA OR