Moyie Springs city council minutes, December 7

January 7, 2011

City Council met in regular session December 7, 2011 at the Moyie Springs City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Doug Evans. Present were Councilmen Steve Economu, Chad Farrens, Terry Johnson, City Attorney Dan Featherston, Fire Chief Ken English and Public Works Supervisor John Nelson. Discussed the minutes of the regular meeting on November 9, 2011. A motion was made by Steve Economu and seconded by Chad Farrens to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried. Discussed the financial statement. A motion was made by Chad Farrens and seconded by Terry Johnson to approve as written. Motion carried. Larry Comer, Welch Comer Engineering, John Tindall, DEQ, Bart Klaus, Lila Finley, Drexel Love and Lori Johnson attended the meeting. Larry Comer and John Tindall attended the meeting to discuss the city sewer system. The City of Moyie received a letter from DEQ terminating our grant effective, due to the inactive nature of the grant, on December 31, 2011. Larry Comer presented a draft of a letter to send to DEQ. He will e-mail the letter to Sandy so it can be printed on the city letterhead. The letter and the revised project schedule on the wastewater facility plan will be sent to DEQ. The following options were discussed: 1. Class A Mechanical Treatment Facility. It would be located on the existing city site. Disposal would be on Idaho Forest Group property with rapid infiltration or drainfield. Rapid infiltration or drainfield disposal requires a detailed geo-hydrology analysis for nutrients and pathogens (about $10,000 cost with soil borings). 2. “Pros”: High level of treatment No new land acquisition Gravity flow to existing site Expandable for future “Cons”: Mechanical system and filters require more maintenance Higher level operation certification requires – Class 3 License Sludge disposal requirements Expensive geo-technical study Less flexible with variable flows Estimated cost: $2.5 million 3. Construct 4” diameter or HDPE pressure sewer pipeline along US 2 to Three Mile, then to Bonners Ferry treatment lagoons. Initially, no follow-up interest from Three Mile area or Boundary County. All capital costs likely borne by the City of Moyie Springs. There would be future income (capital) from later hook-ups. “Pros: Gets Moyie Springs out of the sewage treatment business Economy of scale with Bonners Ferry No discharge permit from DEQ or EPA Potential future income from future hook-ups. “Cons”: Very long force main for on-going maintenance & liability Pumping/Power costs Lack of control over Bonners Ferry sewer rates More management problems from future hook-ups in County areas At least 2 major pump stations required. Estimated cost: $2.7 million plus capital hook-up charges from Bonners Ferry. 4. Construct two aerated, lined sewage lagoons for year-round storage class “C” treatment: Land application (re-use) on a timber crop. Still waiting for determination of availability of 50 acres from USFS. Land requirements: For 130 EDU’S For 450 EDU’S Lagoon Area 1.5 acres 6 acres Spray Area (plus buffers) 14 acres 60 acres` Annual irrigation assuming 25” per year. “Pros”: Re-use permit from DEQ, no EPA permit “Zero” discharge option Low maintenance requirements Very forgiving with highly variable flows Good reliability & longevity “Cons”: Requires one major pumping station Large land area requirements (50 acres) Groundwater monitoring wells required Buffer areas required (300’ from dwellings) (500’ from private wells) Estimated cost: $3.6 million Larry Comer was asked how we are going to convince people the force main would be a good thing? Larry Comer said we probably won’t be dealing with households but businesses. Terry Johnson said if the City of Moyie Springs expands the sewer to residences, the cost will be higher. John Tindall said because of the costs, we need to decide if we just want to fix our system. They haven’t figured the costs of keeping our system. Ken English said we get our water from wells and this will be downstream of the wells. John Tindall said that will be looked at. Discussed the water leak at the Bob Hovish residence. The leak has finally be repaired – it was under the foundation of the house. Discussed the canvassed election results from the November 8, 2011, election. A motion was made by Chad Farrens and seconded by Steve Economu to accept the canvassed election results: Terry A. Johnson – 54 votes; Bart Klaus – 53 votes; Douglas Reoch – 34 votes; Rosanne Smith – 19 votes. Motion carried. Discussed the sign for the City Hall. Mayor Evans talked to Bob Blanford, Idaho Forest Group, about a saw blade, but he didn’t remember what size we need. Terry Johnson said 52”. There are 2 – 60’ saw blades at Chilco. We will discuss this again at the January 4, 2012 meeting. Discussed the Council absences ordinance. Dan Featherston brought a draft ordinance for the council to go over for the January meeting. Discussed the deed for the mill property that joins the former Estaline Reader property, that the City now owns. This will be discussed at the January 4, 2012 meeting. Dan Featherston said a new writ has been sent to the Sheriff’s office on the Tate property. Sandy told the council the City received a refund from Blue Cross in the amount of $2834.02 for being overcharged for monthly premiums from January 1, 2008 thru July 31, 2010. Discussed Christmas bonuses. A motion was made by Steve Economu and seconded by Terry Johnson to match last years bonuses: Ken English - $75.00; John Nelson - $300.00; Sandy Tompkins - $300.00. Motion carried. Discussed the Volunteer Fire Department. Ken English reported: November 2 – LEPC meeting; November 3 – Ambulance assist; November 4 – Driving Class in Naples; November 5 – Driving Test in Bonners Ferry; November 11 – Fire; November 16 – Truck/Train accident; November 16 – Fire Chief’s meeting; November 18 – Hazardous material class – Naples; November 20 – Ambulance assist; November 21 – Fire Chief’s meeting – Curley Creek. Ken said John Nelson has serviced the main fire truck. Dean, at Carquest, can get fire coats for $75.00 each and they meet all the requirements. A motion was made by Chad Farrens and seconded by Steve Economu authorizing Ken English to purchase 9 coats @ $75.00 ea. Motion carried. Discussed the Water & Sewer systems. John Nelson reported we pumped a high on November 17 of 137,300 gpd; a low on the 28th of 54,400 gpd; an average of 112,513 gpd and a total of the month of November of 3,395,400 gallons. John said they fixed a leak at the mill and he’s fixing the carburetor on the City of Bonners Ferry fire truck. John said he hit the manhole in the canyon and broke a piece off the plow – he has fixed it. Sandy told the council she is taking vacation December 19 – 26. The council approved. Discussed the KVRI meeting. Doug Evans reported habitat for caribou was discussed and the study is being done by the Federal Fish & Game. Discussed the bills. A motion was made by Steve Economu and seconded by Terry Johnson to pay the bills. Motion carried. A motion was made by Terry Johnson and seconded by Steve Economu to adjourn. Motion carried. /s/ Attest: City Clerk