City Council met in regular session February 8, 2012, 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, Bart Klaus, City Attorney Dan Featherston and Fire Chief Ken English.  John Nelson was unable to attend the meeting. 

Discussed the minutes of the regular meeting on January 4, 2012.  A motion was made by Chad Farrens and seconded by Steve Economu to approve the minutes as written.  Motion carried.  Discussed the minutes of the special meeting on January 25, 2012.  A motion was made by Terry Johnson and seconded by Bart Klaus to approve the minutes as written.  Motion carried.

Discussed the financial statement.  A motion was made by Terry Johnson and seconded by Chad Farrens to approve as written.  Motion carried.

Mary Lockwood, Lori Johnson, Ron Frederickson, Kevin Frederickson, Mike Sloan, Lila Finley and Drexel Love attended the meeting.

Ron & Kevin Frederickson attended the meeting to discuss recycling.  Ron said there could be possible cost allocations for garbage in the city.  Ron also said recycling has its good sides.  Ron wrote a possible contract stating BF Garbage would provide effective affordable & accountable service for the City of Moyie.  Ron said there is a financial investment they have acquired over the years.  They pick up commercial & residential garbage for the City of Bonners Ferry, Boundary County, and the City of Moyie.  Ron said there is a lot of expense involved especially with the small population like Boundary County.  Ron said Moyie has good growth potential in the future – growth helps them keep their rates steady.  Ron said they are requesting a contract agreement between the City of Moyie Springs and Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage to be the only provider in the City of Moyie.  Terry Johnson asked if they are doing curbside recycling yet?  Ron said no, it is still pending.  They have a meeting with the City of Bonners Ferry on March 6^th to discuss recycling.  Ron said what the City of Bonners is doing now is side stepping the eventual curbside pick up.  Mayor Evans asked Ron if they have a truck that does both?  Ron said they do but is has no compaction – it is more for curbside pick up.  Ron said they have 1700 bins, and they can use their packer truck if curbside happens.  Ron said the City of Bonners has 4 sections and they would couple those together.  Doug asked if Moyie has pick up, would there be a scheduling problem?  Ron said no.  Steve Economu asked if people would have to put the bins out at the road?  Ron said yes.  Doug said residents in the City of Bonners Ferry get a price break on the landfill fee from the County.  Drexel Love asked instead of paying Fredericksons $20.00 per month, it would be paid through the city?  She was told yes.  There is a recycling bin at the Post Office.  Drexel said it is for public use.  Ron said no – it’s not designed for public use – if it overflows, the price will go up.  Lila Finley said for the people who have a long driveway and have to move the bins to the road, once the bins are on your truck, you might as well take it to the landfill.  Drexel said if service isn’t available, they won’t have to pay.   Steve Economu said he would like to explore adding the cost to the Water & Sewer billing.  Dan asked if it’s a service?  He was told yes.  The city will collect from the property owners?  Dan asked if the city is contemplating a cost of $25,000 per year or less?  Dan said he will need that information so he

can tell us what to do.  Steve Economu said there are some people opposed to an increase in cost.  Terry Johnson said people will be upset because of the cost and we should wait until recycling gets started before we do anything.  Drexel asked if there will be a public meeting?  Dan said as far as how we’ll pass it through will be by ordinance.  Ron Frederickson said in 2004 the legislature had a big to do over competitive bidding in garbage collection – the city has the authority to issue a contract.  Dan said there are some exceptions.  Doug asked Ron Frederickson how many people they employ?  Ron said 6.  Doug asked if he would hire more if they take over the city’s garbage collection?  Ron said no – not all of his employees work full time. 

Mary Lockwood attended to discuss her past due water bill.  Mary said she is having financial difficulties but will pay it.  The amount owed is $70.00

Mike Sloan, with EDC, attended the meeting.  Mike said he was hoping to have great news on Broadband.  Mike said we are back to square one, unless they change their tune,  because they are trying to make cities responsible for any shortfall in revenues.   Mike said Super 1 is well on its way – plan to open the 1^st or 2^nd week in June.   Mayor Evans asked Mike is he’d heard Safeway was putting in a gas station?  Mike said they have plans for the property of the former China Kitchen.  Mike said he heard last week Safeway is planning to extend their building to put in medical offices.  Drexel said a friend said they’d probably have to put in a gas station because Super 1 is coming and Safeway will have a big problem. 

Discussed the city hall sign.  Doug hasn’t had a chance to talk to Bob Blanford about the saw blade yet, but he will before the March 8^th meeting.   Drexel said it seems to be taking a long time to get the sign done.

Discussed the ordinance concerning council absences.  Dan brought another draft for the council to go over before the next meeting.    Steve Economu asked about the penalty clause in Section 1.  Dan explained the council could elect have a penalty or not as long as there is due process.  Drexel said there would have to be a time limit.  Dan said this is just a draft. 

Discussed the Tate property.  Dan said the first bid will be the total of our judgment and anyone who bids $1.00 more gets it.  Drexel asked what the city would do if they get the property?   Chad Farrens said the city may clean it up and sell it.  Doug said it’s up to the council and as it sits, it’s a liability to the residences & people living around it. 

Discussed the Reader property.  Dan said he now has the property description and will take care of the releases on the mill property. 

Discussed the KVRI meeting.  Doug said he, Steve Economu, Terry Johnson and Ken English attended the meeting at the Kootenai River Inn.   The meeting concerned critical habitat for caribou.  Doug said there were 35-45 caribou in a herd last year, but none in Boundary County.  This year there are 4.  Most of the caribou spend their time in Canada – there are usually only 1 – 3 in Boundary County.  Doug said there will be more meetings and hearings.  Ken English said a man from Canada said there’s 35 in Canada.  They have been managing caribou for 84 years.

Doug said for the rest of the meeting they talked about Wolverine – there are at least 2 in Boundary County.  A male can range up to 500 miles and females 130 miles.

A motion was made by Steve Economu and seconded by Bart Klaus to change the July meeting from the 4^th to the 11^th.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Chad Farrens and seconded by Steve Economu authorizing Sandy to pay the Avista and NCPERS bills on the 1^st of each month.  Motion carried.

Discussed the time certificate #2903992, at Panhandle State Bank, that matures on February 11, 2012.  A motion was made by Chad Farrens and seconded by Steve Economu to renew the certificate for 3 months @ 0.20%.  Motion carried.

Discussed the Volunteer Fire Department.  Ken reported there have been meeting for radios and pagers.  The new repeater is working and all radios will be narrow band by December 31, 2012.  The jackets will be here on Friday and Ken will have the men try them on for size.  Everything is in good order.  Sandy told Ken the new people need to be trained.

Sandy gave the water report in John ‘s absence.  We pumped a high on January 30^th of 158,800 gpd; a low on the 29^th of 50,300 gpd; an average of 109,367 gpd and a total for the month of January of 3,390,400 gallons.

Steve Economu asked about a manned dump site and what that would do to Frederickson’s?  He was told Clain Skeen is talking to George Elliott, at the Moyie Springs Store, about a site.

Discussed the bills.  A motion was made by Chad Farrens and seconded by Terry Johnson to pay the bills.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Bart Klaus and seconded by Terry Johnson to adjourn.  Motion carried.

/s/

Attest:  City Clerk