Variance Hearing

A variance application was received by Planning and Zoning for a 6 foot fence, rather than the 4 foot fence required by city ordinance.  The applicant had not been aware of the ordinance, but he explained that he had selected that height in order to prevent his dog from bothering pedestrians walking by.  PZ Chair Shelly Williams reported that PZ was recommending approval of the variance with the provision that there were no materials added to the fence to obstruct the view from the street, such as vinyl slatting. Tyrell Neal suggested that he felt variances did create something of a precedent.  Lance Tripp said that in his view, as long as those affected by the decision did not have a problem with the variance, he was fine with it.  A motion to approve the variance was passed with the conditions suggested by PZ.

John Farrell—JUB

John Farrell spoke to the city council representing JUB Engineering.  Farrell presented an overview and update of some of the projects JUB has been working on with the city.  The water treatment plant is nearing “substantial completion” within a couple of weeks.  The grants that supported the project have some remaining funds that need to be used within the next two years.  Software allows for tracking and coordinating the water and infrastructure system for the city.  Paper maps have been converted into a digital map, which allows for info to be added with GPS coordinates from cell phone images, which will make it much easier to inventory and monitor various infrastructure assets, such as hydrants.  Some instances of groundwater infiltration into the sewer system were noted by a JUB engineer, and have been highlighted for inspection. 

The drinking water plan for the city is also underway.  A new water storage tank is part of the long term project plan, and will increase the fireflow rate.  Some areas require higher fire flow than is currently in place.  An evaluation to see whether the fire flow requirements are realistic at the mandated level will be undertaken.  JUB presented some recommendations for improving the system by linking in the gravity system.  A Water Smart grant from the Bureau of Reclamation is under review.  There are leaking lines in the system that need to be located and repaired.  

USDA Development 

Agreements

Mayor Hawkins discussed the status of USDA Development loans, which needed to be signed.  $7,650,000 is the cost of the loan for the water treatment plant.  The loan resolution was signed by the council.  A second loan resolution for $2,758,000 for waste water improvements was also approved.  

Park Flagpole

The flagpole at the City Park has been reported to be in need of repair.  It is currently in a state where it cannot be raised or lowered without a ladder.  A recently installed flagpole at the hospital was reported to have cost $2,500, as a reference point.  The problem may potentially be the light fixture that is currently attached to the flag pole.  Various light options were discussed.

Christmas Party

The council discussed a date and location for the city Christmas party.  

July 4th Band

The council discussed a musical act for the 4th of July celebration.  The council suggested a number of possibilities, and the mayor explained that she had heard back from several regional bands through a booking app.  Although the holiday seems quite a ways away, the event requires a lot of planning and scheduling.

Sheriff Report

Sheriff jones spoke to the council about a number of issues.  One issue was the contract with the city.  Some language was changed for clarity, but the agreement is similar to the old contract.  

The sheriff also discussed the transition to a new prosecutor.  City attorney Dustin Smith will be handling cases for the city until a new prosecuting attorney is hired.  Smith reported that on average city cases with arraignments average about 2 a month.  

Two deputies have been hired and are in training.  One more position remains to be filled.  Certification should be complete by June.  More part time dispatchers would help.  

The number of calls has decreased a bit with the onset of the cold weather.  

The county insurance plan, which covers the sheriff’s department, has been cited as a factor in the difficulty in recruiting longterm officer hires.  

PZ

Shelly Williams reported on the Planning and Zoning Board.  The board is still seeking nominations, following announced resignations.  One of the bylaws stipulates that board members must have lived in Malad for 5 years, or within the Impact Zone just outside the city limits.  The board will be meeting before the current members leave to clarify and finalize the work that has been done over the last year.  

Business License

A business license for Swaffles and Cream was received, as well as another for Live Natural Hippie Skin.

A motion to approve both licenses passed.

Advisory Reports

Superintendent 

City Superintendent Tyler Webster reported that a number of leaks in the city water line have been fixed, though there is at least one that still needs attention on 200 W. 

Road repair on highway 38 has also recently been completed, filling trenches.

A water line has been put down to the drinking fountain at the pickleball court.  A parking area and other improvements have been finished at the site.  The future installation of a bathroom at the site was discussed.

A new mower was brought up.

A lift with a harness and basket for working at height was mentioned.  Currently, there is not a suitable piece of equipment owned by the city.  Various places in town that might rent out such machines were discussed.  

Code Enforcement 

John Christopherson is working on bids for a new building for the dog pound.  His badge was received.  Animal calls are still at a high volume. 

Treasurer

Terrill Schwartz discussed the reserve account that is required as part of the loan arrangement for the water treatment system.  A motion to authorize the treasurer to purchase a $400,000 ten year US Treasury bond passed.  

Schwartz also suggested that replacing the city’s safe with fire safe boxes would be more secure.

The comprehensive plan was briefly discussed, and it was determined to make a concerted push toward it next time.

Larry Thomas

Thomas reported that he had received a number of compliments regarding the city crew, street sweepers, and etc.  

Tyrell Neal

The Music Man opens November 10.  The Theatre Guild reported that the Spook Alley event went well.  

Jaime Olsen

A Public Hearing on November 21 for the Impact Zone will be at 6:30, rather than 6:00.  

Lance Tripp

Pickleball court will be closed down for the winter.  Players would rather wait for the first snow.  The facility will be locked.  Graffiti against the city will be ruled on regarding restitution.  The splash pad was recently vandalized, as well as a picnic table in the park.

A bid for repairing bathrooms in the city hall building was discussed.   

Mayor

The mayor brought up a grant the city had received for new horseshoe pits.  The project was never completed, and the mayor would like to repay it in order to take it off the books.  The granting agency suggested that the money could be transferred toward other projects in the park and still meet the requirements for the grant.  Benches for the pickleball court, bathroom repairs, a sprinkler system, grass, and other possibilities were discussed.

The mayor’s youth council has set up a food pantry at the high school.  The YC has met with the Crisis Center about setting the pantry up in affiliation with the Center.  The project will be called the “Council Closet”.  An upcoming drive will be used to collect hygiene products.

The mayor discussed the upcoming light parade the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Jaime Olsen agreed to drive the city vehicle this year.  

The city’s website is up and running.  As part of an ongoing project, the city’s website has been in the process of an upgrade and update.  The new version of the website is much more user-friendly, and includes contact information for city officials, as well as Malad City’s history, ongoing projects, forms for various applications, an event calendar, images from around the valley, and other information.  The city’s website can be found at maladidaho.org and is certainly worth a visit.