Jon Farrell—JUB

John Farrell spoke to the council about grant opportunities for the city.  In his capacity with JUB Engineering, John Farrell works with the city to secure and execute grants for city improvement.  A matching grant for around $225K for water meters is available.  The council’s approval is needed to submit an application for the grant.  This Water Smart grant, as well as a reapplication for the DEQ available funds were discussed.  Councilman Tyrell Neal questioned whether meters were the highest priority as far as the water system goes.  He cited other needs as more pressing, including a new well, looping the lines, etc.  Farrell mentioned that the meters would allow for better billing and management of the water supply.  City Superintendent Tyler Webster stated that the in-place system turbines were old enough that they were not fully accurately reading water usage.  Councilman Lance Tripp agreed with Councilman Neal about the priority, but acknowledged that it would have to be taken care of at some point.  Neal expressed that he also felt uncomfortable about passing on any fees associated with the meter reading to customers as part of the water bill.  John Farrell mentioned that better metering could lead to better water conservation.  The need to open a new well was discussed.  The city can transfer water rights from an unused well to a new one, and may pursue such an avenue in the future of the project.

The DEQ letter of interest is due Jan 12.  It doesn’t create any obligation to the city, should it choose to turn down any loans provided by DEQ.  The city council approved sending the Letter of Interest.

Camille Miller, Forsgren

Camille  Miller from Forsgren spoke to the council about adding a lead and copper survey to the DEQ letter of interest.  

She presented a summary of the grants that tie into the STP rural grant.  This primarily regards the Bannock street project.  A FEMA grant covers additional piping and a detention basin for water runoff at a 25% match from the city, which can include in-kind contributions.  The TAP grant covers sidewalks from 300 W to the railroad tracks, including curb and gutter, storm sewer pipes and a catch basin.  The project is scheduled to begin in 2025.  The  STP Rural grant 2 covers roadway reconstruction for TAP grant extension from 300 W to 500 W.  

A Forest Service Grant, recently approved at a 1 million dollar level, can be used  to plant trees and treat storm water within the next 5 years.  An ITD awarded for 2 million is also an option, which must be spent by Nov 2024, but it duplicates STP Rural grant 2.  The TAP grant can be moved up to 2024.  This will most likely result in the west portion of the road being completed before the main portion.  The alternative is to cut into the roadway after it is placed in order to install the sewer line and curbing.

The council, in other words, was in a position of trying to figure out the most efficient and cost-effective way to complete the project in the quickest timeframe possible.  

Considering that the council was required to officially approve the decision to take the ITD grant soon, the council felt that using that grant first would be the best strategy, leading to beginning the project on the west side.  

Tyrell Neal motioned to use the TAP grant and ITD grant to begin construction on the west end of the planned construction.  The motion passed.

Miller requested that the council authorize the mayor to sign the design plans for the project when they are completed.  Miller presented the city council with a Christmas gift bucket.

Bracken Degn—Security system

Councilman Lance Tripp discussed a plan to install security cameras for the pickleball court.  Bracken Degn presented some of the options for camera setups for consideration.  

He presented a hybrid/cloud model, which records to the cloud, although it also maintains an internal storage for camera data.  The system is produced by the company Verkada.  The security package includes unlimited users, easily added multiple sites, web interface, 10 year warranty on cameras, plug n play functionality, person and vehicle tracking, facial recognition, smart motion alert, alerts to specific users based on situation, and other features.

The cloud data requires a license, and the internal storage for cameras have 30, 60, 90 day options.

Tyrell Neal suggested putting together a plan for the next meeting and clarifying exactly what the city would like to purchase for video security.  The security is seen as a necessary response to vandalism and asset protection within the city.  Several graffiti and property damage cases over the last year were seen as situations that could have been more quickly resolved with the assistance of security camera coverage.  The cloud based system would also allow for recorded information that could be pulled by law enforcement after the fact for a much longer period of time.  

The setup would allow for the addition of further cameras in locations that were deemed necessary.  A window of the Oneida County Pioneer Museum was recently broken by a bottle, for instance, which would have been caught be a camera mounted in the downtown area.  Additional cameras can easily be integrated into the network when needed.

Sheriff Contract

The city’s contract for service with the sheriff’s department was discussed.  It was approved for 290K.  The figure represents a decrease in the overall contract, as some of those funds were used to hire John Christophersen as the city’s Code Enforcement Officer, whose enforcement duties allow him to focus on ordinance issues, and the sheriff’s office to focus on traffic patrol, criminal investigation, administration, and emergency response.  Over the course of Christophersen’s tenure, which began this fall, he has found himself busy dealing with animal code issues, nuisance complaints, weed and property management issues, and other projects.  Calls to the Oneida County dispatchers are routed to Christophersen in cases where such is deemed to be the most efficient response protocol.

Idaho Community Forestry Program Agreement

The program carries no cost to the city.  Gary Bates is the representative.  The Community forestry program serves to promote the maintenance and growth of trees in municipalities.  A motion to approve it was passed.

Impact Zone Ordinance

The Impact Zone map, which was recently approved by the county commission, was presented to the city council for approval.  The ordinance’s first two readings were waived, as all those present were familiar with the ordinance due to the year long discussion concerning it, and having worked on the ordinance and attended a public hearing on it.  The ordinance itself was approved unanimously by the council.  Ordinance 2023-11-01, which is a county ordinance, was approved by the city.

Liquor Sales on Sunday 12/31

Because New Years Eve falls on Sunday this year, an exemption to the restriction on liquor sales for Sunday was requested.  Malad’s liquor laws allow for the dispensing of beer and wine on Sundays, but not spirits.  The exemption allows for a one-time allowance for liquor sales.  The Chat n’ Chew and Hubcap were approved by resolution 2023-12-13.

July 4th band

Mayor Hawkins reported that Harry Sherman will be available on Friday the 5th of July.  The council discussed moving the street dance to Friday, rather than the usual Wednesday.  Over the last several years, the street dance has followed the kids’ parade and the first night of musical events and Malad’s Got Talent.  Due to July 5 landing on Friday, the council felt that moving the 4th activities into the weekend might allow for greater participation.    

Fuller and Fuller

Fuller and Fuller presented a contract for legal services to city for around $1800/month.  The mayor asked for a reduction to $1500/mo, for a  6 month appraisal period to determine whether the rate was equitable and the situation was tenable moving forward.  The contract will be discussed and re-examined at next month’s meeting.  

PZ Report

Jody Farr was approved for a position on the Planning and Zoning board.  Chair Shelly Williams asked the council whether the city needed an ordinance to cover short term rentals, similar to AirBnB and other temporary occupation options.  Williams reported that there were 5 such homes in Malad that she was aware of, and at least that many out in the county.  Williams also asked whether an ordinance covering “Tiny Homes” was necessary.  Some wording will be added regarding those structures, after the council has had a chance to determine what restrictions they felt were necessary.

Business License

Just for Fun, a toy store downtown recently opened by Bryan Lyons was granted a business license, as was Sunflower Gourmet Foods, a home bakery.