City of Grace Council Report—August 21
Adapted from official minutes recorded by Clerk Shelley Reeves
Prior to the regular meeting, a hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 was held, as required. There were no comments or discussions about any of the budget items, and the public hearing was officially closed at 6:03.
The regular meeting then commenced, with Council Members Larry Allen, Kathy Tillotson, Kyle Bingham, Curtis Toone in attendance, as well as Superintendent Riley Crookston and Clerk
Shelley Reeves.
Councilmember Bingham gave the invocation and Clerk Reeves led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Barthlome called for a motion to amend the agenda to decide on the material for the Center Street bridge. Councilmember Bingham moved pursuant to Idaho Code §74-204 amend the agenda for the meeting to decide on the material for the Center Street bridge because the information was just made available and a decision needed to be made before the next meeting. Councilmember Allen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Bills in the amount of $99,269.18 and payroll in the amount of $11,434.99 were reviewed for payment approval. Councilmember Bingham moved that the bills be approved as reviewed. Motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Crookston presented the following permits that were approved:
#2024-20 - Randall Guest - fence
#2024-19 – Gary Etchison - shed
The city council had a discussion with Stanley Christensen concerning his property in Block 43. The zoning commission researched the property records and found that the property is zoned commercial and has been for many years. Mr. Christensen had a survey done on his property and found that the city owns the west side of the property next to the road. Mr. Christensen would like to have the property deeded to him like was done further south on 4th West. The city council will get their property surveyed and discuss selling it to Mr. Christensen at a future meeting.
Kent Loosle with Caribou Medical Center announced that Caribou Medical Center has purchased the property on the corner of 2nd North and Main Street and will be building a full-time medical clinic there. The clinic will have a full-time provider and possibly visiting specialist to help the citizens of Grace. They are hoping that construction will begin in the spring.
Mayor Barthlome called for a motion to suspend the rule requiring that an ordinance be read on three separate occasions. Councilmember Tillotson moved that the council suspend the rule requiring that an ordinance be read on three separate occasions. Councilmember Allen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Reeves read the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Appropriations Ordinance appropriating $8,412,643.00 for the purpose of defraying the liabilities and expenses for the city. Councilmember Bingham moved to approve the ordinance as read. Councilmember Tillotson seconded the motion. The roll call vote was unanimous. The Ordinance will be assigned the number 2024-4.
The hiring of a new employee was discussed. This would be another employee to help carry the load of all the other employees. Mayor Barthlome would like the employee to be hired by October. Councilmember Tillotson moved to publish a help-wanted advertisement in the newspaper. Councilmember Allen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Councilmember Tillotson moved to approve Clerk Reeves to attend the annual clerk's meeting in Boise in September. Councilmember Allen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
The construction alternatives for the bridge on Center Street were discussed. One option is pre-cast construction which will close the road and canal for a shorter period but will raise the roadway 8 inches more. The other option is cast in place which won't raise the roadway as much but has a longer time period of road and canal closure and a greater chance of something going wrong during the construction since it will be happening in the winter. After discussion Councilmember Allen moved to go with the pre-cast option. Councilmember Bingham seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Crookston reported that chip sealing went well. They will be paving the intersection at 4th West and 10th South, and on 2nd South were the road failed, on September 6th. The belt on the sweeper broke the repair is $4,000.00. Energy Management came and looked at the chlorination building to give a bid on getting a generator at that site and a generator at well #1. Getting a generator at well #1 will appease the Department of Environmental Quality's requirements. The Caribou County Soil Conservation District is willing to help with some money to update the springs. The applications are due in the spring of 2025.
Mayor Barthlome thanked the county for letting their employees help with the chip sealing. The county event center/extension office building is planning to start construction after Labor Day. Mayor Barthlome was informed that a senior at the high school is going to make a metal bench for the park as part of their senior project. Homecoming for high school is September 6th. She thanked Clerk Reeves and the employees for all their hard work.
Eldon Peck asked about fixing the storm drain on the corner by his business. Superintendent Crookston stated that he would put in a temporary fix until the state rehabs Main Street in 2027, then the city will fix all the storm drains.
Meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
