Bancroft City Council Report—August 12
Adapted from the official minutes recorded by Clerk Debbie Swensen
SICOG
Amanda Collins and Nate Mortimer specialize in Rural Development, and have been working with the clerk to find grants for new software and aid with the cost of sewer pond lining. Collins explained to council that the next step in getting grants for the city would be doing a community resident survey to determine what the low to moderate income is for the town. She has a list of all utility accounts for the city of Bancroft, but would like to schedule some time to go through the accounts with the clerk separating out inactive, closed, and industrial accounts before initiating the survey. She would like to have the city council's approval before proceeding with the development block grant process. Collins explained that they will keep the costs down by using their non-profit partners to complete the survey. They plan to reach out to 80% of the residents. If approximately 75% of the residents do not respond they will be required to go door-to-door for the survey. They plan to submit the survey and grant in November. They should be hearing back from T mobile on the software grant by mid August. Amanda asked if the engineers had finished the planning study, which would help qualify the city for funding to line the sewer ponds. Mayor Spencer will contact the engineers and find out where they are at with completing the facility planning study.
Building Permits
1. Troy Tolman did not return the application 2. Billy Chacon—Lean-to Shed 24x10x8 Cm. Permit was approved.
3. Doug Potter-Roof Removal & Repair Cm, Jessica Vawser made a motion to approve the permit for Doug Potter. Cp, Rick Hatch 2nd the motion. Motion passed 4-0.
Council discussed a previous fence permit that violated city codes after council approval. Council approved the application under the condition that the resident follow the city code. The applicant requested building a 6-foot fence in the front and on the side. After council discussed the special request, the decision was unanimous to not allow the 6-foot fence due to being a code violation and wanting to keep consistency with the fence height and multiple fence applications. Council agreed to approve the permit only under the condition of building a 4-foot fence. The resident had also said the fence would be chain link and it ended up being constructed as a privacy fence. Mayor Spencer explained to the council that he personally went and talked to the resident regarding the decision. Mayor Spencer informed council that the resident was not pleased with the decision, but was informed. Several days later council noticed that the resident deliberately constructed a six-foot privacy fence despite council decision and code violations. The city council agreed to contact the city attorney and see what steps need to be taken with the code violation.
Fencing Materials for Memorial Park
Council discussed putting up a fence at Memorial Park between a resident’s home and the park. Council decided to put in a stained cedar fence. Mayor Spencer suggested checking with the lumber store in Soda to see if they have the materials or can order it in. The city has pipe for the posts but will need to purchase approximately one pallet of concrete. Council estimated that it may cost up to $5,000. Cm, Eric Christensen made a motion to purchase the materials to build the fence, which passed 4-0.
Council and Staff Reports
Councilperson Hatch had a resident ask what the maintenance workers have been doing at the sewer ponds. Maintenance have been mowing down the weeds. Councilperson Vawser asked if the mayor had a chance to talk with maintenance about widening the alleyways. Mayor Spencer asked maintenance to work on alleys and not encroach on the residents' properties.
Councilmember Vawser had rodeo members confront her about leaky fire hydrants on the rodeo grounds. Maintenance worker Moreland stated that he talked to the committee and will need to wait until the events are over for the year due to having to shut off the water. Maintenance Moreland informed council that it is very expensive to replace hydrants. Maintenance worker Page asked if the committee has paid their reservation fees for using the grounds. The committee has not paid their fees the last two years. Mayor Spencer informed council that he ran across a video on YouTube showing a new type of interchangeable hydrant that may work better and the city would not have to dig it up every time there is a leak. Mayor Spencer explained that it appears to have some type of adapter that slides up and down on a 4" PVC pipe and seals the O-ring. The faucet can be turned on and office with a valve and the cap holds it in the center.
Cm, Vawser was approached by an angry citizen at her workplace regarding the conditions of Gilbert Road. Council agrees that the condition of the road is in poor repair and they need to figure out what the city can afford to do regarding the rehab of the road. Council discussed needing grant money to do a complete renovation of the road and finding match money if required. Mayor Spencer suggested taking the road all the way down to fix the underlying
soft spots and then use the asphalt as the base. He will talk to the county and see if they would be willing to blade it a couple times throughout the year to pack it down. The city would then chip seal it the following year or even possibly double chip seal it which would put it back to oil. Mayor Spencer explained that the city has to spread the streets and roads money between all of the street's projects. The challenge for this particular project is that it needs to be completely re-done and the cost is more than an annual budget can produce. Mayor Spencer will contact the County Road and Bridget Superintendent to see if he would attend a meeting and discuss possibly allowing the city to purchase asphalt and help the city out with blading and packing.
CM Vawser informed the council that the 2nd violation letters are ready to be sent out and the city attorney has advised that it is legal to send a picture of the violation site attached to the letter. Cm, Vawser will email a list of addresses in violation to the council and she asked that each council member add any other addresses in violation.
CM Eiman mentioned that he has a car on his property that will be used by the school for the car smash event. He asked if the school could use the rodeo grounds for the mud volleyball and wrestling events during home coming week. Council is fine with the rodeo grounds being used for school events. Mayor Spencer will have the maintenance workers water down the arena. After the event, the ruts will need to be smoothed out.
CM Eiman will be getting estimates for upgrades at the airport. He asked about the city's property on the North side of the city. He is hoping to put in a shooting range, and has been talking to a company that has a shooting range in Utah regarding safety measurements. The range will have a concrete semi-circle with gravel around the outer edge and three trap houses outside the semi-circle. If the city cannot afford to install power, generators can be used. He is looking at NRA grants that are awarding up to five million dollars for shooting facilities. Council discussed local ranges and mentioned that the Soda Springs range allows shot guns but does not have throwers. CM Hatch asked if it is possible to get an easement from the railroad. Mayor Spencer will check for a deeded access at the courthouse. Cm, Eiman is trying to get a trap and skeet team put together and may eventually propose having the city the city sponsor the high school team.
