City Council Soda Springs Wed Oct 2, 2024
A regular meeting of the Soda Springs City Council was held on October 2.
Citizen Input
The floor was opened for citizen input. Since the summer months, citizen input has been opened at both the beginning and the end of the meeting. The attempt is to give more people the opportunity to raise concerns with the city council or engage on issues. Often, there is minimal citizen input during these input sessions, but they undeniably do provide a chance for engagement.
Hearing Zoning Request (Reclass Lot 1,2,3,4 of Block 17)
A public hearing on the matter of a zoning request was opened on the matter of a rezoning of tracts of land east of town. One written comment was received, as well as public comments from Monica Smith asking whether the property near the location will have to change driveways. Engineer Alan Skinner stated that it would not.
The rezone to a Commercial 2 from Residential 3 will allow the developers to get SBSC funding which will reduce costs for everyone.
A discussion about the exact location of the development was held, with aerial images used to help clarify the location. Smith stated that the road for the development would create some problems, and noted that it was unfortunate for her father who owns the adjacent land.
The public hearing was closed.
Council discussed the matter, consulting the minutes of the Planning and Zoning meeting in which PZ had recommended to approve the rezone from r3 to c2, which it found to be in accordance with the comprehensive plan. The motion carried in PZ.
Councilmember Ryan Carpenter noted that he felt the council’s hands were tied by the fact that the development met the requirements, and there was no reason to deny it on the basis of the rules. “I agree with Ryan that change is not always easy, but there is a platted street there,” Councilmember Gritton said.
Councilmember Rod Worthington noted that the Comp Plan had been worked on for several years to try to find the right balance with growth etc, and he motioned to approve the rezone from r3 to c2 in accord with comprehensive plan.
The council looked at the allowed uses for the zone, and CM Paul Gritton asked whether those things all might potentially be put onto that property. Council President Hart answered yes, by the statute or conditional use. Storage units are approved in C1, but require a Conditional Use Permit in C2, so that would require a hearing. Roll call was all ayes, and the rezone was approved.
Enders Discussion
The lessee and a committee representing the city will be meeting to determine what course of action with regard to the lease on the building will be appropriate for both parties moving forward. In past meetings, increasing the cost of the lease has been discussed, as has potentially sharing the lease between multiple parties, selling the building outright, and several other possibilities.
Project Updates
Ledge Creek property. Some commitment from the county [silica loads] and some from Kiewit have been obtained. Engineer Skinner thinks that they can stockpile the sand until they need it to keep it ready for use. The project is moving along, and should ultimately increase the trails by 11.5 miles.
Skinner reported that the County wondered about a suspension bridge behind the hospital, and suggested possibly a loop around the land that sticks out into the reservoir.
Gritton spoke to Cody about hauling some fill to the shooting range. The gun club president and Councilmember Gritton think that the range needs to be shut down during hauling, as this is the busiest season for the range.
Main Street Schedule
According to Engineer Alan Skinner, completion should still be on track for the end of October. All sewer and water lines are connected. The old systems are abandoned and backfill is being put in. Survey is done for curb and gutter. Sidewalk will take another day.
End of the month is still the goal and the prediction for the project. West side should be done soon.
Councilmember Gritton asked whether weather could delay the project. Skinner reported that frost going into the ground could, but it wasn’t expected it. LED lights on 24 poles are expected.
Greenfield Bldg Const Status
The interior of the Greenfield bldg. is making progress. This is the city shop area. The concrete crew will do the steps of the senior center, as well as start on the bldg. sometime next week. The frames are there, but there may be some elements not there yet. Everything but insulation and siding was donated.
PRV Report
This is related to pressure in the water system. PRV is necessary to balance out system for water with regard to growth. The City signed an agreement with Bayer to supply the drinking water system. The agreement is mutually beneficial. Councilmember Gritton thanked council for their time and work.
Resolution/Fee Schedule
Following up on last time’s discussion, some changes potentially needed to be made to the fee schedule. Attorney Tom Smith says that business license and travelling concessions are set in city code. He recommends saying “per city code” for many things which are not otherwise specifically detailed, but eventually the code should be adjusted to that effect.
Alcohol catering permit is specified in state code at $20, which is what the city will have to go with.
Records request. Anything over 100 pages is .25 page. Anything over 2 hours of work, the rate should be at the hourly of the lowest paid person. Code says it has to be the actual cost of the labor and devices.
Tom Smith pointed out that resolutions can be changed whenever they need to, so there’s no reason not to.
PG motioned to approve 2024-5 Fee schedule. Passed unan.
Department Heads
Hope Hansen
Hansen spoke to the council about library events. Monday is scheduled for the visit of Randy’L Teton, and the library is hoping for a really good turnout.
The Festival of Trees is scheduled for December, as a fundraiser for the Friends of Library. Those interested in supporting the event can provide donations or enter their own tree. The trees will be in the library. $250/$500/$1000 are options for donations to the Friends of the Library to decorate the trees on behalf of. Future goals include expanding the event even further.
Dan Squires
Squires reported that it had been a “Week for leaks” with the crew dealing with four of them, which had been handled.
Justin Hansen
Hansen noted that it was the time of year to clear out dead brush from park. The crew has cleaned out lilacs in Hooper Springs. He reported that the water pressure at Hooper Springs is too high.
The crew is also clearing out Kelly Park pond, and has been working on the geyser a lot over the last months.
New carpet in city hall is now installed.
Hansen reported that the city’s Street sweeper is going on 13 years, so it’s time to start looking for a new one. $37K is a price for a lease. Hansen noted that leasing is a good option for most important equip, as it remains under warranty throughout its use.
CJ
Thought about giving some junior badges to Dan and MH.
SRO Trevyn Phelps is working with Idaho Office of Drug Policy. SSHS Student Council will do a DUI event as a part of awareness raising.
Homecoming is the week of the 14th and the parade will be on Thursday.
Misc
The new Maverik will open 6 a.m. next Monday. The certificate of occupancy has been issued.
Council meetings moving forward. The time for city council meetings is laid out in the city’s ordinances, and any permanent changes will need to come through a resolution passed by the council. Meetings have been set for 6:00 p.m., rather than 5:00 p.m. for the last several months as a result of the need for scheduling as a trial to see whether attendance at meetings increases with the time change, and to allow Councilmember Rod Worthington to fulfill his duties as a coach with the Cardinals football team. The council extended the later meeting time through the end of the year, but will require a resolution to make the move permanent if they decide to do so.
Councilmember Paul Gritton raised the issue of city business licenses. As the result of some uncertainty about a business in town that some departments had not been aware of, Gritton would like to revise the business license process for a business in town. The revision would ensure that all of the dept heads would be advised of the new businesses. They would need to approve of a change to the licensing process. Attorney Tom Smith stated that the Fee Schedule would just need to be revised.
In the city code, it says that each application should be investigated by city. A resolution to adjust the business license process will potentially be presented at the next meeting on
October 16.
