Bancroft City Council Report
This report is based on the official minutes of the meeting recorded by City Clerk Debbie Swensen.
A regular meeting of the Bancroft City Council was held on Monday, September 9.
Senior Project
High School Senior Ryver Hayden would like to make three signs that say “Welcome to Bancroft” for his senior project. Ryver asked if the city council would be willing to donate $100 towards the cost of materials. He would like permission to place the signs on the entrance roads coming into town. Ryver explained that the signs will be 4x4 metal cut from the school’s plasma cutter. He will be putting a round metal tubing around the edge for a border and them black. A motion to donate $100 to the project was approved by the council.
Building Permits
The following building permits were approved:
Kyle Mills—Concrete Foundation and Utility Hook-up Prep.
Curt and Debbie Hill—Fence permit.
James Ackerman—Fence permit.
Keller Associates
Jarod Richins and Jake Paulson introduced themselves to the council. The two are engineers for Keller Associates. Keller has been in business since 1943 and was founded by a man previously employed by Forsgren Engineers who decided to branch off on his own.
Jarod explained that Keller is a full-service engineering firm and gave each council member a packet of information about their company and listing their core values. The packet includes client’s information for references. Councilmember Nate Eiman asked whether their firm writes large grants for their clients. Jarod explained that they do write larger grants, and have several cities nearby they are working for. Some of those cities include Lava Hot Springs, Georgetown, Bennington, Grace, Pocatello, and many other smaller communities. The grants received are coming from Federal and State funding sources. Jarod explained that some of the grants require a match and some do not. Jarod stated that recipients have up to three years to spend LHRIP grants after they are issued.
James Ackerman asked what they charge to write grants for cities. Jarod explained that it varies, depending on how long it takes to write the grant, what type of grant it is and the amount of money received. Jarod informed council that he is aware of the sewer lagoon needs and has experience with procurements. Council thanked Jarod and Jake for attending, and that they would get ahold of them in the future.
Jones and Demille Engineers
Michael Hartvigsen introduced himself to the city council members. Michael is a project manager for Jones and Demille Engineering Firm. The company is based out of Utah and has a field office in Preston, Idaho. Michael is working out of the Preston office and travels to small cities like Bancroft. Their firm specializes in small cities and organizations. They have been successful with getting grants for the smaller cities and communities. Michael was raised on a small farm in Downey, Idaho and is familiar with the needs of small cities and communities. Hartvigsen talked about a few of the different grants he has been working on with other cities. Preston and a few of their smaller cities recently received the safety grant. Clerk Swensen asked what the time frame is between receiving an LHTACT grant and re-applying. Hartvignsen was not sure, but will check.
Accounts Payable
CM asked about the number of belts and repairs the city lawn mowers have been going through. Maintenance explained that the lawn mowers are old, and parts for them are difficult to find. CM Christensen asked whether Maintenance had received a quote on purchasing a new mower. They have not had a chance to get quotes yet. CM Christensen recommended a Spartan commercial mower due to its high level of construction and materials. He said he would get a quote from a dealer in Pocatello while rebates are being offered.
Rick Hatch purchased property on Rigby Road and asked whether it would be possible to hook up to the city water line that goes to Rigby Road. He was told that the water line is 2”. Resident James Ackerman believes that the end of the 2” water line is located by the black plastic culvert and then goes to a 1” line by the resident homes. Mayor Spencer explained that recently the homes sold and the water line was separating, so the smaller home had its own shut off valve. Mayor Spencer explained that the city would need to price out the cost for supplies. Council President Hatch asked what the monthly water fees would be. Clerk Swensen advised that the residents on Rigby Road pay a higher water rate at 1.5 times the regular rate due to being on the extended line and outside the city limits.
Mower and Grass Attachment
Mayor Spencer suggested tabling the mower purchase and grass catcher attachment for the next agenda. Mayor Spencer asked maintenance to get three or four quotes on mowers with a gras catcher. Maintenance requested getting a mower with at least a 60” deck.
Mike Ackerman commented that he just finished up a four-million-dollar house in Arizona for a major landscaper. The owner has three facilities and has 150 employees in each one. They do major HOAs and municipalities. Ackerman will get prices on mowers.
Skid Steer Attachments
Mayor Spencer priced out pallet forks and sweeper attachments. There are multiple brands and styles to choose from. A standard set of forks cost approximately $650, and would be sufficient for the amount of jobs in town. Hydraulic forks cost approximately $1,500 to $2,000. Mayor Spencer got a quote on a 72” rotary broom that spins backwards and angles different directions for better pickup. Council discussed going through Caterpillar to purchase the items, due to CAT compatibility.
The clerk was asked to contact the auditors regarding which fund the expenses should come out of. The auditors advised splitting the cost between equipment purchase and streets and roads due to using the equipment to maintain the streets.
A motion to purchase both attachments contingent on available funds was approved.
Gravel Purchase
Mayor Spencer informed the council that he asked maintenance to check the Airport Road conditions looking for the worst areas. Maintenance reported the worst section being approximately 400 feet long located by the two patches that are constantly being filled since the large equipment damages the area.
The city is looking to do major renovation but may have to do this project one section at a time due to cost. Mayor Spencer has consulted with the previous Road and Bridge supervisor to get his opinion on the best way to do the repair and reconstruction. The recommendation was to go down at least 1’ and probably 2’ if needed, depending on soft spot to prevent sponging of the road. If reconstructing a section of road 24 feet wide with a depth of 400 feet, it will take approximately $13,000 for the materials and haul fees. The city will block off this section of road during the project.
Chemical Lime Co is willing to let the city stockpile the gravel on their property so it is close to the job site. Mayor Spencer suggested that the city do the project in phases so the soft spots are found and resolved before putting chip seal on top.
A motion to approve spending $15,000 for the gravel purchase and delivery passed.
Appropriations Ordinance
CM Nate Eiman read the Appropriations Ordinance No. 307 to the council and public. The motion was passed unanimously.
Dump Truck Fees
Council discussed the need to increase the fees for renting the city dump truck. CM Christensen is concerned that the city is not covering the cost of maintenance and repairs. He expressed the opinion that the city should not be in the business of hauling garbage off for residents, due to the wear and tear on equipment. CM Eiman stated that he feels like it is a great amenity to the citizens and that he has had to use the truck multiple times. Council would like to increase the fees more than 4.99%, which would require a public hearing.
Resident Malissa Barfuss asked what the county charges to use their roller. Mayor Spencer explained that the city hasn’t had to pay the county rental fees due to mutual assistance agreements in the past. CP Hatch suggested taking more time to research wear and tear costs and the then schedule a public hearing. Mayor Spencer suggested looking at charging an hourly rate and possibly setting a minimum fee in addition to hourly rates.
Council and Staff Reports
CM Vawser suggested that the council focus on getting delinquent utility accounts paid up and shutting off the ones that refuse to pay or communicate some type of agreements. She had received one of the warning letters regarding cleanup returned as undeliverable. Mayor Spencer stated that he would see if an updated address for the resident could be found. The city does not have an active utility account with the landowner.
CM Vawser expressed the feeling that the city is willing to work with people making extensions as long as the residents are willing to make the arrangements. She also noted that resident have asked why the city is leaving the flags up for so long after the holidays are over. CM Vawser also asked whether the clerk had a chance to contact the city attorney regarding the resident in fence code violation. Clerk Swensen did contact the attorney and forwarded the information to the mayor. The attorney is willing to write a letter and enforce the penalty, and can legally do so as the prosecuting attorney.
CM Vawser asked about putting together a list of individuals or other types of helpful resources on the city website and Facebook including church youth groups, contractors, etc, that can help residents with non-running car removal, yard cleanup, etc. Mayor Spencer is concerned that some individuals may think that the city is promoting or recommending certain contractors over others which may cause controversy. CM Eiman suggested offering businesses the option of using the display case to advertise or get the word out. CM Christensen suggested contacting the city attorney for legal advice before putting out contacts for the public.
CM Eiman has been working on the shotgun range project. He has been researching and looking at logistics for the process of building the gun range. Over the last few weeks, he has contacted three different reps from the UPR regarding access point. The UPR has denied access through their property. Eiman has been given positive feedback and support from the NRA, who agreed that the land is good sized for a range. He was informed that grants are more likely for established ranges, rather than new builds. The road access would have to all be graded with a locking gate and flagpole system to indicate when it is in use. Other access points for the area outside of UPR land were discussed.
Maintenance would like to get cutting edges for the skid steer and backhoe.
Resident Malissa Barfuss asked why the city did not discuss the location of the welcome signs, and she expressed concern that the city does not own the right of ways. She asked that the state codes by checked in that regard.
Mayor Spencer stated that the roads coming into town are 80 feet. Barfuss thought that that applied to county roads, while city roads were 60 feet. She asked to know that side of the road the signs would be places on. The matter will be discussed with property owners before they are placed.
Resident Mike Ackerman asked the city to clarify what its curfew ordinance is. Malissa Barfuss stated that curfew was 10:00 p.m. unless a minor has a note from a parent. The time will be checked. The weekend curfew was changed to 1:00 a..m due to students coming back from away games.
