Bancroft City Council Report December 9
This report is adapted from the official minutes recorded by City Clerk Debbie Swensen.
Roll call showed the following council and staff members present: Jessica Vawser, Eric Christensen, Nate Eiman, Mayor Spencer, and Clerk Swensen. Councilmember Rick Hatch was absent.
Others in attendance were Mike Ackerman, James Ackerman, Jules Belyea/SICOG, George Hulse/Airport Manager.
Mayor Spencer called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m., after which he led the pledge. The prayer was given by Councilmember Eric Christensen.
Jules Belyea/SICOG-Income Survey Updates
Jules Belyea is the planning specialist for SICOG (Southeast Idaho Council of Governments). SICOG is a non-profit organization that assists rural communities in getting grants and other types of funding. Jules is one of the representatives working with region five, including Bancroft city. Jules has been assisting with administering the income survey in Bancroft. The survey is a stepping stone to help cities and organizations qualify for community development grants.
The funding is intended to aid communities in improving their parks, wastewater, economic development and create more jobs.
Belvea informed the council that a portion of the surveys were sent out in the mail but returned due to accidentally being sent to the physical address. Those surveys were redirected to PO boxes and should be coming back in shortly.
Councilmember Jessie Vawser asked if they are planning to leave extra surveys for the residents that didn’t receive one, but would like to participate. CM Eric Christensen stated that he did not receive a survey. Belvea informed council that not everyone was selected to take the survey and due to the strict guidelines set by urban housing development they are not allowed to leave extra copies of the survey in town. The surveys are to be administered and each address accounted for.
Belvea agreed to stay after the meeting if anyone wants to check the address list or complete the survey in person. They are required to administer 49 surveys in total from the address list. Belvea explained that they originally planned to go door-to-door and then due to weather decided to mail the first round. They plan to go door to door next week with the next phase and hopefully meet their required quota. Belvea gave out his business card and encouraged anyone with questions to call. He asked that everyone who received a survey take a few minutes to fill it out and send it in. He will be in touch in the next couple weeks with the results.
Variance Request
Council reviewed a variance application that was filed. A public hearing was set for January 13, 2025 at 7:45pm.
CM Eric Christensen made a motion to set the public hearing for January 13, 2025 at 7:45 p.m. Motion passed 3-0.
Building Permits
Kyle Mills submitted a fence permit. Mills would like to replace an existing fence and expand the fence to the south of the property. Mayor Spencer visited the building site to check boundaries. The resident stated that he is planning to fence off the water shutoffs to ensure that livestock cannot damage the public utilities. Mayor Spencer does not have any issues with the plan or application.
CM Vawser commented that the contractors working at this location are parking on the public street making it difficult for buses to turn around. Mayor Spencer will address the problem with the contractor and home owner. CM Jessica Vawser made a motion to approve the application for a fence permit. Motion passed 3-0.
Items needed for the 2025 Lighting the Square
Maintenance informed council that several strands of street lights are not working and need replaced before next year. The city also needs two more stock pots and an additional drink dispenser for the hot cocoa. Council suggested purchasing LED lights with a warranty. Maintenance Moreland stated that good lights with a warranty are several hundred dollars a strand so the city might want to up the Lighting of the Square Budget. Maintenance will get quotes from a couple vendors for the next meeting.
Clerk Swensen asked if the city would purchase another two-burner camp stove with a higher btu. It was a struggle to serve the hot cocoa due to the propane burners not heating the water fast enough to keep up with the lines. The last couple of containers served were barely warm. Also, the dry cleaners will not be able to clean the frosty costume again due to aging and thinning at the seams. The suit has been worn twice without going to the drycleaners. Council reviewed a couple options for replacement costumes. Council would like to wait and see what prices do after January 1st.
Airport Updates - George Hulse /Manager
George Hulse gave council a list of the materials needed to build a tetrahedron for the Bancroft airport. He hopes to have it done and ready to go by summer. The plate and pipe are estimated to cost approximately $400 and the additional items and costs are listed. Mayor Spencer suggested purchasing a signature book and put it in a dry box to as a record of those using the Bancroft facility. Council agreed to purchase the materials needed for the construction of the tetrahedron.
CM Eric Christensen made a motion to purchase the items needed to build the tetrahedron (up to $1,000). Motion passed 3-0.
Council and Staff Reports
Mayor Spencer asked if the city received the check from the Blue Cross Walk Challenge. The check was in the morning mail. The city will get a list and order basketballs for North Gem.
Mayor Spencer would like to set a public hearing to discuss issues and make a plan for the sewer ponds.
CM Vawser wants to follow up with the city attorney on the violation letters and get them ready to go out.
CM Vawser asked about a few residents that have 3 or more dogs and make sure they get a kennel license application mailed to them. Cm, Vawser would like to post the dog fees notice on Facebook.
CM Vawser has had a few individuals suggest holding off on the community family treasure hunt activity until February or March when things are not so busy with the holidays.
CM Vawser asked if invoices for business licenses have been sent out. They are out and many of them are back and paid.
CM Vawser asked if the truck route signs are up and mentioned that trucks from the local milling business are still driving through town. Mayor Spencer will address the problem and make a few calls.
