Grace City Council Reports
December 18
After being called to order, the invocation was given by Councilmember Lowe and the Pledge was led by Clerk Reeves.
Bills in the amunt of $12,670.78 and payroll in the amount of $13,439.58 were approved.
Fire Chief Peck reported that the fire department was called out to help with the clean-up of a fuel leak. The fire department was ready to judge the lighting contest later in the week, and will be caroling.
A motion to credit a customer with a repaired water leak for $82.67 passed.
Superintendent Riley Crookston reported that Shane Hamilton’s license had been received.
The contractor at the Wastewater Treatment Plant had started their winter shut-down, and they should start back up again in March. The grader has one brake that is broken, and may not be able to be repaired. A-Plus Automotive is going to cap the brake lines on that one brake, and it will be used with just three.
During the first snowplowing, there were two different incidents where a citizen stopped the snowplow and climbed inside with the employee to compain about how they were plowing. Superintendent Crookston spoke with Deputy Roper about it and he stated that the citizen could be charged with a misdemeanor. Nothing will be done at this time, but the city will remain vigilant on the matter moving forward.
Employees were called in on a sewer backup. They found that the sewer was plugged with
flushable wipes.
There is water training for employees in Montpelier in January. The training is free, and Superintendent Crookston would like to take all employees if possible.
Councilmember Toone asked Superintendent Crookston to contact the state highway department about the way they are plowing the highway through the city. He stated that they are at times driving too fast, and too close to the curb.
Mayor Barthlome thanked the employees for their hard work, and Clerk Reeves for her patience when receiving complaints.
January 15
The invocation was given by Councilmember Kathy Tillotson, and the Pledge was led by Clerk Reeves.
Fire Chief Peck reported that a fire started in the kitchen of a local home. There were 7 responders and 3 trucks on the call. Peck praised the city employees for making sure that the way to the hydrant was clear. The homeowners were reported to not have fire insurance. The 2nd ward gathered clothing for the childre. The blaze was exacerbated by three different roofs on the older home.
A new zoning map for the city was presented with minor changes. The city is looking to get volunteer members for the PZ commission. Questions about who was eligible to serve were raised. Only one member can be from inside the Impact Zone (the zone established between the city and county that predicts future growth). Council noted that they would like to have a representative from each of the landuse zones.
Superintendent Crookston reported that the city is sending Jake Wright and Shane Hamilton to Boise for CEU (Continuing Education Units—required to keep licenses active). $650 for the conference, and $1000 for travel/accommodation. Motion to allow approved.
Crookston will be attending a class in May in Idaho Falls.
2025-1 Resolution authorizing destruction of records. The City Clerk is authorized to destroy records which qualify. Notice given 30 days prior to the destruction. The Motion was approved.
The Mayor and City officials have interviewed three people for an open position on the crew. Following the interviews, the mayor noted, “The consensus is that Riley is going to show them around the city and show them what the job involves. Then they will make a decision afterward.”
Superintendent Crookston reported that the city crew is currently waiting on the weather, working on maintenance projects. A BOD probe/meter is cracked at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The device is used to run Jake Wright’s weekly tests, required by the DEQ. It will cost about $1600 to replace. The backup was an old one on shelf, and a new one is needed.
Councilmember Tillotson asked about the red garbage truck. Crookston reported that the brakes squeal when it is cold, but that they work fine.
Kent Loosle, CEO of Caribou Medical Center, provided an update to the council. He thanked Curtis Toone for serving on the board. Loosle noted that a surveyor had been found for the site of the planned Grace clinic. We noted that CMC has two new providers, Lance Bryce, Gen surgeon, and Amy Fisher, PA who deals with pain. They now have 9 new providers at our community, expanding the scope of service provide.
The surgical robots in use at CMC were discussed.
