Bancroft City Council Report

January 13,2025 Regular Council Meeting

This report is adapted from the minutes recorded by City Clerk Debbie Swensen and is not official.

The following council and staff members present:

Council President, Rick Hatch, Jessica M. Vawser, Eric Christensen, Nate W. Eiman and Clerk Swensen.  Mayor Spencer was absent.

SICOG-Jules Belyea

Jules Belyea informed council that the income survey SICOG conducted recently in Bancroft has passed.  Belyea thanked everyone that participated in helping meet the threshold quota, allowing the city to become eligible for Community Development Grants. The city can apply for federal and state block grants for up to five years before having to requalify. Grants may cover projects in the wastewater, downtown, and job creation and other miscellaneous funds.  Belyea explained that there is a wastewater grant option coming up in the fall, but the city will need to sign a contract in order for SICOG to begin the application process.

Belyea left the contract for Mayor Spencer to review and sign. The wastewater grant is for $500,000. The deadline isn't until the Friday before Thanksgiving, so there is plenty of time to get the contract in.  A motion to file the contract and apply for the funding was approved unanimously.

Variance Application-Mike and Roxie Holston

Cm, Nate Eiman made a motion to approve the fence variance for Mike and Roxie Holston.

During a roll call vote, the majority of members voted in favor, with a no vote from councilmember Jessica Vawser.

Mike Ackerman-Ordinance Proposal Re: Parking Restrictions

Business owner Ackerman expressed concern about truck and trailer parking on city streets.  He presented a copy of Burley, Idaho's parking restrictions ordinance to the council, and explained that trucks and trailers are parking on city streets for long periods of time without proper accommodations.  Ackerman noted that he “is getting tired of looking out his front window and seeing a car hauler.”  He reminded council that he has brought these concerns up several times in previous meetings and nothing has changed.  He explained that he had reviewed the Bancroft city codes and did not find anything that regulates long term parking of large trucks, trailers, or tractors. 

Council stated that they would like to take some time and look around at other codes before passing a new ordinance. Ackerman informed council that this is the only ordinance he could find in the state that has the correct wording.  

Councilmember Eiman raised his concern that there needs to be a designated parking area for trucks.  CM Vawser asked whether the mayor had talked to Highland Milling regarding the problem with Highland Milling trucks driving down Main Street outside the designated truck route. Council discussed how there are several large trucks parking on city streets. Most of them are Doug Andrus trucks. Mike Ackerman commented that Doug Andrus offers free parking for his trucks. CM Eric Christensen stated that the drivers are bringing their trucks home in order to spend more time with their families.

Business License Application Review

Council reviewed the completed business license applications and payments. There is (1) alcohol license that has not been paid and a couple businesses that still need to pay their annual license fee. Council asked about a couple of the local businesses and had questions regarding sending them an application. Council would like to contact the attorney before sending applications to the self-employed trucking companies.  

Mike Ackerman commented that he runs another business out of his store and has filed an application and paid his fees. CM Vawser asked whether the attorney has responded regarding the sale of small business items like jewelry, makeup, etc. The city attorney advised that ultimately it is up to the city council how technical they want to get with licensing requirements, but suggested that they look at whether a business creates additional traffic and are they publicly advertising their product or services.

Building Permit-James Ackerman

James Ackerman submitted a building permit to demo his existing shed and replace it with a pre-built shed. Ackerman stated that it would be the same size and wouldn't encroach on the alleyways.  CM Jessica Vawser is concerned about doing another permit approval for James due to the recent fence that was constructed after council approved the permit. Cm, Vawser stated that the fence is unsightly and was not presented accurately to the city council.  Council decided to table the permit and allow time to check boundaries and other conditions before moving forward with the application.  A motion to table the permit decision passed 4-0.

Lighting of Teuscher Square

Council reviewed the quotes for single burner stoves, stock pots, hot drink dispensers, and a new costume for the Lighting of Teuscher Square.  CM Eric Christensen made a motion to purchase (2) propane burner stoves, (2) stock pots, a drink dispenser, and a new costume. The motion passed 4-0.

Fire Department Chief

CP Hatch informed council that the Fire Chief may be moving and the city will need to start thinking about who would be a good replacement.

Sewer Increase

Council will wait until a later date to discuss the sewer rate increases, due to the ponds not holding water.

Council Reports

CM Vawser asked whether the attorney has made the updates and sent the violation letters out. The clerk will check the status on the letters.

CM Eric Christensen would like to add a separate line item to the general fund budget for employee recognition. CM Christensen commented that the city has always done something around the holidays for the employees and needs to start doing this again.

Resident Roxie Holston stated that it is important to show appreciation for employees. She commented that she felt grateful when she got her employee bonus from the school this year. CP Hatch and CM Eiman agree that it is something the city should be doing and it will them remember if it is on the budget as a line item.

Clerk Swensen updated council on the water bond agreement transfer of $5,500. The funds were transferred at the beginning of January as advised in the contract. The clerk will be doing W-2's and 1099's this next week. Council should receive them in the mail by January 15m. 

Clerk Swensen will be starting the auditing process the following week. The auditors are coming on January 29th. The clerk will be pulling documents and scanning files for the next couple weeks. The clerk advised that it will be very busy in the office until these items are done. Clerk Swensen found the contact information for the Christmas lights vendor in Salt Lake City that offer warranty on the lights.

CP Hatch asked how things are going with the residents paying their Kennel and Dog License Fees. Clerk Swensen advised that it seems to be going well so far.

Maintenance advised council that the transmission on the dump truck is going out. The transmissions are expensive and the city may want to consider purchasing a different truck.  CP Hatch suggested looking around at transmissions and watch for a truck through surplus with the state.

Resident Mike Ackerman apologized for having to close down his restaurant. Bancroft cannot support the business alone, and he needs time to get ready for summer visitors. CP Hatch stated that everyone understands.