Soda Springs City Council Meeting 2/19
The Soda Spring City Council met for a regular meeting on February 19. Councilman Worthington was excused for the meeting.
Lions Club DYW
Austin Robinson, Sr. spoke to the City Council on behalf of the Lions Club. The Lions have sponsored the DYW competitors from the county for decades, dating back to the time it was called the “Junior Miss” pageant. The city generally donates funds to the DYW program, which was the purpose for Robinson’s visit to the meeting.
“It’s that time of year again,” Robinson said, explaining the background of the event and organization. The Lions have been involved with DYW since about 85, or 86, according to Robinson. A request was made and the city motioned to contribute $550 from the Our Community Service fund to the Soda Springs Lions Club. The club has about 15 members, and is always happy to invite new members into the organization. “Are you the oldest ranking member?” Robinson was asked by the mayor. “Yes, at this time,” he responded.
Robinson then enumerated some of the projects undertaken by the Lions: “We just gave $1K to the library. Donated around $5k to the veterans memorial at courthouse when that was put in. Supported the restrooms at the geyser, and the bleachers at the city park. There’s just so many projects it’s hard to remember. There’s a board that lists the projects at the breakfast on the 4th. I don’t usually see it, because I’m over there cooking sausage.”
Mayor Robinson addressed the online meeting viewers by suggesting that “If anyone out there in Youtube land is looking for a civic org to join, give the Lions Club a try.”
Projects
City Engineer Alan Skinner updated the council on a number of ongoing city projects, including the trail systems around town on the former Nutrien property, as well as a grant for the Bailey Creek area.
Engineer Skinner also reported that surveyors have been out on the highway for upcoming state road project. They will start drafting up prints and exhibits that go with it. A tentative start date of September has been released, with an April bid period.
Main Street allocation
The council returned to a discussion of Main Street construction costs from the previous session.
Funds for property owners on Main Street were discussed. “Originally, the allocation to the property owners on Main Street, some had water to replace, all had sewer, etc. The original was total of nearly 6K,” Council President Mitch Hart recapped. The main grant took care of sidewalk, at an average cost of $5300 per business.
“After we had our discussion, we went back and did a little noodling on things. Where we’re headed now on allocations is on adjustments on sewer lines,” Hart said, leading to a breakdown of costs for businesses that was reduced from the figures discussed at the last meeting. “Basically, what you originally thought you were going to have to pay will be cut in half. About $65 or $80 a month for three years to cover.” The city is also offering 36 months at no interest.
The council apologized to business owners for some of the communication issues that had been noted throughout the process. As the process moves forward, Hart clarified that the involvement of legal counsel in the matter would mean that businesses interested in pursuing legal action should hold off on making any payments related to that issue in the meantime. “If you intend to litigate, we will not be accepting any money from you. It protects us and it protects you in that way.”
ARPA funds
President Hart noted that there were still about $77K remaining in the ARPA funds account. Hart motioned that those funds be used and added to from city department budgets to purchase a crawler track camera for about $40K plus add ons, and a crack sealer for about $44,500. The ARPA funds were distributed in COVID, but are tied to certain uses, including infrastructure and emergency preparedness. The current camera can only see about 70 feet. The crack sealer would be used on city streets. Currently, crack sealing is subcontracted out. This will allow the deptartment to schedule projects more efficiently, and save costs on projects.
A motion to use the funds on the camera and crack sealer, with the addition of funds from streets and water/wastewater was approved.
Enders
Councilmember Paul Gritton was asked to provide an update on the recently suggested Enders proposal. “My update would be there’s not much of an update, other than that the process is playing out. Parks and Rec will be coming next week to tour the building again and schedule a meeting.”
President Hart stated: “I support the PR avenue, and I hope it happens, but what if this takes until the next legislative session? It will have to get approval at that level. If it takes into 2026 session, what is our intention to do over that period of time? What do we do for the building for the next 12-18 months? Do we want to basically turn it into a hotel for mining companies to use for their workers, engineers, etc? Or do we just let it sit for care and maintenance? The costs are an average of $750, $750 gas, $500 boiler a month for minimum heat.”
Gritton responded that “My first concern is that if we take some action like that it might change the scope of what PR is seeing. Maybe in a couple months would be better. We’ll have a lot more information. With the potential outcome of the Enders I could swallow some expenses while we wait.”
Hart said: “The interested parties who would like to occupy want to start in May. I agree that might change how the PR people look at it. Maybe it would be best, rather than trying to make a few bucks. But that does need to be answered. IF it doesn’t go Parks and Rec, we’re back to having to decide what to do.”
Councilmember Carpenter added: “If there’s an opportunity for us to open it up for comm meetings, we should.”
Hart asked: “If there are rooms, who manages it? The easiest thing is to just let it be and maintain it, and move it to that end goal.”
Carpenter said: “If there’s an end goal in sight, I’m willing to put up with it.”
P4
P4 and their attorney have exchanged drafts of a contract with the city back and forth. President Hart motioned to authorize the sewer agreement between the city and Bayer/P4 for an official signature.
Department Heads
Dan Squires
“I thought the first FD Ball was pretty fun, pretty well-attended,” Squires noted.
Squires reported that the SSFD had a false alarm fire.
He also reported that the WWTP is running well, though recently some bearings were replaced to prevent their going out.
He noted that snow removal had done a good job moving snow and making sure the fire hydrants are accessible.
Councilmember Carpenter asked Squires to explain how the mapping system works for meters and hydrants. “In the beginning, we have to manually put in the info,” Squires said. “But after that, it’s all there. We’ll have an ipad downloaded in a truck, rather than on paper. Once we get the main part of this mapping done, it’ll be a great tool.”
Justin Hansen
Both hydroplants are running well, and Hansen noted that he’d rather take care of some minor issues when the weather changes.
Hansen reported some minor vandalism at one of the city parks, but otherwise nothing major. The tubing hill has been smoothed out for the end of its season.
Hansen reminded people how important it is in the winter for drivers to slow down, take their time, leave early. “The roads will get plowed, but we can’t be on every street at the same time,” Hansen said. They start at 3:30 in the morning. Priorities are EMS routes, bus routes, city routes, and then residences.
Councilmember Gritton stated: “I felt you guys did an excellent job in that last storm.”
Hansen replied: “We try to do the best we can. We’re not perfect, we realize that. Our guys are human too. They need rest, and they need occasional days off work. We will get to your street. Just a reminder. I understand the frustration. The berm is an inconvenient result of plowing. Please drive safe. Take your time. It’s dangerous, you could get hurt and hurt someone else.”
Conditional Use Permit—Bethea Development
Applicant would like to put storage unit on prop in town. Personal storage units are allowed with CUP.
MH motioned to accept PZ recommend and approve Bethea application with the suggested stipulations. Approved.
Ordinance 710 ch 1.08 and 711 Chapter 5.6080 and 5.16.090
The Idaho Enterprise was attested as the official newspaper of the city by ordinance, taking over for the Caribou County Sun.
The second ordinance involves investigation into business licenses. 711 ch. 5.6080 lets the mayor approve business licenses after investigation.
Public Input
Justin Hansen noted, as a citizen, “I’d like to throw a shoutout to those involved with the Dance, thank you. We had a very good time, and we hope you do it again next year.”
Paige Byram asked whether it would be hard water used in the cemetery, and noted that it ruins the headstones.
