The Cottonwood City Council received some bad news at their April meeting Monday, April 13. City Engineer Amy Uptmor of JUB Engineers informed them that the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has put some added conditions on the sewer treatment system. Apparently they were awarded a permit in late March but now they have moved the goalposts by asking for an additional sampling site downstream. Due to this they have delayed the call for bids until May 6 in hopes this new request can be addressed. As city attorney Joe Wright put it, “If they want us to do X, Y and Z, they need to let us know what X, Y and Z are.” This affects phase 2 of the project. Uptmor said they have about 18 contractors interested in submitting bids but now they are unsure of just what kind of work they need bids for. She hopes they will be able to get additional info from the DEQ so that they don’t have to delay the bid process any further. In other business McKenzie Lewis, a lawyer representing Doug and Amy Lauer appeared to discuss a request by the Lauers to de-annex a couple of city lots that are currently undeveloped and have no services. They are wanting to put them together with some adjacent properties not within the city limits for development. A formal proposal will be submitted in the near future. Several library board members appeared with Emmett Wilson serving as spokesman concerning the library lease. Their request is to update some language in the lease as things have changed with the Community Hall updates made in the past several years. The council will look into this. In action items the council voted to approve Donn Clark’s request to hay the pasture near the Wimer Ballfields. The city asked that he makes sure the weeds are also addressed. The council voted to set Monday, August 10 as their FY2027 budget hearing date. It would be held just prior to the regular August meeting. They also voted to approve resolution 2026-03 which allows the city to give surplus property, the blue chairs in the hall lower level, to the city of Ferdinand. The Cottonwood Riding Club lease agreement was approved with a couple of minor changes that had already been agreed upon by the Riding Club. An alcohol catering permit through Keuterville PUB, LLC for the YWCA Purse Auction set for Saturday, April 25 was approved. A request for water and sewer connection from Simmons Holdings, LLC was discussed. This would be for their proposed transfer station. Some concerns were discussed but since this was just a request to proceed and not a final action, the council voted to approve proceeding with the request. In the reports, Mayor Keith Holcomb said they do have a person interested in applying for the police chief position. They hope to interview them soon. Debby O’Neill reported the city pumped 2,243,900 gallons of water and sold 1,798,305 for a loss of 22.74%. She reported much of the loss can be attributed to issues with well #5. If the estimated loss due to that is subtracted, it would bring the loss in the system down to about 9%. Pat Enneking reported that the well is down right now as they are waiting for some programming. There is no new update on the water tower repainting. Enneking reported they have the street sweeper put back together and in operation. In the street report Kristy Holthaus said that dust abatement projects will be starting soon. They will be contacting those on gravel streets to see if they want to participate. She said the cost of the mag chloride has gone up. She also reported they are putting in their order for approximately 500 street signs that will be ordered through a sign grant the city was awarded. Linda Nida reported they have ordered new curtains for the Community Hall. They are also working on a sign to be installed in front of the hall. She is also working on a grant to help purchase some t-ball equipment. The fire department had 1 call, a wildfire along the highway. The firemen have some training scheduled this month. Brett Miller reported all the newer volunteers have gone through essential training. Holthaus reported the only thing new at the airport is grading of the access road. The council meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. |
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