The Cottonwood City Council held their June meeting Monday, June 9.
Representatives from Walco, Inc. were present to ask for a 4.5% rate increase. This would be their first rate increase since 2022. This would amount to $1.03 per month on residential service. Standard commercial carts would be the same. Commercial dumpster services would see an increase of $5 per pickup for a 2-yard, $7.50 for a 3-yard, $10 for a 4-yard, $15 for a 6-yard and $25 for a 10-yard dumpster.
The council will review the request and act on it at a future meeting.
Good news for the Council is that they were informed by the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality that they have had $100,000 removed from the principal of the loan for the sewer department work.
City employee Dallas Paul was presented with a couple of awards by Jayme Coonce of LHTAC. He was presented with a Road Scholar and a Road Master award. One included a snapback hat and the other included a Carhartt jacket.
In the only action item on the agenda an alcohol beverage license for beer and wine on premises only was approved for The Cottonwood Hangout. It is contingent on them receiving their state and county licenses.
In reports, Police Chief Terry Cochran reported on the investigation into the incident at The Hangout that knocked out their power. He issued a DUI citation to a drive that wound up taking out a road sign. A horse got loose. He is also doing a traffic study on King Street through the City Park.
In the water report Gus Hoene reported they pumped 2,497, 300 gallons of water and sold 2,268,810 gallons for a loss of 14.91%. Pat Enneking report they did some hydrant testing for the fire rating crew that were in town which accounts for some of that loss.
In the sewer report Brett Miller reported the pump is in and wired up. Pat reported they are ready to start sprinkling in the agri-forest but will do the bulk of that in July and August. There was a problem with algae in the ponds last year and they expect to have to deal with it again this year. Amy Uptmor of JUB Engineers reported they are reviewing the new sewage treatment plan from headworks to outflow. The reuse permit app was submitted. The process usually takes 12-18 months so they hope it will be approved by next year. On the property purchase they are running into some property line adjustments and are working on a new legal description.
She reported they are also looking into a bridge across the creek for access.
In the streets report Kristy Holthaus reported they are working on dust abatement on the gravel streets.
In the land and buildings report Linda Nida reported they installed two 5-ton units for heating and air conditioning at the Community Hall. A new refrigerator was also installed in the hall. Children are enjoying the splash pad at the Park with this recent heat wave. She is working on a grant through AgWest for picnic table pads.
In the airport report Holthaus reported the airport has been busy with cropduster use.
Nida reported the state fire marshal is doing their fire rating review. The city currently has a rating of 4 which is the best you can have with a volunteer fire department. They hope to maintain that rating. Nida commended chief Greg Danly and the crew for their extra work regarding the fire rating.
The Prairie Kindergartners visited the fire department and there was 1 fire call in May for a grain bin fire.
The budget hearing will be at the August meeting with the preliminary budget needed by the July meeting.
The meeting adjourned 7:36 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m.