City of Leadore
Council Meeting
November 9, 2022
Minutes
Call to order by Mayor Dale Peterson at 6:02 PM.
Roll call: Mayor Dale Peterson, Council President Lu Jean Morelli, Councilman Red Pierce and City Clerk Jack Peterson present. Councilman Sheldon Kelly was excused due to illness, Jason Hjelm was excused due to work assignment.
Pledge of Allegiance lead by Mayor Dale Peterson.
Patron Input: Merrill Beyeler and Mev Peterson were present as Patrons.
On the consent agenda Minutes of the October 12, 2022 Regular Session were read, the 2020-2021 budget reconciliation to the State, Bill/s/Claims, Budget update, receipts, cash on hand, investments, 2021-22 Annual Comptroller Compliance, and the Financial Report were presented. Lu moved to approve. Red seconded. Unanimously approved.
Reports and Communications:
1. The Mayor provided information on the following:
a. Proposed ordinance regarding junk within the city limits was discussed. Red Pierce and Jack Peterson reviewed their draft and copies were distributed for review by council in the December meeting.
b. Regarding City fire department matters, the Fire Chief was unable to attend. Dale will also reach out to Rick and Randy regarding the fire department financial matters. Matters deferred to the December meeting. These include whether the Fire Department should be asked to reimburse the City for coverage premiums that are for fire
department vehicles. $235.80 for vehicles, $293.33 for the fire station. The mayor noted that the budget traditionally has budgeted $7000 in and out during the year. The mayor requested the Fire Chief be invited to the December Council Meeting.
2. City Clerk offered the following:
a. Jack reviewed the Communications for the preceding month, the QuickBooks Payroll module, Fire Department billing, and staff evaluations, code of conduct forms for council members and another set for employees. The “Dead End sign and calendar are on order. A final revision to the District Election Officer will be submitted to the County Clerk. The Clerk also presented the certified L-1 report regarding taxing entities and rates. The Idaho Power bill is now on auto-pay. Dale noted that we had discussed with the School Superintendent a shared LED sign for the city. Dale and Jack will pursue this. Dale also noted he had contacted Ray’s concerning the Library electrical issue.
b. Mark and John Ulsh were out of town and will not be present to discuss progress on the web site tonight. Jack reviewed proposed tabs for the website and asked council members to assist with information collection.
c. Councilman Pierce completed his orientation with the Mayor and City Clerk.
3. The City Attorney, Mr. Jonathan Harris joined the council meeting via telephone to discuss Annexation issues. Mr. Harris presented our options. He asked that the addresses of families we want to include in the annexation be obtained and provided to Mr. Harris. We also need to prepare a city annexation plat to Mr. Harris and ensure that each proposed parcel is contiguous to the existing city. In addition, we need to obtain the county records on who owns what and how they obtained ownership. We also need to identify the area of impact and prepare a comprehensive plan. Among the proposed annexation properties, Dale and Merrill discussed his but all the lands have to be within the city’s area of impact and have to be parcels of 5 acres, or subdivided to accomplish this. Dale noted that the population within the city has diminished and it is our goal to annex a larger area so that our included population is greater. We were not attempting to increase taxes. Dale noted that city tax payers currently pay for services that are available to whole community, who only pay Lemhi County taxes. Further, that the current city government potential for involvement by citizens is quite restricted. Annexation would give far more individuals to participate in city government. Mr. Harris noted that this was the primary purpose of the annexation laws. Dale asked whether the area of impact could go out as much as a mile. Mr. Harris suggested that a mile may be too large and that a half mile might be more reasonable for now and consider further growth as the city grows. We will consider this in the comprehensive plan. Mr. Harris will look further into this for us. Dale presented the alternative, which was to unincorporate if we cannot grow. Mr. Harris suggested we use this argument when discussing reasons for annexation. Dale asked about properties that are surrounded by three sides, but Mr. Harris noted the law appears to require surrounding all 4 sides to compel annexation. Merrill asked whether Mr. Harris could put together a review of what would be entailed in un-incorporation and its impact. Mr. Harris agreed to do so.
Mr. Harris and council closed the conversation.
Council discussed the current County and City levy rates and increased valuations. Further, that the city will need to consider reducing rates in the next fiscal year for city taxes.
Council discussed the amenities the City provides and that as we grow and the amenities grow, property values will grow, with resulting benefits to all within it and nearby residents. We have to grow to survive. Additional housing is essential. We will also consider establishing a Fire District. Merrill will assist in the development of the comprehensive plan.
Committee Reports and Discussions:
1. Visitor Center: Jack presented the modified Visitor Center Lease agreement form. Red moved to accept the terms, Lu seconded and the council passed unanimously. Jack is to post and implement. Jack reviewed the floor maintenance issue and that he had contacted the All American company in Idaho Falls. Council discussed possibilities for floor replacement. Council asked that Jack to investigate floor replacement, estimated at $5000. We will explore Salmon businesses to perform this. Dale stated that he would handle the shrubbery issue.
2. Library Meeting: Lu and Jack presented the proposed MOU for the Library. Copies were distributed for discussion next council meeting.
3. Road and Bridge: Dale noted the weed abatement is completed, but that we needed to pursue the County providing this service in the future.
4. City Park: Jack presented the rule change for the use of spots at the Park that restricted use to 7 days. Council accepted the proposed rule change. Dale noted the need for a closer relationship with our Commissioners and he committed to work more closely with them after the 1st of the year.
5. Activities: We have adopted December 6th as the City Christmas program, including food and activities. LuJean and Jack to pursue planning, including posters to advertize a dinner at around 6 PM. LuJean noted she has a “Santa”.
6. ARPA Fund use: The mayor noted an update to the use of the funds. We can provide pedestals for water and electrical for 7 spots, with sewer in the future for about $450 each. The Forest Service is helping us with trees and outhouse, through the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department. Dale noted the apparent existence of a Park master plan that we will attempt to locate.
ACTION ITEMS:
Council Roundtable: None.
Executive Session: Executive Session was convened at 7:34 PM for discussion of employee evaluations and consideration of applications for the Assistant City Clerk open position. A voice vote was held to enter Executive Session. All Council members voiced approval, in turn. Executive Session was adjourned on a unanimous voice vote at 8:17 PM.
Council reconvened at 7:18 PM. The Council approved the evaluation of the City Clerk and did not consider the application for the Assistant City Clerk position, which is deferred to the December Executive Session. The Council accepted the draft Library Memorandum of Understanding and will review in the coming month. Consideration will be given to this in the December Executive Session.
Council Adjournment: Lu moved, Red seconded and Council approved at 8:19 pm. SUBMITTED: APPROVED ON COUNCIL’S BEHALF:
Jack L. Peterson Dale A. Peterson City Clerk Mayor
November 20, 2022 December 14, 2022