2024
MINUTES
City Council
City of Arco
October 28, 2024
Mayor Grady Parsons called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., October 28, and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
In attendance were Mayor Grady Parsons, Council President Ben Tessmer, Councilmembers Danny McCurdy, and Amanda Darland. City Clerk Maribel Cahalan, Deputy Clerk Dana Jensen, Asst Deputy Clerk Josie Smith, Maintenance Supervisor Tony Chisham, Maintenance Lead Tim Snyder and City Planning & Zoning Chair Rebecca Lange. Guests were Brian Young, JR Grotjohn, and Jeremie Pettingill from Idaho Department of Transportation, Butte County Sheriff Dave Hansen, Dean Moncur, Lisa Lawson, Christy McCurdy, Tom Cammack, Hanna Reynolds, and Justin Rose.
Minutes of the October 15 Council meeting were reviewed and approved.
Public Comments – No one signed up for public comments.
Idaho Department of Transportation – Discuss Traffic Study/Other Traffic Issues within the City – Brian Young, ITD Traffic Operations Manager was in attendance to present the actions taken since July aftermath of the traffic study. Mr. Young highlighted three actions that ITD took since their discussions with the City back in July. First, where Grand Ave. meets Front Street (Highway 93), flashing lights were installed. Second, the ITD work crew analyzed the Credit Union sign on the opposite corner of Front and Grand and found a record of the City approval back in 2014 for a sign at that location but did not come across any request or approval from ITD for a sign at that specific location. Third, Mr. Young brought with him the data for the from the speed study on Grand Avenue and on Front Street/Highway 93, which both happen to be major highways. Mr. Young asked if the flashing stop sign worked in better compliance with the stop sign at that intersection. Sheriff Hansen said that his department has seen a larger improvement in stopping at the intersection. With regards to the Credit Union sign that is partially blocking the line of sight to the north, Mr. Young gave the City Council documents provided by Frontier Credit Union from 2014 when the sign was installed. The City Council sees a dissent in communication with the location and the type of sign that was installed and would like to follow up with Frontier Credit Union on the matter. Mr. Young said that his office is willing to work with the City and with Frontier to support bringing up the sign into compliance with ITD standards and with the City Sign Ordinance. Afterwards, Mr. Young reported on the speed study for the 25 mph zone on Grand Avenue and the 35 mph on Front Street. The average measured speeds for the 25 mph zone was 30 mph, and the 38 mph for the 35 mph zone. Recommendations that ITD made is to keep the 25 mph zone at 25 mph, and the 35 mph zone at 35 mph. Mr. Young made a comment that small cities that have permanent speed flashing signs report better driving speed compliance. The City would have to cover the cost of the signs, but ITD can install them. Mr. Young recommends both flashing speed signs for Grand Avenue and Front Street. The costs per sign range from $10,000 to $15,000. Council President Tessmer asked about the possibility of “stepped down” speed zones and the size and transparency of the speed signs as well, particularly heading from Butte City to Arco. There are many drivers who see the 55 mph sign when leaving Butte City, but do not think that it applies all the way to the 35 mph zone entering Arco. Mr. Tessmer asked about increasing the size of the speed signs but would like to have a 45 mph zone installed between Butte City and the Arco 35 mph zone. Councilwoman Darland asked if there is an option to lengthen the 35 mph zone on Front Street all the way out to Interstate Avenue. Often there are trucks or equipment traffic that enter the highway and at Interstate Avenue. So, perhaps a “Trucks Entering Highway” sign is needed? Also, Ms. Darland pointed out that Interstate Avenue is also a regular School Bus stop. Mr. Young noted that these issues will be taken back with him. Council President Tessmer asked the ITD staff if there is any volumetric data for both highways through Arco. Both Council members and City staff said that traffic volume continues to increase, which sometimes results in up to 20 minute wait to enter Highway 93/Front Street from both sides of Grand Avenue. Turning or cross traffic often back up while waiting for Highway 93/Front Street to clear. Mr. Tessmer asked to see traffic volume data for traffic that is coming off the hill from the direction of the Hospital. Mr. Young said that the data is available, but that ITD has not specifically created a report on it. Mr. Young said within a few months his staff would be able to put together a report on the traffic volume for Arco. The City Council asked Mr. Young if they could have that report prepared and bring it back to the City. Mr. Young informed the Council that ITD has additional plans to improve placement of crosswalk signs on Grand Avenue. As far as the weather is concerned, this will not be finished until spring of 2025.
Lisa Lawson – Consider putting an Arcade in Arco – Ms. Lawson shared her plans with the Council for an Arcade/Activity Center in Arco. Ms. Lawson will be partnering with Dean Moncur, they are in the construction phase of a “Family Fun Center” at the old bowling alley on Front Street. The plans include a snack shop, and possibly a gift shop. Ms. Lawson and Mr. Moncur are looking to open in two to three months from now. Council President Tessmer asked Ms. Lawson if there is anything needed from the City. Ms. Lawson asked the City for their support in this effort. Council President Tessmer wished her well in her project.
Hanna Reynolds – Renew Daycare License – Ms. Reynolds told the Council that the State of Idaho requires her Daycare License to be renewed every two years. And that part of this process includes a sign-off by the City. Ms. Reynolds supplied the documents needed for her location and facility type insurance as well and requested the City sign off on her license renewal. This will be Ms. Reynolds third year operating the daycare. Council President Tessmer made a motion to sign off on the License Renewal. The motion was seconded and approved.
Justin Rose – Parks and Rec Update – Mr. Rose presented the Council with the 2024 Parks and Rec programs and participation numbers. Mr. Rose feels that the 2024 program has been very successful. Mr. Rose also stated that Parks and Rec plans to offer a similar lineup of programs for 2025. The second annual “Big Lost” Turkey Trot is set for November 9th. Mr. Rose said this year the start and registration will be at the Greenbelt. The cost is $5 or a non-perishable food donation that will benefit the Arco Food Bank. For mor information on Arco Parks and Rec programs, go to their website at: https://arcoparksrec.org/programs/. Mr. Rose told the Council that the Parks and Rec organization has set aside funds to help pay for the power bill. Council President Tessmer asked Mr. Rose to get with the Clerks to arrange funds transfer.
Paint Proposal by Myron Karlinsey – Mr. Karlinsey asked Deputy Clerk Jenssen to share his paint proposal with the Council. Mr. Karlinsey proposes labor to paint the exterior Rec Hall windows if the City will purchase the paint. Council President Tessmer made a motion to table the offer for now and proposed to put out a bid for painting in the Spring of 2025. The motion was seconded and passed.
View any Surplus Bids – there was only one bid received said Deputy Clerk Jensen. Mayor Parsons opened and read the bid. The bid is for the 2020 Tarter 3 Point Mower. The minimum bid was met. Council President Tessmer made a motion to accept the bid for $400 for the mower. The motion was seconded and passed. The Council discussed what action to take on the remaining 15 items that did not receive any bids. City Maintenance Tony Chisham suggested moving these items to an online bid forum.
Bills – Bills in the amount of $16,159.00 were reviewed and approved for payment.
Roundtable – City Clerk Cahalan wanted to reiterate for all that her planned retirement date is December 31, 2024. So, until that time, she will continue to help train Assistant Deputy Clerk Smith as part of the conversion process into 2025.
Assistant Deputy Clerk Josie Smith said that she will begin working four days a week, starting this week, as she continues to learn the Deputy Clerk duties and operations of the City Office.
Deputy Clerk Jensen said that Forsgren engineer Camille Miller gave a report to the City that the Greenbelt paving contractor will keep the quoted asphalt paving price into the Spring of 2025 as the City pursues additional paving agreement with the Butte County.
Also, Deputy Clerk Jensen informed the Council that the next regular meeting for the City Council falls on a Federal Holiday. Ms. Jensen asked the Council if they would like to amend the agenda to address changing the Council meeting to the Tuesday after the Holiday. Council President Tessmer said that this was missed in the agenda planning, and in good faith, to change the date of the meeting. Mr. Tessmer made a motion to amend the current meeting agenda to discuss changing the first meeting date in November. Councilman McCurdy seconded the motion. The motion passed and Council President Tessmer made a further motion to move the November 11 meeting date to Tuesday, November 12. Councilman McCurdy seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Mayor Parsons shared about his participation in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Mayor’s Walking Challenge this year. Blue Cross awards $500 to Idaho Mayors who compete 5,000 steps a day in the month of October, and $1,000 to Mayors who complete 10,000 steps per day for the month. Mayor Parsons said that he has completed 212,000 steps so far in October, whereby qualifying for the $1,000 award. The funds can be used for programs that encourage well-being and physical activity. Congratulations to Mayor Parsons and thank you so much.
Mayor Parsons asked Maintenance Supervisor Chisham for an update on the delivery of the Science Center Park restroom facility. Mr. Chisham said that the contractor informed Forsgren Associates to expect delivery this week, but Mr. Chisham has not received confirmation.
Council President Tessmer asked City Maintenance Supervisor if he has any pricing data for the flow meter that was discussed at the previous Council meeting so the Council can move forward with this project in the Spring. Mr. Chisham said that he has not received any pricing data.
Council President Tessmer reported that he and Deputy Clerk Jensen are preparing letters to the City Beer and Wine permittees on the proposed changes to the City ordinance on the license and payment cycle for these permits. The City wishes to bring the City beer and wine permitting cycle with the State beer and wine license cycle.
Mr. Tessmer shared the notification from Butte County about the upcoming changes to the County Landfill hours of operation that will become effective on November 5, 2024. The new hours will affect the ability of the City to bring garbage to the Landfill on Thursdays. Mr. Tessmer suggested that the City staff hold a work meeting to discuss operational changes and a solution to address this issue. Eventually, the Council and staff agreed to meet on October 30 in the evening at the City Office.
Council President Tessmer received feedback from commercial garbage clients about lack of competitive options for City garbage pickup. Mr. Tessmer said that he would like to discuss this topic at the November 4 work meeting.
Councilwoman Darland reported on shocking information she received about defacing street painting on a City street at the boundary with the County. Sheriff Hansen said that he and the County Road Supervisor looked at the site today and will talk with the individual in the next few days. Council President Tessmer asked for the Council minutes to reflect that City residents may bring complaints and issues to the attention of the City Office or to Council meetings rather than act on their own.
City Code Enforcer Officer, Tim Snyder gave an update that verbal warnings and discussion with two or more property owners has resulted in more property cleanup. That cleanup continues at the properties where Mr. Snyder had previously contacted the owners.
City Planning and Zoning Commission Chair, Rebecca Lange thanked everyone who participated and facilitated planning and coordinating with the County P&Z to arrive at an Impact of Area map and a Public Hearing date to present the map and to take comments from citizens. Hearing date is set for November 14, at 7:00 p.m. at the Butte County Business Center. The Hearing Notice and draft Impact Area map have been published in the October 24 Arco Advertiser and is set to publish for two more weeks. A large print of the map on the wall at the City Office. The County Planning office also has copies of the map available. The City PZ has scheduled a Work Meeting for October 30, 9:30 a.m., to continue work on revising and updating City planning ordinances. There were several questions regarding yurts or tiny homes, the Council believes they would not meet the International Building Code construction requirements for a residential dwelling. Ms. Lange stated that she has been advising those with questions to complete and submit a City building permit application for the Building Inspector to review before starting any construction.
As there was no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 8:20 p.m. The next Regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the City Office.
Grady Parsons, Arco Mayor Maribel Cahalan, City Clerk