MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SODA SPRINGS, CARIBOU COUNTY, IDAHO HELD JANUARY 5TH, 2011.

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:00PM BY KIRK L. HANSEN, MAYOR.

ROLL CALL SHOWED THE FOLLOWING PRESENT: KIRK L. HANSEN, MAYOR

RANDALL E. PRESCOTT, PRES.

MITCHELL J. HART

LYNDA LEE

TODD B. SMITH

EXCUSED:

ALSO PRESENT: Mark Steele Alan Skinner, Director

CHAT TV Staff Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk

Carla Benson, CPA Clyde Nelson, Attorney

Gary LeMarr

Phil Merchen Chief Bjorkman

Margaret Panting Geri Bjorkman

Tony Varilone Linda Anderson

Kent Beesley Noah Jurdon

Morgan Steele Kyle Sims

Cameron Walker Christopher Walker

Dr. Jerry Walker

The invocation was given by Margaret Panting, Mayor Hansen then led everyone in the

‘Pledge of Allegiance’.

The Council reviewed the minutes from the last meeting and the payroll and accounts payable. Councilmember Prescott moved to dispense with the reading of the December 14th, 2010 minutes and approve them as written along with the payroll and accounts payable for December, 2010. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. Several bills were discussed including the Police Department’s leased laptops and some rebuilt pumps for the wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Hansen called for a vote on approval of the bills. All in favor, motion carried.

(SEE ATTACHED PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REGISTERS FOR DETAIL)

Fire Chief Bjorkman gave an annual report for the Fire Department. He reported that the Department received 15 call outs in 2010 with two being actual fires and several calls regarding carbon monoxide gas which he feels is due to inexpensive and old detectors. The Chief was pleased to report that since meeting with Caribou County to discuss the City being called out on County calls there have been no calls to assist the County this year. The Department currently has twelve firemen and the Chief with at least 5 in town always available but Chief Bjorkman suggests that the Department have 14 to 15 firemen and he is always looking for a new good man. The Chief reported that the equipment is

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in excellent condition and maintenance is good. Chief Bjorkman strongly encouraged the Mayor and Council to start setting aside money for a new engine to replace the old FMC Engine which is 28 years old. The Fire Department’s radios were discussed. Chief Bjorkman expressed his frustration with information regarding whether the Department is going to be required to change to the 700MHz system the County has switched to. Councilmember Prescott explained what he understands is as long as the old system continues to function we are okay but if the County does away with the old system then we may have to switch. Chief Bjorkman mentioned that in order to get grant funds for new radios the men have to complete a complicated radio test. Chief Bjorkman stated that he is leaving the radio issue up to the Mayor and Council to sort out. The Chief reminded everyone of the Firemen’s Winter Party on January 10th. The Mayor thanked Chief Bjorkman for his report.

Carla Benson, CPA of Wells & Benson CPA, PA presented the City of Soda Springs annual audit for the 2010 fiscal year. Mrs. Benson reported that the City’s financial statements present fairly the financial position of the governmental and business-type activities of the City. The audit was reviewed in detail which included the assets, revenues and expenditures for the governmental funds and the enterprise funds. Mrs. Benson pointed out that the City has very little debt. The Mayor and Council briefly discussed the audit. Councilmember Hart moved to approve and accept the audit and reports as presented by Carla Benson, CPA emphasizing that it is an unqualified audit, which is good. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

Tony Varilone, Margaret Panting and Linda Anderson made a proposal to install signs in several areas to direct people to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) Museum located on Center Street. Mr. Varilone detailed the sign proposal showing a map of the proposed locations of the signs. Mr. Varilone explained that all the signs will look the same and can be mounted on lamp posts or sign posts as approved by the City. Mr. Varilone is willing to install the signs that are on City right-of-way but the signs on the highway will be installed by ITD. Mayor Hansen expressed his support for the sign proposal. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve the sign project to direct people to the DUP Museum, seconded by Councilmember Hart. All in favor, motion carried. Councilmember Smith asked if there were liability issues with Mr. Varilone installing the signs. The Mayor and Council agreed it was fine as long as he coordinates with Director Skinner.

The Council considered a request from Chief Bjorkman to send up to six firemen to the Southern Idaho Fire Academy (SIFA) in Burley, February 18th thru the 20th. Councilmember Hart moved to approve the request, seconded by Councilmember Lee. All in favor, motion carried.

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Director Skinner updated the Mayor and Council on the status of the Industrial Park leases. All leases were paid in full in 2010, the 2011 amounts have been billed and the majority has already been paid. Director Skinner mentioned that all of Vaughn Smith’s leases are expired along with CD Ranches and Mason Distributing. Director Skinner presented a draft of the new lease. Attorney Nelson commented that the Mayor and Council agreed a couple years ago to a 5 year maximum lease term. Director Skinner mentioned that there is some sub-leasing going on that has not been authorized by the City. The Mayor and Council agreed that this needed to be addressed. The environmental section of the lease was reviewed. Mayor Hansen mentioned that there may be a compliance issue with a fuel storage tank on one of the lease sites. Director Skinner will check this out. The Mayor and Council discussed the lease amounts and the clean-up efforts that were expected in conjunction with the restructuring and lower of lease rates several years ago. The Mayor suggested that Director Skinner revisit those previous agreements regarding clean-up.

Attorney Nelson requested half reimbursement for his Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association and Idaho Municipal Attorneys Association annual dues. Attorney Nelson noted that belonging to these organizations provides valuable information and resources. Councilmember Hart moved to approve the reimbursement to Attorney Nelson for $325. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.

Clerk Vorwaller asked the Mayor and Council if they planned to attend the upcoming Association of Idaho Cities, City Officials Day at the Capitol. Mayor Hansen, Councilmember Smith and Councilmember Hart plan to attend. Councilmember Lee will review her schedule. Councilmember Prescott will not be able to attend. Clerk Vorwaller will register them and make room reservations.

Councilmember Prescott informed the Mayor that several Planning and Zoning Members terms had expired. Redge Balls decided to resign his position after 18 years on the Commission, but Brian Lewis, Renee Scheierman, Dennis Godfrey and Kevin Keller have all agreed to be reappointed. Mayor Hansen recommended reappointment of the Planning and Zoning members for 6 year terms. Councilmember Prescott moved to approve the reappointments of Brian Lewis, Renee Scheierman, Dennis Godfrey and Kevin Keller to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilmember Smith seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried. Councilmember Prescott mentioned that they will be looking for a new member to replace Redge Balls and also a member representing the impact area.

The Council discussed upcoming schedules. The Mayor, Councilmember Prescott and Councilmember Smith will be unavailable to attend the first meeting in February. The

Mayor and Council agreed to move the meeting to February 9th and evaluate at that time whether a second meeting in February will be held.

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Mayor Hansen welcomed the group of Boy Scouts and their leaders who were in attendance and gave them an opportunity to ask questions.

Councilmember Smith moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:10pm, seconded by Councilmember Prescott. All in favor, motion carried.

PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL THIS 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2011.

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Kirk L. Hansen, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Tausha Vorwaller, Clerk