Grace City Council Report—April 3
Bills in the amount of $24,806.75 and payroll in the amount of $10,427.56 were reviewed and approved by the council.
Sheriff Mabey reported on a noise complaint regarding a county parking lot on 2nd North. Sheriff Mabey stated that he would speak with the county commissioners about signage outlining rules for the parking lot. He warned the council and citizens to be on the lookout for people in places they shouldn’t be. There has recently someone caught trying to squat at the motel in Bancroft. He reported that some of his deputies are starting a project with one of the religious organizations to place new house numbers on residences in the county. This is important for emergency responders.
Fire Chief Peck reported that he has been performing fire inspections at the businesses in town. He has completed about two-thirds of the businesses on the list.
Superintendent Crookston presented a permit, #2024-01 for a 65’ grain elevator for Agtura, which was approved.
Snow removal was discussed. Councilmember Toone asked the city council if they would like to revisit the changes that were made to the ordinance on December 2023. The change was made to remove the following sentence: “but shall be permitted to deposit the same in the city street right of way so long as said owner or occupant shall cause said snow to be deposited in the center of the street where the City has provided a berm. Commercial or business district will be allowed to deposit their snow in the center of the street as lonf as there is an existing city made berm, no ridges are left that will cause ruts, and the snow is deposited so that it does not narrow the street.”
Councilmembers Tillotson and Toone are in favor of reversing the ordinance and putting the above lines back in. They would like the employees to continue to put a berm on Center Street on the East and West sides of Main street and allow the businesses to push their snow into the berm. Councilmembers Allen and Fluckiger were undecided and expressed that there were a lot of factors to be considered. Councilmember Tillotson asked if the employees could change the plowing routes and wait to do the business district until after the residential. Councilmember Toone asked if they could take one extra swipe in front of the business on Main Street around 8:30 a.m. No decision was made, and the topic was tabled.
Councilmember Allen moved to approve the purchase of a new server for $16,579.98. Councilmember Fluckiger moved to approve the city observance of Juneteenth on Friday, June 21 instead of Wednesday, June 19. Councilmember Tillotson seconded the motion, which passed.
Superintendent Crookston reported that he and the employees have been getting ready for spring and summer projects. There is a free water training course that he would like to take all the employees to on May 7 in Idaho Falls. A motion to allow the same was approved.
Mayor Barthlome reported that Wade Olorenshaw was willing to write up a legal description of the city boundaries for a very nominal cost. The Department of Environmental Quality approved the plans for the sewer project, so it is now out for bid. There will be a pre-bid meeting on April 25. She thanked the employees for all their hard work.
Fire Chief Peck reported that the concert in the park with Due West performing is a definite go. Caribou Medical Center is donating the food and made a donation to help pay for the performance. The concert will either be held at the park or the fair grounds on July 6.
