Bancroft City Council Report—June

Adapted from official minutes recorded by clerk Debbie Swensen 

The meeting was called to order, followed by the pledge, and an invocation given by councilmember Nate Eiman.

Councilmember Jessica Vawser asked about the higher than usual wages for employees in the month’s account’s payable.  Clerk Debbie Swensen explained that May had three payroll dates instead of two due to the bi-weekly pay schedule.  

Vawser also inquired about why the city was buying Roundup in Soda Springs from Bomgaars rather than locally.  The issue will be looked into.  Accounts payable were approved.

Real estate purchase at 10 S Main Street (Tooleson’s Lots 14,15,16,17) were reviewed by the council.

City Park Gravel

Mayor Spencer explained that the gravel purchase made last month had not been sufficient, and asked the council to approve a few more loads for the city park.

Councilmember Vawser expressed concern about the gravel that is being used in Memorial park.  She was concerned that the gravel was too large and not safe for bikes or walking.  She explained that she was on a bike ride with her family and her niece had a very hard time getting through the gravel, and ended up wrecking.  Vawser stated her belief that the park should be a safe place for children to play and ride their bokes.  Mayor Spencer will contact the county to see if the city can rent or borrow the county’s roller.  Maintenance will put the gravel in the parking areas.  A motion to purchase more gravel was approved.

July 24

Rick Hatch asked the council whether his family could play music on Main Street during the July 24 celebration like they did last year.  The council agreed that the Hatch family could do so, and that the event could be held the same way as last year.  Hatch explained that they would like to have the city block off a section of Main Street.  The council agreed that it had been a fun event for the city last year, and they were happy to provide the power source and block off the street as needed.

Michael Ackerman asked the city council if they would allow him to put on a fireworks show near his Main Street business.  He is planning to have more fireworks this year.  Council agreed to give Mike permission for the show.  Ackerman also asked for a donation from the city toward the purchase of additional fireworks this year.  A motion to donate $700 to that end was approved.

Business Licenses

Attorney Lyle Fuller presented a copy of the current business license code with suggested changes.  Fuller explained that due to the city never charging for a business license or enforcing any type of fee, the city will need to hold a hearing to update the ordinance and pass a fee by resolution.  Fuller explained that the items in the code needing to  be removed were underlined in the review copies.

Suggested changes would make it unlawful for any person to do business without a license, also called transient trading, even if they were doing business elsewhere with a license.  Section 3-1-7 and 3-1-8 are updated to mandate that licenses term each year and require an annual renewal.  Section 3-1-8 states that no license will be granted unless the building complies with the city zoning codes.  Section 3-1-11 allows the city to revoke licenses after they are granted if compliance is not met.  Section 3-1-12 talks about transient trading including traveling salesmen that take orders and then come back later to make deliveries.  The code would require traveling vendors that come into town on the 24th of July to acquire a separate license, or sell products under the school’s license.  

Attorney Fuller will need to check the laws to see what the regulations are in that regard.  Councilmember Vawser asked if the applications will need to have the city ordinance requirements detailed on them.  Fuller explained that a certain amount of that detail would be required.

Clerk Swensen was approached by a  store owner in another city asking what he would need to do to bring a drink trailer in for the celebration.  Fuller suggested making sure that they have a state license at minimum, if the city is not ready to legally enforce licenses by then.  The trailer will have fountain sodas, beer on tap, and bottled beverages.  Council discussed possibly taking our the transient trading requirement and other proposed changes.

After discussion, the council decided not to regulate small vendors setting up at the school for the 24th.  Council discussed setting a larger license fee for businesses or committees with irregular vendors for special occasions.

Councilmember Vawser suggested that it would be difficult to enforce 1-day licenses.  Councilmember Hatch suggested that the person collecting the fees for the school in the past continue to do so for this year.  

A motion to approve the ordinance regulating licenses was approved.

The Council also discussed setting a reasonable business license fee that would need to be renewed annually.  Council members agreed that a $50 fee would be reasonable.  They further agreed that if a vendor pays early or by the deadline, they would receive a $10 discount and a late fee for the opposite.  The council agreed to keep the process simple.  A public hearing will be scheduled to discuss the matter with the city.

Several building permits were approved, including three fences, a carport, and a shed permit.

A rezone application from Brandon Wistisen from Industrial to Agricultural in order to allow a nephew to put a home on the property was discussed.  The council agreed to schedule a hearing and hear testimony regarding the zone change.  

Councilmember Reports

Councilmember Vawser has had residents complain to her about the dirty and/or unkempt yards in town.  Vawser drafter a letter addressed to the residents of the city, and presented the members of council a copy for review.  The letter explains the need for yards to be in compliance with city codes, and provides a deadline for compliance.  Council will review the draft, but agreed in principle that it was a good idea and something needed to be done on the topic.

Vawser was also approached about the the sidewalk project.  Some resident have complained that the city tore up grass, flowers, etc. to put sidewalks on Main Street.

Councilmember Rick Hatch has received complaints that the city is not maintaining its own properties and buildings, which is setting a bad example for the residents.  

Councilmember Eric Chistensen suggested putting up a fence at the city shop to regulate Spring Cleanup dumping.  The council was advised that Soda Springs keeps a worker on site during the cleanup to ensure that garbage and debris are properly disposed of.

Councilmember Vawser suggested that the city return to the practice of assigning each councilmember a department so that issues are more efficiently addressed.

Mayor Spencer informed the council that a resident’s asliding glass door was shattered when a rock flipped from a city lawn mower.  The resident has filed a claim for damages with the city’s insurance company.  Mayor Spencer suggested putting up a fence between the resident’s house and the park.  Council agreed that a fence was a good move toward limiting liability.

Clerk Swensen updated the Mayor and Council regarding updating the city’s software.  The trials have gone well, and the clerk is working on securing grant funds to help with the high cost of the software and compatible computer systems.  

Clerk Swensen presented a current budget report showing all funds and accounts including bank accounts.  The report shows the percentage of expenditures and revenues to the current date.  A new report will be printed for the upcoming pre-budget hearing due to the numbers changing daily and monthly as accounts are paid and revenue received.

The meeting was adjourned.