Bancroft City Council Report – Monday, April 14

The following is adapted from the official minutes taken by City Clerk Debbie Swensen on April 14.   These are not the official minutes, although they reflect the signed report.

Caribou County All Hazard Mitigation Plan-Eric Hobson

Eric Hobson is the coordinator for the county EMS and has been working on the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan. Under the agreement with FEMA, the county is required to update the plan every five years for it to remain valid. Eric explained that if the city ever needed to declare funds from FEMA due to a disaster, the plan would need to be in place under the requirements of the Stanford Act. The plan also allows jurisdictions to list any projects that need to be done. The county has hired a contractor out of Rigby to write the plan for them. The completed plan was sent to the state and then to FEMA. The plan was returned from FEMA due to the new standards requiring counties and cities to adopt them by resolution first.

5 Wi-Fi Tower-3C Wireless

Reed Crandall introduced himself and his company. Reed thanked the city council for continuing the contract and expressed that business is going well. Mr. Crandall explained that business is growing and he is now offering six different packages. Council asked about pricing and speed options. Mr. Crandall gave council members a breakdown of internet speeds and costs for the different packages. Council asked about the city’s current contract and what the fees would be to cancel. Clerk Swensen advised that the contract will be up within the next year and the penalty for cancelation would be significantly more than the monthly savings. 

Large Truck Parking

Mayor Spencer explained that the city has received a formal complaint regarding a semi-truck parking long-term on a public street across from a resident’s house. Council discussed the situation in detail and reviewed the city codes relating to long-term parking. The spouse of the semi-truck driver was in attendance and explained that they never intended to make this a longterm parking situation and they are actively trying to purchase land outside the city limits. She also expressed that they have been dealing with a financial hardship due to the truck having unexpected mechanical issues and asked that council grant them more time to find property and establish their business out of town. Council agreed that it is also a hard situation for those living near the large trucks, but feels that in order to enforce this code without a reasonable solution would cause bigger problems that are not enforceable. CM Eiman suggested that the city council members work on drafting a more specific code to address the different situations, vehicles, and equipment.

Code Enforcement Officer Appointment

CP Hatch made a motion to appoint Jim Page as a code enforcement officer for the city, which passed 4-0.

Spring Cleanup

Mayor Spencer informed council that the county is having their free dump days from June 2-7. Council discussed dates to set the city spring cleanup so the bins are dumped before the county ends their free dump days. Council set the Bancroft Spring cleanup date for May 29th through June 4th. CM Christensen suggested the flyer contain the items that the landfill won’t accept and the items the city will be fined for if dumped. Council would like to have MR&E pick the bin up by June 5th. The bin will be placed in the same place as last year, behind the city shop.

Michael Ackerman-Business Proposal

Ackerman asked the city council what they thought about having an indoor shooting range and a bait and tackle shop. He believes there is a good market for an indoor shooting range with a bait shop and boat rentals. Mike feels that a controlled environment would attract local business and promote safety. Council discussed how the current city codes do not allow shooting in the city limits and would need more time to get the city attorney involved. Council likes the idea of having a controlled shooting range in town, but would need to get the city attorney involved before going forward.

Sewer Hearing Dates

Council discussed waiting for the sewer study from SICOG before setting up hearing dates to discuss increasing the rates to cover the expense of lining the sewer ponds. CM Vawser asked if the city allows residents to work off community hours. Mayor Spencer advised that the city will work with people so they can get in their hours of service. CM Vawser asked about having them work on the city kennel so it can be used again. Council agreed that this would be a good project and really help the city.

CM Vawser asked whether the roll of fencing by the sewer ponds is being used for anything and suggested using it for the kennel. Council discussed the previous decision to move the kennel over by the city shop.  She also suggested keeping the city kennel where it is due to being a good solid structure and just needing some updates and repairs. Funds for the completion of the kennel were approved in a previous meeting.

Clerk Swensen updated council regarding the utility statements needing adjusted. With each adjustment the printing company makes the lines and numbers are further off to where they printed outside the boxes this last few months. Clerk Swensen will contact the company but may have to schedule time and go to the business in person to show them an actual printed bill. The cost of printing new statements is high but hopefully the company will stand behind their work and replace the statements.

Misc Items

CP Hatch had a resident approach him wanting to know if her previous fence permit  could be extended so she can finish her fence. The resident ran out of funds and did not finish the fence. Mayor Spencer advised CP Hatch to have the resident file a new application due to being several years since the original application was filed.

CM Eiman updated council on the upcoming school service project called “Cowboys in Action”. The students will be meeting at the city’s Teuscher Square on May 19th around 9:15 am where they will be divided into groups and start doing service projects around town. Nate asked council if they had any lists or ideas of things they can do. There will be approximately 43 students participating in the event. Cm, Jessie Vawser suggested having the students rake the gravel in the rodeo grounds. The city will provide the chips and sodas to go with their lunch.

Mayor Spencer has been looking at using bentonite for the ponds. A one-acre pond would require 63 to 125 tons of bentonite at $90-100 a ton; without freight, They come in22.5 tons which is a truck load. The city would need an estimated 3-6 semi-truck loads to seal up one of the ponds. This would be for one of the smaller ponds if that is what DEQ will approve. They come in 3,000 lb. super sacks. The minimum cost without any prep work or freight is roughly $70,000. Mayor Spencer will look into the details and get quotes. The city will look at the cost to have it delivered and the cost to hire someone to truck it.

Clerk Swensen has set the public hearing date with the county for August 13th at 7:30pm. The Pre-Budget meeting and workshops will be each month before regular council meeting.

Resident Pam Barfuss asked maintenance to be careful of her plants on the south side of her property.