Bancroft City Council October 14 Report
Present: Council President Eric Christensen, Trevor Parsons, Jessica Thurman, Mayor Spencer, and Clerk Swensen; Absent: Jessica Vawser; Others in attendance: James Ackerman, Mike Ackerman, Joseph Perry, Taralee Christensen, Rick Hatch, Bill and Denise Horsely
The Bar-Liquor License Renewal
A motion to renew The Bar liquor license for 2026 passed 3-0.
Impact Zones
CM Eric Christensen would like to table the item and get more information. Impact Zones are the areas outside of cities where the county and the city designate as the likely areas of growth. They are envisioned by the state as ways for counties and cities to cooperatively plan for the expansion of services and regulatory differences between the two entities.
Caribou Historical Society
Bill Horsley introduced himself to the city council. He explained that the historical society has been working on several projects and has recently purchased a building. They are looking to get donations that will help keep things running at the new museum. Many locals have donated portraits and history documents and they are very grateful. The museum is open by appointment on most Saturdays. Some of the local schools have scheduled field trips and would like to continue this annually. The historical society is asking for donations and help getting the word out to ask for new members to join the committee. Council would like to discuss making a donation at the November council meeting.
Donation to the Elder Fund
Clerk Swensen explained that Triston Wilde has been coming in every Monday to donate his time for approximately one year. Elder Wilde has been diligent in helping with anything that needs to be done. He has helped maintenance with cleaning, mowing and many other tasks that needed to be done. CP Christensen made a motion to donate $500 to elder Wild’s missionary fund. Motion passed 3-0.
Building Permits
1. Steve Askew-Cedar Fence
Mayor Spencer has checked the setbacks and has no problem with the locations for the additional fencing according to setbacks. Everything appears to be within the requirements of city codes. Steve wants to add to the existing fence for privacy. Motion to approve the fence permit passed 3-0.
2. James Ackerman-Demolition of Main St. Building-Front Side Header. James would like to tear down the front of his building and use a header for added support and safety. Cm, Jessica Thurman made a motion to approve the permit for demolition and support reconstruction. Motion passed 3-0.
3. Resident Rick Hatch purchased land on Rigby Road and would like to hook on to the existing city water line. Cm, Eric Christensen suggested that Rick talk to the county regarding hooking up to the Main line which is 6” where the other line is only 2” and is possibly a property owner funded line. The council would need to do some research on who funded that project years ago. Rick will contact the council after talking with the county if he decides to proceed with a new hook-up on the smaller water line.
Memorial Park Well Pump and Supplies Purchase
Mayor Spencer explained that there have been quite a few issues with the Main well at Memorial Park. Wires have been shorting over time leaving multiple black marks in the panel. Bear River will get the city a quote on a new panel after Pumpco finishes pricing the internal parts. So far, they found that the pump is working fine but the motor is bad. The quote was approximately $23,000 which includes the motor, new pipe, a splice kit, and a nipple check valve. The city has been watching the pumps and running things manually. Mayor Spencer informed council that the city is obligated to keep the monthly utilities running and if necessary certain items need to be purchased and then put on the agenda for approval and documentation.
Drainage Project - 1st South
Mayor Spencer got a call from the contractors that were awarded the drainage project on 1st South. They have been extremely busy but plan to get started in the next few weeks, weather permitting. They need a five-day window with decent weather to complete the entire project. If the contractors cannot complete this job by the extended deadline, there is a chance the city may have to turn the money back. Council asked if we should contact SICOG. Mayor Spencer explained that the dirt on the edges can be done later.
Violation-Citations & Fines
Mayor Spencer asked code enforcement how things are going with getting the citations out. Code enforcement was advised by the city attorney that the next step is to contact Caribou County Sheriff’s Department to deliver the misdemeanor citations.
Airport Road
Mayor Spencer has contacted Dust Busters about getting mag chloride applied to the roads north of the railroad tracks and on 1st East. Mayor Spencer asked council which roads they want to have done with mag chloride. Cm, Eric Christensen is concerned that it will need re-applied by spring. Mayor Spencer explained that it will help bind the surface and repel water. CM Parsons commented that the mag chloride will help with run-off as well. Mayor Spencer stated that the goal is to let the road settle so it can be chip sealed next year. Mayor Spencer talked with Kevin at the county. The county will prep and water the roads. CM Jessica Thurman made a motion to approve the application of mag chloride to all north side roads, which passed 3-0.
Sewer Pump Purchase
Council would like to have more information and get a few more quotes before purchasing a sewer pump.
13 Diesel Generator
Mayor Spencer found a generator through government surplus in Boise. The generator is a Diesel 115kw with approximately 400 hours on it. The cost listed on the government website is $10,000. Mayor Spencer would like to have Bear River take look at the power supplies and see if anything would need to be changed. The city will need a transfer switch which would run the power to a separate line so it doesn’t feed back to the main power line. After Mayor Spencer gets some more answers, the city can start the paperwork. CP Eric Christensen made a motion to purchase the generator if the cost is close to the $10,000 listed. Motion passed 3-0.
Animal Ordinances and Grandfather Clause
CM Christensen would like to have more information regarding the grandfather clause before going forward and repealing codes. CM Eric Christensen would like to look at zones that currently allow animals and see if there are any special stipulations on how many animals they can have and how the grandfather clause would work. Council agreed that more review and discussions are needed. Council would like to consult with the city attorney.
Summer Help Job Title Duties List
Council agreed to remove the topic and revisit it in the spring closer to hiring summer help.
Council and Staff Reports
CM Trevor Parsons didn’t have anything at this time to report.
CP Christensen informed council that a few residents have brought in storage containers and the last one was not approved. CM Thurman commented that the structure is not permanent and didn’t have the shipping container on it. Mayor Spencer advised that it would still require a building permit. CM Eric Christensen informed council that he had to have a building permit for his sheds even though they are removable. Mayor Spencer stated that everyone bringing in or building a shed has to have an approved building permit. The city will also require them to look nice and be painted for appearance. Resident TaraLee Christensen commented that one of the residents had brought in a temporary container and then received a letter from the city asking them to remove it. Mayor Spencer advised that the city had not been made aware that the bin was coming or that it was being used temporarily for demo and when the information was obtained it was not an issue.
Resident Mike Ackerman commented that the council needs to set time constraints of six or nine months on the bins because they are unsightly and do not belong in city limits. CP Eric Christensen agreed that they do not look nice in people’s yards and they bring down the look and value of the community. Council would like to ask the attorney if anything can be done about the existing containers in town and address the city codes to prevent future issues.
Maintenance asked if the airport manager is still wanting to remove the airport hangar. Mayor Spencer instructed maintenance to move forward with demo and take the materials to the landfill in Grace.
Maintenance informed council that none of the lights on the trees in Teuscher Square work after the fires. They have priced new LED lights from Amazon for just under $400. The LED lights would last longer and be easier to maintain. The lights at Display Sales were approximately $1,000. Mayor Spencer advised maintenance that they will need to remove the old strings of lights from the trees before stringing up any new lights.
CP Eric Christensen made a motion to approve the purchase of the LED lights from Amazon.
CM Jessica Thurman 2nd the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
Code Enforcement, Jim Page informed council that he called the Sheriff’s department to get the accident report involving the city’s truck but was told it is not completed yet. Maintenance Page was told by the deputy at the scene that the Idaho State Police would be doing the review as a 3rd party.
Mayor Spencer will call officer Roper and see what is going on since he was contacted and asked if the local office could handle the issue.
CM Jessica Vawser was not able to attend the meeting. She sent an email with a few questions she would like answered. CM Vawser asked what the city is planning to do with the three non-running trucks at the old Potter shop. Maintenance informed council that the back motor on the sewer truck doesn’t work. Resident James Ackerman has the same truck and offered to let the city have the other motor if they want it. The old garbage truck needs to be scrapped out and the dump truck just needs a battery. Mayor Spencer advised that the dump truck needs to be parked inside. Mayor Spencer suggested gifting the valley fire truck to another city that needs a truck. The city can advertise the other trucks or put them up for auction. Clerk Swensen asked if council wants to try using KSL for free advertising. Maintenance will get the clerk some pictures of the trucks. Council suggested putting them out on Facebook once the pictures are done.
CM Vawser asked when the council should start advertising for residents to remove vehicles off the streets for snow removal. Council is good with putting out the notices anytime.
CM Vawser asked if the city should do a weekly or monthly ordinance information notice. Mayor Spencer wants to find out more about this request.
CM Vawser asked about purchasing turkeys or hams for the fire department, council, and employees. Council wants to put the item on the next agenda.
CM Parsons asked if the city will be hiring part-time help for snow removal. Mayor Spencer commented that the city does hire additional help if needed, but the city currently only has one dump truck.
Resident James Ackerman asked if someone in town has bees in town. He has been getting swarmed and stung by bees. CM Parsons stated that there was an issue this summer with the bee hives on Gilbert Road. He will check to see if the hives are still there. Mayor Spencer asked code enforcement to keep an eye on location of bee hives. James stated that lots of people are very allergic to bees and have life threatening reactions to being stung.
