| Cottonwood
City Council meets
The Cottonwood City Council approved a request to abandon a portion of a dedicated alley made by Gordon Harman at their regular July meeting Monday, July 13. Harman pointed out the alley really goes nowhere and the portion that was abandoned is surrounded by his property. Prior to the regular meeting a public hearing was held on Sherry Riener’s request for a variance to use the former Len and Doris Kuther home for a business. The council will take further action on this request at their budget workshop which is set for Monday, July 20. Laura Toole of the United States Census Bureau was in attendance. She reported that cities and counties are being asked to help promote the 2010 census by creating “complete count” committees which could help those who may have trouble filling out the forms. Census forms will be mailed out in March of 2010. In the water report Jay Hinterlong reported a serious water leak was found and fixed. A citizen out walking his dog reported the leak when he heard rushing water from underground near the Hair Hut. Hinterlong aid he was disappointed that the company the city hired to find leaks did not find that one although they found a couple of small leaks. Hinterlong and sewer commissioner Ron Grant both reported they are planning some repairs for the portion of Lewiston Street that will be redone next Spring. There will be some new sewer line placed and some replacement of some lateral water lines done before the street gets repaved so that hopefully they won’t have to come along and cut open a newly paved street. Grant said he favors doing the work in the Spring as they could purchase some of the materials in this year’s budget so that they don’t drain the reserve funds. Timelines are a question as the street project will be in the state’s hands once the bids are let. This is a condition of the grant received to pay for the street project. Grant also reported that the city finally got approval for their land application permit for the agriforest. This has been about 8 months in the works. Jack Duman reported that a walk-through has been done on Lewiston St. in preparation for the paving project. As part of the grant requirements he will be attending a training session in Boise for Title VI grant fund recipients. Shelli Schumacher reported that the city park is looking very good. She also reported the architect contract has been agreed to for the Hall renovation but that they still don’t have the state contract. She said they are also looking into an alternative that might save some costs. They are looking at a stairway lift glider for wheelchairs and handicap access to the basement as opposed to an elevator. In the fire department report Grant said they had only 2 calls in the past month, both rural and one of those was a car fire that was outside their jurisdiction. He also reported they had a company come in and test the pumper trucks and both tested well and received certification. This helps with the city’s fire rating which affects cost of citizen’s fire insurance premiums. In unfinished business it was reported that the Idaho County Commissioners have withdrawn their request to rezone the fairgrounds. In new business the council approved a list of items that will be sold as surplus. Also there will be a city election in November. Up for election will be the positions held by Ron Grant and Jay Hinterlong. Both will be for 4-year terms. They will also be looking for new members for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Denis Duman also reported that the next meeting for the Rural Health Initiative will be at the Community Hall this Wednesday, July 15 at noon. The August meeting will also be at the Cottonwood hall. This program was outlined in an article in the Chronicle a couple weeks ago. The council meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, August 10 at 7 p.m. A budget workshop will be held Monday, July 20 at 7 p.m. |
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