The Cottonwood City Council held their regular December meeting Monday, Dec. 12, and appointed a new council member.
Brett Miller was appointed to replace Lynn Guyer, who had submitted his resignation at the end of the November meeting. Miller has lived in Cottonwood for about 8 years and is on the fire department and ambulance crew. He is married to Jerry Richardson’s daughter Alex. He had shown interest in being on the council by seeking election to a seat in the last city election.
In other business the meeting dates for 2023 were approved. They will meet the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. except for October when they will meet on the Tuesday following the second Monday due to the Columbus Day holiday.
An alcohol beverage license for 2023 was approved for Cottonwood Foods.
Ordinance #259 which regulates discharges to the wastewater system was read and approved.
In reports police chief Terry Cochran said he has held active shooter drills and lockdown training at the schools in town.
Regarding the abandoned motorhome near Columbia Grain, Cochran said it will cost the city between $1,000 to $1,500 to have it disposed of. Simmons Sanitation is willing to work with the city once it has been transported to their site.
Debby O’Neill reported they pumped 2,136,200 gallons of water in November and sold 2,003,880 gallons for a loss of 6.05%.
Pat Enneking reported they are about finished with the sewer line replacement on East St. and will be looing at one on Lewiston St. next.
The only report from Kristine Holthaus in the streets department was that they have been plowing lots of snow.
Linda Nida reported the hole is ready at the city park and bids will be let for the park pavilion in January.
Holthaus reported the new signs are up at the ends of the runways. She is working on getting the rate changes made on the FAA website. They are looking at about May for the crack and slurry sealing work.
In correspondence the city received a couple of things from the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality. The first was regarding the DEQ’s inspection of the wastewater treatment facility with some recommendations. The second was a minor change of the IPDES permit. Enneking had spotted an error and it has been fixed.
Robert Stinson appeared seeking input about building a shop between his house and the fence. His concern was having to have a setback from Talkington St., which is platted but not developed. Mayor Keith Holcomb suggested he look into getting a variance.
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, January 9, at 7 p.m.