The Cottonwood City Council held their regular February meeting Monday, Feb. 13, and approved the bid for the Park Pavilion Project.
Bids for the project were opened previously with Wimer Corporation as the apparent low bidder. Their bid was approved by the Council. The Council also approved giving Mayor Keith Holcomb authorization to sign the contract. They also appointed Holcomb and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Linda Nida as owner representatives giving them authorization to approve change orders that come up that are up to $5,000. This is so they don’t have to wait until the next Council meeting to approve such changes.
The Council also approved intent to provide water and sewer services to St. John Bosco Academy. Amy Uptmor of JUB Engineers was present to share her findings on whether the city’s systems can handle the extra service and the stipulations from the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality. The school is installing a 68,000 gallon water tank that would be used to address fire suppression. Denis Duman, representing contractor Arnzen Building Construction, said the size of the tank is sufficient to meet water flow required to a fire hydrant. It would also be much more than adequate for the sprinkler system. Water Commissioner Debby O’Neill asked about any future expansion such as housing. Alex Frei, representing the school said they don’t see any housing being added in the area. The only expansion beyond the current Angelus Center might be another wing on the main school building so they could separate classes that are currently together such as having first and second grade in their own classrooms instead of together. He said they are seeing growth of about 6 to 8 students per year and doesn’t see increasing any more than that in the foreseeable future.
An amendment to the CEDA Grant Administration Contract was approved that actually saves the city $5,000. A calculation error in an Excel spreadsheet had left several items costing more than they should have.
Greg Danly was appointed by Mayor Holcomb as Fire Chief after he had been re-elected by the Fire Department. The Council voted to approve the appointment.
A new person was approved for the Community Hall janitorial contract replacing the previous people who had resigned.
In reports Police Chief Terry Cochran reported they are closing off parking along East Street near the Elementary School due to safety concerns. Signage has been ordered and will be going up.
Debby O’Neill reported the city pumped about 1.96 million gallons of water last month and sold just less than 1.6 million for a loss of 18.55%. Much of the loss is attributed to a leak created by excavation work on one of the streets where a water line was breeched by accident. She also reported they have been awarded a grant of just over $15,000 for fencing around well #4.
Brett Miller reported they are doing a sewer line replacement behind Gem Builders.
Kristie Holthaus reported the city crew has been installing some new culvert in Lewiston Street.
Nida reported on the bid opening for the Park Pavilion Project and also reported there is an upcoming meeting for the park project committee.
Holthaus reported that the city crew found some LED lights that match the ones they use at the airport. At least for now they won’t have to change out the system which would cost upwards of $10,000. She also reported they need to use a different material for crack sealing and hopes they allowed enough in the grant request to cover the added expense.
In a special meeting held January 23, the council approved alcohol beverage licenses for Riener’s Grocery, The Hangout and Rodonna’s.
They also approved a contract to hire Kile Allen as the new City Building Inspector. Their previous inspector had decided not to renew his license.
The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. The next regular meeting is set for Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m.