School members at council meeting

Nolan Kerby asked permission for the school district to utilize the city’s banner hangers along main street to help publicize the district. Mr. Kerby is the 6th-12th grade principal and the district’s athletic director.

“Our committee has discussed a desire to get our schools into the community more,” he said. “I think we can use the banners to show the town that we do indeed have a school here.”

Councilmembers were agreeable to the request with the stipulation that any banner design and plans be ran through city hall prior to being displayed.

Councilman Brett Murdock, who is also on the district’s community relations committee, said he is excited about the opportunity for the city and the school to work together and hopes that this will be the first step of many.

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Next, the St. Maries Fire District, which defends a majority of the properties within the city of Harrison, requested permission to form a committee to do an impact fee study. The group would be comprised of a handful of city residents who would determine what the impact fees should be for newcomers who apply to develop property within the fire district boundaries in the city.

The district could only use the fees to purchase additional equipment or utility needs, not for personnel or staffing needs and must have it spent within eight years. The committee would be made up of a total of five members, two of which must come from the business community, and two who do not. There are no requirements for the fifth member. Once the council gives its approval to form the committee, the district will solicit committee members and bring those recommendations to the council for appointment.

Councilmembers were in favor of the general idea of charging impact fees for new development. They were, however, divided over the details.

Councilman Joe Cornell was concerned about any extra responsibility collecting impact fees would put on the city and didn’t want the city to be liable for mistakes.

“Is this just for fire district coverage?” Councilman Will Butler asked. “I think impact fees should cover everything, not just the fire district. What about the portion of our city that isn’t within the St. Maries Fire District? Do they just not get as good coverage?”

Councilman Brett Murdock said that though valid, those concerns were outside of the scope of what the St. Maries Fire District was asking permission for.

Councilmember Jo Prophet said the city should allow them to form the committee and then let them bring a proposal to the council and then ask all those questions.

The motion passed with a 4 to 1 vote. Councilman Butler dissented.

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Additionally, Mayor Wanda Irish reported that there has been some dispute between the city and a private property owner over property lines between the gymnasium and the old school building. She reported that the private property owner had used heavy equipment to move the city’s barriers, blocking the city’s access to the gymnasium.

Initial review of an old survey report investigation of the issue finds that the city is correct about the location of the property lines however, Mayor Irish asked for permission to investigate further. First, she plans to attempt to contact the original surveyor for clarification and if unsuccessful pay to have another survey done. If the city should decide to conduct

Another survey it is expected to cost approximately $5,000.

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Mayor Irish also reported that she was going to have the city attorney look at the leases between the city and Idaho Parks and Recreation concerning the portion of land on either side of the bike trail that is owned and supposed to be maintained by the state. City officials say the area is not being maintained. Mrs. Irish said she met with a representative from the department who said that though the state has the budget for that maintenance they do not have the staff and so the bathrooms and the foliage along the trail are not being well managed. Also the city is not allowed to do anything to the property without approval from the department. The city agreed to help restock supplies for the trails restroom if the department would furnish those supplies. The mayor committed to further discussions with the department officials in order to work out a better solution.

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Two letters and an email were sent to the city for public comment. Copies of the letters were included in the council’s packets but were not read aloud during the meeting.

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The council authorized the mayor to submit a letter of interest to the state to inform them of the city’s continued interest in receiving AARPA funding for their wastewater facilities upgrade project.

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There was also much discussion over the location of the well that was dug by Stonegate and given to the city as part of the annexation agreement. While the mayor believes she has identified the correct well, the council does not believe that it is very clear. Further research is going to be done and the council will receive more information at the next meeting.

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Well #1, which is located at the shop has been shut off. It was discovered that it was pumping one-fourth to one-third of what it normally puts out. According to the city’s records that pump was installed in 1967 and the casings was last cleaned in 1995. The city is planning to have a contractor come out and replace the pump, lines and power.

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The public works committee discussed the ongoing issues with parking and that signage needed to be put up. Mayor Irish also shared that she will be working with the businesses that are bringing in bicycling groups to try and get them to park in other locations rather than right downtown.