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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil Minutes 1995 02/16MINUTES McCall City Council Special Call Meeting Thursday, February 16, 1995 Call to Order and Roll Call 1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Martens at 7:30 PM. 2. Mrs. Arp and Messrs. Colton, Martens, Killen and Eckhardt answered the roll call. Staff members present were City Manager Gary Shimun, City Attorney Ted Burton and City Clerk/Treasurer Jim Henderson. Staff Reports 3. Mike Smith, Idaho Division of Environment Quplity reported on the Facility Plan Process. 4. Wayne Forney, J.U.B. Engineers reported on the history and need for the project. 5. Kirby Vickers J.U.B. discussed the alternatives considered and the selected alternative (i.e. the Maki Alternative.) 6. Rick Mallory, J.U.B. Engineers addressed the major concerns brought forward in the informational meeting on February 6, 1995. 7. Dick Rogers, Idaho Division of Environmental Quality reported on the Land Application Permit process. Public Comment 8. The following were heard: Rudy Lindbloom of Boise who opposed the Maki Alternative and presented a petition of protest with 157 signatures. Bill Leaf of Cascade who stated that his property is bordered on three sides by the proposed application site expressed concerns about the quality of drinking water from his two wells, the runoff from the proposed application site to his property and that a pipe would be needed to cross wetlands on the north side of his property. Kathy Pierce of Lake Fork whose property is bordered on two sides by the proposed application site and expressed concerns that her well was less than 50 feet from the site and that the process would create fog which would obscure the Highway 55. Loretta Florence of Lake Fork who opposed the Maki Alternative. She expressed concerns about the effect on wells, odor and mosquitoes. She requested a detailed lab analysis of the effluent and expressed concerns about nematodes and other plant pathogens. She also pointed out that there were downstream water rights in the effluent and that the City had called for bids before the hearing and permit process was complete. Deanna Morrell of Lake Fork stated that she was greatly impacted by the project and was concerned that she would no longer be able to take walks or horseback rides in the area. She also reported that she found survey crews in her back yard without notice or permission. She was also concerned about her well, wind drift and heavy metals in the effluent. City Council Minutes 2/24/95 Page 2 Bruce Rumbaugh of Lake Fork who felt that the alternative was dumping the problem on people outside the jurisdiction and to who the council was not accountable. He was concerned about the devaluation of the property and that the cheapest alternative was selected without looking at other alternatives. He was also concerned that funding of Phase II might not be forthcoming. Jim Rush of Lake Fork who suggested that a permanent plan be implemented and that the Maki Alternative was only a temporary measure and was concerned about what happened at the end of the contract with the Maki's. Lisa Whisnant of Lake Fork who expressed concern about odor and wind drift and lowland drainage. She was also concerned about the effects of the project on ground water quality. She suggested that the planning horizon be extended to 100 years. She was also concerned about algae growth in the storage reservoir and suggested that the city look at the biocoil technology. Charles Robinson of Caldwell who is an agronomist representing Rainbow Ranch. Mr. Robinson stated that the proposal amounted to land applying more water that farmer's in Treasure Valley use for a much shorter growing season. He pointed out that a potato pathogen, erminia, survived the treatment and application process and could infect nearby crops. He stated that heavy metals in the effluent could toxify the soil. He presented a lab analysis from a water sample provided to him by Justin Florence showing heavy metals in the effluent. He pointed out that analysis with the acid soils in the area would yield different results than those presented. Justin Florence of Lake Fork stated that his family raised seed potatoes near the land application site. He was concerned about the economic impact of perceptions by customers who may judge the risk to be too high and go elsewhere. He was concerned about water quality in Mud Creek, that the engineers were using outdated maps and about water rights of downstream users. He stated that he supports the clean up of the Reservoir but stated that the Maki Alternative is a bad plan. Dick Waite of Lake Fork who stated that he was concerned about odor and wind drift. Chuck Hawkins of Lake Fork who stated that he supported the cleanup of Cascade Reservoir. He was concerned about the well water quality, that the well tests were old and were not near the project. He was concerned that financing would not be available to complete the project and that once this was approved it would lead the way to moving the plant out of McCall to the vicinity. Harley Flemmer who stated that the project was just behind his new house and was concerned about its effect on his family's quality of life. Tina Allen of Lake Fork who expressed concerned that runoff that is already taking place would be increased and the health problems for her children that might be exposed to the runoff. Judy Anderson of Lake Fork who supported Land Application but that this project was in the wrong place. Suggested a pilot project to test the effects. She also stated that she objected to the high handed way this project was proceeding. Art Trautner of Lake Fork who represented the Valley Soil and Water Conservation District. He noted that buffer zones and wetlands in the proposed application area would significantly reduce the available area for land application. He noted that the engineers were using outdated maps. He also expressed concern for presence of heavy metals and the location of the reservoir. Gary Clark of Lake Fork who expressed concern over the noise of the 150 HP electric pump which was to be too close to his house. He was concerned about the quality of his well water. Noted that lined ponds have leaked and where the water would go if it did. He was concerned City Council Minutes 2/24/95 Page 3 about mosquitoes drawn to the reservoir, about the effect of the project on his family's health and that in the end the nutrients would end up in Cascade Reservoir anyway. Bobbett Steuffle asked that results of tests of monitoring wells be reported to property owners. She stated that she lived close to the project and had not received a notice. She asked about the pile of dirt that had been there since October. She was informed that the dirt was placed there by Dave Byars on his own property and that the city was not involved. Danielle Gahl of Cascade representing the "Sewage Sisters" explained the Advanced Integrated Biocoil Ponding System as an alternative and suggested that the city look at it closely. Bill Willey of Lake Fork who is the chairman of the Valley County Planning and Zoning Commission requested that the council listen closely to the concerns addressed. 9. The matter was closed to public comment. The council addressed questions to the public and to the engineers. Adjournment 10. Without further business, Mr. Eckhardt moved to adjourn. Mrs. Arp seconded and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 PM. The Engineers and staff remained to respond to questions from the public. The question and answer session ended at 10:50 PM. L KA.. Mayor