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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979.02.14 CITY COUNCIL MINUTESKetch~cm, Water Syetern PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF Ten years ago, KetchunGi City Council authorized J-U-$ to make a preliminary engineering study far a municipal water system. The firm completed the assignment promptly,. indicating a cost of some $2.2 million. Lack of financing forced the. project to be shelved, however, until the Local Public Works Act of 1976: Subsequently, the city received a $2.4 million grant from the Economic Development Administration, and J-U-B's designs became a reality. On December 15, 1977,'the first construction contract was awarded to drill a well.: Later contxacts included a one-million .gallon water storage tank, a booster .pump facility, the installation of 17 miles of water pipe and gro- vision of surface restoration. materials.. "To design -and construct a $2,4-million: water system within 13'/~ months is a very difficult tatsk,"said Ketchum Ketchum Mayor Gerry Seiffert (left)andRalphMulliner, _ M o .Gerald N fieiffert._".Alsothis o~ect-was faced -~J-II-B, toasted the opening of the new water system o_n ~vv~L~rne unique problems nclu ig a last minute Springer Road ~m~~ redesign of the system changing from an elevated storage tank with gravity flow to a surface storage tank and Selected hydrants are used to waste water into a flow booster facility. dissipation structure, which is a gravel-filled well with a "J-U-B Engineers successfully met alI of ,these diffi- slotted pipe at its core designed to take water readily. culties and provided the City with a water system that City Enthused was constructed within our budget and within our origi- nal agreement for engineering;services:" Jaquet reports that the city is enthused about the freeze- Operational on the scheduled completion date of Dec- up solution and the early completion of the work. "Shunn ember 1S, `197$, .the project -.will be an attractive- and Construction just snapped that pipe together. They put in valuable addition to the growing community when rector- a1117 miles in about three-and-a-half months." ation work and landscaping are finished later this .year.. There are several reasons why Ketchum. was so con- cerned about freeze-up. The new system supplements. a Pipe Freeze-Up Solved private system in the downtown`area as well as extending "Even laying pipe five feet deep isn't failsafe against service to the two-thirds of the town that had no previous freeze-up here," said Jim Jaquet, Ketchum city admini- water system. Homes in the previously unserviced area strator. "So we designed something to help us prevent are on private wells. and will hook onto the municipal freeze-up before it happens." system voluntarily. Only new construction will be re- D. W. (Bill) Block, P,E., area manager, Twin Falls quired to use the system; therefore, system demands in Office of J-U-B, described the frost detection devices as the beginning will not be great: "management tools to keep problems to a minimum in Also, Ketchum serves as an access pointfor ski areas at the 85,000 linear feet of Johns-Manville-:PVC Blue Brute Sun Valley and Elkhorn with hundreds of condominiums water pipe. often used as second homes. Demand on the water supply "We didn't have much in the way of literature to go on by these seasonally occupied residences fluctuates .,wk~;~,~-to~:~eeze prever~:taon i~ ~,~c~d.elirte water considerabiy:_ ____ _ ___..---.__.._ __. ____w.. ~-__ systems. -Most water departments just use a welding "Thee water system is impUrtant for the future of , apparatus to thaw frozen pipes and waste water through Ketchum," Jaquet said. "For one thing, it provides ode- the system. quote fire protection for .the first time. Secondly, it cuts "We wanted to devise a system that would detect frost down on the number of perforations of the aquifer. It also penetration before it reached the.. pipe," he continued. helps. those people now on shallow wells and eliminates "When the-pipe was in danger of freezing, then we could the problems they :might face in the event of a severe simply waste some water through the system. The`im- drought like that of 1977." That year, people in nearby portant thing is `that we wouldn't just waste water Carey were running out of water, and the water level"in indiscriminately." Ketchum dropped significantly. The frost penetration detection system consists.. of a temperature probe in a one-inch .PVC conduit near the pipeline, The temperature probe and connecting ther- mistor leads terminate in a junction- box mounted an a utility pole. A portable. hand-held temperature meter is used to check each probe on a regular basis.. "Using one temperature meter to check all the probes, instead of installing a readout at each location, saves the city some money," -Block said. "But also, determining when o waste water is going to be a judgementcall., "We decided on eight. probe sites to begin with, and we have therm in the probable dead spots in she system." .. ri t •~,,. F .~ R y e~~. ~~ h ~ 4 ~ ~'`` ~'CHF.i .i . TR~YSTEMS, INC. ~---'- BOX 223 HAMER, mAHO 83425 - ~~ 1 _~, ~ -~ ~, ~ l Rexburg City Council Rexburg, Idaho ~entlenen: ~~,~.~~ r sYST~s, INC. -~O 83425 3 273 February 7, 1979 We propose installing a Mitchell Transit ;system in the city of Rexburn. 'This tentative proposal will include approximately 10 miles of guide line plus 64 boarding stations and 256 cars. It will serve about 1'~ square miles of area within the main part of the city. Any person within this area can reach a boardin3 station without walking more than 400 feet. The cars will be designed to carry two passengers with ample room for parcels. They will be designed far a down load factor of 3 and an up and horizontal load factor of 1. The cars and support structure will be designed to withstand wind loads of LOO~tph from any horizontal direction without percaanent damage. A complete stress analysis of the car and supporting structure will be supplied whefi the system is ready for use. Each boarding station will have a full complement of 4 cars. Each car is equipped with a single control that can be reached by either passenger. This control allows the passenger to start the car and direct it out onto the main line and off at the desired station. The stations are all connected electronically so a signal will be sent back along the line when a car leaves a station. When the second car leaves the station the signal will dispatch another car from the station dust behind this station. This car will come in to replace the one that left. When a car enters a station that is full it will dispatch the lead car to go on to the next station until all stations are again all full. One station will be used as a control station where an employee will inspect, clean, and repair all cars when tzey return to this station. Each boarding station will have a single stall to house 4 cars. One elevator and mne stairway will provide access to the boarding deck. The station will be heated but will not have rest rooms. The doors opening onto the boarding area will have coin operated locks. Sale, Fast, & Economical "~, i Trasportation o1 PeoPle ~E>~C~. pitFSIDENI' & Ct~F ENGIIdEFR • , _ ,,, The total eost of this 10 mile transit system is estimated at $5,128,000. This does not include any profit for our company. If Rexburg is the first city •s to use this system we will not seek a profit. You will pay only the actual cost. Because we cannot be sure of the initial estimatd coat any contract would have to provide for revision of the estimate, a~ when the drawings are complete, aad b) when the installation was half done. Flow can you obtain the funding Y I see five pose able sources . 1 1. Private investors. 2. Revenue bonds by the city. 3. Assessment of property owners. 4. Government graft. 5. Property owners corporation. It is doubtful that private investors can be induced to `. take the risk. There is no way of knowing at this time how many people would use the system, The investor would want at .least 15~ return on his investment. Revenue bonds would probably have to carry a 10 or 12 percent interest rate. The rate of return for the first year or two might not be enough to meet the interest and bond retirement cost. The city taxpayers would have to pick up the difference. A direct assessment of $6,000 per acre on all property in the 1~ square mile area would produce X5,760,000. The transit system should increase the value of all property that is being sefved. The property owner could realize a net gain when he sold his property. It is possible that all or g mayor part of the capital could be obtained from the state and federal governm®nts in the form of a grant. This would have many strings attached that would add considerable to the cost of the total project as well as slow it down. The property owners could form a closed corporation where they put up the money and received shares in retura. It could be a profitable investment over a long time or Daly a break even investment depending upon how much the transit system was used. The question naturally comes up, how much does it have to be used to be profitable? The probable average use of a car on each ride could not be aeore than 3 miles and is likely leas than that. The power cost and depreciation on the car can be roughly equal to one cent for three miles. That would leave 9 cents to apply on capital and maintenance for a 10 cent fare. Or 24 cents on a 25 cent fare. ..,. We can safely assume a 40 year life for the main supporting structure and a LO year Life for the driving motors and switches. If we look on this as capital that must be recover®d during that period we will need to collect $S26 a day. Add to that $SO a day as a probable maintenance cost and we should collect $S76 a day to recover the investment with no interest added. This would increase to $112 S a day i f we paid b~ on the unpaid balance and pa 1d o f i the investment on a yearly basis. How much should the fare be if this system is going to pay for itself? Part of the cost of public travel on a bus or automobile is the cost of paving roads or streets. These are costs that no one expects to make a profit on or even to get the money back. The Uuide line on this transit system can be compared to the paved street. It costs less than paving a street. The owner of an automobile has paid for that automobile without ever expecting to make a profit or even to get a part of his money back. Looking at it frog: a nOn-profit standpoint we do not need a high fare to pay for operation and maintenance. A third of a cent a mile will pay for the power needed to move a fully loaded car at 30mph and will also pay for the eventual replacement cost of the car. All above one third of a cent can go for maintenance and the replacement Bost of the supporti.n~ structure and boarding stations. ~Je would recommend a ten cent fare for the car so the second passenger rides free. Most rides will not be more than two or three miles and in many cases will be less than a mile. Even if the rider went the full ten miles to see the entire system his fare would still pay 6'~ cents toward maintenance and replacement if the fare was ten cents. For total maintenance and total return of capital we would need a minimum of 0400 ten cent fares each day or 2400 twenty five cent fares. We do not know how many people will prefer riding this transit system instead of driving their automobile. We do know that this car is attractive and as comfortable and roomy as the best of automobiles. The ride is fast and scenic. In an amusement park a lot of people would pay fifty cents to travel on this system for less than a mile. We hope we can work with you and all of the citizens of Rexburg i.n giving your city the first installation and the pleasure of riding the public transportation that will be the way to travel i.n the next century. Very truly yours, ~,~u-c_-c.. Bruce Mitchell, president Mitchell Transit Systems, Znc. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING February 14, 1979 State of Idaho). County of Madison (SS City of Rexburg) A meeting of the City Council for the City of Rexburg, M~.d•ison County, was held on February 14, 1979 at the time of 7:30 P.M. at the City Hall. Present were the following: Mayor: John C. Porter Councilmen: Barton Jensen Jim Morris Warren Porter Nile Boyle Morgan Garner Also Present: Mary Smith, City Attorney Rose Bagley, City Clerk RE: MINUTES TO BE APPROVED Jim Morris moved that the minutes of January 17, 1979 and January 19, 1979 be approved, Barton Jensen seconded. All Aye. RE: MITCHELL TRANSIT SYSTEMS PRESENT A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DISPLAY Bruce Mitchell of Mitchell Transit Systems was present to present a Public Transportation display. He presented a movie, slides and pictures. This system would cost about $5,128,000. He presented a letter introducing it. Warren Porter made the motion that we take it under advisement. Morgan Garner Seconded. All Aye. (Copy attached). RE: ARLENE ROMRELL -- REQUESTED A BEAUTY SHOP Mayor Porter presented a petition from Arlene Romrell, who lives at Dunn Trailer Court requesting permission to put a Beauty Shop in her home. This would be a one operator shop. The petition had all the signatures of her neighbors with the exception of two, who opposed because of the trucks that are being parked on that street and fell the beauty shop might present another problem. Jim Morris made the motion that she be granted a license on a one year temporary renewal basis, (Where as she has all signatures). Barton Jensen seconded. All Aye. RE: POLICE MONITOR -- TO CHECK ON THE TRUCK PARKING AT DUNN TRAILER COURT Mayor Porter had the police monitor the for one week. He gave a report on it. to be done about it, he suggested that check on ti. truck parking by the Dunn trailer court• Mayor Porter felt that something would have they should be ticketed. Mary Smith will RE: DISCUSSION ON FROZEN PIPES Mayor Porter gave the council a list of the frozen pipes to February 1979. He stated that the welder burned out, which they had to get fixed, while it was being fixed the City had to buy a new welder. It had cost the City a great deal fo money this year to unthaw the pipes. He showed council information on a frost penetration detection system used by Ketchum, which might be a good idea. Copy attached. Discussion on hole in the road by the hospital created by a frozen water line. RE: LETTER FROM TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Mayor Porter read a letter from the Transportation Department Committee on the elegibility for Highway Safety Funds. RE: PROPOSED FLOOD DISTRICT Morgan Garner reported on forming a proposed flood district. Mayor Porter stated that the Legislative is going to freeze all budgets so if they do we won't be able to form the district. Morgan stated that if you do have a flood district you can get flood insurance cheaper. Mary Smith stated that we were in the flood zone and could get flood insurance at a lower cost. RE: NEW STREET LIGHT CONTRACT tI ~ J Mayor Porter said that he had a new street light contract from Utah Power and Light. It was a raise on the street light poles anc~ lights. The Council will wait until Clyde Johnson from Utah Power and Light can meet with them to explain it. RE: LETTER FROM BONNIE L. SEARCY Mayor Porter read a letter from Bonnie L. Searcy who had an accident on the corner of second South Street and Second East, due to slick roads. She wanted the City to pay her damages of $433.63. (Letter attached). The City is not responsible. City Clerk was instructed to write a letter deny ing the claim, telling her that the City cannot assume any responsibility & then give the letter to the insurance company. RE: CREASY HAVEN ADDITION Discussion on~:'~he Crest Haven Addition. Jim Morris is to set up a definite meeting for the Planning Board to meet with the College and come to a decision on this. The City needs a recommendation from the Planning Board and then an ordinance can be passed. Barton Jensen made the motion of go ahead on annexation if we get a recommendation from the Planning Board, Nile Boyle seconded. All Aye. RE: ROUTING OF ARTERIAL ROAD ON 7th SOUTH Discussion on routing of Arterial Road on 7th South, wheather is~;~hould go on First West or Second West. Barton Jensen moved that it go down 2nd West. Morgan Garner Seconded. All Aye. RE: HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TO WIDEN BRIDGE ON 4TH SOUTH This spring the Highway Department will widen the bridge on 4th South and will have to route the traffic down 5th West and Main Street. It will take about 30 days. RE: 1$ INITIATIVE. Mayor Porter gave a sheet out to Councilmen on what the City will lose on the 1$ initiative. RE: NEW MADISON COUNTY GOLF COURSE. Earl Kemp of Forsgren Perkins presented a map of the new Madison County Golf Course. It is going to be funded by a Federal Grant. The City will have to maintain and operate it. It will cost about $60,OOO.to maintain it. Earl Kemp said that we should break even on the maintainence and the money taken in on fees. Howard and Robinsons are going to donate the land for the Park and Gof Course. They want the City to allow them to hook to sewer and water for a s.ub-division. Barton Jensen suggested that we give them credit for sewer and water for $9000. on hook ups when he deads the land over to the City. City will need a letter of intent. Barton Jensen moved that we give a letter of Intent. Morgan Garner seconded. RE: REPORT ON REX TV. Don. Ellis was present representing Rex TV. Mary Smith read a letter from them wanting to amend two paragraphs of Section 22 of their franchise. Mary stated that it would have to be introduced with an ordinance, and it would take 30 days after the ordinance had been made before it could be passed. In the mean time it would have to be published. Jim Morris moved to procede, Nile Boyle seconded. All Aye. RE: SELF HEALTH INSURANCE. At the next council the people will be there to present the Self Health Insurance. RE: LID 22 Jim Morris stated that he had checked in the LID that had been billed to John Smith Lid 22 item 78 should be transferred to Orson Smith who is the owner of the property. RE: BILLS Jim Morris moved that the bills be 1,7ai1, Nile Boyle seconded. All Aye. RE: ADJOURNMENT Morgan Garner moved that the meeting be adjourned, Jim Morris sec 1 Aye. Mayo ,John C. Porter mow:.-'~ ty Clerk