1. Discussion of verified district boundaries
Jeff, formerly with Foresight and now with CRS Engineers (post-merger) presented the current map, including the parcels to be taxed. The map does not show the Lewiston downtown area as part of the district.
Dennis invited the Fransen engineers to join the discussion, since the boundaries will influence how the Cub River drainage project is planned.
Mark Blair explained how the water flows in flood conditions in the city. He did public works in the city for 40 years. Bill and JoLynne agreed we should try to draw the boundaries and plan the projects so that they solve a problem, whether we want to deal with drainage from downtown or not.
The city dug a ditch on First West to accept pumped water.
On second west is the highest point in Lewiston, and it flows to second south and goes into an open drain there.
It goes into a pipe on second west, third south into a pipe, into an open drain.
They had a lot draining into the sewage system.
Natural flow is from second south to the open drain at third south, West of Chadwicks’ house.
An open drain at Ted King’s is the end.
Chad Brown said they cannot address storm water with this funding, only what drains off the fields.
Mark said we have no curb and gutter. Bill and Brandon said the diagonal pipe they want to correct connects two drains.
Mark said he would add a half a block to the district because that is where the water goes.
Jeff said if we were to include the areas those two pipes drain it would include both sides of 100 west to the middle of the block.
Dennis asked if larger culverts are not allowed under the funding. Ben said they would have to look at it. They have not yet started their deep dive into design.
Dennis said 56,000 is going to CCDD#6 compared to 1.2 million in another district, it doesn’t make sense.
Chad said when you consider the pressure that drainage from fields in District 4 put on homes, an economist will make the decision.
In the end, the greatest benefits to homes and property will rank higher.
Potentially CCDD#6 gets $56,000. Chad said the cost of what started this project continues to go up. The economy has changed a lot in two years and materials are much more expensive. The slush for flood control is getting “eaten up.” The line between irrigation and drainage gets blurred-they affect each other. We are still a year out from designing the project and construction won’t start until 2024.
Supplemental EA—you can go back and request funds to take care of unfinished needs.
District 4 is receiving a large chunk of money to drain water east to the cemetery. Some of that water is currently flowing into Dist 6, but only because it floods so much. They anticipate the added drainage to 4 will ease the pressure on 6.
Brandon asked if we solve the problem without including those parcels in our boundaries; currently they are not. If they were, their taxes would not cover the cost of the service.
JoLynne said she has been in a position when she had a problem and didn’t know who to go to to solve it, then being told she wasn’t paying taxes to solve it. She has sympathy for those who have a problem and don’t know who to ask to fix it.
Dennis said we know that area used to be in the district. We don’t know how it left. But there are parcels all over the district that were dropped. We might as well annex it all.
Dennis said if people have issues, they will come out in the public hearing, and other districts may not have a better idea what their boundaries are than we do. Mark said he would suggest strongly not to go to Main Street.
Several private conversations began as people examined the maps.
Dennis said we are to the point where we cannot say it’s final yet.
Jeff said the area highlighted in the discussion is probably being serviced by the district. He recommended Dist 6 meet with Dist 4.
Dennis agreed.
Dennis moved that we schedule a meeting with the board of District 4 to resolve our eastern border. Bill seconded. Motion carried. Bill will set the meeting. We are available the 11th and 12th, and Bill will set the meeting.
2. A potential change in banks handling district money.
Bill said he didn’t love the idea of staying with AltaBank. Eric said he talked to Cache Valley Bank. They had one that would gain interest above $2000. They have a branch in Smithfield.
JoLynne said she had talked to GoldenWest and she didn’t recommend them. They didn’t seem to understand the needs of a government agency.
Eric moved we moved the banking to Cache Valley Bank. Bill seconded. Motion carried. JoLynne will move the account.
3. Discussion of proposed projects in the Cub River Irrigation plan. This was taken care of during the discussion with Jeff and Mark.
Comments
Post a Comment