Monica LaSalle, Central City. The Central City Council met last Tuesday, March 5, 2019, despite being shy one Mayor with Judy Laratta presiding as Mayor Pro-Tem. After confirming there were no additions or amendments to the agenda or any conflicts of interest, the council proceeded to discuss the consent agenda. Daniel Miera motioned to approve the agenda and Jeff Aiken seconded with a unanimous approval vote to accept the regular bill lists through February 25, 2019, as well as the City Council minutes from the previous meeting, which was held on February 19.

The council then opened up Public Forum/Audience Participation on the consent agenda, with no podium takers from spectators. This enabled them to move quickly to the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 19-02: an ordinance amending the City of Central Municipal Code to establish an administrative citation procedure for addressing specified violations of the Municipal Code, specifically adding a new Article X to Chapter 2 titled Administrative Penalty Citations for Code Violations (McAskin), the second reading and public hearing before motioning to approve the new ordinance. Once again there was a lack of public input to the details of this new article to chapter 2 which will allow the city to enforce city maintenance and snow removal ordinances by establishing an administrative citation procedure. Alderman Jackie Mitchell motioned to approve with the 2nd coming from Alderman Jeff Aiden.

When moving on to discussing Ordinance No. 19-03, which would amend 2 provisions of the ethics code currently adopted by the city, Mayor Pro-Tem Laratta voiced her opinion that it would “be a good idea to do it,” prompting Mitchell to express her opinion by motioning to approve the changes that would protect the City Council from the IEC in the event there comes about an ethics violation in need of investigation. As a Home Rule municipality, the changes would proactively address a grey area recently decided on by the District Court allowing the council to investigate ethics violations themselves rather than allow the IEC to come in from the outside to investigate. Alderman Jack Hidahl seconded the motion. Once again, there was no public opinion expressed when given the opportunity.

The council moved on to New Business.They were asked to consider Chuck Webster for an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Alderman Hidahl asked if there had been any other letters of intent for the position and was told there were not. He expressed concern over whether or not there were ways to improve public outreach and notification when such openings present themselves for new appointments, joking that perhaps they should “give out a free toaster for everyone who applies,” in an attempt to address the serious issue of diminishing public willingness to volunteer for civic duties. In the end, Alderman Aiken motioned to approve the appointment, stating that while Mr. Webster was not present, he is already an active member of the community and would be a good candidate. Alderman Mitchell seconded and the appointment was approved by unanimous vote.

The second action item asked the council to consider the appointment of Allyson Shellhorn to the Planning Commission. Ms. Shellhorn was present and willing to approach the podium to give a brief background of her experience, stating among other qualifications, that she is currently pursuing an MA in Geographic Spatial Systems. The council expressed great appreciation for all Shellhorn would be bringing to the table if appointed to the Planning Commission and unanimously approved the appointment after Alderman Mitchell motioned and Alderman Aiken seconded.

Lastly, the council was asked to consider the appointment of Jeff Hentschel to the Main Street Commission. While he too was not present to represent himself, the Mayor Pro-Tem stated she believed he would be perfect for the appointment. He was approved for appointment without further ado.

During staff updates, Alderman Hidahl informed the council that some residents had contacted him regarding the last snow storm and the plowing efforts of Public Works. He stated his belief that the storm was challenging because it was so long, which made it difficult for the small plow staff to get adequate rest. Public Works Director Sam Hoover was present to explain that they had been considering how to effectively add a plow driver position to the crew to help support effective snow clearing during these types of weather events. There was also some discussion over factors such as roof top snow on St. James dropping into the roadway randomly and sudden temperature changes making it difficult to remove snow pack from roadways.

City Manager Daniel Miera described how they had increased the concentration ratio of ice slicer to squeegee and further informed the council that the Central City Parkway is treated with pure slicer due to its extreme conditions but if temperatures and moisture levels cooperate, the slicer may not activate and have a positive impact. Hoover stated that despite the challenges from the recent storm, he witnessed several bare concrete areas when traveling the parkway on Monday morning after the storm. He further described other efforts toward creatively addressing difficult storm conditions by considering different types of snow plow blade materials such as PCV rather than steel. Alderman Jackie Mitchell commented that she had driven around during the storm and was quite impressed with the efforts put forth by Public Works.

Alderman Hidahl put forth a second question to be discussed; concern over the recent determination that the water main failure in January was a result of bolts rusting out of the flange of the valve. He stated that the valve was only 25 years old; is this an indication that more failures are to come?

Miera informed the council that they were in the process of inventorying the entire line system with the intent of replacing 4 to 5 PRVs per year using CIP funds and potentially doing hot taps on lines and valves as well. He stated that they are currently working with W2 Engineers and CNL Enterprises with an emphasis on creating redundancy in the system as well as increasing water production, explaining that currently they make approximately 90 thousand gallons on a low day and up to 256 thousand gallons in a 24-hour period on a high day. This is under consideration in addition to increasing water storage capabilities.

The meeting moved on to council comments, where Jeff Aiken stated he thought the Public Works Department did a good job of handling the last storm. Jack Hidahl broached the subject of changing the design guide of the new sidewalk installations that currently are being treated to resemble wooden planks. He stated he believes concrete should not be made to look like balsa wood, citing the ones already installed are unsightly and very slippery. Sam Hoover commented that due to the efforts to resemble wood planks, they are not able to brush them with a broom to finish and provide traction. Hidahl stated he wanted them to consider changes to the design before Public Works is due to begin installing more on Spring Street.

Miera stated that he wondered if the addition of dye was causing the slickness, furthermore, expressing concern over finding an aesthetically appropriate stopping point for transitioning to standard gray sidewalks. Hoover stated they were at an appropriate stopping point for such a transition, saying he thinks the change would enable them to more quickly complete the work and get more for their money. The council agreed to bring something forth to make the changes before summer season, with Hoover stating he would present them with plans for the changes.

During Public Forum, Central City resident David Josselyn approached the podium to thank Alderman Hidahl and the council for proposing changes to the sidewalk design, stating he had been with a group of people last Friday coming out of Eureka Casino and most in the group expressed great concern over how slick the sidewalk conditions were, making them difficult to negotiate. The council thanked him for his comments, and the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting of the Central City Council will be held on March 19, 2019, at 7 p.m., at 141 Nevada Street, Central City.

(Originally published in the March 14, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)