Municipal airport work completed with painting

by Nancy C. Butler

Orofino's municipal airport was closed for a few hours Tuesday, Sept. 12, for the new painting to be done marking the completion of work to resurface the taxi way and aprons at the facility, City Administrator Ryan Smathers reported to the City Council that evening.

The airport was closed earlier this year for the paving work to be done.

Thought not a part of that project, he reported at the meeting, the fuel system is still not functioning, despite work that has been to remedy the situation. Smathers said they are awaiting a phone call from Portland.

Susan Jacobson, Clearwater County Economic Development, requested a work session with the council to discuss the results of a recent community forum where people shared their ideas about the wants, needs, and challenges. Boards have been put up around the community for additional input. The special work session has been scheduled for Oct. 2.

A decision was made to pay all city employees for their comp time rather that carrying it over into the next fiscal which starts Oct. 1. The discussion began with Police Chief Vince Frazier asking the council to approve paying his staff for their comp time rather than carrying it over into the new year. He said he has been frugal and there is still $100,000 available in his budget. He estimated that the pay off in the police department would be around $8,000, depending on costs for law enforcement coverage during the Clearwater County Fair and Orofino Lumberjack Days. From Frazier's request the decision was made to extend it to all city staff.

Hub International will no longer be a participating agent for ICRMP (Idaho Counties Risk Management Program). There is an agent in Grangeville that could represent the city. However, after consultation with staff that works with risk management and that type of insurance, the decision was made to save $2,360 per year and work directly with ICRMP.

The Hospital Fire was also a topic of comment and discussion. Numerous agencies and individuals worked well together to stop the blaze and keep people safe. Fire Chief Bart Jones said it was really a humbling experience with all those agencies. He commended the community for their response to help those who lost their homes and those who were evacuated.

Some of the Wixson Heights residents would like to see other exits from the subdivision developed since evacuation from some parts was a challenge.

Public Works Supervisor Shane Miller said there was a water leak in Wixson Heights following the fire and probably due to the fire suppression. One of the saddle taps broke. He said all those up there are about the same age so it is a concern.

Water/Wastewater Supervisor Michael Martin said that due to the 16-hour power outage from the fire and the power coming back on, the computers in the water plant were 'fried'. He and his staff were able to work with it manually until Tyler Carson was brought in an old computer from OPD and put it online with the water reservoirs. The new upgrade that is coming should resolve the issue for future incidents.

Martin said they had another biological kill at the sewer plant. He said the sewer system is not a place for dumping chemicals. Food products should be put in the garbage, not the sewer system. Due to the kill, there may be some smells for a time while things regenerate.

Miller said his staff has been busy with a number of projects, such as jet routing, cleaning the culvert on 115th, JUB projects and getting ready for fair and fall/winter.