Council members take oath of office

by Nancy C. Butler

Three Orofino City Council members took the oath of office Tuesday evening during the first meeting of 2006 for the body (See the photo in Wednesday's issue of Window on the Clearwater).

Ryan Smathers and Mike Deitrick retained their positions in the November 2005 election. Ted Brown is new to the council and replaces Laura Booth who did not run for re-election and has moved from the area.

Under Ordinance #730 which was approved, contractors who perform work valued at more than $2,000 within the city limits will not receive a permit unless they have registered with the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses. City Administrator Rick Laam said the purpose of the new requirement is consumer protection. Local contractors have been made aware of the registration requirement.

Judicial confirmation was received Tuesday for the demolition of the property at 614 Riverside Ave. which has been deemed dangerous. It was the scene of a drug bust in 2001.

Resolution #362 authorizing the Wastewater Department to purchase a used vehicle suitable for the transfer of bio-solids was approved. The clutch on the 1984 Ford vehicle they were using blew up as a staff member was pulling back on the road from EKO in Lewiston after delivering a load. It is not known what made it blow up, Laam said. In the interim, Ross Triplett's company is assisting with the transfer of the bio-solids, but he may not be able to do it long due to other obligations. Local dealers will have the opportunity to bid, but the time is very limited.

Ordinance #729 adopting the 2003 edition of the International Fire Code was approved.

Water/Wastewater Supervisor Larry Annen reported that the motor for one of the pumps at the Water Plant. He hopes it is back next week. His staff has been doing extra work to stay within state DEQ regulation with the river conditions.

Police Chief Ron Pomerinke said he was notified that his department has received a grant to purchase a 7 x 14 foot tandem trailer command and crime trailer. The next phase of the grant process is for a new rig to pull the trailer. In the meantime, it will be pulled with the rig that is budgeted for this year.

Kay Ewing contacted the city over concerns about fireworks over the New Year's holiday. Pomerinke said there was a communication problem with the Clearwater County Sheriff's Department dispatcher who should have sent an officer to check out the situation. He has talked with the CCSO Dispatch Supervisor and the problem should be resolved.

Jill Tyler was appointed to the Urban Forest Orofino advisory committee and Jim McCall was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

In attendance were council members: Deitrick, Smathers, Brown and Doug Donner, along with Mayor Joe Pippenger. Councilman Roy Clay was in attendance by phone for the first part of the meeting so that the group had a quorum. After Brown took the oath of office, Clay said good-by. He is at home recuperating from by-pass surgery. Councilman Greg Schlieper was in attendance. Booth as mentioned earlier has moved from the area.

City Hall will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King/Civil Rights Day.