City Council reviews audit

Mitchell Marx of Presnell Gage Accounting and Consulting discussed the audit of the City of Orofino financial record for the year ending Sept. 30, 2004 with the City Council during their meeting Monday.

There have been some changes in the audit procedure to due to new regulations. The object of the new regulations is to make the records more like a business. In the future, the city may need to have two different auditing firms go through the records to meet the regulations. Marx said the city's records are in pretty good shape.

A hearing for removal or abatement of a dangerous building was held regarding a house at 614 Riverside Ave. The hearing was held to give the owner the opportunity to tell the council why they should not remove the house from the property. No one came to protest the action. Clearwater County also has liens against the property and will be the entity selling the property after the house is removed. According to Building Inspector John Elliott, the lot is 48 or 50 feet by 100 feet on the hillside. The county will split the costs of removing the house with the city up to $5,000. The documentation on the action will now be taken to a judge so a court order can be issued for the removal of the house.

Members of the 116 Engineering Battalion of the Idaho National Guard will be returning in the next few weeks following their service in Iraq. Some of those soldiers are from the Orofino Armory and the city is looking at ways to welcome them home including decorating with red, white and blue, hanging yellow ribbons and special activities. Since the exact date of their return is not known at this point it is hard to make more specific plans. The town may be able to honor them at the time of the Christmas Festival.

The Recreation Committee met with the Clearwater Community Complex Committee recently to discuss cooperation on the project. The matter is still in committee. Councilman Ryan Smathers reported that the complex committee met last week to interview Gary Leva. He said there are some good players involved.

Mayor Joe Pippenger distributed copies of the latest draft for the Community Action Plan being developed by Lorraine Roach through the Horizons program. He asked that they review the material and make comments. The final public meeting with Roach will be in November and then the plan will be finalized.

Pippenger said he has been working with the U.S. Forest Service to try and get them to put more jobs in Orofino. The Forest Service is in the process of relocating and centralizing some of their departments. That will take some jobs out of Orofino and Pippenger had hoped that some others could be moved here. However, Missoula was selected due to its more central location, he said.

A request from Mick Pollock of Architectural Signs and Engraving (ASE) to modify the west side of the Orofino Business Center to accommodate installation of new sandblasting equipment was approved. Part of the equipment is taller than the present roof. If the company ever leaves the building they will have to restore it to the original condition per the lease agreement.

Orofino Police Sgt. Jeff Wilson told the council about the Idaho State Police traffic monitor that is in town this week. The monitor shows motorists their speed on a screen easily seen as they drive along. ISP will pick up the monitor Sunday. Meanwhile, it will be in several locations around town.

Given the situation in the country with Homeland Security, the war in Iraq and etc., city employees feel it is important that they acknowledge Veterans Day this year by closing city hall and services except police, sewer and water. The staff usually works on Veterans Day and takes the day after Thanksgiving off in its place. This year, the day after Thanksgiving will be a personal day off.