Malad City Council was held June 1, 2000. Mayor Spence Horsley presided with council members Larry Thomas, Tom Jenkins, Ruth Zivkovic, and Joe Thomas present. Also in attendance were Clerk Susan Wittman, Attorney Steve Brooks, Kathy Ray, Bonnie Bott, Jean Smith, Gene & Kay Caldwell, Ren Thomson, Marvin & Diane Pett, Jennie Berceir, Mark Balzer, Nat Wharton, Paula Brennan, Barry Jones, Tyler McMurtrey, Andy Evans, Chris Evans, Kathy Selee, Julie Williams.

Councilman Larry Thomas gave the invocation and Clerk Susan Wittman led the pledge of allegiance.

Mayor Horsley commented on how nice the flags at the cemetery and around the homes looked. For $25 the Boy Scouts in the 4th and 6th Ward will put up the flag on your yard for 6 holidays.

Mayor Horsley called to order a public hearing to take public comment on the city park expansion - Oneida Green Belt, skate park, and baseball diamonds.

Mayor Horsley explained the history of the project and opened up the discussion to the audience.

Ren Thomson works at the visitor center and receives many questions if Malad has a green belt. He feels the green belt will be an asset to the community.

Tom mentioned that the vistors should be told about the sidewalks that are available to walk on.

Mark Balzer told the council that he lives on Bannock Street and the traffic is to busy for his children to ride their bikes the green belt will be a place that he can take his children to ride. He had some visitors to his home recently. They were disappointed that the city didn't have a green belt. Mark also felt that the school classes will use the green belt. Mark asked where the cost of maintenance will come from. Spence said that every year money is budgeted for parks.

Gene Caldwell commended the city for moving ahead to make our community a better place to live. He feels the city is headed in the right direction

Spence thanked Gene for the County's help with the gravel for the green belt and the grading of the ball diamonds.

Ruth read from a Utah Power brochure, which was part of the power bill, about the tree projects at the city park. Utah Power has donated $2,000 towards trees.

Paula Brennan told the council that she likes green belts and believes in grants, but questioned if taxes would be raised. Nat Wharton was also concerned about taxes being raised.

Mayor Horsley said that there is no intention on raising taxes. Money will be allocated for maintenance within the current spending. Paula also questioned if congestion would be a problem with walkers, bicycles, and roller bladers.

Kathy Ray said she recently observed a park in Idaho Falls and there was no problem with congestion. Their path was 6 feet wide and every one was courteous. It was noted that Malad's path will be 12 feet wide.

Mark Balzer said that he like how the city is tying the city infracture with this project by using the storm water to fill ponds.

Gene Caldwell said that getting an in-kind match on a grant is great. He noted that the theater grants are cash match. Gene also mentioned that signs made need to be posted on rules for the green belt.

Kay Caldwell said as she is working at the Library the kids have expressed how excited they are about the new ball diamonds. This whole park expansion is wonderful.

Barry Jones said that it cost about $80,000 a year to maintain a juvenile in state custody. Right now there are 5,000 juveniles in custody and 12,000 on probation. Barry emphasized the need to spend money on the youth. Barry said he wished there were enough jobs to keep the youth busy but there are not.

Tom spoke of how there needs to be parental support. These kids should not have to use the phone at the library to call their parents. The parents should be at the practices watching their kids.

Spence asked Kathy Selee to explain the grant which she is seeking. Kathy said that the city has applied to the J.A. & Kathryn Albretson Foundation StartSmart Grant for early childhood playground equipment. If this application is successful, the city will employ an person to administrator the city recreation programs. This person will be funded through the grant.

Larry stated that the budget for the park is $20,000. Last year the seeding of the ball diamonds was done.

Joe said that he received an e-mail from Harold Nielsen concerned about his privacy with the green belt on the back of his property. He would like a fence installed.

Ruth displayed the map of the park expansion.

Ruth & Paula explained the plant a tree in memory of someone program through the Idaho Dept of Lands. Ruth also said that she will continue to seek grants that will pay for the cost of the sprinkling system to water the trees on the green belt. Estimated cost of the sprinkling system is $16,000. Kathy Ray explained the grant for the green belt. Total cost of the project is $120,000. The city has received a cash grant for $60,000 from Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation. The other $60,000 will be an in-kind match. Items that were used for the match were land costs, Utah Power tree grant, Kathy Ray & Ruth Zivkovic time in preparing the grant, John Goodman and Clair Neal time donated installing sprinkling system for ball diamonds, cost of materials for the sprinkling system, LDS young men's and women's time planting the trees, city and county crew time and machinery used to level the ball diamonds and Oneida County suppling of the gravel.

Kathy Ray, secretary for Malad City/Oneida County Economic Development Committee has been the person who has written all the grants for the park expansion.

Ruth reported that Custom Steel will do a cost estimate to build the skate park ramps. Randy Isaacson has gone to Idaho Falls to look at their ramps.

Joe stated that according to Idaho Code 54-1218, an engineering stamp is required on plans for the skate park. Mayor Horsley stated that the city will comply with what is required. Tom said that the zoning has not been informed about using steel.

Tom questioned about supervision of the skate park. Will it be posted with rules? Tom is concerned about one skater that was rude to him at the church parking lot. The younger kids will be intimidate to use the facility.

Jennie Berceir said that she has noted that the majority of the kids would like to help and teach younger kids how to skate. No matter where you go there are trouble makers. She feels that the kids will police them selves where they helped raise the money for the facility.

Jennie also asked if the community can be notified when volunteers are needed to help with the park. She is willing to help but does not hear about it until afterwards.

Chris Evans stated that the kids feel the skate park will not happen. They have waited for 2 years.

Mayor Horlsey thanked the concerned citizens for attending the meeting.

Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m.