Monday, February 28, 2011

March 2011 e-Newsletter Now Available!


The March e-Newsletter is now available by clicking the link below. In this issue, the sewer plant issues are explained, the Police Department provides advice on recent crime trends, we launch our 2011 Citizen Survey, and several other articles. To subscribe to the e-Newsletter, please visit our website.




Friday, February 25, 2011

Agenda for March 1st Council Meeting

Call to Order – 5:30 PM.

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Hearings

1. To hear a rezone request from Eastside Group, from Commercial 2 (C-2) to Mixed Use (MU) for a portion of Glen Eagle Commercial Subdivision

2. To hear a rezone request from Colby Walter, representing Keystone Construction and Development, Inc. from Residential 1 (R-1) to Residential Multi-Family (R-M) for Phase 2 in Maple Ridge Subdivision

Consent Agenda

The consent calendar consists of items that are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in the form of one motion. Any item can be removed from the consent calendar and heard in its regular order at the request of any council member or the mayor.

A. Approve the minutes of the February 15 2011 regular meeting; minutes of the February 15, 2011 executive session; and February 18, 2011 special meeting

Mayor to present Officer Bryan Clayton with the 2010 Employee of the Year Award

Mayor to present Sonny Henry with the February 2011 Employee of the Month Award

Citizen Correspondence, Issues & Reports

Proclamations

3. Proclaim March 7, 2011 as Girl Scout Week

Resolutions – New Business

4. Resolution 6-11 Mayoral annual board appointments

City Council Discussion & Possible Action Items

1. Approve the rezone request from Eastside Group, representing Glen Eagle Commercial Subdivision, from Commercial 2 (C-2) to Mixed Use (MU)

2. Approve the rezone request from Colby Walter, representing Keystone Construction and Development, Inc. from Residential 1 (R-1) to Residential Multi-Family (R-M) for Phase 2 in Maple Ridge Subdivision

3. Approve the transfer of a beer license for consumption off premises from Bonifacio Diaz Campos d.b.a. Campos Plaza located at 501 S Lincoln

4. Approve the application for a beer license for consumption off premises from Florencio Tellez d.b.a. Panaderia la Michoacana #2 located at 236 S Lincoln

5. Discussion and request for support for the police department’s application for an enhanced data systems grant through the Idaho Transportation Department, Office of Highway Safety

6. Discussion and possible action on the status of the EDA project on the Butte and in town

7. Adoption of a development plan for meeting the current and future needs of facilities for municipal government in the City of Jerome

8. Approval for an executive session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(1) (b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against an employee

Council Reports

City Administrative Report

Department Head Reports

Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 67-2345(1) (b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against an employee

Adjourn

Snow Removal in City of Jerome

Snowstorms pose challenges for Jerome drivers, as current policy allows snow to accumulate up to three inches prior to city plow crews being called out. Main routes are always plowed and sanded first, followed by arterial and collector streets. Only after the most critical and highly traveled roads are plowed and sanded can city crews begin plowing residential streets. Often we hear complaints from residents when their streets are not plowed immediately after a snow storm. While we understand this can be frustrating, the City must clear the main thoroughfares first, such as Main and Lincoln Streets, to ensure these well traveled roads are safe and passable.

Depending upon the amount of snow-fall, it may take more than 76 hours for the intial plowing to be completed. City crews may not operate equipment beyond the limits of fatigue and safety.

Side street clean-up is sometimes not completed until the second day following a large snowfall. Business area sidewalks and parking lot cleanup is the responsibility of the property owners. Residential and business parking should be as far out of the right of way as possible so that snow removal can be done in an efficient and safe manner. Even after the weather clears and the plowing is completed, city crews must then begin removing piles of snow that have accumulated in streets and corners.

It is always a pleasure in the morning to find the streets cleared of snow, and the snow hauled off of Main Street. Unfortunately, along with that, residents often find their driveways filled with snow. City crews are unable to clean driveways for private residents and pushing, blowing, or plowing snow back into the street after city plows have gone by poses a danger to motorists by causing ice build-up onto the street.

More than a dozen pieces of heavy equipment are needed to clear snow from Jerome’s streets, such as plows, backhoes, sanders, graders, and other equipment. With the large snowstorm in November, the City spent $43,608 in snow removal which includes 1564 man-hours at a cost of $23,463. Equipment costs have totaled approximately $10,255 (fuel, supplies, and repairs to equipment) with 230 tons of sand/salt distributed totaling $3,890.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Jerome Water Exceeds All Standards for Quality

NOTICE: The City of Jerome water meets or exceeds all water quality standards and has never, at any time, been unsafe or unclean to drink. In recent years, the City water has won several national awards for water quality standards including the winner of the IRWA Best Drinking Water Award. All claims contrary to this are false. For any questions, please call the Water Works Department at 208-324-7122.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

PRESS RELEASE: Sewer Clean Up Continues for Jerome

The Jerome City Council held a Special Meeting on Friday afternoon of February the 18th to discuss the crisis at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Due to the appearance of a foreign substance consisting of a calcium slime, the Treatment Plant’s membrane filtration system has been compromised since December 30th, 2010. With the failure of the filtration system, the WWTP is only able to separate and treat the solids portion of the in‐coming flows from the sewer system. Staff immediately began working with its membrane consulting firm Enviroquip to determine a workable chemical cleaning regimen, which did not produce results until the third attempt. The WWTP operators have been working long hours trying to clean the sticky substance from the membranes and were only able to bring the plant back on line in the last week.

At this time there are many more questions than answers and it has not yet been determined where this substance is coming from. Staff is investigating to determine the origin of the liquid calcium slime and has sent samples to the lab for testing. The Jerome City Council has directed staff to begin putting together proposals for systems that can be put in place to prevent uncontrolled overflows of only partially treated sewage into the Northside Canal system. A specific remedy for this incident will be dependent on the results of this investigation.

From the moment the WWTP failed and began overflowing the partially treated wastewater into the canal, the City has been working closely with the Canal Company, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency to inform them of the situation. The City Council and Staff share their frustration and regrets for this very unpleasant situation that is impacting the environment, the community and the county residents “down‐stream” in such an adverse way. The City is committed to doing everything possible to correct the problem and take measures to ensure that it does not happen again.

Contact City Administrator Ben Marchant with your questions, 324‐8189.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

UPDATE on Wastewater Plant Overflows and Odor: February 17, 2011

February 17th, 2011

JEROME, ID— We are pleased to announce that as of yesterday, we were able to treat 2.5 million gallons and discharge clean, treated water into the canal. As of Tuesday the 15th, we were discharging about 300K gallons of untreated wastewater, however we are now containing excess flows in a tank to be heavily chlorinated before discharging into the canal.

In addition to this process, the next step in our recovery is to bring the MBR Plant back online. In order to do this, we need to build solids to a consistent 8,000-12,000 mg/l in the #1 Aeration Basin. We are currently at 11,000 mg/l. The goal is to bring the membrane facility back to full capacity so it can take the high flow levels without fouling. If the solids are not at this concentration level, the membranes have a greater opportunity of fouling (plugging) and will not operate as designed. The membrane is a sophisticated process, but very delicate and based on precise scientific calculations. Not only do we need to build the solids up to the correct concentration, but filterability is also a major factor. Currently our filterability is a 3 and we cannot operate the membranes at full capacity until we are above 10. We will be utilizing all chemical means to improve our filterability, however the chemical shipments have not arrived yet. They are scheduled to arrive on Saturday with another load arriving next Tuesday. This chemical should help “speed up” the filterability and allow the membranes to operate at a full 100% flow. We are also applying odor suppressant enzymes on the affected area to help prevent odor. Plant cleanup will then ensue, and we have a lot to clean up.

Fortunately, we are making significant progress. We have both of our bio-towers operating at full capacity, which will help reduce the incoming loadings. In addition, we now have MBR basin #4 operable. In the meantime, the odor is predominantly coming from the area saturated by the spills and overflows. To abate this, we have heavily chlorinated the grounds at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to start reducing the odors and mitigate health issues caused by the plant overflows.

Please be aware that DEQ, EPA, and the Northside Canal are aware of our situation and have been kept apprised of our issues and the progress being made. For any questions, please call 324-7122.

Thank You

John Boyd, Director of the Water Works Department

John Lothspeich Appointed as City Attorney

In our last newsletter we let you know a little bit about Rob Williams and his retirement as the City Attorney for the City of Jerome. The reins have officially been now handed over to John Lothspeich and he is ready to “take command”. We spoke to John about this added responsibility and got to hear his thoughts on this transition.

Q: Please tell our readers a little about yourself and your professional history.

I graduated with my Law Degree from the University of Idaho. I commenced the practice of law as a Deputy Prosecutor in Jerome County for approx. 2 years. I was appointed Chief Deputy Prosecutor in Twin Falls County where I served for almost four years when elected Prosecuting Attorney in Jerome County and took office in 1996. I served as Prosecuting Attorney until June, 2000, when I joined the present law firm. I have enjoyed working with so many excellent and professional public servants in the Magic Valley for the last 20 years.

Q: What do you foresee as one of the greatest challenges you will face as the Attorney for the City of Jerome?

The challenges ahead will be to assist the City with strained resources and ensuring all needs are met for city residents.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most now that you are our Attorney?

I look forward to working daily with all staff to provide the best service possible to the city we call our home.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our law offices are dedicated to provide the best legal services available to the City. Fortunately, Rob Williams remains our senior partner whose wise counsel I will seek often. I will endeavor to meet all legal needs for Staff, the Mayor and Council timely and with excellence.

So it appears that the City is now in the more than capable hands of John Lothspeich. We as City employees look forward to working with John. You can see by John’s responses that he takes this appointment very seriously and has what is in the best interest for Jerome at heart. We are very fortunate to have such a capable attorney to work alongside with.

Friday, February 11, 2011

UPDATE on WWTP Odor

It is very much appreciated that the Citizens of Jerome have been very patient and understanding to the issues that we have been dealing with this past month and a half. Your odor complaints have not been ignored, but definitely noted and this blog is to let you, the individual know what is going on and the progress that is being made at the Jerome Wastewater Treatment Facility. I would like to take this time to let all know that everything is being done to get the Plant back online and processing the wastewater as it was designed to do.

Steps are also being taken to prevent this calcium fouling from being a issue again. Below is a rundown of what has been going on for the past two weeks.

February 11, 2011 Update: These past two weeks we did the extensive chemical cleaning as described above and then for the next week and a half built up the solids concentration. The cleaning lasted longer than just a routine hypochlorite cleaning 16 hour cleaning regiment We are currently out of compliance and overflowing again. Steps taken to expedite the process have been taken as follows.

1. A piece of the fouled membrane has been sent back East to Enviroquip’s chemist and head membrane guru to examine the membrane to see if a different chemical is needed to bring the membranes back to 80-100% capacity.

2. We have also sent samples out to Analytical lab in Boise for examination of what the slime layer is that has plugged up the membranes…………Calcium was the test result.

3. Previously operators took down basin #1 and emptied it completely, and refilled it with clean water. We pulled a membrane and checked them and found that the membranes on the outside were not getting cleaned after we did a complete chemical cleaning. The plan was to take down a basin, soak it in sodium hydroxide and aerate at the same time. This was followed by a acid clean, followed by a strong bleach clean and soak overnight. In our testing phase this cleaning regiment worked great, the membranes were clean, slime was gone and they permeated as if they were new.

4. Jan 28- Feb 11 The above process was started. A clean water chemical clean of the inside and outside of the membrane. We are soaking the membranes in Sodium Hydroxide inside and out, then going to do a hydrochloric acid clean on the inside of the membranes, then do a clean water rinse and then finish it off with a Sodium Hypochlorite clean. This should loosen and clean both the organics as in proteins, and fats, and inorganics such as calcium, scale etc. We have just completed the cleaning of the final basin #4. It will be filled and then brought online. The next step is to continue to build solids to 8000 mg/l in the #1 Aeration Basin. If the solids are not at this concentration the membranes have a greater opportunity of fouling with solids and not operate as designed. Once the membrane Plant can take full flow, we will bring the bio-towers on at full capacity. This will help cut down the incoming loadings. Plant cleanup will then ensue, and we have a lot of stuff to clean up.

The Water Works team has been working very hard figuring out the chemical combination to bring the membranes back to their original capacity. We have completed several chemical cleaning cycles, This is now taking all night and into the next day to do a chemical restoration. With the basins at the maximum flow and levels, this is not an easy feat, but we are continuing non-stop doing what we need to get this Plant back in compliance and operational. DEQ and EPA, and the Northside Canal are aware of our situation and have been kept apprised of our progress.

John Boyd, Water Works Director

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Water Work to Perform Routine Maintenance on Water Valves


Waterworks crews will be starting a water valve exercising program next week, this programs involves visiting each water control valve in the system, to open and close it a few times to make sure it is functioning and keep it easy to operate when it is called upon. Over time sediment and scale will accumulate in the grooves in the valve and prevent the gate from closing all the way.

The program is expected to take until the middle of May to complete, during this time you may experience some or all of the following conditions, as crews move throughout the city. Each condition is followed by a suggested remedy.

Note; crews will do their best to flush any sediment out of the lines as they proceed, however if you experience any of the following…

  • Low water pressure; wait for crews to finish your area, if your problem persists please report.
  • Discolored water; Do not run your hot water, as this will draw the dirty water into your hot water system, instead, run your cold water tap for 5 minutes, if it does not clear up please report
  • Air in the lines; turn on your cold tap and run until clear water flows from the faucet.

In the event you experience some or all of these conditions try the suggested remedy and if it doesn’t get better please call 208-324 8189 or after hours 208-324-1911

Thank you for your patience, some of the benefits of this program are;

  • A more reliable, water system.
  • Making sure lost valves are found and ensuring found vales don’t get lost!
  • Quicker shut downs in the event of emergencies.
  • Lowering of operational cost associated with premature replacement of equipment.
  • Overall improved customer service.

This program combined with a flushing program will make sure you are being served our finest product.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

PRESS RELEASE: Jerome City Police Officer Shot in High Speed Chase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JEROME POLICE DEPARTMENT

JEROME COUNTY SHERIFF

On 07 February, 2011 at 5:03 pm a Jerome man lead police on a five mile pursuit which resulted in shots fired by the suspect and police.

Chris Taylor, 29 YOA, failed to stop for Jerome Police Office Dennis Clark, after Clark attempted to stop him for traffic violations. The Pursuit began in east side of the City of Jerome and proceeded into the county southeast of the city. Taylor lost control of his car and the car rolled over coming to rest in a farm field.


The pursuit involved Three Jerome Police Officers and one Jerome County Deputy. During the pursuit gunfire was exchanged between Taylor and two police officers. Both Taylor and Officer Clark received non-life threatening gun shot wounds.


Taylor was on probation with Idaho DOC and upon release from the hospital will be held in the Twin Falls County Jail on an agents warrant for probation violation.


Officer Clark is currently at St. Al. hospital in Boise where he is being treated for a gunshot wound to the face. Officer Clark, 35 YOA is an 11-year veteran officer for the City of Jerome, and also a Reserve Deputy for the Jerome County Sheriff. Clark has dedicated his life to public safety, a long time member of the Jerome County Rural Fire Department as well.


The Magic Valley Critical Incident Task Force, with a Cassia County Sheriff Investigator as the lead Investigator, is investigating the incident. Detectives from several Magic Valley Police and Sheriff agencies as well as Idaho State Police Investigators are involved in the investigation.


The prosecution in this case is being handled by the Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney’s office and the Twin Falls Prosecuting Attorney’s office will conduct a separate investigation and review of the officer involved shooting.


All inquiries as to Taylor’s probation status should be routed through the Idaho Department of Corrections.


All other inquiries should be routed to either the Jerome or Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorneys.


Dan Hall, Jerome Police Chief (208-324-4328)

Doug McFall, Jerome County Sheriff (208-644-2770)