City Council Meeting: May 17, 2011

Call to Order – 5:30 PM.

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Amendments to the Agenda

Public Hearing

1. Seeking public comment regarding the proposed ordinance to allow home occupation businesses to operate by special use permit in R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones

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.

1. Approve the minutes of the May 3, 2011 regular meeting
2. Officer’s reports – Fire, Building, Library, Law Enforcement, & Finance
3. Approve payment to M.V. Labs, Inc. in the amount of $18,530.62 for permit, industry, and drinking water testing
4. Approve payment to Ovivo, LLC in the amount of $12,851.68 for chemicals for the wastewater treatment plant
5. Claims

Citizen Correspondence, Issues & Reports

Ordinances – New Business

1. Bill No. 567 – Amending Section 17.14.010 of the Jerome Municipal Code by allowing home occupation businesses to operate by special use permit in R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones - introduction
2. Bill No. 568 – Amending sewer charges and fees – second reading

Proclamations

1. Proclaiming May 15th-21st , 2011, as Police Week in the City of Jerome

City Council Discussion & Possible Action Items

1. Award bid for the Sewer Piping Improvements from Brockman Lift Station to Victory Lane – Rick Wuori

2. Approve the Administration and Support Services Agreement between the City of Jerome and the Jerome Urban Renewal Agency – Micah Austin

3. Approval to purchase Paint for Striping the streets in the amount of $10,376.00 – Walt Appell

Council Reports

City Administrative Report

Adjourn

Operation Facelift: June 13-18

Click the image below for details on this exciting community-driven project for revitalizing Jerome's downtown:

Operation Facelift: June 13-18

Please click the image below for details on this exciting community-driven project for cleaning up Jerome's downtown:

City Council Agenda: May 3, 2011

Call to Order – 5:30 PM.

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Amendments to the Agenda

Public Hearing(s)

1. Water/Sewer Rate Increases

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.

1. Approve the minutes of the April 19, 2011 regular meeting

Mayoral Appointments

1. Mayor to appoint Ed Robertson, Blair Crouch and Joe Davidson to the Area of Impact Committee to act as liaisons between the city and county officials

Citizen Correspondence, Issues & Reports

1. Jan Rogers to explain Operation Face Lift

Resolutions

1. Resolution No. 8 -11 – Increasing water volume rate and base rates

Ordinances – New Business

1. Bill No. 568 – Ordinance increasing sewer rates and establishing a base rate – introduction

Proclamations

1. Proclaim May as Building Safety Month

City Council Discussion & Possible Action Items

1. Approve the purchase of fourteen (14) Dell OpitPlex 790 computers for a total cost of $14,924 – Kathy Markus

2. Presentation by Assistant to the City Administrator Micah Austin and Art Brown on the City Area of Impact procedures and requirements - Micah

Council Reports

City Administrative Report

Adjourn

May 2011 e-Newsletter Now Available for Download!

New! The May 2011 e-Newsletter is now available by clicking the link below! In this issue, the City discusses its Strategic Priorities, Jerome's 2010 crime statistics are published, and we launch Operation Facelift for renovating Jerome's downtown. To read these and other articles, please click the link below:

http://www.ci.jerome.id.us/wwwroot/userfiles/files/e-newsletter/2011-05_(large).pdf

Capital Infrastructure in the City of Jerome

The mayor's message in April:

Last month we received the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau concerning the population of Jerome. As of April 1, 2010, the City of Jerome's population had grown to 10,890 inhabitants. This is a 40% increase over the 2000 Census count of 7,780 for the city. We attribute this growth to the success the City has had in attracting many new businesses and hundreds of jobs to the local economy in that time. And this growth was only possible because we have the infrastructure to maintain it, which has a direct impact on the city budget. There are three pillars to the city budget: operating supplies, personnel, and capital infrastructure. This month it is my intent to explain how infrastructure impacts the budget so that you can better understand the policy and priorities that determine how your tax dollars are spent in the City of Jerome.

Capital infrastructure makes up 40.14% of the budget (7.35% of it is for debt service payments). Infrastructure investments are very expensive and not very attractive to consider. Although it costs a lot up front, over time these projects can save the City millions of dollars. Infrastructure includes all city land and building facilities, the entire road system, the entire water distribution system, the entire sewer system, and the entire fleet of City vehicles and heavy equipment for Police, Fire, Public Works and Water Works Departments.

Just like when you buy a new car or truck, the initial cost is large, but then it becomes very affordable to run and maintain for a long time. Conversely, the older it gets, the more it costs to maintain and the less it performs the way it is supposed to. Sooner or later you are faced with the need to either completely rebuild what you have or replace it altogether. Today the City of Jerome finds itself in the unenviable position of having very old and deteriorated infrastructure that costs a lot to maintain. In fact, in certain areas, the City cannot even keep up on basic maintenance because it is in a constant state of crisis just trying to "put out fires" that crop up throughout the system. This is especially true of the water system, but also affects roads, sewers and buildings that the City is also trying to maintain.

So what can the City do about all this? The policy options are: 1) Status quo; throw more money, personnel, and resources at maintaining the existing systems as they are. 2) Invest in new infrastructure to replace broken, inadequate and obsolete portions of the systems and get back to a basic maintenance schedule. 3) Reduce services to match available resources, requiring the city to abandon certain performance standards based criteria that could impact public health, the quality and level of public safety, transportation, and other basic services. Those are the three choices facing your elected officials. In my opinion, option #2 is inevitible and option #3 is distressing to consider. What do you think? I welcome your thoughts and ideas on this important issue to our community. The City Council will be meeting next month for its annual strategic planning retreat to address how we are going to deal with these critical issues in the coming year.

Council Agenda: April 19, 2011

Call to Order – 5:30 PM.

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Amendments to the Agenda

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.

1. Approve the minutes of the April 5, 2011 regular meeting and April 14, 2011 special meeting

2. Officer’s reports – Fire, Building, Library, Law Enforcement, & Treasurer’s Quarterly

3. Claims

Employee Recognition

4. Mayor to recognize Officer Jim Baker as Employee of the Quarter

Citizen Correspondence, Issues & Reports

5. Rosa Paiz and Wendy Florence to discuss parking on Alder and Main Street.
6. Deborah Gabardi and Patty Clark from the Crisis Center of Magic Valley to request program support

City Council Discussion & Possible Action Items

1. PSI to discuss single stream recycle program Les Reitz – Ben Marchant
2. Approve the purchase of a John Deere XUV 825i for weed spraying and fertilizer application in the Parks and Streets for the amount of $10,076.41 – Walt Appell

Council Reports

City Administrative Report

Adjourn

Fundraiser for the Jerome Skate Park!

Click the image below for details:

Regular Meeting of the City Council: April 7, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.

Call to Order – 5:30 PM.

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Public Hearings

1. For consideration of an amendment to the budget for the fiscal period October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011

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 March 15, 2011 regular meeting; March 14, 2011, March 29, 2011, and March 31, 2011 special meetings

Citizen Correspondence, Issues & Reports

2. Deborah Gabardi and Patty Clark from the Crisis Center of Magic Valley to request program support

Proclamations

1. Declaring April 28th as Arbor Day

Ordinances – New Business

1. Bill No. 566, Ordinance No. 1082, amending Ordinance 1075, the appropriations ordinance for FY 2010-11 – Introduction, suspension of rules, adoption – Ross Hyatt

Resolutions – New Business

1. Resolution No. 7-11 – amend the City of Jerome Compensation Plan – Monica Harrison

City Council Discussion & Possible Action Items

1. PSI to discuss single stream recycle program Les Reitz – Ben Marchant
2. Approval to purchase 2 Panasonic CF-31 Rugged computers and docking stations for the patrol vehicles for a total cost of $9,764 – Kathy Markus
3. Approval to purchase two workstations and five notebook computers for a total of $13,929 – Kathy Markus
4. Authorize the City Treasurer to transfer restricted cash for operating and capital reserve to pooled cash to offset the negative operating cash balance as of the end of February 2011 – Ross Hyatt
5. Approve waiver of building permit application and fees to place training trailer at fire training grounds – Chief Hatfield
6. Authorization for the Jerome City Fire Department to assume responsibility for managing the Magic Valley Emergency Response Team (MVERT) – Chief Hatfield

Council Reports

City Administrative Report

Department Head Reports

Adjourn

Special Meeting of the City Council: March 31, 6:00 pm

Please Note:

The City Council agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Commission discussion.

Jerome’s elected Leaders are:

Mayor John Shine and Councilpersons Marjorie Schmidt, Chris Barber, Robert Culver, and Dawn Soto

Call to Order – 6:00 p.m.

Workshop to discuss the water and sewer rate study and the recommendations from Aqua Engineers

Adjournment

Special Meeting of the City Council: March 31, 6:00 pm

Please Note:

The City Council agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Commission discussion.

Jerome’s elected Leaders are:

Mayor John Shine and Councilpersons Marjorie Schmidt, Chris Barber, Robert Culver, and Dawn Soto

Call to Order – 6:00 p.m.

Workshop to discuss the water and sewer rate study and the recommendations from Aqua Engineers

Adjournment

Special Meeting of the City Council: March 29, 6:00 pm

Please Note:

The City Council agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Commission discussion.

Jerome’s elected Leaders are:

Mayor John Shine and Councilpersons Marjorie Schmidt, Chris Barber, Robert Culver, and Dawn Soto

Call to Order – 6:00 p.m.

Workshop to discuss the new facilities development plan

Adjournment

City Council Agenda: March 15, 2011

Call to Order – 5:30 PM.

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Board of Corrections (to make corrections to 2011 Irrigation Assessments)

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.

1. Approve the minutes of the March 1, 2011 regular meeting, March 1, 2011 executive session

2. Officer’s reports – Fire, Building, Library, Law Enforcement, & Finance

3. Claims

4. Caselle annual support conract payment in the amount of $10,652

Employee Recognition

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

Citizen Correspondence, Issues & Reports

1. Julisa Blight to discuss her daycare building located at 101 North Tiger Drive

Ordinances – New Business

1. Bill No., Ordinance No. – Rezone of Glen Eagle

Proclamations

1. Proclaim April Fair Housing Month

City Council Discussion & Possible Action Items

1. Approve application of Gregory Dodson to transfer liquor license for Diamondz Bar and Grill L.L.C.

2. Approve the tentative amendment to the 2010-2011 FY Budget and approve publications of the notice setting the public hearing for April 5, 2011.

3. Finance – Approval for Assistant Finance Director Kathy Cone to attend the GFOA Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX on May 22-25 at a cost of $1,808 –

4. Treasurer’s Report – Mr. Hyatt

Council Reports

City Administrative Report

Adjourn

Special Meeting of the City Council: March 14, 5:30 pm

Call to Order – 5:30 PM.

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Board of Corrections (to make corrections to 2011 Irrigation Assessments)

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.

1. Approve the minutes of the March 1, 2011 regular meeting, March 1, 2011 executive session

2. Officer’s reports – Fire, Building, Library, Law Enforcement, & Finance

3. Claims

4. Caselle annual support conract payment in the amount of $10,652

Employee Recognition

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

Citizen Correspondence, Issues & Reports

1. Julisa Blight to discuss her daycare building located at 101 North Tiger Drive

Ordinances – New Business

1. Bill No., Ordinance No. – Rezone of Glen Eagle

Proclamations

1. Proclaim April Fair Housing Month

City Council Discussion & Possible Action Items

1. Approve application of Gregory Dodson to transfer liquor license for Diamondz Bar and Grill L.L.C.

2. Approve the tentative amendment to the 2010-2011 FY Budget and approve publications of the notice setting the public hearing for April 5, 2011.

3. Finance – Approval for Assistant Finance Director Kathy Cone to attend the GFOA Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX on May 22-25 at a cost of $1,808 –

4. Treasurer’s Report – Mr. Hyatt

Council Reports

City Administrative Report

Adjourn

Planning Zoning Commission Agenda: March 8, 2011

Regular Meeting

March 8, 2011

7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

2. Approval of February 22, 2011 regular meeting minutes

3. Public Hearing: to consider an ordinance amending and allowing in-home

occupation businesses by Special Use Permit in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones

4. Approve/recommend proposed ordinance amending in-home occupation businesses

by Special Use Permit in R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones

5. Ex Parte Discussions

6. Staff Reports

7. Adjournment

Note: Any person needing special accommodations to participate in the above noticed meeting should contact City Hall (City Administrator 208-324-8189 x 102) seven days prior to the meeting.

St. Benedicts to Host Its Annual Health Fair

Click on the image below for details on the Annual Health Fair:

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.

Link to March 2011 Issue

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.

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.

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.

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

February 17^th, 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 15^th, 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.

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

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.