Logan RDA approves $1.25 million purchase of downtown properties near 300 North Main; council adds $4.6 million for substations

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Other

   Landfill spotter position request

   Discussed

   Environmental Director Issa Hamud requested a full-time spotter at the North Valley Landfill to control blown litter, following an April 27, 2020 Idaho DEQ letter. The position would be graded to match Landfill Inspector (grade 51) at a starting salary of $33,881 ($16.28 an hour), and would also maintain ponds, the scale system and the weather station and fill in at the transfer station. No motion or vote is recorded.

   • Budget$33,881 Starting salary, landfill spotter

2. Public safety

   Mask requirement clarification (Resolution 20-37)

   Discussed

   Chair Amy Anderson read a statement saying the mayor's state of emergency ran through August 30 and that the resolution runs through October 15, 2020. It exempts people medically or psychologically unable to wear a mask and lacks the enforcement provisions of an emergency declaration. Council Member Bradfield said an education campaign for the resolution was nearing final council input. No vote.

3. Roads and utilities

   Airport grant agreements, Logan-Cache Airport land acquisition (Resolution 20-41)

   Approved · 4-0

   Council Member Simmonds explained the FAA funding split of 70/30 or 80/20. Each council must approve a resolution, and the mayor, county executive and both attorneys must sign.

   Moved by Council Member Jeannie Simmonds, seconded by Council Member Jess Bradfield. Vote: 4-0; carried unanimously, counted as the four members present (Mark Anderson excused)

4. Budget

   FY 2020-21 budget adjustments (Resolution 20-34)

   Approved · 4-0

   The council appropriated $4,568,640 for two new electric substations and $85,000 from a State Task Force grant for police drug-related work. No public comment.

   • Budget$4.57 million Two new electric substations
   • Grant$85,000 Police drug-related enforcement. Paid from State Task Force grant

   Moved by Council Member Tom Jensen, seconded by Council Member Jess Bradfield. Vote: 4-0; carried unanimously, counted as the four members present (Mark Anderson excused)

5. Budget

   RAPZ grants and FY 2020 carry-forwards (Resolution 20-35)

   Approved · 4-0

   The council approved appropriating $295,572 in RAPZ grants and the FY 2020 carry-forward list, which was read in full. The largest items were $66,623,001 for the Logan Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, $5,250,755 in County Road Grant Tax, $4,125,980 for the Third Dam project, $3,064,022 in CARES Act federal grant, $2,641,214 and $2,429,628 for curb, gutter and street improvements, $1,313,757 for storm water projects and $1,285,383 for water and sewer projects. No public comment. The minutes cite both 'Resolution 35' and 'Resolution 20-35'.

   • Grant$295,572 RAPZ grants. Paid from RAPZ tax
   • Budget$66.6 million Carry-forward, Logan Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant project
   • Budget$4.13 million Carry-forward, Third Dam project

   Moved by Council Member Jess Bradfield, seconded by Council Member Jeannie Simmonds. Vote: 4-0; carried unanimously, counted as the four members present (Mark Anderson excused)

6. Budget

   Workshop: Justice Court metal detector grant (Resolution 20-40)

   Discussed

   Finance Director Richard Anderson presented a $4,000 state grant for a metal detector for the Justice Court. Action was set for September 15.

   • Grant$4,000 Justice Court metal detector. Paid from State grant

7. Development

   Workshop: utility easement vacation, Johnson Cove Subdivision Phase 2 (Ordinance 20-26)

   Discussed · Johnson Cove Subdivision Phase 2, Lots 22 and 23

   City Engineer Bill Young presented a vacation of a public utility easement between Lots 22 and 23 of Johnson Cove Subdivision Phase 2. Action was set for September 15.

8. Development

   Workshop: right-of-way vacation along 1400 West, Spring Creek Village Phase I (Ordinance 20-27)

   Discussed · 1400 West, Spring Creek Village Phase I

   Young presented a vacation of public right-of-way along 1400 West in Spring Creek Village Phase I. Council Member Simmonds asked whether the lot was legal before vacation; Young said it was not a lot. City Attorney Kymber Housley said vacated land goes to the adjoining owner and a lot of at least 60 feet is legal. Action was set for September 15.

9. Item RDA · Development

   Purchase of four parcels near 300 North Main for $1,165,000 (Resolution 20-36 RDA)

   Approved · 4-0 · Near 300 North Main

   The RDA budgeted $1,250,000 to buy four parcels of about one acre near 300 North Main from the Needham Family Partnership for blight elimination. Economic Development Director Kirk Jensen said the option expires October 31, the price is $1,165,000 against a tax-roll value of $1,088,311, environmental costs could reach $51,850 (asbestos removal about $44,000, tank already removed), and two parcels have been on the vacant building registry since November 2018. Chair Anderson said she has no interest in the project and knows of no benefit to other members. Gail Yost asked why the city is not paying tax-roll value and who pays for cleanup; Keegan Garrity supported revitalization but cited the unfinished Emporium and a past loss on the Hampton Hotel property; an email from Tyler Riggs asked for more transparency. Mayor Daines said projects go through public process. Council Member Simmonds was initially reluctant but favored spreading projects from 100 South to 400 North; Council Member Jensen cited the mayor's downtown development formula; Council Member Bradfield asked about a willing developer and suggested waiving fees, which Simmonds opposed because the fees predated the offer (no amendment was recorded).

   • Land deal$1.17 million to Needham Family Partnership Purchase of four parcels for blight elimination. Negotiated purchase option; tax-roll value $1,088,311. Paid from RDA budget adjustment of $1,250,000
   • Acres: about 1
   • Option expires October 31, 2020

   Moved by Council Member Jeannie Simmonds, seconded by Council Member Tom Jensen. Vote: 4-0; carried unanimously, counted as the four members present (Mark Anderson excused)

   Follow Needham property purchase near 300 North Main in the development tracker →

10. Item RDA · Budget

    Workshop: Emporium demolition and 600 South tunnel carry-forwards (Resolution 20-39 RDA)

    Discussed

    Carry-forwards of $175,266 for Emporium demolition and $45,198 for a feasibility study of a tunnel at 600 South connecting trails under Main Street.

    • Budget$175,266 Emporium demolition carry-forward. Paid from RDA
    • Budget$45,198 600 South trail tunnel feasibility study. Paid from RDA

    Follow Emporium block redevelopment in the development tracker →

11. Item RDA · Development

    Workshop: $500,000 incentive for Mill Creek of Logan apartments, 94 West 100 South (Resolution 20-38 RDA)

    Discussed · 94 West 100 South

    Developer Paul Willie proposes a six-story, 75-unit apartment building with a possible second phase of 72 units. The Economic Development Committee recommended a $500,000 incentive from the RDA Affordable Housing Fund, payable on completion. Justifications include cleanup of a former gas station site with a 9,500-gallon tank, a steep hillside, structured parking and an adjacent burned-out 1868 mill building. Council Member Jensen praised the project. Construction would take 12 to 14 months.

    • Grant$500,000 to Mill Creek of Logan, LLC Agency assistance for 75-unit apartment project. Paid from RDA Affordable Housing Fund
    • Units: 75 (second phase possible, 72)

    Follow Mill Creek of Logan apartments in the development tracker →

What residents said

Purchase price versus tax-roll valueTransparency of RDA projectsUnfinished Emporium projectMask requirement

On the 300 North Main purchase, Gail Yost asked why the city was not paying tax-roll value and who pays for cleanup; Keegan Garrity supported downtown revitalization but cited concerns about the unfinished Emporium and a past property loss; an emailed comment from Tyler Riggs asked for more transparency.