Privacy issues, sidewalks top council agenda

Staff writer

SANDPOINT - After months of debate, the Sandpoint City Council will tackle the last vestige of the now-defunct 2008 Local Improvement District Wednesday when it decides whether to reimburse homeowners who built sidewalks in advance of the contentious ordinance.

The LID, which would have required 260 residents to put sidewalks on their property or pay to city to do it for them, was voted down at the March council meeting.

The following month, the council decided to reimburse 40 homeowners who installed sidewalks before the LID was voted on.

At issue was a letter sent to all 260 affected residents in May 2007. The letter said homeowners could wait for the city to install the sidewalks, but suggested it would be more cost effective to hire a contractor to replace them prior to the LID going out to bid.

Drafted by Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk, the letter said bonding and city administrative costs, along with Public Works contracting rules, would make the job 25-35 percent more expensive for property owners if the city put in the sidewalks.

At numerous council meetings before and after the LID vote, many residents and several council members went on record saying they felt the letter was misleading and did not adequately explain that the LID's passage was not guaranteed. Once it was clear that the LID was not going to pass, Councilman Doug Hawkins Jr, proposed reimbursing the homeowners who heeded the city's advice.

The original reimbursement vote had Councilwomen Carrie Logan and Helen Newton joining Hawkins and Councilman Michael Boge in favor of the plan, with Councilmen Stephen Snedden and Steve Lockwood dissenting.

In subsequent meetings, Newton began voicing trepidation about the plan after discovering that Idaho Code automatically rejects claims filed 180 days after the claim arose. In the eyes of some, the Code disqualifies all 40 affected property owners from reimbursement.

Newton asked city attorney Will Herrington to find a legal precedent for the situation, but, as of Monday, the issue has not been settled.

On Wednesday, the council will rule on eight of the cases - and award $17, 583.32 if the claims are approved.

The council will also take up a privacy issue when it votes on a proposed resolution that would require the addresses of residents who speak at council workshops and meetings to be recorded in council minutes.

The resolution was spearheaded by Newton, who said requiring addresses from speakers will make city government more transparent. Because so many of the city's issues are decided after hearing public testimony, Newton believes residents have the right to know who is lobbying the council and where they reside.

Opponents of the resolution say requiring the addresses - which would appear on the City's Web site - constitutes an unnecessary invasion of privacy.

The City Council will meet on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.