IIG agreement under review

ODESSA- Town Council had its first look at the franchise agreement with Intermountain Infrastructure Group at their meeting Monday, Aug. 8.

IIG provides services required to plan, implement and maintain telecommunications.

Bringing fiber optics to the area will ensure a better internet connection with fewer inconsistencies.

Superintendent John Bruce introduced himself to the board members.

Bruce had concerns over the late fees that were being charged to the Odessa School District.

Council said they cannot waive the fees as it would be unfair to other organizations.

Bruce then asked if the school could pay twice a month, but the council said no due to the government handling the dates.

Council suggested he ask ESD101 to see if the dates could be changed.

Lincoln County Commissioner Mark Stedman visited council to discuss the Columbia Basin Sustainable Water Coalition.

Stedman talked about the area’s decreasing groundwater supply and how well levels go down over time.

He mentioned a smart water grant, but to push the process forward they need enough municipalities to participate.

Stedman said the Steering Committee now has five members but they are looking to triple that count.

He said it would be nice to have a member from each municipality in the county.

Chamber of Commerce President Norman Ott informed the council of a Local Food Infrastructure Grant.

Ott said the application for the grant was due on Aug. 10.

He also said that the grant did not become available until the middle of July.

The reason for the grant is that the Chamber needs a place to make sausage and they need a USDA approved site to do so.

Ott said the first bid to add onto the community center was $250.000.

The revised dog licensing requirements were discussed and tabled until minor details were ironed out.

Town Clerk Meri Jane Bohn reported that the audit was still in progress.

She also said the new system for billing/payments was still under construction.

Bohn said the part-time position for the office and a vacant council position had been posted.

She said the website provider for the town is retiring and they are looking at other options.

Police Chief Les Jimerson reported five speeding tickets.

He reported two trespassing cases, one open fire and a lost seventh grader at midnight.

A theft was also reported, but no other details were given.

He conducted two welfare checks.

Public Works Director Anthony Paszkeiz said that a meeting with IIG will be soon to determine which route they are going to use.