Big-ticket items:
- Moscow City Council passed a mutual aid agreement with Pullman, allowing the two cities to assist each other should an emergency situation arise. This agreement is in response to COVID-19.
- According to the council’s agenda: “The operation of many of our critical systems requires a high level of training, expertise and often mandated technical certifications.”
- There will be no shut-offs for utilities and late fees will be waived for the duration of Public Health Emergency Order No. 20-02, Mayor Bill Lambert said.
- The emergency order restricts mass gatherings and has been extended until May 5.
- In response to requests for residential and small business relief, City Councilor Maureen Laflin asked whether the city has jurisdiction to implement a rent freeze. City Supervisor Bill Belknap said the city simply doesn’t have that authority.
- “We do not have the ability to tell a landlord what they can and can’t pay,” Belknap said. “It’s a fine legal line that we’re walking.”
ICYM: COVID-19 documented cases in Idaho
Small-ticket items:
- Meanwhile, the council awarded a near $3 million contract to further develop Well No. 10 at the west edge of A Street.
- Drilled in 2016, Well No. 10 is now approved for its next phase of development under a new contract with TML Construction.
- TML Construction had the lowest responsive bid out of the other two contenders, with a bid total of $2,857,280. The city engineer’s estimate for the construction was $3,284,850.
- The project includes the construction of a new well house, pump and motor to make the site fully functional and producing water.
- Police Chief James Fry said officers will be out on pathways with the warming weather this week to remind residents to maintain social distancing. So far, officers have not been stopping people.
Angela Palermo can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @apalermooo