May 13, 2019

Budget
Staff has a little left on the budget to polish up prior to approval consideration on May 21.

Splash Park
Finalizing Splash Park details has been the story of the week. We are planning the grand opening for May 30. This will include a DJ, grilled hot dogs from the Fire Department, and dry ice root beer from me. 

A lot of progress was made on landscaping and the Argus interviewed Andrea Bonadiman about the donor wall she is painting at the splash park.

RTP Grant
I spent a lot of hours working on the RTP grant for the Treasure Valley Connector Trail. I got out the State Agency Reviews, which have to go out in time for them to review and send a response back. I have been working on the narrative portions of the grant and acquiring more letters of support. 

Recreation
A great season of youth soccer is complete. We had 740 kids, 70 teams, and 313 games played in the last week. As one season ends, another begins as 10 teams with 113 girls are gearing up for softball.

Information for NFL flag football, youth track meet, Gridiron Dreams, Challenger Soccer Camp, and tennis lessons has gone out to all the local schools.

Airport
There will be a runway closure at the airport next Wednesday from 7:30 AM until 7:30 PM to crack seal. This will be communicated to pilots.

A second planning meeting for the Ontario Airport Appreciation Day took place on Wednesday.

The purchase price for the second wheel line needed to complete the irrigation of the grass runway was agreed upon and will be picked up soon. 

Public Works
The tree project on East Idaho continues. We will plant the trees this fall after grates have arrived. We ordered enough grates on this order to get us through next year's project. Staff is also focused on landscaping activities at the Ontario Splash Park.

Water- Snake River flows are gradually increasing. This will increase as snow melt continues in the mountains. 

Wastewater- Odor issues at the wastewater plant are diminishing. We have increased pond aeration and expect treatment to improve and smells to abate soon. 

Parks and Cemetery- Staff is focused on getting the cemeteries ready for Memorial Day. This is the biggest day of the year for our cemeteries and we want them to be immaculate.

Fire & Rescue
This week, staff responded to a couple small grass fires and a fire at Beck-Kiwanis park pond started by fireworks. The rural tender and a crew responded to a mutual aid call for a fully involved structure fire north of Payette. 

The exhaust system installation is nearly complete. They got a lot done this week. 

---