Middlebrook
Jason Middlebrook, Homage to the Limber Pine (1000 Years of High Winds, Heavy Snow and Countless Gazes), 2016

City of Ketchum
P.O. Box 2315
480 East Avenue N.
Ketchum, Idaho 83340
"Small Town, Big Life"

September 15, 2016
In This Issue
A Message From Mayor Nina Jonas: Thanks for Another Successful Wagon Days

Nina and Sandy
Mayor Nina Jonas and Grand Marshal Sandy Cady
Thank you to all who made this year's Wagon Days celebration such a festive occasion. We were particularly proud of two additions this year - a dinner recognizing the grand marshals who have presided over past celebrations and a concert by country singer Amy Clawson.
 
The grand marshals have ranged from Sun Valley Resort first ladies Carol Holding and Glenn Janss to ever-present volunteer Jane Ettriem to this year's Ketchum City Finance Director Sandy Cady. All are people who have contributed countless hours to our community over the years. It was a special chance to say an additional thank-you to them, and to remember how we all work together to build a society for the future. Other previous grand marshals who attended the recognition dinner were Jim and Wendy Jaquet, Bill Johnston, Michelle Stennett, Walt Femling, Mary Jane Conger and Bob Rosso.
 
The free concert encouraged people to stay downtown after the parade, giving them a chance both to get to know each other at the street party and to visit local merchants and food vendors.
 
The city staff worked out front and behind the scenes to make it happen. People in every department spent long hours before, after and throughout the weekend. The street department started blocking off the roads at 5 a.m., and worked into the evening. It wasn't until Tuesday morning, after all of the activities were over, that the last trash can was emptied.
 
Duties ranged from registering parade entries to supplying equipment to the hockey players on roller blades who were ever alert to scoop fresh poop from the streets. Staffers also worked at the dinner for the grand marshals, assisted individuals at reserved seating, made sure the middle school volunteers entered the parade at the right time, helped at the announcing stands, sold souvenirs at headquarters, judged entrants, brought water to everyone involved and helped parade participants safely move their wagons, animals and buggies.  We were very pleased with the letter Blaine County Sheriff Gene Ramsey received commending our police department (see below). Also, check out this week's Miscellany II in the Idaho Mountain Express classified section.
 
Even the weather cooperated, with sunny but not-too-hot temperatures.
 
Mark your calendar now for next year's Wagon Days, Sept. 1-4, 2017, the 60th year since Wagon Days began. Think about ways that you can participate, and let us know your ideas. We want to continue to make this celebration better each year.

Nina 

ASK NINA
Q. I read that Ketchum is opposing the relocation of Camp Rainbow Gold for children with cancer to a location near the city. This is selfish and horrible! How can you be so heartless? What's going on?
 
A. The reports you have seen are erroneous, and we have contacted the media that have run these stories asking for corrections. The City Council and I have no official position and we have seen no opposition from Ketchum residents. Please understand that the city of Ketchum has no authority over the proposed relocation of Camp Rainbow Gold. The proposed site is in an unincorporated area of Blaine County, and any decisions are up to county officials.
 
I share your concern for children with cancer, and appreciate your taking the time to write. Please contact the Blaine County officials here.

Do you have a question for Mayor Nina Jonas? AskNina@ketchumidaho.org

Note: If you submit a question to "Ask Nina," your name may be published unless you request that it be withheld.
MOVING AHEAD WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION
EV Station City Council has approved partial funding of an electric-vehicle charging station, to be located at the Ore Wagon Museum on East Avenue. The total cost of the charging station is $8,627. The city will share the cost equally with Idaho Power. 
 
Approximately half of the 169 people who responded to a recent survey favored installing the station, and an additional 9 percent had no opinion or chose not to answer the question.
 
About two-thirds thought the city should charge a fee for the service. City Council has asked staff to evaluate the cost of the station, maintenance and electricity to determine the fee to the user.
 
Opinions were almost evenly divided on three possible locations: the Ore Wagon Museum, the city parking lot at Second Street and Washington Avenue and the city parking lot at Sixth Street and Leadville Avenue.
 
The city received more than 150 comments on the concept. Selected opinions follow:
 
Should the city invest in an electric vehicle charging station?
  • To prove we are on the cutting edge of energy innovation - yes!
  • Private enterprise should provide service if needed. Government has no business doing it!
  • Yes, the city should make the investment to get the ball rolling on charging stations. Ultimately, the city should plan for private operation of these stations.
  • The city is too small and too remote to attract electric vehicles! Bad idea, bad investment!
  • (A charging station) would encourage more people to purchase them (electric cars). The community has the financial means to purchase electric cars - let's promote it!
  • Charging stations for personal vehicles should be in personal residences. The city should not subsidize the fueling of personal transit.
  • Tourists need it, and it sends a good sign of leadership and being on the cutting edge!
  • We are so far from any place else, I doubt many tourists would come in their electric cars as the distance would be over the charge capacity.
  • Absolutely! If Ketchum is to be a leader in mountain-town sustainability and a model for municipal sustainability in general, the city must invest.
  • I cannot afford an electric vehicle. This is for wealthy people, but still a service we should provide.
  • An electric vehicle charging station seems to make sense (good promotion for Ketchum's forward-thinking approach to tech and environment.)
Should the city charge a fee for the service?
  • If the drivers don't pay 100 percent for the electricity to power their car, they shouldn't drive an electric car.
  • The fee should fully cover all of the city's costs in establishing and maintaining the charging station.
Choose the location you think would be best to place the electric vehicle charging station.
  • There's a little humor in using the Ore Wagon Museum. How about using both parking lots?
  • I think this location (Ore Wagon Museum) is easier to find for visitors and more visible to the general public than the parking lots.
  • Actually, it should be away from prime parking areas.
ROBYN MATTISON: ALWAYS FINDING SAVINGS FOR THE CITY
RobynMick 
Are you glad to see better paths to the river? A golf course irrigated with recycled water? Electricity rebates from Idaho Power, thanks to conservation measures?
 
You can thank Ketchum Public Works Director/City Engineer Robyn Mattison, recognized earlier this year as one of 14 outstanding young professionals across the country by the industry publication Water and Wastewater Digest.
 
These are among Mattison's accomplishments since she joined the city in 2013. "Her projects get results," Mayor Nina Jonas said. "When they produce savings for the community, she runs around the office to share her excitement with the team. It seems as if she is always running. That's probably why she produces more work than seems possible from any one person."
 
Mattison has played a major role in the following city improvements:
  • Installing high-efficiency turbo blowers, fluorescent lights and other energy-efficient equipment at the wastewater treatment plant. The city has already received rebates of almost $80,000 from Idaho Power.
  • Playing an integral role in helping the city and Sun Valley Water and Sewer District obtain a city/district wide Class A recycled water permit from the Department of Environmental Quality. This was the second permit of its type to be issued in Idaho.
  • Performing a disinfection validation study that saved thousands of dollars by allowing the city to utilize existing disinfection equipment rather than purchasing new equipment to meet limits needed to produce Class A recycle water.
  • Overseeing construction of a Recycled Water Pump Station at the wastewater treatment facility.
  • Working with the Weyyakin Subdivision to use recycled water for water features and irrigation within the subdivision and with the Sun Valley Water & Sewer District to use recycled wastewater to irrigate a golf course in Sun Valley.
  • Assistance in obtaining $195,000 in grants for sidewalk and street lighting in the community core.
  • Obtaining a $50,000 grant for a Transportation Planning Study.
  • Obtaining a $14,900 grant from American Rivers to improve public access to the Big Wood River. (See story below.)
  • Overseeing the recommendations and successful passage of a bond issue to replace antiquated water pipelines to save energy and maintenance. The next step is to look at possible repurposing of the old pipelines.
  • Managing the Trail Creek well rehabilitation, which resulted in almost doubling the well capacity.
  • Chairing the city's Traffic Authority Committee and serving as the city's representative on the Blaine County Regional Transportation Committee and countywide bike-ped master planning committee.
  • Serving on the Ketchum Arts Commission.
Mattison manages four teams critical to the city's operation: streets, water, wastewater, and facilities and maintenance.
 
She was familiar with the city even before she took her current position. She previously worked in Boise with Forsgren Associates, where her responsibilities included working on wastewater projects for the city of Ketchum. She also holds a B.S. in environmental engineering from California Polytechnic State University and an M.S. in civil engineering from Loyola Marymount University.
 
 
Mattison and 5-year-old Layne
"Like most engineers, Robyn is very methodical in the ways she reaches solutions. Just as engineering projects have to abide by the laws of physics, we all need to abide by clear and easy-to-follow guidelines for the city to run smoothly," Mayor Jonas said. "Robyn understands this. She knows how to find solutions that not only work but that also are efficient and save taxpayer dollars."
 
At the end of the day, she leaves for her home team: her husband and three daughters, ages 2 to 5. Needless to say, she's on the run there, too.

THANK YOU TO KETCHUM POLICE
Police Logo The Ketchum Police Division of the Blaine County Sheriff's Office received a thank-you from a Colorado police chief.
 
Dear Sheriff Ramsey,
This past week, I was in the valley on vacation. I didn't realize the Wagon Days were going on, but that was a special treat, which is also part of the reason I'm writing to you. My wife and I stopped in Ketchum to see what the parade and happenings were all about.
 
During our walk around town, I observed three officers working the downtown event. They were three officers in their late 20's or maybe early 30's, two men and one woman. I'm sorry that I do not know who they are. I watched them for a few minutes as they were interacting with people attending the event. They were very approachable, they hung out with the kids around them, and they talked with their parents and other people attending the event.
 
Given the difficulty we're all having in our jobs today, and the criticism that we're distanced from our community, I wish those who complain could have observed your folks in action. I wanted to let you know how proud I was to watch these young officers doing their jobs in an engaging, inviting, and interactive way.
 
Much credit belongs to the leadership as well. Officers mirror the expectations of their leadership, and it looks to me as if you and your command staff embrace community involvement.
 
Thanks to you and these officers for helping overcome the negative perceptions people have about the police.
 
Thank you again, and you all live in a beautiful part of the world.
(Name Withheld for Privacy)
HAPPY TRAILS PROJECT IMPROVES ACCESS TO RIVER
Happy  Trails Logo The city has completed trail rehabilitation on four more public access trails to the Big Wood River. Work included removing roots and rocks to prepare the trail bases, installing ¾" compacted road mix base, and topping the trails off with a layer of decomposed granite material. Funds came from a grant from American Rivers.
 
Improved trails lead to the river from the following locations:
  • Broadway Avenue
  • Wood River Drive at the south end of Bird Drive
  • River Ranch Drive south of the Wastewater Treatment Facility
  • Northwood Way, north of Saddle Road
Northwood Way Trail (before)
Northwood Way Trial (after)
Happy Trail signage will soon be placed at the trailheads and at intersections.
 
Please contact Robyn Mattison at rmattison@ketchumidaho.org if you are interested in sponsoring trail improvement work.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS REMOVED: COOLER TEMPERATURES, RAIN
Stage One fire restrictions have been removed from Blaine County due to cooler temperatures and recent moisture. 
 
However, fire managers remind the public that the accidental start of a wildfire can still be devastating. Be alert and be aware.  Follow these tips to help prevent wildfire:
  • Never leave a campfire unattended.
  • Keep water, dirt and a shovel near your fire at all times.
  • Make sure your fire is dead out and cold to the touch before you leave it.
  • Never use fireworks, exploding targets or tracer rounds on or near public land. Fireworks also are illegal in the city of Ketchum.
For more information on wildfire prevention, up-to-date fire information and resources on becoming Firewise, click here  .
CRATERS OF THE MOON SCULPTURES TO ARRIVE IN KETCHUM SOON
Grade The installation of two sculptures in city parks in the coming weeks will be testimony to the growing importance of the city on the national art scene.
 
The city and private donors contributed to the sculptures commissioned by the Sun Valley Center for the Arts for the recent Craters of the Moon project. They are part of the joint celebration of the National Park Service's centennial and the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts. The sculptures have been on display at the nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument since this spring.
 
The Center received the largest grant in its history, $48,000 from the Andy Warhol Foundation, to help support the project. Other institutions to receive grants from the Warhol Foundation include the Whitney Museum in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.
 
Formal ceremonies for the installation of John Grade's sculpture Spur will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the fork in the Wood River Trail just south of Serenade Lane. Parking is available in the Lower River Run parking lot, about one-third of a mile north of the location. Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas and members of the Ketchum Arts Commission will participate.
 
Both sculptures were designed specifically for the sites at the Craters of the Moon and their permanent homes in Ketchum.
 
Spur pays tribute both to the rugged landscape at Craters of the Moon, as well as Ketchum's long history with the railroad. The horizontal elements that link Spur's cedar arches are reminiscent of a train's rail lines, and the broken light that occurs as viewers pass through the sculpture is similar in feeling to the motion of a train moving through a landscape.
 
Middlebrook Jason Middlebrook's Homage to the Limber Pine will be installed in Little Park, east of the Ore Wagon Museum on Fifth Street East, by the end of September. For Middlebrook, it was important that his slate tree sculpture be placed in an environment where people could discover it in the context of other natural vegetation.
 
For additional information, contact the Sun Valley Center for the Arts at 726-9491 or information@sunvalleycenter.org  . 
BUSINESS NEWS
Labor Day Hotel Visits Up
Hotel occupancy in Ketchum and Sun Valley was 70 percent over Labor Day weekend, compared to 66 percent last year.

Find Your Path to Sun Valley 
Watch the latest promotional video from Visit Sun Valley, "The Unbeaten Path, It will find you when you're ready." 
 
Airport Improvements Under Way
Two changes at Friedman Memorial Airport should make flying more attractive. Nonstop flights to five destinations are running later into the fall season this year. In addition, the airport is installing a concession area. Food and beverages currently are available only from vending machines. 
WHAT WE'RE READING
Mayor Nina Jonas
2014.07.17 Jennifer L. Smith, director of parks and recreation
Micah Austin, director of planning and building
NEWS AT A GLANCE
Adams Gulch Bridge Closed for Tree Removal Oct. 4  
Both lanes will be closed at the Adams Gulch Bridge for approximately two hours from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oct. 4, to remove a dead tree.

Trail Creek Road to be Closed for Maintenance 
The graveled portion of Trail Creek Road will be closed to all traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p. m. from Monday, Sept. 19, through Friday, Sept.30. Roadwork will include clearing of debris fields from the uphill side of the road, grading to establish proper water drainage, installation of culverts, and building up the road base to establish a proper road crown and driving surface.

Any questions may be directed to Andrea Walton with Blaine County Administrative Services 788-5543.

Highway 75 near Hospital Drive
The Blaine County Sheriff's Office announced that it has begun rigorous enforcement of the illegal lane usage occurring on Highway 75 near the intersection of Hospital Drive, south of Ketchum. The current issue has resulted from lane constrictions due to the construction at Hospital Bridge, north of the intersection. When the northbound lanes of travel back up, some drivers are using the turning lane as a passing lane, shooting by other cars and intersections, and circumventing the law.
 
Sheriff Gene Ramsey pointed out, "This is a dangerous situation." Many times these drivers are so intent on getting where they are going they are not aware of other vehicles attempting to either cross the turning lane lawfully to enter the highway from a side street or vehicles traveling south making a legal left hand turn.
 
"It's an accident waiting to happen," said Ramsey and "we've had complaints."

Community Housing Workshop Oct. 21 
The public is invited and encouraged to attend a workshop on community housing at Ketchum City Hall on Friday, Oct. 21, at noon.

Monthly Billing for City Utilities to Start
The city will switch to monthly, rather than quarterly billing, for water and sewer service customers starting Oct. 1. 
 
Airport Seeks Artists to Display Work
The SUN Airport Art Committee, working in cooperation with the Ketchum Arts Commission, is inviting artists to submit work to be displayed at Friedman Memorial Airport. Deadline for applications is Friday, Oct.14.
 
Splash Park Closed
The Rainmaker Splash Park at Atkinson Park has been closed for the season due to cooler temperatures.

Coming Up at City Council 
This Monday's meeting agenda includes a public hearing on the fiscal year 2016-17 budget and recommendations to approve several contracts, including new tennis court construction. 
 
REMINDERS

Airport to Close Oct. 3-5 
Friedman Memorial Airport will be closed for runway maintenance from 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 3, through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Please consider this when you are making travel plans. 
MEETING INFORMATION
City Council 
Attend the next City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19. City Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month in Ketchum City Hall. Click here to see the agenda and staff reports or scan the QR code.

Planning and Zoning Commission 
Attend the next Planning and Zoning Commission meetings at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26. P&Z meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of each month in Ketchum City Hall. Click here for agendas and staff reports or scan the QR code.

Public Comment 
If you cannot attend the Council or P&Z meetings and would like to express an opinion, please submit your comments via email to participate@ketchumidaho.org. Your input and engagement is encouraged. All comments will be reviewed. 
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