SANDPOINT — Wednesday’s city council meeting will cover a comprehensive plan workshop update, a grant supporting efforts of the Sandpoint Police Department, revisiting a subdivision preliminary plat, and a wastewater treatment plant pipe repair, among other items.

A comprehensive plan workshop is expected to be scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29. The council will confirm this date as well as next steps for adoption of the plan.

Council members are also expected to approve an Idaho Transportation Department Office of Highway Safety Grant agreement that will support a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. After agreeing to apply for the grant last February, the city received an award of $50,000 with a $12,500 (25%) match requirement in addition to the $50,000 federal share. The funding period for the grant is from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, with a schedule for identified focus areas. For example, a focus for New Year’s Eve will be impaired driving, while a focus for the week of National Seat Belt Day will be occupant protection.

“This grant provides funding for efforts addressing specific behavior-related traffic safety priority areas,” city officials said on an agenda report. “These include: Impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving, occupant protection (seal belt), bicycle, pedestrian, motorcycle safety, youthful drivers, and traffic records.”

Following a public hearing during the Oct. 18 council meeting regarding Westpointe Place Subdivision preliminary plat, council voted to postpone action until Wednesday’s meeting.  This decision was made to “allow time for staff to fully evaluate the request of the developer to phase final platting and to provide additional time to take into consideration the public,” the agenda said.

The council is also being asked to declare the repair of a sludge pipe at the wastewater treatment plant an emergency, per Idaho Code 67-2808 which covers emergency repairs.

“The primary sludge discharge pipe running from the primary sludge pumping building to the primary digester at the City’s WWTP failed,” officials said. “ … A temporary pipe has been installed above grade but is not suitable for winter operation as it is subject to freeze.”

The anticipated construction cost for repairs is over $50,000. The city does not have adequate time to obtain three bids for the project, which are normally required by Idaho Code. Instead, the city plans to consider repair of this line an emergency that must be completed as soon as possible.

Other items on the agenda include an Avista Electric and Gas Franchise Ordinance and a Sole Source Expenditure Declaration for PSI Water Technologies concerning a chlorine generator at the WWTP.

Wednesday’s meeting will be held at Sandpoint City Hall, 1123 Lake St., starting at 5:30 p.m. The public can attend in person or online at sandpointidaho.gov.