City of Troy may not revisit annexation issue

The idea to annex nine lots that are surrounded by city limits will most likely not be heard at Troy City Council’s next meeting Dec. 16.

Mayor Jim Hammons said Monday that he didn’t foresee it going on December’s agenda because of lack of council interest.

The issue was tabled at November’s meeting after Hammons informed the divided council that if it came to a tie, he would vote to wait on passing a resolution of intent to annex.

The property in question is located north and east of the Silver Spur Restaurant off of Highway 2.

Councilmember Laura Schrader first made a motion at November’s meeting that was seconded by Larry Baker to pass an intent to annex, but Don Banning made a motion, seconded by Larry Coryell, to table it. After Hammons spoke, Schrader reconsidered and voted to wait. 

“This is not adequate time for the council to view this for the first time,” Baker said. “There are some questions that need to be answered first.”

Schrader pointed out the council had discussed the issue in its most recent work sessions and that it has been up for debate for much longer.

“It has been in the process for several months,” Schrader said, “and looked at for several years.”

It was, however, the first time councilmembers saw related paperwork provided by city attorney Mark Fennessy.

Some property owners in attendance felt they were taken off-guard. The city hadn’t notified them of the agenda item.

“I’m glad you guys are willing to take the time … We were finding out about this at the last minute,” said Herb Gregory. “Keeping residents in the dark is not a good idea.”

If the motion is discussed and passed at December’s meeting, the city would inform property owners and take comments for 30 days before it votes whether or not to continue the annexation process, Schrader said.

In January the issue will fall into the incoming council’s hands. Phil Fisher and Fran McCully will fill Schrader and Banning’s council seats, and Banning will become mayor.  

If annexed, owners will be obligated to hook up to city sewer and pay the city’s mill levies. If livestock currently resides on the property, it can’t be taken off and replaced because of a livestock ordinance with a grandfather clause. 

“If this passes, it could really impact us,” Gregory told the council, referring to livestock his family keeps on a lot directly behind the Silver Spur. 

Schrader says that it’s in the best interest of the city for the lots to be annexed because property owners enjoy city services without paying city taxes. They have city water, power, fire protection and snow plowing, she said, and benefit from police patrols because the city surrounds them.

 “They get those benefits and they don’t contribute,” Schrader said.

In other news at November’s meeting:

• The council voted Troy resident Allen Dye as the new city judge, contingent upon him passing a background check. Dye would take the place of Judge John Deuhr, who is retiring at the end of the year.

• The council granted Paul and Wanda Stark a business license for Riverview Photography. Wanda Stark explained that it would not be a walk-in studio, but a business more geared toward work for family and friends and the Internet.

• The council unanimously passed a motion to extend the life of the Certificate of Deposit on the Kootenai Senior Center for one year in order to fund repairs on the elevator.

• The council passed a motion to buy a used street sweeper from the county for $500.