For the week of August 15 - 21, 2001

School scores at 
council meeting

Hailey finalizes annexation 
and grants PUD

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By PETER BOLTZ
Express Staff Writer

The Blaine County School District scored two for two Monday night at a Hailey City Council meeting.

The development team for the proposed new Wood River High School, led by district Superintendent Jim Lewis, came to have its annexation finalized and to obtain final approval for its planned unit development application.

Lewis and the development team received both, and when it was over, they applauded themselves.

The annexation ordinance includes a 17.3-acre parcel to be used for a new high school and a 5.4-acre parcel that will not be part of the new school’s campus. The annexation of the 5.4 acres was initiated by the city, because if it were not annexed, it would create an island of county property inside city limits.

The district’s 17.3 acres borders the north and east sides of the current high school’s Homer Field.

The council’s approval of the district’s PUD application allows fewer parking spaces than required by city law. The approval also allows for the new school’s gym to exceed city height restrictions.

The number of parking spaces proposed by the school district is 1,361, 58 short of that required by city ordinance. This number was further decreased by 129 when the council decided that Founder’s Field should not be used as overflow parking as the school district had proposed.

The proposed gym will exceed height restrictions by 5.5 feet; the city approved 40.5 feet.

In exchange for allowances of parking spaces and building height, the city will get the hillside to the east of the proposed high school’s campus.

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The council also passed an ordinance increasing the salaries of the mayor and council members.

After next year’s election, the mayor’s salary will increase from $1,000 a month to $1,167. Council members’ salaries will go up from $400 a month to $450.

By Idaho law, salary increases for mayors and council members must be done in an election year, at least 60 days before the election.

The council also passed an ordinance raising the monthly water fee from $14.45 to $15.13. The monthly sewer fee will remain the same, $22.95.

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