Ponderay purchases old schoolhouse

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PONDERAY — City Council discussed the vagrants at the city waterfront property and purchase of an old schoolhouse at Monday’s meeting.

Mayor Steve Geiger told the council he was looking into more police department sweeps of the area.

“Seems like every year we always have a few people that kind of drop in and stay for a little while and move on. But they do have fires and leave trash and who knows what else is going on,” said Geiger.

City Council Member Brenda Thompson said she was concerned about vagrants staying long term along the waterfront during the summer months and the risk of fires.

“I'm just concerned that it's gonna get more predominant. Especially where they're clearly having fires. [As a council] should be aware and start thinking about how we are gonna handle this,” said Thompson.

Under the proposed ordinances there would be an amendment to the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget to use money for the purchase of property and other expenses.

Among items addressed by the council were the purchase of a former school house on Birch Street, which was purchased for $326,000. In addition, the council discussed extra monies allocated to the budget which went to wages, benefits and insurance for city employees, from Legals posted in July 24, edition of the Bonner County Daily Bee.

The ordinance passed.

“We are still trying to figure out what to do with the schoolhouse and may form a committee to decide,” Geiger said.

Council members discussed putting in a kitchen and using the building as a community center.

Ponderay City Council meetings take place every other Monday at 6 p.m. at Ponderay City Hall, 288 Fourth St. The next meeting will take place on August 30.

Residents can participate via Zoom if they register in advance through the city website at www.cityofponderay.org/council-meeting-agenda.