Ronan City Council leases MREC land to Pioneer Days Co.

Ronan Mayor Chris Adler shouted, “Hallelujah,” and everyone clapped as a motion was made and approved by Council for the Pioneer Days Company’s lease of the Mission Valley Range Event Complex land.

An addition of the Pioneer Days Company’s address and deleting a profit and loss statement yearly to the city from Pioneer Days had been added to the lease. It’s been a long haul, 19 years according to Kim Aipperspach, and all the Council members seemed glad to see it pass. 

Myers reported she’d had a conversation with Bob Cornwell. Cornwell was interested in fundraising and building a shooting sports facility on the MREC property. Myers said she explained that the land was leased to Pioneer Days Company.

In public comment, Cory Kamarainen raised concerns about two letters he had written to City Council members, one last month and one this month, and he’d emailed the documents. Neither document was received by council members. 

“These are serious concerns. I think they should be addressed by the council…the public should be able to have direct access,” Kamarainen said. 

Mayor Adler replied, “Just in reply, my personal opinion is if it’s important enough, they’ll get on the agenda and come to the meeting. There are two Council people from every ward, so it’s easy to go talk to your neighbor, too.”

Council member Lindsay Myers said the contact information is advertised, and the emails on the city of Ronan website are given for each council member. She can not access hers. 

Ronan City Clerk Kaylene Melton said she would show Myers the process. 

Also on the agenda was Jannel Smart, owner of the 2nd Chance Saloon. Smart wanted to discuss concerns she had about some hard feelings between the bars in town, which Smart felt was prompted by an article in the newspaper.  

“I don’t have a problem with 325 (Bar and Grill) or Pioneer Days or Travis (who owns The Pheasant) or Valley Club or anybody else,” Smart said. “...I have zero desire to cause any problems from bar to bar.”

The floor was open to discussion of the issue. 

“I’m good,” Bartelt said. “The situation has arose in this town, this will be about the fourth time now.”

His advice was to ask questions first, adding that most of these people are pretty accessible most of the time. 

“Before you make a public comment, just make a quick little phone call...asking what’s going on? In regards to my relationship to Pioneer Days, on a personal level, I’m more than happy to explain, it’s an open book, pretty easy to explain. Just so we don’t have problems in the future,” Bartel said.

Council voted to allow a street closure on Sept. 21 on First Avenue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Harvest Fest.

Next the council approved the Ronan Police Department to secure a lease of the space Bishop Insurance had occupied.  

Ronan Police Chief Davidson noted that council had been talking about the police department’s cramped space at the last few meetings. The lease would double the department’s space, and, in addition, there is warehouse space out the back. 

Myers asked if the lease would fit in the budget, and Aipperspach also asked if funds were available. The lease would fit in the budget, Davidson said. 

Continuing the business filled meeting, City Clerk Kaylene Melton apprised the council that the business street lighting was not assessed in 2023. She had asked Temporary Lake County Treasurer Robyn Vert if the 2023 assessment could be added to the 2024 assessment. It can, and Council member Larry Hall agreed with Kayleen that business owners should receive a letter from the city explaining the situation. A motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

The next meeting will be held Sept. 25 at Ronan City Hall at 6 p.m.