ALBION -- The Albion Normal School campus property will need to be surveyed and the city will also need to determine what part(s) of the property it may want to keep, Mayor Don Danner told the City Council during its December meeting.

The council also discussed a variety of issues, such as the audit review, city water rates and updated code books. But the monthly meeting began with a special recognition of the city's water plan.

Melinda Harper, a ground water protection specialist with the Idaho Rural Water Association, presented a Certificate of Achievement plaque to the Albion City Council. It was inscribed: "In recognition of outstanding efforts to protect the City of Albion's drinking water through the development and implementation of a certified Drinking Water Protection Plan." The plaque was signed by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Toni Hardesty, director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and Don Munkers, executive director of IRWA.

Albion is now one of 90 out of 2,900 cities in the state that has a certified plan, Harper said. She thanked members of the citizen planning team, chaired by Councilman Rick Mahoney, for their work in preparing the plan. Two large signs designating that the city is a "drinking water protection area" and several posters were also presented to the council. At the conclusion of her presentation, Harper gave the mayor a personal check to purchase a tree to place in the city park.

City Auditor Jeff Poulsen reviewed the 2005 audit of the city accounts. He stated that it was a clean report. After noting that the general fund was over budget for the third year in a row, he and the council discussed the reasons for the problem. He stated that the total budget was in the black due to enterprise or business funds being under budget. The council accepted the audit.

The council members received a binder containing updated codified city ordinances. The books were prepared by City Clerk Mary Yeaman after it was found that not all members had the updated copies of city ordinances.

A city water rate fee structure prepared by IRWA was introduced. Danner noted that the suggested fees are just slightly lower than the ones presented by the council in an earlier town meeting. The council agreed that more time was needed to study the information before making a decision on the new rates, which will be based upon the reading of the water meters.

The mayor outlined some items that need to be addressed before dialogue can begin on the lease or sale of the campus property. He announced that a letter had been received from another group interested in purchasing the campus. In the November meeting, the Albion Campus Foundation expressed interest in buying the campus. Danner stated that he had contacted Steve Pierce about a new survey of the property after the city determines what part of the campus it wants to keep. He also noted that the exact property leased to the ASN/SICE Alumni Association for its museum needs to be determined.

In other business, it was announced that future council meetings will be held in the Community Center. Approval was also given for an electrician to rewire the pavilion in the city park to accommodate more electrical outlets. Discussion was held about the need to establish procedure for use by others of the Community Center and it was announced that the local historical groups are sponsoring a reception to honor retiring Mayor Danner that will include a Grand Ball beginning at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30, in the Community Center.