Centennial Library

April 19, 2010 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on April 19, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:

Del Houger
Michael Peterson
Wes Lester
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Georgia DeHaas

City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Quantz, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the April 6th meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

AGENDA AMENDMENT:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to add the transfer of liquor license application for Walle Enterprises LLC d/b/a The Establishment to the agenda as the request came in today.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS:  Gary McEwen was present to ask that the Fourth Annual Triathlon be held on August 20th and 21st at the Grangeville City Pool and that the City waive the pool rental fee and consider providing two lifeguards for the event as a donation.  Friday night is the youth event and Saturday morning is the adult event.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to allow the Triathlon to use the City pool free of charge on August 20th and 21st and that the City provide two lifeguards at no charge.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Gary McEwen also was present representing Grangeville Youth Baseball (GYB).  He has been on the committee for eight years and he is just trying to find out what is the City’s and what is GYB’s decision to make.  Over a period of eight years, the profit for youth baseball has been about $1,000.00.  In the future they would like to see it grow by having fields sponsored so they are able to bring the fencing and backstops up to date.  Gary asked if the City would consider allowing the Youth Baseball sponsors sign to be moved from the current Highway 95 location to the Lion’s Park and to allow sponsor billboards for outfield fencing.

Mayor Walker stated that previously the Council didn’t want advertising in the park with permanent sponsors and didn’t want to have a lot of advertising on any City property.  The Council is proud of not having advertising boards on City property.  Mayor Walker was not in favor of sponsor signs.

Gary McEwen also requested to allow Dave Alder to have his shaved ice stand at the park as GYB would receive 25% and GYB did not feel it would interfere with the rest of their sales at the snack shack.  Councilman Lorentz felt GYB should determine what concessions and/or vendors they wanted at the park and then coordinate with the City Clerk to ensure that the vendor would have insurance.  The Council was in agreement with Councilman Lorentz.  Mayor Walker felt that additional vendors should not be allowed at the park as GYB has permission to operate their concession stand.

Gary McEwen then requested who was responsible for hanging the scoreboard sponsor sign above the scoreboard as the high school had the sign ready to hang.  This generated additional comments on whether the City would allow the sponsor sign and what the previous conversation was concerning the scoreboard.  Gary volunteered to find out how the conversation took place and who gave permission to hang the sponsorship sign with the scoreboard.

The last request submitted was whether the park could be posted no smoking during the baseball season or possibly during organized activities.  Discussion occurred, but no decision was made so smoking remains an allowed use at the park.

Sue Kutner requested to use Pioneer Park on July 15, 22, 29 and August 12 from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. for the Grangeville Arts series.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to grant Grangeville Arts the use of Pioneer Park on July 15th, 22nd, 29th and August 12th for their concerts series pending no booked conflicts.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Houger to approve the catering permit for The Gallery to cater for Irwin Drug on May 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Jeff Kutner was present to request a letter of support to go with the RFP application for Ida-Lew due May 12th.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to write a letter of support for Ida-Lew to be submitted with the application to the State.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  The Snowhaven Minutes of April 1, 2010 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WWTP:  There was a phone conference with EPA, DEQ, Attorneys Green and Allen, Councilman Lester, Mayor Walker and Public Works Director Gortsema.  Gortsema outlined the City’s Plan B, which is phosphorus removal at the plant and that the City is working on the detailed schedule and will provide everyone with a copy when completed.  The City will not be in compliance for this year, but hope to stay on schedule and be in compliance next year.  J-U-B will update the facility plan based upon Plan B of the City.

EAST SOUTH 9TH STREET DISCUSSION:  Hunter Edwards started on the survey to create legal descriptions for East South 9th Street, the alley between East South 9th and East South 10th Streets and the fence agreement by the alley.  During that process, Hunter Edwards determined an error in the agreement where Hall Street was used instead of East South 9th Street and that the east/west property lines were off approximately 2.2 feet.  Attorney Green will fix the typos in the agreement and have the property owners resign the agreement so the process can continue.    One way to fix the east/west property lines would be to take 2.2 feet out of the Hall Street right of way so no one loses property.  Because this is not a City error, a request to vacate a portion of Hall Street right of way and to correct the property lines would need to be made by an affected property owner.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $333,984.61 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SEWER RATE INCREASE:  Mayor Walker would like to postpone discussion on the sewer rate increase for a future date as the City is waiting on information from USDA, D.A. Davidson and block grant information.

ESTABLISHMENT:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to approve the liquor application transfer for Walle Enterprises LLC d/b/a The Establishment pending State approval.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor

ATTEST:
_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk

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