Centennial Library

July 6, 2009 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on July 6, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:

Del Houger
Wes Lester
Michael Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Georgia DeHaas
Linda Aiken

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

The meeting was called to order.

AGENDA AMENDMENT:  Clerk Kennedy had two proposed additional agenda items, with the requests needing action before the next meeting.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the two proposed items on the amended agenda.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

MINUTES:  The minutes of the June 15th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORSJulie Worthington introduced Kia Frost, the Farmers Market intern for the summer through the Department of Labor.  On July 25th, the Farmers Market would like to use the sidewalks along Main and State Street for sidewalk art.  The purpose of the sidewalk art competition is to allow the public to display their talents and to bring additional people to the market.  The Farmers Market would take are of cleaning the sidewalks when completed.  It was noted that the State Street sidewalk is broken up; therefore only a portion of the Main Street sidewalks would be used.  On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester to allow the Farmers Market to use a portion of the Main Street sidewalk for a drawing contest using chalk on July 25, 2009.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Sally Soltman requested permission to hang a Relay for Life banner for two weeks, starting July 9th and ending the 18th.  Julie Worthington from the Farmers Market was present to state that they didn’t have a problem having their banner removed for those two weeks.  Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Houger to approve the request to hang the Relay for Life banner from July 9-18th.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Steve Munson, 204 South Boulevard was present with his renter, Michael Nelson.  Mr. Nelson explained that they have a lease to own on the property and they wanted to erect a privacy fence around the back yard.  They would like to place the fence approximately 5’ in the right of way on South Street, which would still allow room for a sidewalk.  They would also like to build the 6’ privacy fence 46’ from the corner instead of 50’ so the fence is flush with the house.  Public Works Director Gortsema and Chief Sedam did not see any visibility issues.  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to grant Steve Munson his request to have a fence taller than 3’ within 50’ of the corner and to allow the 6’ privacy fence in the right of way.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 164 calls for service.  There were 101 cases written, 41 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony arrest, 38 citations, 10 written warnings issued, 7 dogs and 2 cats handled.  The Police and Animal Control Report for June 2009 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.  Chief Sedam hired Shane Nichols as the new officer.  Border days went well.

On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of June 30, 2009.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilwoman Aiken to approve the variance for Ken Singh at 404 North A to build an addition to his house on the property line.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Planning and Zoning recommendations for subdivision preliminary plat extensions requested by The Vineyards and Pebble Creek Subdivisions were discussed.  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to grant a five year extension to The Vineyards Subdivision.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman Aiken to grant a five year extension to Pebble Creek Subdivision.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CENSUS PARTNER:  The Council felt it was important to get as much information out to the public as possible when the census took place.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to have the City become a census partner for the 2010 Census.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.  Mayor Walker appointed Mike Peterson as the lead contact for the census since he has prior census experience.

ORDINANCE NO. 851

(Ordinance No. 851 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FEES PERTAINING TO DISCONTINUED SERVICE REQUEST; PROVIDING FEES FOR RECONNECTION; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 8-5-9 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE RELATING TO RECONNECTION DEPOSIT; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.

On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lorentz that the first reading be approved, that the rules be suspended, the second and third readings be waived and the ordinance be approved and adopted.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Aiken, Peterson.  NO:  none.  The motion passed.  Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 851 duly approved and adopted.

SEWER PROJECT ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE AUTHORIZED:  Public Works Director Gortsema asked the contractor if their schedule would allow extra work and if so, would they hold the same price.  The contractor was willing to do so; therefore, J-U-B prepared change order #1 for a total footage addition of about 700’ at $39,505.00.  Public Works Director Gortsema recommended approval to allow the contractor to order parts.  It was not budgeted within the line item for new lines but it will stay within the overall sewer department budget.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to approve change order #1 in the amount of $39,505.00 to complete an additional 700’ of line.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

RESIGNATION LETTERS:  Mayor Walker read and accepted the two letters of resignation submitted by Vance Schmaus and Linda Ruthruff.

CURB REPLACEMENT AT CITY HALL:  Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the curb on College Street is in bad shape.  WH Concrete gave an estimate to replace approximately 280’ of the existing curb only, with a curb and gutter pan for $5,880.00.  The Street Department budget appears to have about $38,000 in excess funds.  When the state revenue shortage of about $11,000.00 is taken into account, it leaves about $24,000 for additional street projects.  If the City hires WH Concrete, they would do the work most likely in August.  Gortsema recommends replacing the curb and gutter pan at City Hall.  On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester to replace the City Hall curb for approximately $6,000.00 and use WH Concrete as the contractor.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

DUST ABATEMENT:  Mayor Walker stated that he knew the City decided not to do dust abatement which may have been the correct choice, but he felt it was done in the incorrect way.  He felt if the City was going to cut dust abatement, then the citizens should know a full year in advance.  Several people have come to him and they want to do the abatement, but can’t get everyone on their block to do it.  Mayor Walker felt the City should apply one coat of dust abatement this year instead of two.  Then if the City decides not do it next year, the citizens would know a year in advance.  Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the City normally applies two applications, one in May or June and another in the fall.  Councilman Lorentz explained that the City of Cottonwood pays for half and the property owner pays for the other half.  The streets look like a checkerboard as they don’t require full participation of the block.  Gortsema stated that one treatment is about $8,400.00 and the company the City uses is about three weeks out on their schedule.  Councilman Houger stated that the disappointing thing to him with dust abatement is that those that live there don’t want to pay for paving or dust abatement.  He lives on a gravel street and doesn’t feel that those that don’t own property on those streets should have to pay where they already paid for their street.  Councilwoman Aiken agreed that it’s not fair to have others pay for dust abatement, but feels maybe it should be done one time this year and see what happens.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman Aiken to apply one coat of dust abatement for 2009.  Motion carried, Councilwoman DeHaas and Councilman Lorentz voting no.

GRANGEVILLE HIGHWAY DISTRICT SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUEST:  Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Houger to grant Grangeville Highway District an indefinite sidewalk waiver on sidewalks on Hill and North A and North B Streets.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CATERING PERMIT:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the catering permit to cater at the Idaho National Guard Armory for Friends of the NRA Banquet on August 7, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk

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