Centennial Library

June 15, 2015 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on June 15, 2015 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:

Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
Pete Lane

City employees present were Chief Drew, Foreman Bob Mager, Clerk Kennedy and Attorney Green.  Public Works Director McFrederick absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

MINUTES:  The meeting was called to order and the minutes of June 1st were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lester.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

AGENDA AMENDAMENTS:  Councilwoman Dumas stated discussion on the City survey and comprehensive plan could wait until the next meeting since the agenda was fairly full.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to amend the agenda and add Jill Birklid of Oscars and Chad Jungert of Irwin’s as the information came in after the agenda deadline.

VISITORS:  Jill Birklid, Oscars Restaurant, requested a catering permit for a portion of the parking lot of Oscars.  They will put up temporary fencing and check IDs.  They will serve food in that area, but it will be a kid free zone.  On motion by Councilman Winkler, second by Councilman Peterson to allow Jill Birklid with Oscars to have a catering permit July 2nd – 4th, 2015 from 10:00 am – 2:00 am in the Oscars parking lot.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Dale Weeks explained when he was at the previous Council meeting he thought everything was figured out.  He felt the City wasn’t a good neighbor and should have been upfront with the amount of the fees due.  He then left the meeting.

Councilwoman Grant felt bad but thought he understood when we asked if he was willing to pay the fees that he knew about the buy in.  She felt he would have known what he’d be required to pay or would have talked to someone.  Mayor Walker stated he didn’t talk to anyone to ask the costs, including City Hall.  After discussion on the old community well and the one connection that served the entire area, a motion was made by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Winkler to waive the buy in fee on water for Dale Weeks’ property and stay with the out of City double rates, because it is a mixed up mess in that area.  Additional discussion occurred.  Mayor Walker didn’t like being told the City was not a good neighbor.  Mr. Weeks didn’t ask what the fees were and when we asked during the meeting, he said he was prepared to pay them.  The City takes care of a facility and he didn’t understand why people think they entitled to the connection.

Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.  Mayor Walker will visit with Mr. Weeks to inform him of the decision.

Chad Jungert, Irwin Drug, was present to request permission to have a lemonade stand on the sidewalk in front of his store during the summer.  It would stick out about 2.5’ into the sidewalk but it would not restrict sidewalk traffic.  Mayor Walker felt it tied into the limited sidewalk promotions for businesses.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  On motion by Councilwoman Grant, second by Councilman Peterson to approve 1 day pool passes for those that complete the library summer reading program.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The department had 40 cases written, 20 citations, 33 written warnings and 120 calls for service for May 2015.  The Police and Animal Control Report for May 2015 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilman Lester.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Fire Department Report for May 4th, May 11th, April 7th, May 26th and May 27th were accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present

Personnel Handbook changes recommended by the personnel committee were presented and explained by Clerk Kennedy.  On motion by Councilman Winkler, second by Councilman Lester to accept the recommendation by the personnel committee for the 2015-16 handbook changes.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $179,351.64 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.

III-A INSURANCE:  Clerk Kennedy explained the health insurance pool has positive things happening.  Due to the overall health of the pool, the following will be happening:
• III-A will purchase a $15,000 life insurance policy for all employees covered under the self-funded medical plans at no cost to the employee
• The City will be repaid the $9.06/employee/month paid at the launch of III-A as of October 1, 2015 for $861.
• The City will be reimbursed 25% of the $28,080 assessment starting October 1, 2016 and paid over 4 years.
• The City’s preliminary rate increase is -1%

SEWER CONNECTION POLICY:  Mayor Walker felt 6 months is too long to give the homeowner to replace the concrete.  He felt 30-45 days would be better. After discussion, it was suggested 30 days to complete the sidewalks.  If weather is a concern, the Public Works Director can grant an extension.  It was also question whether Quikrete should be allowed.  A revision to the policy will be on the next agenda.

GRASS HEIGHT REQUIREMENT:  Mayor Walker has been looking at all the lawns in the City that have not been mowed and felt something needed to be done.  He felt a 12” height limit on grass would be plenty.  Councilman Lane felt 6” was too tall.  After discussion it was suggested 8” would be a better number.  Attorney Green will draft an ordinance.

SIDEWALK WAIVER:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to grant Mary Ellen Thompson, 913 ½ N College an indefinite sidewalk waiver.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

REMOVE TREES IN THE RIGHT OF WAY:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to allow Nanette Jensen to remove two locust trees from the right of way at 504 South B Street.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

GRANGEVILLE HIGHWAY DISTRICT AND CROOKS STREET:  The City received a letter from Grangeville Highway District about Crooks Street.  The Committee made up of Mike Cook, Bob Mager, Scott Winkler and Beryl Grant met and recommended not accepting the Street based upon financial restrictions. On motion by Councilwoman Grant, second by Councilman Peterson to graciously reject the offer from Grangeville Highway on Crooks Street as the City cannot financial accept the road.  Attorney Green stated he visited with Attorney Wright and he didn’t think there will be any negative repercussions.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

HERITAGE SQUARE AND LEAPING SALMON:  Mayor Walker explained Kim Chenoweth would like to purchase a salmon from the horseshoe artist that completed the elk and donate it to the City, to be placed in the Heritage Square Fountain.  On motion by Councilman Winkler, second by Councilman Lester to accept the donation to place a leaping salmon in the fountain at Heritage Square.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

DEFORD WATER AND SEWER RELIEF LETTER:  Glen DeFord requested water and sewer relief on his utility bill.  He lives outside the City limit but it irritates him that he pays more than people inside the City limits.  He also has horses that drink from a water tank and he doesn’t want to pay sewer on that.  Councilwoman Grant stated Glen had visited with her and she suggested annexation or to not have horses drinking from the water; he wasn’t interested in either suggestion.  Currently Glen is paying his out of City utility bill.  The sewer rate is at a minimum.  No action was taken.

The Snowhaven tour is Wednesday at 5:30 pm.

ITEMS TO NOTE:  

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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