Centennial Library

June 20, 2011 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on June 20, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Wes Lester
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Georgia DeHaas

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

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

AGENDA AMENDMENTS:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to amend the agenda for the catering permit for the Triangle Tavern and the request to have a band at the Triangle, as information came in around noon today.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORSSonja Clark would like to have the City create a beach volleyball court at Pioneer Park.  She felt it would get a lot of use and would be great for the community.  Councilwoman DeHaas felt she would like to see overwhelming support by signatures before adding something like that to the park.  Councilman Lester was concern about the court becoming a litter box for area cats.  Mayor Walker stated the Council would need to know if the community supports the project.  Councilman Peterson wasn’t sure Pioneer Park was the right location.  He felt it’s a park in which to relax, sit and visit.  Councilman Lorentz stated kids already play volleyball up there right now throughout the summer.  Bars and parks all have sand courts in them; they are everywhere.  Mayor Walker said it sounded like a very good idea but felt the Council needed more information.

PERSONNEL HANDBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:  The following are requests and recommendations for handbook changes that will take effect October 1st.

• Make new pay rates for cost of living effective the 1st payroll in Oct even if it includes part of September.  Recommendation:  Leave as is.
• Longevity pay step increases for employees with 5 years or greater service.  Recommendation:  Leave as is.
• For 15 year employee or more, increase vacation days received by one additional day per year classification.  Recommendation:  Leave as is.
• On a workers compensation claim allow employee 4 hours for a Lewiston appointment, 1 hour for a Grangeville appointment, as paid leave without using vacation or sick.  Recommendation:  Leave as is.
• Request for office staff to get compensation time by working overtime periodically.   Recommendation:  Up to department head.
• Require a salary employee to take sick or vacation leave any time they are not at work to account for all hours not worked.  Recommendation:  Leave as is.

Committee recommended modifications:

Page 14 – Amend to read as follows:
Employees have the option of using and being paid for one-half (1/2) of vacation or sick leave time to supplement State Industrial Insurance for job-related illness or injury.

Page 15 – Amend “J” to read as follows:

J.  Unscheduled Time Off

1.  Inability to Arrive for Scheduled Shift:  If a situation prohibits an employee from getting to work, the employee has the option of using vacation, compensation time or leave without pay for those hours not worked.

2.  Emergency Time Off:  All Departments – Should a personal emergency arise that requires an employee to leave his/her job after reporting for work, the employee will not be charged with time off for that work day, provided approval is given by the Department Head.  Should an emergency arise that requires an employee to be absent for an entire work day, he/she will utilize accrued but unused sick leave, vacation time or accrued compensation time.  If these benefits have been exhausted, the absence will be considered leave without pay.

On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Bentley to accept the handbook recommendations as presented by the committee.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FUNDING UPDATE WWTP:  Clerk Kennedy stated the City received unofficial notice that they would be receiving a $500,000.00 Community Development Block Grant and USDA Rural Development grant and loan funding for the WWTP project.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $268,492.95 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.

WATERSHED LOGGINGTera King with Northwest Management was present to review the work being completed on the watershed.  Thanks to Idaho County funding, work on the fuel break has been in progress the last month or so and will continue for a couple more weeks.

On the logging side of things, log and pulp prices are better than anticipated and logging costs are lower.  They plan to hire Jesse Geis from the Keuterville area.  They have worked with him before and are comfortable with them.  Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract documents for the Timber Harvest on the Watershed.  They hope to start after the 4th of July if there is no snow and it would be completed by the end of August.

Due to logging prices, Northwest Management would like to ask the Council to reconsider their no fee on pulp as originally proposed.  They are asking that the Council reconsider and allow them to have $1.00/ton on pulp prices to administer the project.  An amendment to the contract will be sent to the City for consideration.

TRIANGLE TAVERN CATERING PERMITChuck Rodgers was present to request a catering permit for 3 days for a beer garden in their parking lot.  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to approve a catering permit for the Triangle Tavern from July 2nd-4th from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to grant the Triangle Tavern approval to have a band from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. on July 3rd.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CATERING PERMIT FOR ERNIE’S MAN CAVE:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the catering permit for Ernie’s Man Cave for July 2nd – 4th from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SURPLUS:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to surplus the 1995 Ford police/animal control vehicle.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor

ATTEST:

________________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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