Centennial Library

June 24, 2013 Special Session

The City Council met in special session on June 24, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Beryl Grant
Mike Peterson
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
Brian Lorentz

City employees present were Public Works Director McFrederick, Attorney Green, Mike Curtiss and Clerk Kennedy.

AMENDMENT:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to add the fireworks issue to the agenda as it came in today.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FIREWORKS:  The Fireworks stand in Grangeville didn’t realize fireworks could only be sold June 29th –July 5th.  Mayor Walker explained the request is to be able to start selling sooner than that.  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to allow an exception for this year only to City Code 6-5-11 to allow sale of fireworks from June 25th at noon – July 5th.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WATER HOOK UPS AND ANNEXATION:  Discussion occurred on the request for water and sewer on the property owned by Frank Hausladen.  Mike Curtiss explained some background on the area.  The property, including surrounding properties was originally owned by Frank Howard.  The properties were served by a private well, although they also had City water as a back-up if the community well went down.  Curtiss believes the old water line was cut and capped.  Some properties were sold off and at this time, the only properties using the well are Rick Peterson and Syringa Thrift Store.  The water meter is being used by The Depot, even though it crosses the car wash property.  If the car wash property is purchased, it would need all new water lines and a meter.  Curtiss’s recommendation is that each property has its own meter.

The Depot could be annexed by way of Quality Heating.  Councilman Lester and Public Works Director McFrederick visited with The Depot owners and talked about the difference in taxes and the utility bill if annexation occurred.  At this time, if there are no other fees, they would be interested in annexing.

Councilman Lorentz stated The Depot is currently on the system and would not pay the buy in.  The car wash would need to pay the buy in.

Each party needs to have their own meter and have their own lines that don’t cross other people’s property.  The car wash property needs to pay the equity buy in fee.  The water buy in would be based on equivalent residence.

On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to tell The Depot the City will move forward with voluntary annexation, provide them a meter that they can hook up to with no buy-in fee and no hook-up fee and then tell Ted Wilkins the City will allow water and sewer if they pay the hookup and equity buy in fees and annex the property.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SWIMMING POOL HOURS:  Clerk Kennedy explained the counts the Pool Manager recorded during the 2012 season.  Saturday night and week day evenings in June were such a low turnout there was no doubt the hours needed to be adjusted.  Sundays were lighter in turnout when compared to day swims during the week and it costs the City a fair amount to be open for low swim numbers.  Councilman Lorentz explained that lifeguards need a life too.  Previously they have worked 7 days a week and in recent years it has been more difficult to have enough guards.  In order to break even on a 4 hour day swim, the City must have 93 swimmers in the pool.  Lorentz explained it is great the City has a manager that took the initiative to track counts and has ideas to better the pool and then made the effort to meet with the recreation committee.  A lot of thought and research went into reviewing the numbers and coming up with ideas that would help better serve the community.  The manager also had a survey for anyone that wanted to fill it out on ideas or suggestions for the pool and its operation.  From these surveys, additional pool offerings were made of night lap swim and evening swim lessons.

FOOTHILLS INC:  Attorney Green explained Foothills Inc. is asking the City for help.  The old City water system from the 50’s is fed out of springs and old wooden pipes.  The abandoned the system in the ground and has allowed Foothills Inc. to lease the water and pipes.  The lease is very clear that maintenance is the responsibility of Foothills Inc.  They Highway District has demanded that the pipe comes out.  Foothills Inc. is asking the City to donate time and manpower to help get the pipe out of the ground.  The City would tear out pipe where it is in the ditch not under the road.  The pipe running under the road will be filled with concrete.

Mike Curtiss felt if the City contributes it’s because the highway district engineer is working to convince everyone to fix the problem and making statements that are untrue.  If the City does help, he felt it would set a precedent for other Cities.  No Cities dig up old lines; they are abandoned in place.  Public Works Director McFrederick agrees with Curtiss.

No motion was made authorizing the City to help Foothills Inc.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

_____________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor

ATTEST:

______________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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