Centennial Library

March 17, 2014 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on March 17, 2014 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
Brian Lorentz

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

MINUTES:  The meeting was called to order and the minutes of March 3rd were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lester.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

AMENDMENTS:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilwoman Grant to amend the agenda as presented to approve the pawn-secondhand license to add the B&B Bargain license to the agenda.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORSTony Sabatino was present requesting the transfer of the liquor license from Rookies Sports Bar and Grill to Seasons Restaurant.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the transfer of the liquor license from Rookies Sports Bar and Grill to Seasons Restaurant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WWTP PHASE II UPDATE:  Public Works Director McFrederick stated the contractor has 32 working days left on the contract.  The electrical is done, the VFD for mixers are ready to go, and the blower motors have been changed over.  The contractor hopes to start the screw press during the 1st week in April as soon as auger gets here.  The contractor has been great.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve Pay Request #8 to Shannon Industrial for $50,255.00.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  The department had 41 cases written, 21 citations, 3 written warnings and 107 calls for service for February 2014.  The Police and Animal Control Report for February 2014 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilwoman Grant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Snowhaven Minutes of March 6, 2014 were accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lester.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilwoman Dumas provided a short Ida-Lew report.  Melisa Bryant continues to do good things for the organization.

Recreation Committee Report:  Ciarra Benton, pool manager has obtained her instructor certificate to teach the lifeguard class.    Public comment from a parent and the school counselor was that in past years students were interested, but the class times were too difficult to attend.  Ciarra and Clerk Kennedy met to set up a tentative schedule for the class, working around graduation and a local volleyball camp.  As long as the City has staffing, the pool would open for swim lessons on June 9th with open swim starting June 14th at the earliest.  It was suggested having public comment on pool hours at the May 5th meeting prior to setting actual hours.

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION DETAILS MANUAL:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve the Construction Specification Details Manual and get it posted online.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

DOWNTOWN AREA AND ADA PARKING LOCATIONS:  Councilman Peterson supplied a map of the suggested downtown area with proposed ADA parking spots.  After discussion, Attorney Green was asked to draft an ordinance for the next meeting.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $358,522.80 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PAWN LICENSE B & B BARGAIN:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the pawn-secondhand/junk license for Brian Perry d/b/a B & B Bargain.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION:  Mayor Walker proclaimed April 25th Arbor Day in the City of Grangeville.

ARBOR DAY GRANT: Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the grant application.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

EGRESS WINDOWS:  Clerk Kennedy explained Jim Yeoman, building inspector, suggested the City adopt an ordinance requiring egress windows in sleeping or bedrooms for existing structures when replacing windows.  Yeoman felt it was a life safety issue.  The current IBC requires egress windows for new construction and in commercial settings but not for residential.  Discussion occurred among Council members with many feeling it would be an added burden on homeowners and the size required could be cost prohibitive.  The Council requested Kennedy bring back additional information on what the requirements would be for egress windows.

BEER LICENSE FOR BORDER DAYS:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilwoman Grant to approve the beer license for Grangeville Country Club Inc. at the Grangeville Rodeo Grounds during Border Days subject to beer garden approval.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WWTP PROJECT CHANGE ORDER:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve change Order #4, Shannon Industrial Contractors Inc. for $11,223.00.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

RESORT LOCAL OPTION TAX AND URBAN RENEWAL:  Councilwoman Dumas presented information on Resort Local Option Tax (LOT) and she is interested in a general tax of .5% for the City.  She supplied information from six Cities in Idaho who currently use LOT.  The revenue stays in the City for a specific project.  To have a LOT, 60% voter approval is needed.

Councilman Lorentz felt a .5% general sales tax increase would be hard to sell to public.  He felt a hotel tax might work.  Councilwoman Grant felt citizens might be in favor of voting for street improvements.  Mayor Walker felt .5% would be a burden and he felt Main Street shouldn’t have to pay for upgrades that maybe the citizens should be through LIDs.  He wouldn’t be in favor of a LOT.  Councilman Lester stated the City is short on money but still wasn’t sure on the direction.  Councilwoman Grant felt it’s a good discussion item.  Clerk Kennedy will try to find sales tax numbers for Grangeville.

FIRE HYDRANT USE:  Councilman Lester explained discussion occurred during a budget session that maybe there should be a $100 hookup fee and then $100/hour to hook up to a fire hydrant if the location is outside the City limits.  He had visited with two insurance agents and they felt the $100 hookup fee should be $500.  Most insurance policies have a benefit to pay that cost.  Additional discussion occurred.  Attorney Green will look at other cities to determine what they do.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.

Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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