Centennial Library

May 16, 2016 Regular Meeting

City Council met in regular session on May 16, 2016 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:

Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Pete Lane
Amy Farris

Councilmembers absent: Wes Lester

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of May 2nd were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lane. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Carlos Martinez was present to introduce himself as an Idaho County Sheriff Candidate.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department had 27 cases written, 14 citations, 2 written warnings and 135 calls for service for April 2016. The Police and Animal Control Report for April 2016 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilman Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Fire Department Report for April 11th and 25th, 2016 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilwoman Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CITY SURVEY: Councilman Lane stated the committee will meet Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. They should have the results to the Council by August.

WATERSHED MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL: Councilman Peterson stated the committee met and discussed issues and then visited with those involved. He talked to Tera King, Todd Mark and Jeff Schwendener. There is no issue on the insurance if the City doesn’t charge. Tera King told him the City of Coeur d’Alene allowed multiple trails and then the City wanted to log the area and those using the trails sued the City. She wants to see the City protected. It was also said there are jeep trails with windfall that maybe could be used if the width and height are kept down so ATVs can’t use the same trail.

Jeff Schwendener stated the group is more than willing to sign paperwork stating they have no say or actions in the property.

Attorney Green stated he could look into the example Tera had given. His concern is this group might sign and but 30 years from now it could be someone else that sues the City.

Mayor Walker felt Tera should come and meet with the committee before anything can be authorized to move forward with the project. Then Tera could make a recommendation to the Council.

Todd Marek explained he had visited with Councilman Peterson and he has been a part of a mountain bike clubs in the area. The liability, as long as the City doesn’t charge, is low. If they charge for a race or event, the liability goes up. There are certified trail builders; at one time the forest service had a couple.

POOL UPDATE: The pool opens on June 4th. They have reduced hours June 4-June 17 with hours running 7am – 4:40pm. The full schedule starts June18th. There will be no evening swim lessons in July; family and lap swim will take place instead.

BILLS: The bills in the amount of $157,981.00 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilwoman Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

TALL GRASS ORDINANCE: It was explained there was ordinance enforcement concerns so the City is now looking at a revision. Attorney Green added language for an exemption from the ordinance for reasonable cause. The Council could grant the exemption. Councilwoman Grant is worried about being set up for discrimination. She felt it should either be enforced or thrown out.
Councilman Winkler felt like the ordinance was rushed. It’s hard to determine who should get a waiver. Some of the industrial zone is the entrance into Grangeville. There is also the fire hazard letter that could be used. He would like to discuss getting rid of the ordinance.

Councilwoman Farris felt some things are circumstantial. She has a neighbor that isn’t very well off and her kids mow the lawn. Councilman Lane felt the ordinance should be kept. He felt there is potential for fire hazards. He felt the Council could talk about it and tweak it. The City could overall be a little more tidy. Councilman Peterson had mixed feelings. He felt there is a need for something but don’t know if the current ordinance is the right one.

Mayor Walker stated the ordinance could be broken into zones and industrial could be exempt. Councilman Winkler responded there areas of industrial that are the entrance to town and should look nice. A house by the school was noted and Rick Thanstrom explained it is being dealt with currently.

Rick Thanstrom wanted clarification on drainage, culverts and other areas including definition of wooded areas. Mayor Walker felt the obvious could be enforced. Some Council members were concerned about discrimination.

Attorney Green stated it’s not discrimination in the legal sense. Enforcing residential and not industrial is not discrimination. Some ordinances are already enforced more than others. The fireworks ordinance is a good example. Attorney Green stated the ordinance could be enforced on what you know for sure is not exempt.

Councilwoman Grant felt there should be a committee. Mayor Walker asked Councilmembers Grant, Lane, and Winkler with Attorney Green and a police department representative to meet.

BEER LICENSE: On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Farris to approve a beer by the drink license for Grangeville Border Days Inc. d/b/a Grangeville Border Days at the Grangeville Rodeo Grounds. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISTA VIEW APARTMENT PAPERWORK: Attorney Green plans to have the ordinance and agreement ready next meeting. A portion of the deck still needs to be torn off. The property owner should be notified that everything is ready. Once the necessary portion of the deck is removed then the City can complete the paperwork.

ITEMS TO NOTE:

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:

_______________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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