Centennial Library

May 5, 2014 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on May 5, 2014 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:

Mike Peterson
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
Beryl Grant
Brian Lorentz
Scott Winkler

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

MINUTES:  The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the April 21st meeting were approved with the date corrected by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilwoman Grant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:  Mayor Walker congratulated two time Idaho State Geography Bee winner, Amrit Singh and wished him well at the National competition.  James Rockwell, Idaho County Commissioner was present to read a letter to Amrit wishing him well.

POOL HOURS PUBLIC COMMENT:  Mayor Walker explained the City wants to do a lot of things at the pool but is limited by the number of employees the City has.  The City is offering the Lifeguard Class here in Grangeville in order to make it easier for people to get certified.  The City is interested in hearing from the citizens; the Clerk received four written comments.  Mayor Walker stated the City will be looking at all comments, although he didn’t see how the City could keep the pool open until school starts in the fall.

Debbie Todd asked if the pool could be open on Sunday for family swim and maybe close one day during the week instead.  Steve Wassmuth stated the work schedule is a nightmare.  If possible, it would be good to schedule people to work complete blocks rather than making them come and go throughout the day.  Candace Johnston stated the cost of certifying lifeguards could be a factor.  Clerk Kennedy explained how the City is looking at offering a discounted rate to lifeguards working for the City.

The Recreation Committee will look at the responses received and determine pool hours based upon staffing.

VISITORSBill Spencer and Joe Cladouhos from Syringa Hospital were present to answer questions on having a helipad on the empty lot South of Main Street across from the hospital.  The hospital is looking for ways to improve patient care; having it on Main Street would save 15-20 minutes.  They visited with Life Flight and MedStar pilots and they are very happy with location.  They have no concerns about entering and exiting safely. The hospital has contacted Avista and they are willing to work with the Hospital; probably placing balls on lines.  Safety is the hospitals top concern.  On an average 2-3 helicopters/month come to Grangeville.  From the time of approach until the engines are shut off is 6 minutes; then to start up and leave takes 8 minutes.  The noise of the helicopter is at 120 decible readings.  They will try to come in on a fly friendly route so they aren’t over residential.  The hospital plans to transport patient on a gurney to cross Main Street.   At this time, the hospital hopes to have cement barriers around the area to keep people from driving into the lot.  They will have cameras for security.  They hope they don’t have to fence the lot; however it will depend if the barriers work as expected.  Mayor Walker was concerned about the traffic they will face.  He felt they needed to visit with Chief Drew, the County and Idaho Transportation Department.  If anyone has questions, please direct them to Joe or Bill.  Pete Lane commented that he didn’t think the location was the ideal spot.  He thought something behind the hospital would be better.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  The Planning and Zoning Minutes of April 22, 2014 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to accept the decision of Planning and Zoning on the variance application submitted by Ted Lindsley with Vista View Apartments, which includes the setback on the alley and South D Street.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Snowhaven Minutes of April 17, 2014 were accepted on motion by Councilwoman Grant, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

RESORT LOCAL OPTION TAX:  Councilwoman Dumas talked to the Chamber last week; different opinions were brought up from various business owners.  Dumas still felt it’s an option for Grangeville and would like to get further public input.  Councilwoman Grant felt it needed to be discussed at the Council meeting although she felt the Chamber was not in favor.  Mayor Walker felt most of the responses were negative at the Chamber meeting.  Councilman Lester stated the people he has talked to would rather have a sales tax increase rather than an LID.  Dumas stated the Council is representing the people of the community and she felt the Council needed to get public input.  Mayor Walker stated the first thing to move forward is classify the City as a resort community.  Councilwoman Grant felt budget time would be a good time to discuss options and also see what McFrederick has to propose on projects.  Councilwoman Dumas felt it was important to get it out to the public.  Mayor Walker stated there were a lot of questions on specifics at the chamber meeting.  He felt the City needed to have a package of what the City plans prior to presenting to the public.

PROPOSED DOWNTOWN AREA AND ADA DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES FIRST READING: 

ORDINANCE NO. 889

(Ordinance No. 889 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR DESIGNATION OF DISABLED PARKING SPACES IN THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS CENTER IN THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.

Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson that the third reading be approved and the ordinance be passed and adopted.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  YES: Dumas, Winkler, Lester, Lorentz, Grant, Peterson.  NO:  none.  The motion passed.  Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 889 duly approved and adopted.

WATER AND SEWER CONNECTION POLICY:  Public Works Director McFrederick felt this information needed to be reviewed.  The City currently charges $500 for a ¾” service but the costs for parts alone are $798.28; the total costs including labor and equipment is $2,194.  The City is going backward using the current fee.  McFrederick felt the City should change the policy and the City’s responsibilities which would reduce the costs to the City.  Mayor Walker was concerned because it would be an unexpected cost to the homeowners and most people don’t have $5000 sitting around.  The sewer policy has similar problems.  This will be addressed during budget sessions.

SPRING CLEAN UP WEEK:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to set May 19th – 23rd as spring clean up week.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ORDINANCE TO VACATE ALLEY, PETITION BY WILLIAMS:

ORDINANCE NO. 890

(Ordinance No. 890 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, PROVIDING FOR A VACATION OF A PORTION OF THE ALLEY BISECTING BLOCK 6 IN THE SCHMADEKA FIRST ADDITION, AS IS REFLECTED ON THE RECORDED PLAT FOR THE SCHMADEKA FIRST ADDITION TO THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE; PROVIDING AUTHORITY FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN A QUITCLAIM DEED FOR THE VACATED PORTION OF SAID ALLEY TO ADJACENT OWNERS AND RETAINING AN EASEMENT FOR ACCESS TO UTILITIES BY THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE; PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO SAID VACATION TO BE PAID BY THE PETITIONERS IN RELATION TO SUCH REQUESTED VACATION.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson that the first reading be approved, that the rules be suspended, the second and third readings be waived and the ordinance be approved and adopted.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  YES: Dumas, Lester, Grant, Peterson.  NO:  Lorentz.  ABSTAIN:  Winkler.  The motion passed.  Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 890 duly approved and adopted.

CHIP SEAL:  Public Works Director McFrederick explained the street employees don’t have enough time to adequately prepare to chip seal.  He proposed to chip seal every two years with $250,000 instead of $150,000.  He does not plan to do a project this year, but will budget the $250,000 next fiscal year.

DISC GOLF SIGN APPROVAL:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to move forward with the sign as presented by Kevin Asker.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:

_______________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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