Centennial Library

May 6, 2013 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on May 6, 2013 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Walker presided:

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

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 the April 18th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lester.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS:  Mary Jahn and Mary Schmidt were present to introduce the new Grangeville Community Foundation.  The foundation is here to benefit the community now and in the future.  It started with the Horizon Committee and moved forward to form the Grangeville Community Foundation to form an endowment.  The interest will be used to give grants to the community while the principal remains untouched.  The grants can vary in size from $250.00-$5,000.00.

Dennis and Shari Knieriem, 76 Mount Idaho Grade Road, drilled their well about a year ago.  They are asking to have a variance on their well as prior to drilling, they were told by the County there was no area of impact.  Discussion occurred previously at the March 1, 2010 Council meeting that water pressure was very low in the area.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman Grant to recommend approval of the variance to the County for a well for Dennis and Shari Knieriem at 76 Mount Idaho Grade Road.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Paul Eimers and Todd Marek, Grangeville Lions Club, were present to discuss the playground equipment at Lions Park that was replaced by the Lions Club in 1997.  That same year Richard Newby passed away and the Lions Club wanted to name the playground equipment in his honor.  They can’t seem to find any information on the previous request, so they are back again.  They would like permission to name the playground the Dick Newby Memorial Playground.  Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to allow Grangeville Lions to name the playground at Lions Park the Dick Newby Memorial Playground.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Jerry Lance, 621 North A agrees with installing sidewalks in the City but he has trees to the north in the way.  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to grant Jerry Lance, 621 North A an indefinite sidewalk waiver.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Jeff Kutner, Chamber of Commerce asked permission to use Pioneer Park or Heritage Square for a clown skit to advertise for the upcoming circus.  On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Peterson to allow the Chamber to use the City Park or Heritage Square for a clown skit on June 13th between 8am – 12pm.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  The department had 40 cases written, 19 citations, 4 written warnings and 102 calls for service for April 2013.  The Police and Animal Control Report for April 2013 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilwoman Grant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Sgt. Beene was able to attend a five day sergeant conference which was very valuable.  The police department received approximately $11,000 in portable radios through a homeland security grant.

GEOTHERMAL WELLS IN THE CITY LIMITS:  Clerk Kennedy explained most responses she received from other Cities on the list serve stated that as long as the well complies with regulations of Idaho Department of Water Resources they don’t monitor it.  Many don’t prohibit wells at all.  There was one City that prohibited all wells in the City limits without going through a variance process.  Councilman Lester’s biggest concern is in the future after the home has sold what will keep a cross connection from occurring.  It was discussed to modify the ordinance to prohibit the drilling of any wells.  Then if someone wanted to drill they would go through the variance process and a legal document could be recorded on the property.  Attorney Green will be revising the ordinance.

PLANNING AND ZONING RESIGNATION:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to accept Wilmer Seaver’s resignation from Planning and Zoning.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SEWER BOND MINIMUM:  Discussion occurred on whether a minimum sewer amount should be charged when the water service is turned off now that the sewer bond has closed.  It would be similar to the $15.00 water bond charge currently being collected.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to have the City Attorney draw up an ordinance to pay the sewer bond on the utility bill if the services are turned off.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

POOL UPDATE ON HOURS AND SCHEDULE: The Recreation Committee, Pool Manager Ciarra Benton and Clerk Kennedy met to discuss changes to the swimming pool program based upon the patron counts Ciarra collected during last season.  The main changes follow: • Closed Sundays • In June, no Saturday swimming or evening swimming. • When Saturday swims start on June 29th, Saturday hours are 1-5pm. • Add an evening swim lesson session that will run for 6 weeks on Tuesday/Thursday. • Add adult lap swim during the evening swim lesson session.

MAIN STREET COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS:  Councilwoman Dumas had a business owner who was concerned with the bricks in the sidewalk of Main Street, visit with her about liability and ownership.  Dumas has been looking into it and has visited with many owners.  Dumas questioned who was responsible, who has liability and who really owns the sidewalks.  Attorney Green explained the property owners are responsible for all sidewalk maintenance and snow removal.  Mayor Walker stated the sidewalks were installed during the Downtown Revitalization Project and that they were paid using a grant and the remaining cost was paid by the property owners through an LID.  In 2006 Melinda Fischer went to business owners and she had a bid from Dave Sturmer to mortar all the bricks in for $22,000 and no one wanted to do it.  Councilman Lorentz explained the City re-did Heritage Square sidewalks.  The City replaced the sidewalks, removed the bricks and did brick stamping in the concrete in hopes of giving business owners other options.  Councilman Lester didn’t know how the City could afford to fix sidewalks in town when there are many residential sidewalks also.  Councilman Lorentz didn’t feel liability is the main issue; the big issue is the store front.  The sidewalk is part of the store front and part of their business and they should maintain it.  Councilmen Houger and Peterson agree that the owners should maintain the bricks.  The City sympathizes with the owners, but feel they should pay for the sidewalk maintenance, not the City.

CHANGE ORDER#5:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to approve Change Order #5 in the amount of ($6,961.27).  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SPRING CLEAN UP:  Councilman Peterson made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to set May 20th – 24th as spring cleanup week.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BORDER DAYS BEER GARDEN AND GRANGEVILLE COUNTRY CLUB LICENSE:  On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilwoman Grant to approve the beer license for the Grangeville Country Club and the beer garden for Grangeville Border Days for July 3rd – 6th at the Rodeo Grounds.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SURPLUS:  The Library requested permission to surplus and then sell the following items at their yard sale:  2 Dell computer towers, 2 Dell monitors, 1 IBM Wheelwriter Typewriter, 1 HP Laserjet P2015 and 1 HP Scanjet.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to surplus the items listed and allow them to sell them at the yard sale instead of the normal surplus policy.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

RESOLUTION NO. 235

(Resolution No. 235 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)

The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Lester who moved for its adoption.  Second by Councilman Lorentz.

LET IT BE KNOWN TO ALL PERSONS OF the City of Grangeville that discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or national origin in the sale, rental, leasing or financing of housing or land to be used for construction of housing or in the provision of brokerage services is prohibited by Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act (Federal Fair Housing Law).

ROLL CALL VOTE:  YES: Dumas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Grant, Peterson.  NO:  none.  The motion passed.  Mayor Walker then declared Resolution No. 235 duly approved and adopted.

ITEMS TO NOTE:  The Council received copies of Expenditure and Revenue Reports for Second Quarter.

Public Works Director McFrederick gave an update on Pine Street.  The new paving is failing in some areas.  A notice of Construction Default letter was sent to Knife River by Attorney Green and the City is waiting on for response.

Russ Fleming, WWTP  has resigned and will be going back to California.  The City may need to contract with someone until Randy Bartlett can get the certification.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.

__________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

 

 

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