City Council met in special session on November 18, 2020 at 12:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Scott Winkler
Beryl Grant
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
Councilmembers absent: Pete Lane
City employee present was City Administrator Kennedy.
DECISION ON SNOWHAVEN – DO WE OPEN FOR THE SEASON?: Mayor Lester explained a little background for those not at Monday’s regular Council meeting. The governor enacted modified stage 2 last Friday which is a maximum of 10 people in a gathering in addition to other restrictions. In talking with the ski hill manager we are not sure how we can run Snowhaven with the state rules. Our manager gave a report at Monday’s meeting and the recommendation from the manager, city administrator and Mayor is to not open Snowhaven this season.
Councilor Grant didn’t know how Snowhaven could open. We don’t have bathrooms facilities or anything that could accommodate the governor’s rules as a government run facility.
Mayor Lester stated Attorney Green was not on the line; however he explained Green’s stance which was stated at Monday’s meeting. The City has to abide by the Governor’s rules. ICRMP is City’s insurance and they are following the same rule. If something would happen at Snowhaven, he is unsure what the City’s stance would be with insurance or legal counsel. He’s not sure the City feels the it can deal with the risk. So far, the manager is having a hard time finding people to work up there, some are nervous about being around that many people.
Kennedy stated the hardest positions to fill are the lift operators. They must be 18 years old or older to work on the lifts. These positions are always hard to fill. The hill has high school applicants but they are limited in the allowed positions. Conversations have occurred over the last few weeks on gathering requirements with 50 people, which would have been difficult; however 10 makes it more so with the facility.
Mayor Lester stated the bathrooms are all inside. If the facility had porta potties, it would be difficult to keep them clean and have them serviced. The tubes need to be cleaned and disinfected. The ticket machine is inside and the credit card machine is run with a phone line. Not sure on how to move everything outside. The bigger hills have been working over the summer and built ticket booths outside, where the City did not have the manpower or funds and are not set up for this type of a situation.
Councilor Grant asked what it does budget wise. Kennedy stated Snowhaven has already invested in some items for the season and will work to wrap those up. Most of the expenses have been in the rental shop and with groomer maintenance. The City won’t generate income, so it will be only the expenses we’ve incurred and are in the process of finishing. Ski Patrol dues have been paid and they are currently deciding if they will complete their refresher course. The ski swap is cancelled because the vendor that brings all the equipment and gear, called and cancelled yesterday. Councilor Winkler stated there is no way to do it and comply with the state. Councilor Grant doesn’t know how to logistically make it work and follow the guidelines. Councilor Winkler said other than hoping something will change, but we can’t plan on that. We’d just go deeper in the hole. Even with 50 people it would be hard to pull off.
Mayor Lester explained like Mark said we could tentatively plan on opening and you do all the work to open but then if it comes to the time to open and you can’t or you get shut down, you just spent more funds. Most of our lift operators are in their 60s and 70s and it’s hard to fill those positions. If we find people to work and then they decide they won’t come up for the day, we are required to fill with 18 years old or older or we can’t run for the day. If we were able to open, it was discussed Snowhaven may have to hire additional people to manage doors and keep counts on numbers. Mayor Lester said it’s sad for Grangeville. It’s a small ski hill but it’s something for the community to do.
Councilor Farris commented you are danged if you do and danged if you don’t. Even if you found a way to make it happen, you’ll still have someone upset it’s open and if you don’t open you have people upset.
On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Winkler to not open Snowhaven this year. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 12:11 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
