Centennial Library

October 19, 2015 Regular Meeting

 

The City Council met in regular session on October 19, 2015 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
Pete Lane
Wes Lester

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

MINUTES:  The meeting was called to order and the minutes of October 5th were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

AGENDA AMENDMENT: 

VISITORS:  Joe Cladouhos, Syringa Hospital, provided an update on the fiscal year end financials and construction progress.  The board has asked Joe to update the City and County every few months.  The hospital is busy and active and most of the numbers are up.  They just purchased Hollopeter’s building and a lot of equipment.

Clarence Chapman, Syringa Hospital Foundation, asked to connect to city water before the annexation is finalized.  On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lane to allow Syringa General Hospital thrift store to hook to City water before annexation and waive the equity buy in fee.  They will have double rates until annexed.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  The department had 18 cases written, 10 citations, 7 written warnings and 88 calls for service for September 2015.  The Police and Animal Control Report for September 2015 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilwoman Grant.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Fire Department Minutes of September 8, 2015, September 14, 2015 and September 28, 2015 were accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Scott Wasem, Snowhaven manager recommended a rate increase from $9.00/hour to $12.00/hour for Thane Hoiland as the new assistant manager.  Scott will be stepping down over the next couple years.  Scott has been working on the groomer.  He had to pull off a pump that runs the tiller and have it rechecked.  The pump is fine, so he’s looking at a possible electrical problem instead.  He is re-doing the lodge steps again; putting on non-skid treads.  He’s been working on the tbars and Ts and tbar seats. The Forest Service leased the building this summer for fire crews.  They rented it for two months and the City is in the process of receiving the funds at $1,000/month.  He will have a water sample done to make sure all is good.

The ski swap is November 20th and 21st.  They will check in and sell both Friday and Saturday.  Jerry Greenland comes from the McCall area and has great rental equipment for sale for about ½ price.  Snowhaven is vital entertainment for the community.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to adjust the assistant manager pay rate from $9.00/hour to $12.00/hour.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Clerk Report:  Clerk Kennedy reported the City and Grangeville Swim Team received the Grangeville Community Foundation Grant for swimming pool lane lines in the amount of $873.25. The lane lines will be ordered soon.  Using the Invoice Cloud Service, the City has received 55 payments for approximately $6,800 in a little under one month.  The citizen’s seem to be happy with the service.

HELICOPTER DRAFT ORDINANCE DISCUSSION:  Mayor Walker clarified the Council directed Attorney Green to draft a base ordinance for consideration.  The Council has a second proposed draft of the ordinance to consider tonight.  Mayor Walker didn’t feel the ordinance should have any content related to a helipad and shouldn’t restrict a helipad.  The City currently has a process on the books where an applicant goes through the conditional use process.  The Council needs to consider this from the future and not just as a hospital.  He didn’t feel the council should tie the hands of a future council or future business.  If it is acceptable or safe for a business to go through the conditional use process they should be able to.  He asked Attorney Green to put in an avenue for helicopters to land.  He felt there should be a permit system that allows the council, based on information provided, to approve a permit.  An example would be the simulated emergency at the high school; maybe a landing could be on the football field but maybe not in the parking lot.  He also felt landing without a permit should institute a fine.  It was suggested to remove section 3 and 4a.

Councilman Lester asked if the ordinance passed could someone still go through the variance/conditional use process.  Attorney Green stated they would first ask for a variance from the city council; if granted, the process would go through a conditional use.  Mayor Walker stated that’s why he felt it was redundant.  The current process is more fair since planning and zoning allows for   public comment.  Councilman Winkler asked the City gains if the above changes are made.  Attorney Green responded no one could land a helicopter without a permit.  Mayor Walker stated if the City doesn’t restrict heliport/helistop then the proposed ordinance wouldn’t need to go to P and Z.  Councilman Winkler felt the Mayor was correct; it is a more fair to use the conditional use process.  It was suggested Attorney Green rewrite the ordinance for Council review and discussion. Councilman Peterson felt the City should stay with the conditional use process for helipads, but add an exemption for law enforcement, penalty and permit.  Both Councilman Lane and Councilwoman Grant would like to see a new draft.  Councilmen Lester and Peterson questioned whether an ordinance was necessary if everything is taken out.  Lester questioned what guidelines should be used to make a decision on whether to allow a permit.  A new draft will be available at the next meeting.  David Ketchum with TO-Engineers in Boise stated he’s done this type of work for 40 years and would be happy to be a resource to the City pro bono.

BILLS:  The bills in the amount of $204,582.19 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

P&Z RESIGNATION:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second Councilman Peterson to accept Ed Eckert’s resignation from Planning and Zoning.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ANIMAL ARK AGREEMENT:  On motion by Councilman Lester, second Councilman Peterson to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Animal Ark Agreement.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE:  Public Works Director McFrederick stated Larry Greenwalt resigned.  The position is going to be kept in house, working with the contracted operator.   Jason Worley is a level III operator and contracts with various Cities.  The City’s plant requires an operator with a III license.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk

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