City Council met in regular session on December 7, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Pete Lane
Beryl Grant
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
City employees present were Chief Newman, City Administrator Kennedy, Public Works Director Mager and Attorney Green.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of November 16th and 18th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING – SHUT OFF FEE: The proposed new fee is the $25.00 shut off fee for utility bill nonpayment. This fee replaces the $25.00 reconnection fee as it is easier to track as a shut off fee. No public comments were received. The hearing was closed 6:02 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Lane to go into Executive Session according to Section 74-206 (b) Personnel. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The Council returned to regular session. No action was taken.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday to accept the Library Minutes of November 19, 2020. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to appoint Carmen Sangster to a five-year Library Board term ending 12/31/25. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Lane to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of October 27, 2020. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of November 24, 2020. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Canaday to approve the conditional use application submitted by Stacy Askew to operate a hair salon in her home at 702 S B. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
SNOWHAVEN: Erin Nichols presented the petition to open Snowhaven. The petition was started by Katie Manifold on change.org and had around 900 signatures. Their main concern in asking for Snowhaven to open is for the mental health of students and adults. Skiing is one of the safest sports during COVID. Most users wear masks, gloves, are already spaced on the lifts and there are already protocols established at other ski hills. She would like to know why it was closed and see if she can answer any questions.
Snowhaven Manager Mark Vandlik read his comments on what went into the decision making for not having Snowhaven open. The information ranged from public health concerns, enforcing mask requirements, conflict among visitors, to the financial costs in opening Snowhaven when we have no idea what the year will bring or if the hill will be able to stay open.
Mayor Lester stated he met with Kennedy and Vandlik a couple different times to try to figure out how to make it work. There is concern over whether people will show up to utilize the hill and that the tubing hill needs to be open and it is very hands on. It is hard to disinfect tubes and there is no snow at this time to be able to open. Vandlik stated without opening over Christmas break it is hard to make any money. Part of the decision to not open was also a financial decision.
Councilor Grant stated it is not always about making money. If logistically Snowhaven can meet the requirements, then we need to look at it in case we get enough snow. The question is will people that signed the petition actually show up to support Snowhaven financially.
Vandlik stated every year Sam and Katie Manifold do an excellent job at rental shop. It runs smoothly. The problem is coming up with the other employees that work elsewhere on the hill.
Erin Nichols stated if the lodge doesn’t open, maybe it would require less staffing. Everyone knows things are changing and accept that there are sacrifices that need to be made. She felt in Idaho county, if a business asked, the public would wear a mask. She felt the tubes did not need to be sanitized.
Vandlik stated he thinks about all these things because it’s already a difficult job at Snowhaven and he already sees people that don’t comply here. If employees at Snowhaven don’t listen then there is no reprimand because if they get fired, then the hill doesn’t have enough workers and we can’t operate. Several employees from the past won’t be receptive to some of the rules. He is willing to help someone in an operational manner, but at this time, we don’t have the staff we need to open.
Councilor Grant asked Vandlik, with the knowledge and information coming up do you think people would be willing to step to the plate and work? Vandlik stated fixing the staffing issue would help with the problem. He wanted to know how other people felt. The hill needs to figure out how to police people or see if people are happy to comply with the regulations.
Councilor Canaday asked what the three items employers must do. The modified stage 2 order states employers must:
• Develop and implement measures to ensure employees and customers maintain at least six-foot physical distancing from other individuals whenever possible
• Provide adequate sanitation and personal hygiene for employees, vendors, and patrons
• Frequently disinfect commonly touched and high-traffic areas and regularly clean those areas.
Vandlik stated the mask directive is from National and Idaho Ski Association. Councilor Canaday asked if the City could choose a mask recommendation. Vandlik stated his best friend is 70 years old and he wants to hang out and protect him. Opening the hill is not his decision. If it’s going to go that direction then he’s ok helping out with the hill as far as grooming and lift maintenance; however he’s not willing to do ticket booth and lodge.
Councilor Grant stated she could see having a recommendation for masks when social distancing but not for general users. Vandlik felt employees would be required to wear a mask.
Stacy Askew felt we need to figure out creative ways to operate because COVID may not go away. We need to keep movement happening in our world. Cottonwood ski hill is going to open.
Vandlik stated he felt like the Snowhaven equipment is crumbling. He’s in his second year by himself and it’s exhausting. He looked at not opening as a positive as it would give him time to write grants to make actual changes so when it does open there are good changes. He really wants to write the grants. Erin Nichols volunteered to help find someone to help write grants. Councilor Grant stated if there are skilled grant writers then Vandlik can collaborate with them.
Mayor Lester stated this is a thankless job, the manager has no life in the winter and the city can’t pay much. We are not bashing our manager.
Vandlik stated he doesn’t try to be negative but if we can’t open over Christmas, we most likely will lose money. The manager works from 2:00am – 6:30 pm. When you add COVID, it’s a lot to deal with. He had to wear a mask all the time working for forest service and doesn’t like it. Vandlik would like to get a ski committee together again to get people involved in the hill.
A citizen stated Snowhaven is a unique amenity to have and the City needs to have a gut check on how bad we really want this. Mayor Lester stated the tubing lift was added to create income and to try to generate additional use.
Erin Nichols felt like the community would provide support. If needed, we could pre-sell tickets at various businesses. She also stated the suicide rate is high in this area and everyone really needs to have an outlet. Another citizen felt the community loves its youth and felt if it can be open then it needs to. It was stated maybe they could get adults to volunteer different times throughout the season.
Vandlik also felt people really shouldn’t be traveling into the area and a lot of our customers are from Clarkston, Moscow, Pullman and Lewiston. He didn’t want to punish the local community.
Councilor Farris felt those people from out of area are already here. They snowmobile, cross country ski, and recreate in other ways and they bring a boost to our community and businesses. From her opinion, all the social distancing and PPE does not slow or stop the spread of the virus. She is concerned about the psychosocial wellbeing of adults and kids. She felt the City needed to look into opening and consider it more.
Councilor Grant felt there may be protocols the City needs to require at the hill. COVID won’t go away, but if the City puts restrictions in place we may be set up for the future. If we can do it and meet protocol, then we need to look at it.
It was stated the community wants the option of being able to go. Everything is different but they want the option to see if they can make it work. Councilor Winkler stated Snowhaven needs more manpower in the 18+ category. Kennedy stated volunteers are great, but what the City really needs is people 18 or older, committed to work for the season so they can be trained and on staff.
Mayor Lester asked if the Council felt we should try to open Snowhaven. The majority said yes, however Council Peterson said no. Vandlik stated even though he said what he felt, he loves Grangeville and that’s why he lives here.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to have Snowhaven resume operations for the 2020-21 season if at all possible under the current circumstances. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE ADOPTION:
RESOLUTION NO. 275
(Resolution No. 275 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)
The following resolution was introduced by Councilor Peterson who moved for its adoption. Second by Councilor Winkler.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE ADOPTING THE AMENDED MASTER FEE SCHEDULE.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Resolution No. 275 duly approved and adopted.
POLICE CHIEF: Mayor Lester stated Chief Drew has retired and he would like to appoint Joseph Newman as the new chief of police. On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to appoint Joseph Newman as the Chief of Police. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler to go into Executive Session according to Section 74-206 (c) to acquire an interest in real property. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The Council returned to regular session. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
