City Council met in regular session on July 17, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Scott Winkler
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
Pete Lane
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of July 3rd, 10th, 11th and 12th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Michael Green explained for his senior project he wants to help out the swim team. Michael and Abe Wilkinson plan to run concessions offering sandwiches, fruit cups and cookies. The already have insurance and are asking for permission to do the project at Pioneer Park. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Peterson to approve the request from Michael Green and Abe Wilkinson to provide concessions at the Grangeville Swim Meet as their senior project with Grangeville Youth Sports Association providing the insurance. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager stated they worked on a driveway approach off Meadow and have will have Dan Wren do the alley approach too. A service was installed for Williams on E South 10th. They have been doing tons of mowing, patching, culvert at the Eagles, and will put in a storm drain next month to pick it up. They are working on demolition paperwork on the house on Idaho and working with Brannan’s on getting water and sewer with tie ins. They are continuing work on the wall and working with Pete and Todd on legwork to move the pavilion. They are finishing up at the skatepark. They are working on splitting the water service at Prairie Rentals.
WATER TANK PROJECT: Mager stated he was up onsite on Thursday. They were working on the first 10’ of steel. They are working on the tie ins for the hydrant. We are working on the details on the fencing and lighting. This week they may work five 10s and then next week four 10s. They hope to have that part done in early August and then work on plumbing and get it prepped for painting.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to authorize payment to T Bailey, Inc. for Pay Application #4 on the new tank in the amount of $199,374.04. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Lane to authorize the city administrator to sign Block Grant Fund request #12 in the amount of $215,679. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. (Clerk Note: This pay request was later revised and lowered to $176,350).
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the City had 100 calls for service and 19 reports taken for June 2023. Border Days had no significant events. On Friday the department participated in an emphasis patrol with Idaho Transportation Department and the Sheriff’s office. Saturday night was the busy night. Officer Pittman will start the academy in September for about 4 months. Chief Newman and Morgan Drew will go get the new police vehicle next week.
BANDSHELL/PAVILION: Councilor Grant has heard positive comments about the proposal to move it to Lions park. Councilor Farris stated it was discussed way in the beginning that Lions Park was a better option. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to approve the request to move the pavilion from Pioneer Park to Lions Park. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
BILLS: The bills, in the total amount of $551,957.38 (Financials $470,599.53, June Payroll $81,357.85) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CLEARWATER WELL BID AWARDS: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to award the bid for Clearwater Well to Holt Services Inc. for the base bid amount of $1,487,870 contingent upon Rural Development approval. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
TREE REMOVAL: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Peterson to allow Dan Goehring with Cottonwood Credit Union at 230 E Main Street to remove the three trees in the Main Street right of way. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ACCESS IDAHO AGREEMENT: On motion by Councilor Lane, second by Councilor Grant to approve the Service Level Agreement with Idaho Information Consortium, LLC d/b/a Access Idaho for miscellaneous credit card payments. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
SUPPORT LETTER FOR JOHNSTON RD PAVEMENT PROJECT: Councilor Grant stated she didn’t want to support a possible bypass of Grangeville but she hated to not support the highway district. Councilor Farris asked if the load limits will change on the road if fixed. Mayor Lester stated most people using Johnston Road are trying to avoid stopping in town. Ted Lindsley stated Carl Crabtree got the speed limit reduced on that road as he was trying to get more business to go through town. Mayor Lester stated it’s a double-edged sword as the locals use the road too. There are a ton of cars on Lake and Johnston. Councilor Farris stated the repair of the road does help the locals even if there is a disadvantage of travelers using it and not stopping in Grangeville. Councilor Canaday stated if the district received the grant, they could use existing funds for other projects. Ted Lindsley stated he would hate to support anything that could support bypassing business to the town. A question was voiced if there is liability if the road isn’t repaired. Attorney Jessup stated you are responsible for keeping up the maintenance on your roads so you could be liable for damages. The Council stated they aren’t in favor of bypassing Grangeville but they understand the highway district needs funds to repair the road. Public Works Director Mager stated from a construction standpoint and the description in their support letter, they are not putting base in they are doing paving overlay, soft spot repair and culvert repair. They are just fixing it by grinding it up and adding concrete.
The Council will revisit next agenda as they need more information from the highway district.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
