City Council met in regular session on October 16, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Scott Winkler
Dylan Canaday
Pete Lane
Beryl Grant
Councilmembers absent:
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
City employees present were Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman, City Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of October 2nd were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING #1: The City is proposing a new 1% franchise fee with Avista. No public comment and written comments were received. The fee will go toward the general fund. The hearing closed at 6:02 p.m.
VISITOR: Tim McDonald, Ida-Lew has been busy working to bring development into the area. In last 6-8 months, they have completed the application and were awarded $600,000 grant to install electric vehicle charging stations in Grangeville and Kamiah. The equipment arrived, but they have had problems with the transformers which have been backordered. They are working with the Grangeville Arts program for the pavilion in park. He also worked with students from Washington on a development project but funding can’t go to Idaho, so he is now working with an Idaho college to create a future program.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager stated the department was working to finish up all the projects from last month and mowed the parks.
WATER TANK PROJECT: Public Works Director Mager stated the tank is operational. The SCADA system people were up today and the contractor did final tie ins and both tanks are reading like they are supposed to. The new tank is operational and essentially done. T Bailey wants to bring the fence and construction crews back on the 23rd to start the rehabilitation on the existing tank. Next week the old tank will be drained and the system will operate on the new tank. The new tank is at almost at substantial completion. On the existing tank, the contractor will redo the ladders, manhole, and hopefully we get the fence done before the cattle move back.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to authorize payment to T Bailey, Inc. for Pay Application #7 on the new tank in the amount of $71,725 pending Rural Development approval. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
CLEARWATER WELL UPDATE: Mager stated the well drillers have drilled 1130’ deep. On the night we hit water we had 1,000 gallons. They brought in the column today and will put in a temporary pump. The test pump will pump 1,500 gallons/minute for 24 hours. This allows JUB to determine well design. It was asked home much water the City uses; on average, we use about 1 million gallons/day. During the summer with irrigation we use about 2 million gallons/day.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to authorize payment to Holt Services Inc. for Pay Application #2 in the amount of $536,782.72 pending Rural Development approval. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the City had 96 calls for service and 21 reports taken for August 2023 and 105 calls for service and 38 reports taken for September 2023. Officer Pittman started the academy the 1st week of September and will be there until the middle of December. Officer Tracy Forsgren started in September and will go to POST in January.
BILLS: The bills, in the total amount of $1,158,872.44 ((22-23: Financials $881,226.57, September Payroll $129,692.22) and (23-24: Financials $147,953.65)) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. 972
(Ordinance No. 972 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO ASSESSING A FRANCHISE FEE OF ONE PERCENT (1%) ON THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO AVISTA CORPORATION UNDER GRANGEVILLE CITY ORDINANCE NO. 738; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler that the first reading be approved, that the rules be suspended, the second and third readings be waived and the ordinance be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 972 duly approved and adopted.
STOP SIGN REQUEST N C AND CUNNINGHAM: Vicki Ash presented a letter asking to have a stop sign installed at N C Street and Cunningham as drivers aren’t stopping and she is concerned someone is going to get hit. Wyatt Perry stated it’s a T intersection; aren’t they supposed to stop. Councilor Winkler felt the problem is those leaving the parking lot and entering Cunningham. They should be stopping. It’s heavy traffic in morning and afternoon during school drop off. Councilor Peterson asked if the city could put a stop sign on private property? Attorney Jessup stated there is right of way to place the sign in. Mayor Lester stated if the council wants more done, then the police would do a traffic study and present that information to the Council. Wyatt Perry questioned the cost of a stop sign. Mager stated it runs about $200 a sign. The cost of signs varies per location as considering the one by Ken Lauer’s storage units, it would get run over multiple times a year and would cost a fortune while at the daycare would probably be ok. It was discussed private businesses should solve the problem themselves of their clientele. Chief Newman stated there have been no reported collisions since he’s been here.
The Council asked the chief to do a traffic study and report back to the council.
HANDICAP RAMP, CITY GATES CHURCH, 121 W NORTH 2ND STREET: City Gates Church, 121 W North 2nd Street applied for a building permit to put in a handicap ramp at the front door. The ramp is in the front yard setback; however does not cause a site restriction.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to allow a handicap ramp at City Gates Church, 121 W North 2nd Street in the setback. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS CONTRACT AMENDMENT: On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Peterson to approve the Grangeville Water System Improvements EJCDC Contract Amendment #4 which moves $30,000 from the Tank RPR budget to the Tank CMS budget for a net $0 change in cost. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
WALTER M. STEED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler to authorize the mayor to sign the Professional Services Contract with Walter M. Steed & Associates to write a new Community Development Block Grant Application and provide Project Administration for Well Construction. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
ONE-WAY AND RESIDENT ONLY PARKING: Mager explained there are a few areas in town that have parking restricted on the street to one-way parking and resident only parking. These areas are not listed in City Code and have never been enforceable. The City is receiving complaints about these areas, but then City staff is unable to do anything. Mager would like the Council to decide if they want to add these areas to city code or remove the signs. Some areas with no parking this side of street include E South 1st from Meadow to Mill and N Myrtle while there is resident only parking by the bowling alley and on N Meadow. Attorney Jessup stated there is state code that may allow enforcement under motor vehicle rules of the road; however he would like to look into it in more depth. Mager would like to either clean up the code or get rid of the signs. The addresses will be provided to the council and this will be on the next agenda.
SUE ERVIN, 306 HILL STREET, NUISANCE PROPERTY: City Administrator Kennedy visited with Sue Ervin last week. They have been working on cleaning up the property. Kennedy would like to delay the decision to file suit until the November 6th agenda. This item will be on the next agenda.
The meeting adjourned at 7:01 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
