City Council met in special session on July 8, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Dylan Canaday
Scott Winkler
Jared Andrews
Wyatt Perry
Amy Farris
Beryl Grant
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Chief Newman, Public Works Director Mager and Snowhaven Manager Gabe Forsmann.
Snowhaven
Gabe Forsmann stated he added $500 to Dues & Subscriptions. Snowhaven already pay dues, but we haven’t run them through a specific line item. Under professional services, he budgeted $5,000 to brush the hill as the spray didn’t work. This also includes transporting the groomer to and from the hill. He would like to budget for a computer and ID card printer for season passes for $3,000. On the tubing hill 70 new tubes and covers would be $12,0000. On the ARPA funds, money is budgeted under building/structure but the T-bar and groomer side of the projects will be expended during this fiscal year. Councilor Andrews asked if there would be any value in the current tubes? Gabe stated possibly.
Street
Public Works Director Mager stated he increase ROW improvements by $2,000 to allow for alley approaches and city alley, curb and gutter repair. He’s budgeting for a ½ ton pickup for $12,500 (Total $50,000, Street 25%, Park 25%, Water 25%, Sewer 25%) which should be the last fleet update for a bit and would replace Ernie’s old pickup. An excavator, CAT 306 and trailer $30,000 (Total $150,000, Street 20%, Parks 20%, Water 20%, Sewer 20%, WWTP 20%) which will allow for smaller projects and take the pressure off the backhoe. Our current PW building doesn’t have tall enough doors for a new backhoe and the existing backhoe is starting to show its age at 9,000 hours. He’ll be looking at building a new garage for the backhoe. The excavator will fit in the alley where the backhoe doesn’t and they shouldn’t have to rent an excavator in the future. Mager budgeted replacing the last 5 garage doors for $26,000 at the shop. Mager is rolling over the $300,000 for the sweeper from the current year. If the sweeper gets paid in current year, then he asked the council to consider using the funds for a used grader. The current grader is a 1972 and it is used for a few gravel streets and BST but mainly snow removal.
Recreation
Mager requested a John Deere lawn mower for $22,000, $49,000 to continue on the Lions Park wall, the excavator CAT 306 and trailer $30,000 (Total $150,000, Street 20%, Parks 20%, Water 20%, Sewer 20%, WWTP 20%) and the ½ ton pickup $12,500 (Total $50,000, Street 25%, Park 25%, Water 25%, Sewer 25%). At the pool, Mager budgeted for concrete repair, strip, dry, reseal and paint for $40,000.
City Administrator Kennedy stated the pavilion is budgeted at $165,400 which includes $30,000 Webb funds, $50,000 GEM grant, $55,386.97 donation from Grangeville Arts and another $30,000 if the city received miscellaneous donations or grants.
Water
The excavator CAT 306 and trailer $30,000 (Total $150,000, Street 20%, Parks 20%, Water 20%, Sewer 20%, WWTP 20%) and the ½ ton pickup $12,500 (Total $50,000, Street 25%, Park 25%, Water 25%, Sewer 25%) are included in water. Mandated testing was increased by $2,000 as testing continues to increase.
City Hall is budgeting 4 Computers at $7,000 (City 35%, Water 30%, Sewer 30% and Garbage 5%).
Sewer
The excavator CAT 306 and trailer $30,000 (Total $150,000, Street 20%, Parks 20%, Water 20%, Sewer 20%, WWTP 20%) and the ½ ton pickup $12,500 (Total $50,000, Street 25%, Park 25%, Water 25%, Sewer 25%) are included in sewer.
The facility plan is in the works and the second year is budgeted at $200,000. Mager increased the base maintenance at WWTP to $82,000 to include annual landia mixer maintenance.
Wages
Mager presented a change to the salary schedule for his department. The entry level position would start at $17/hour instead of $15/hour; then each certification is a 50-cent increase.
Mike Tackett has every license required. We are class III plant and he is a class IV operator with lab. He should take over the treatment plant. The City is required to have a class III operator, and we’ve been using E-3 Consulting with Mike working under him. Mike now has his certifications and does well and has cleaned things up from the previous regime. Mager proposes to move Tackett to $28.11. DEQ mandates you have a backup operator class III, so the City can continue to contract with E-3 Consulting as a backup.
City Administrator Kennedy stated during conversations with Mager, they chose to reduce the salary schedule from 10 steps to 6 steps.
General and discussion
On the old city dump, the tentative report is the water is clean. There is heavier carbon but probably because the dump was on fire so much. There are no signs of contamination. They are waiting on the final report, and then DEQ needs to comment. The City may have one more year of monitoring. City will budget $35,000 for possible expenses. In the 1980s EPA told the city to monitor the head and tail of culvert for 5 years and then the dump would be good and have a clean bill of health. The Council decided to sell it instead.
City Administrator Kennedy stated ICRMP Insurance has continued to rise. During this next fiscal year, the city may look at quotes on insurance to at least have a comparison of premiums. Some larger cities have chosen to purchase insurance on the private market.
Kennedy budgeted 4 new computers at city hall for a total of $7,000 (City 35%, Water 30%, Sewer 30%, Garbage 5%). Nuisance property cleanup remained at $20,000. Medical insurance increased 7.5%, dental and vision 0%, water 4.88%, sewer 4.8% and garbage 0%. Avista has no increase scheduled.
ARPA funds for Snowhaven need to be obligated by December 31, 2024. Mayor Lester stated the city needs to look at replacing the sewer. There is also concern over whether a building could be built with the funds we have. Councilor Andrews stated the school has a bid for a 50’x75’ steel building with an 8’ man door, wired, heated and includes concrete and dirt work for $356,000. Mayor Lester stated the quote for the ski patrol shack was $40,000. Discussion occurred about renting space for the groomer in town or possible storing in the red barn or building a building on the red barn property. There was also discussion on options of a pole building, steel building or just a simple building. Public Works Director Mager will be meeting at Snowhaven with Gabe Forsmann to discuss options.
Mayor Lester stated Kevin Zumalt donated approximately $348,000 to the Grangeville Community Foundation that the City can apply for recreational needs in the city. Various options were discussed: sidewalks at park, curb and gutter at the park, ball field lights, ADA sidewalks, playground equipment, ADA lift for the pool and possible to finish the pavilion depending on bids
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
