City Council met in regular session on August 4, 2025, 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 Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman, City Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of July 21st were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Lester opened the public hearing for the Street Vacation as submitted by Nicolas Horrace and Rachel Knudson for a portion of N C Street right of way adjacent to Lots 3-8, Block 7 and the south half of Block 6 of Schmadeka’s 5th addition. Nicolas stated he is trying to obtain the strip of grass between his property and Columbia Grain. He has been taking care of it and would like to use it to build affordable houses. He had a survey done on his property.
STAFF PRESENTATION: Notices were provided as required to those within 300’ and to the newspaper. The property owners adjoining the proposed vacation all signed in favor of the vacation.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: none
SUPPORTERS: none
NEUTRALS: none
OPPONENTS: none
No comments were received from the public. The hearing was closed at 6:05 pm. Councilor Grant asked if the city had any infrastructure in the alley. The city does not.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to have Attorney Jessup to draft a vacation ordinance for N C right of way adjacent to Lots 3-8 Block 7 and the south half of Block 6 in Schmadeka’s 5th Addition. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
VISITOR: Gary & Margaret Guyer, 214 N Idaho Avenue were present asking the Council to approve their request for a handicap ramp in the front yard setback. Public Works Director Mager stated there is no infringement issues. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to grant the request for handicap ramp in the front yard setback for Gary & Margaret Guyer at 214 N Idaho. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
Terri Schmitz, Grangeville Chamber of Commerce asked to have Oktoberfest either October 4th or October 18th. The volunteers are concerned that a lot of people will be gone hunting if it’s the 18th. She has 9 volunteers to help run it and they have a lot of events planned. They hope to get the Merchants involved too. They would like to close some streets and use Heritage Square for vendors. If enough vendors sign up and Heritage Square is full, they would like permission to place them at the city park. Vendors will have insurance and chamber will sponsor the event.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to grant the request of Grangeville Chamber of Commerce to use Heritage Square and Pioneer Park for either October 4th or 18th for Oktoberfest. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Ted Lindsley explained he’s adding a cigar lounge in the back of The Trails with access from the back parking lot. Quality Heating installed an HVAC system on the exterior wall of the trails slightly above ground level for easy access. He was contacted by city staff that the HVAC unit is in the air space of city property. Lindsley stated a dish receiver has been there for 30 years and hasn’t been an issue. When the building was originally built, the first 80’ of wall between The Trails and the fire station was a shared wall. There was a recorded document if the city wants to build on to the station using the wall outside the first 80’ then the city would need to pay half of the cost of the wall at the time it was built. Lindsley is asking for an agreement with the city to let him keep the HVAC system on the existing wall and if the space is needed in the future by the city he would move the units. He looked at north side wall to place the HVAC but it would be inconvenient for placement. Councilor Farris asked Council Andrews if there was any talk in the near future to expand the station. Andrews stated the trucks aren’t getting smaller. Attorney Jessup stated the city could allow an agreement. Public Works Director Mager stated this is similar to the Avista meter placed in Heritage Square. We own the air space. Avista installed their equipment in our air space and they had issues if we plowed it in with snow. They moved their equipment. At the back of the fire station, if we plow snow, snow is usually pushed toward the propane tank and toward the units. Once units are in our air space, you are liable. That’s what was decided at Heritage Square. The Fire Chief is not happy to have it there. If one of his firemen back in or hit it, we’d have maintenance. The satellite happened under old regime. Councilor Grant asked if it would be ok with the city if it was up higher. Councilor Andrews stated the fire department currently has 21 people trying to park at the station. Any restriction is an issue. Councilor Grant felt they should be moved up in height to at least 10’; Councilor Winkler felt 12’ was best.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Perry to have the HVAC at 102 E North Street be moved to a minimum of 12’ clearance from the ground, and agreement drawn up by Attorney Jessup to be recorded and attached to title stating they may need moved the equipment due to future expansion. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: Farris. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City Administrator Kennedy stated the water and sewer bonds successfully closed on July 23rd with our first annual payments due in July 2026. The HVAC system for the east half of upstairs died in late June. After receiving a couple of different quotes, we proceeded with a new system that was installed late in July. We applied for Kevin Zumwalt funds through Grangeville Community Foundation in the spring and we were awarded $197,368.46 for new playground equipment at Lion’s Park.
• POLICE REPORT: Chief Newman reported the city had 140 calls for service and 27 reports taken for July 2025. He had employees take some of their vacations.
• LIBRARY MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to accept the Library Minutes of June 19, 2025. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
JOHNSON/WELLS, 224 E NORTH 5TH STREET: Attorney Jessup explained no permit has been taken out on this property. The trailer has not been moved as required and people are camping on the property. He would like to issue citations for those in the camper and van and initiate criminal proceedings for failure to comply with setbacks. The city could potentially revoke the variance as they haven’t taken out the building permit. The city could also sue them as a nuisance property to have the trailer removed or allow the city to remove and lien property. Councilor Farris stated the city has been very lenient with the property owners and they have not followed any of suggestions or requirements. The city needs to move forward and get it done, even if to include revoking the variance if necessary. It smells horrible. Attorney Jessup the city can proceed with civil action as a nuisance. Mayor Lester stated they moved it in at night and they aren’t returning calls. Councilor Winkler felt it wouldn’t go anywhere with code violations. He felt it needed to be removed. It is a nuisance. The same issue occurred before the previous house burned.
On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Perry to authorize Attorney Jessup to move forward with citations and civil action for code enforcement at 224 W North 5th Street. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
CATERING PERMIT: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to approve the catering permit for Idaho County Veterans Center to cater for the Animal Rescue Foundation on August 14, 2025, 4pm-7pm at the Grangeville Senior Citizen Center, 108 Truck Rte. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SEWER PROJECT CHANGE ORDER: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to approve Change Order #7 in the amount of $25,668.82 with Knife River for the Grangeville Sewer Improvement Project. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
TENTATIVE BUDGET: On motion by Councilor Andrew, second by Councilor Winkler to adopt the 2025-2026 Tentative Budget. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
SURPLUS: On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Grant to surplus three pieces of Lions Park playground equipment, two for sale and one for disposal. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILL PAYMENT: On motion by Councilor Andrew, second by Councilor Perry to approve payment of $12,000 to Rocky Mountain HVAC for install of upstairs unit. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
SECONDHAND STORE: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to approve the Junk Shops, Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Stores license for Animal Rescue Foundation. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE: 2025-26 Budget Hearing – September 2, 2025
The meeting adjourned at 7:08 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
