City Council met in regular session on September 8, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Jared Andrews
Wyatt Perry
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
Gabriel Forsmann
Councilmembers absent: Cody Edwards
City employees present: Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman, City Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of August 17th and August 31st were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025-26 BUDGET AMENDMENT AND THE 2026-27 PROPOSED BUDGET: Mayor Lester opened the public hearing for the 2025-26 budget amendment, 2026-27 proposed budget and proposed fee increases.
• 2025-26 BUDGET AMENDMENT: Administrator Kennedy explained the budget amendment is to use a combination of $50,020 in additional investments and $28,950 in grants for a total of $78,970. In Street fund $35,200 was used to pay for a Knife River invoice that was submitted after FY25 year-end for work in FY25, $14,820 to complete Heritage Square paving project and $28,950 in grants from Grangeville Community Foundation for the softball field and border days speakers.
• 2026-27 PROPOSED BUDGET AND PROPOSED FEE INCREASES: The proposed FY27 budget was presented with a total budget of $9,382,557 with a property tax levy of $1,286,813. Kennedy reviewed the proposed fee increases. No public comments were made. The hearing was declared closed.
VISITORS: Lyn Krzeminski with the Alice Whitman Chapter of National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was present requesting Mayor Lester to proclaim Constitution Week as September 17-25, 2026. Mayor Lester proclaimed September 17-25, 2026 Constitution Week and provided a signed copy of the proclamation to Lyn.
Dave Wimer was present to provide the Lions Park Softball Field Project Update. Jerime Zimmerman was unavailable. Dave read a July update from Jerime explaining the dugouts structures are mostly complete and just waiting on roll-up doors. The old backstop has been successfully removed and new fully completed with drainage around the backstop. The current challenges and adjustments include field leveling and drainage. They are still working through grading issues. The outfield requires additional grading to ensure correct drainage once the infield is leveled. The grading and dirt work still needs to happen and they would like to do a 2% grade of outfield also. That will probably tear up sprinklers, so they had Russ Lindsley there to talk about sprinklers and his plan to fix them. The plan is to start October 2nd after soccer is over. The excavator said one week to complete, but Dave was allowing for 2 weeks. The budget shortage was about $17,000; Dave explained an anonymous donor agreed to an additional $8,000 and the Lions also contributed an additional $8,000. They know if it’s seeded this fall they probably won’t be playing on it this coming spring.
Public Works Director Mager asked for clarification on the ADA pad and other proposed concrete work as it seemed to change since they originally met and agreed to a plan. At the July 20th Council meeting, the Council stated they wanted the ADA pad poured this fall. Dave stated the tentative plan is that Jerime wants an 8’-10’ path that would go from one dugout to the other with the bleachers behind it. The idea of pouring an ADA pad this fall and then possibly tearing it out next year seems a waste of effort and funds. Mager stated he needs their concrete poured before he pours his sidewalk next summer. Councilor Andrews stated he would like to see them move forward with grading this fall and then come back after the work is done with a plan for the remaining work, so Mager can move forward next year with his sidewalks. The Council agreed with Andrews recommendation and will wait for a field update later this fall.
AMENDED APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 2025-26:
ORDINANCE NO. 992
(Ordinance No. 992 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 987, THE APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2025; APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL MONIES THAT ARE TO BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO IN THE SUM OF $78,970; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry 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: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Forsmann. Perry NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 992 duly approved and adopted.
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 2026-27:
ORDINANCE NO. 993
(Ordinance No. 993 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026, APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $9,382,557.00 TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR; AUTHORIZING A LEVY OF SUFFICIENT TAX UPON THE TAXABLE PROPERTY AND SPECIFYING THE OBJECTS AND PURPOSES FOR WHICH SAID APPROPRIATIONS ARE MADE.
On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry 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: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Forsmann. Perry NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 993 duly approved and adopted.
RESOLUTION #314 MASTER FEE SCHEDULE:
RESOLUTION NO. 314
(Resolution No. 314 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)
The following resolution was introduced by Councilor Canaday who moved for its adoption. Second by Councilor Perry.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE ADOPTING THE AMENDED MASTER FEE SCHEDULE.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Forsmann. Perry NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Resolution No. 314 duly approved and adopted.
JUNK SHOP, PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND STORES: On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to approve the Junk Shop, Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Stores license for Heather Butts d/b/a Longhorns Thrift & Antiques, LLC at 158 E Main Street #4. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Forsmann. Perry NO: none. The motion passed.
ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION AGREEMENT: Administrator Kennedy stated the fee increased from $100 to $200 per month as budgeted and the agreement will auto renew unless required by either party by the deadlines in the agreement. On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to authorize signing of the agreement with Animal Rescue Foundation ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Forsmann. Perry NO: none. The motion passed.
SNOWHAVEN SHOP ADDITION: Administrator Kennedy reported Morris Arnzen did not provide a bid on finishing the addition as he has not received information back from all his subs. This will be on the next agenda.
CATERING PERMIT OCTOBERFEST: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to approve the catering permit for The Rib Guy and Gall LLC to cater for Octoberfest on October 2-3, 2026 at Heritage Square. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 6:38 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
